Summary

The winter school term comes to an end, with a recital to close the term. Caddie practices a long poem, with “gestures and a fine Boston accent”; while Warren had only a short piece: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” But Warren is very nervous, suffering from almost paralyzing stage fright.

Recital day is cloudy and stormy, so their mother decides to stay home with Minnie and Baby Joe, rather than risk getting them soaked in the storm that’s coming. She suggests the children may want to stay home, but they don’t want to miss the recital. Caddie’s performance goes off without a hitch, but Warren mistakenly says the verse his brother has put in his head, “If at first you don’t fricassee, fry, fry a hen.” Mrs. Parker asks him to stay after school and say...