Summary

In Chapter 1, Mary’s deceased mother was pretty and quite funny. In comparison, Mary has been described as being somber. Mary remembers a time when her father came for the first time in a year to visit her at St. Catherine’s Orphan Asylum where she lived while her father worked. He did not recognize her at first. He had come to collect her and take her to live with her Aunt Kate. Mary’s father brought along a fancy lady’s suitcase for her to pack her belongings in. Mary considers holding her father’s hand because that is what fathers and daughters do in movies.

Mary lived with her Aunt Kate for five years. Mary was a star pupil of Mrs. Pierson, and the teacher invites Mary to a talk given by a friend, Dr. Vogel. Mrs. Pierson recommended Mary...