Part 2: The Prayers of the Saints, Chapter 1: Florence's Prayer Summary

In this chapter, many of the questions that trouble John's mind are answered through the recounting of the past told from Aunt Florence's point of view. At first, we learn that the reason for Florence's visit to the church is that she is gravely ill and realizes that her own death is now at hand. She has come to the church with Gabriel and his family to "set her house in order." It is difficult for this proud woman to be aware of her despised brother's sense of vindication at seeing his sister humbled before God. She comes because recently her thoughts have been continually plagued by memories of the important people in her life who predeceased her and the anguish she feels over unsettled differences she...