Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 Summary

The narrative focus in this section shifts from Reuben's troubles to Cassie's, troubles that climax in her death and the beginning of an intense sense of grief and loss in Gertie from which she never truly recovers.

Chapter 24 - A postcard from Reuben and a letter from Mother reassure Gertie that Reuben is all right, but the postcard causes her pain because it was sent to Clovis. She feels more pain when Clovis reveals that the only reason Mother allowed Gertie to marry him was that Henley was finally big enough to take over the farm work Gertie had done. Clovis also repeats and repeats his usual complaints that Gertie's carving takes up too much time and is not worth the money she gets paid, and his other complaints that Cassie's talking to herself and "friendship" with Callie Lou are making...