Summary

In Chapter Three, Frances and her mother make their annual pilgrimage to her father's grave site. It's Mr. Wray's birthday and the two women clean the gravestone and take a wreath to the grave. When Frances and her mother arrive home, there is noise from the Barber's rooms. A little boy appears on the stairway and Mrs. Wray fears he'll fall. Frances and her mother go upstairs to find several members of Lilian's family are visiting. They meet Lilian's mother, Mrs. Viney, who introduces herself and two of her daughters to Frances and Mrs. Wray. They are outgoing and Mrs. Viney is particularly outspoken, embarrassing her daughters.

Frances notices that Lilian has moved one of the Wray's chairs from its normal place in the house. Outside the rooms, Lilian apologizes, saying her mother's “back and her legs are bad,” and that she needs...