Summary

In the early 1800s, a Shakespearean actor and his wife move to a small, secret cabin in the woods of Maryland. The wife is subjugated to sixteen years of domestic upkeep (and the birth of ten children) while her husband tours and acts.

In 1838, Rosalie Booth, the oldest daughter in the family, is outside on the lawn. Rosalie is not pretty and is “the most unremarkable child in this remarkable family” (9). Mother calls to her from the porch to keep a close eye on Asia, the youngest daughter, whom Rosalie is watching over. She is also helping her brother, Edwin, throw pebbles. Asia has a tantrum and Edwin gives her his pebbles to calm her down. He begins asking Rosalie to tell the story of the bullfrog that lives in the pond, but Rosalie gets choked up when she remembers that her dead...