Believed to be a witch by neighborhood children, Mrs. Van Amersfoort becomes a focal character by befriending Thomas and giving him books and poetry to read. She also knows about the violence that goes on in Thomas' home, and arranges a read-aloud club meeting at the Klopper home. Mrs. Van Amersfoort interrupts and violent fight in the Klopper home simply by knocking on their door to borrow a cup of sugar, and slips a note addressed to Father in the Kloppers' mailbox, which says, "A man who hits his wife dishonors himself."
