Part 1, Storm In June: Chapter 26 Summary

Madame Pericand and her children arrive at her mother's home in Nimes. Although her mother is a Craquant, as she once was, she loyally observes the Pericand rituals—since the Pericand family into which her daughter has married has even more money than the Craquants. The two women plan to attend a mass for the deceased. Madame Craquant has an eating problem and is quite obese.

They learn of the elderly Monsieur Pericand's death and Charlotte reads the letter from the nursing home describing his last wishes. Madame Pericand is also informed of Philippe's death, and is told that Hubert has been killed at the battle of Moulins. Madame Pericand is upset but is very proud of her sons, and can already imagine the "black veil fluttering around her." She considers Philippe to have...