Part 3, Chapter 16 Summary

Colin continues to endure the teachers at King Edward's Grammar including Miss Woodson who seems to rival Mr. Hodges for embarrassing the students. In addition to Miss Woodson, Mr. Carter, the boxing coach, also enjoys taking potshots at students and, most especially, at Colin.

Life continues along in the row house neighborhood where Colin lives. Ellen's parents are dying very slowly and now can only lie in their small, iron double bed. Ellen visits on a regular basis to clean the house and get them something to eat if they're hungry but she also has competition from her sister. While Ellen feels a great sense of loss because she perceives that she is a constant disappointment to her parents, her sister seems to takes everything in stride. For instance, while Ellen feels worry and grief over the pending deaths of her...