Part 4 Summary (page 277 through page 308)

Still busying herself with Gloria's dress, Miss Lexie continues recounting Miss Mortimer's final years. At last, Willy Trimble stands and produces a small blue-backed book he had taken from the house after having carried Miss Mortimer back to it that morning; it's Miss Mortimer's will. Upon hearing that, Judge Moody takes possession of the book, and looking through it, finds it addressed to him. Ostensibly, he is an old friend of Miss Mortimer's. Judge Moody informs the reunion that according to Miss Mortimer's will, everyone (that is, everyone she ever taught) is expected to be at her funeral and that she is to be buried underneath the mountain stone that is the doorstep of Banner School.

The family does not take too kindly to being told what to do and each has something to say about Miss...