Summary

Chapter 15: Duster’s Eve

Ruth Nell, Hazel’s baby, began to cough that winter. As many precautions as Hazel took, the dust still found its way to the baby’s throat. Ruth Nell was diagnosed with whooping cough. The doctor advised Hazel to take the baby away from the area. Forty miles to the south, Loumiza Lucas had the same cough. Loumiza was the baby’s great-grandmother. She was in pain and ate very little. She huddled in her bed with the quilts pull up over her most of the time. She wasn’t worried about herself. She was worried about baby Ruth Nell.

Just before Ruth Nell’s first birthday, Hazel and Charles decided to move. Staying would risk the baby’s life. Hazel made arrangements to stay with her in-laws in Enid, Oklahoma. Just before they were to leave, a tornado...