Chapters 52 through 53 Summary

Aunt Betty walks Lark home from school in Chapter 52 and the talk turns to the question of whether Hilly went to heaven. Aunt Betty is honest in her answer. She says she does not know. Lark is determined to never return to the Catholic Church and threatens to run away. At home after dinner, a hobo knocks on the door seeking a meal. Aunt Betty feeds him, packs some food for him and sends him on his way. Papa tells Lark he is sad that his daughter will going to hell for feeling the way she does about the Catholic Church. Lark tells him maybe they will both be going to hell together. Papa is in disbelief, yet he does not turn angry; he flees for his work office.

In Chapter 53, a mysterious officer—a captain—attends Hilly's funeral...