Chapter 9 Summary

Papa is not well. He begins to look pale and rest a lot. One day, he topples right out of his chair onto the floor. The doctor sees him and asks if he ever had a head injury. Mama answers that, yes, two years ago he had been hit in the head on the job. The doctor believes the injury is just now manifesting itself in a serious and potentially deadly way. Papa is taken to the hospital.

Later, Mama is told that Papa must be operated on soon, and that it will require a surgeon in a very expensive operation. The Aunts and Uncles gather, and each chip in as much money as they can, acts that nearly move Mama to tears.

Mama takes all the money and goes to the hospital. The best surgeon for the job is Dr. Beauchamp, whose...