Chapter 23 Summary

The Winters' friends all have varying opinions about how the situation with Norah ought to be handled. Some believe that she ought to be kidnapped and reprogrammed. Reta actually had once tried to forcibly remove Norah from her street corner, but her daughter's screaming had called attention to her attempt, and Reta had hastily returned to her car. Others suggested that living on the street was not a real problem at all, and they simply could not understand why Reta and Tom were so concerned.

Reta and Tom had also consulted a psychiatrist, who advised them not to interfere in the situation. The doctor believed that Norah was actually giving the gift of freedom to herself, and that this was a process in her life which should not be interrupted. "Vagrancy can be thoughtful or careless; she has chosen the latter," he told...