Part I, Chapters XVI - XX Summary

In Chapter XVI Thea and her mother ride with Ray in his freight train caboose. Thea considers it the most pleasant experience of that summer. Ray and Thea enjoy talking as they watch the scenery go by. One particular item they discuss is the Indians and their habit of building houses into the sides of cliffs. Ray wants to take Thea to visit the habitats of the cliff dwellers one day. In Chapter XVII Mr. Kronborg pushes Thea to be more active in church. He insists she add playing the organ and leading singing on Wednesday night to regular work that she does with the choir. In time Thea begins to almost enjoy the mournful Wednesday prayer services. She uses them to bolster her own desire to live and be happy.

In the...