Book I, pgs. 23-64 Summary

There are shortages in Falls, North Carolina. Ned Smythe's mother, Winona was a widower and she had not gone out of her yard after Ned left for the war. She learns of her son's death via letter delivered by the postman. The neighbors knew from her wailing that Ned had been killed and came to do what they could to help, including Lucy's mother. Two days later, they noticed a gray army tent in her yard where she slept. She wanted to live the way her son lived before dying.

Lucy explains how the Lanes' End charity home obtained its name. She thinks it should be called something else.

Will Marsden avoids Winona's house. He spends time in spots where he and Ned used to play. He finally decides to visit Winona and tells her about Ned's...