Chapter 2, Part 2 Summary

Mattie's father has not spoken to her since finding out she is pregnant. Mattie is his pride and joy and nothing has ever come between them. Once when she had scarlet fever he sat with her 24 hours a day for a week, neglecting his farm. His love for her was a legend in those parts.

However, he was taking this hard. He blames himself and finally speaks to her about what he is going to do about it. He assumes it is Fred's baby and he is going to speak with Fred about marrying her, doing right by her. Mattie has barely enough courage to tell him it is not Fred's baby. However, she will not tell him who the father is. He starts beating her for the name and works himself into such a beating frenzy her mother has to...