Chapter 6 Summary

Chapter 6 opens with the family getting ready for the Ceremony. Lily fidgets while Mother ties the hair ribbons. Lily is impatient, and looking forward to tens. She will have her hair cut – no more ribbons.

Certain years of the ceremony brings new things to the children. First years get a name and a family. Fours receive a back-buttoned jacket to foster care for each other. Seven's had the first sign of independence when they were given the front – buttoned jackets. Lily became an eight this year, and proudly accepted the new jacket with smaller buttons and her first pockets. This was a sign that she was mature enough to keep track of her belongings. This is the year that they begin volunteer hours. By the time they are Twelve, they have had a chance to work at several different places and jobs.

The...