Chapter 4 Summary

Rosaleen and Lily meet August Boatwright, an apiarist, and her two sisters, May and June. The Black Mary stands as a wooden statue in the Boatwrights' living room, astounding Lily and creating a powerful presence. They are invited to stay at the Boatwright home, and August offers Rosaleen a housekeeping position and Lily a beekeeping job. Lily's lies get bigger, and August can see right through her. Still, she extends her hospitality to the pair.

Chapter 4 Analysis

Feeling vulnerable, Lily takes comfort in lying to the Boatwrights when she first meets them, not because she wants to be deceitful but because she believes they will judge her before she is able to find the answers she seeks. August seems to be withholding information and waiting for the right timing, allowing Lily to have confidence in herself and begin to trust people.

Lily finds...