Summary

In Chapter 17, the family is at Jack's funeral. Mary is having trouble remembering why she is there. When Katie throws some dirt into the grave, Mary remembers that Jack is dead. Just then, she sees Jack walking by and rushes to join him on a bench. He says there were not many people at the funeral and she pledges to have another, making sure everyone knows about it. She notes that Jack “looks really well considering” (134) he is dead. Jack says he hopes that having Caroline's name on his medical bracelet will finally allow Caroline and Mary to work out their differences. Jack says Mary should write “I am Mary Todd” (136) on her hand, and that is all she really needs to remember. He suggests she give Caroline Pat's suitcase now. Mary begins to write on the bench, and includes the word “suitcase...