Chapter 11 Summary

A new character, Carrie, arrives on the scene. A big woman with a short Afro (before they were popular), pierced ears and two layers of housedress tied with a rope, she eases into the Browns' life and without any apparent effort or strain sets the house back into its proper rhythm. Vida, of course, does not trust Carrie, who looks different, acts different, and talks different from people to whom Vida is accustomed. Still, she can find nothing in particular to complain about as the laundry is always clean, the chandeliers sparkling, and the children fed.

Mr. Jeff, the gardener next door, courts Carrie with secret decanters of brandy and various plants. But Carrie still won't allow Eugene to get too cozy with Betsey, and when Allard catches them kissing behind the garage where he's gone to set a fire, Carrie gives all...