Autumn Summary

It is the fall of 1941 and sisters Claudia and Frieda get new brown stockings and cod liver oil to start school with. There is some talk among the grown ups about what's going on at Zick's Coal Company and they pick up coal pieces at night along the railroad tracks. Their house is old and drafty; lit only by one kerosene lamp. The two girls seem to be objects in the house rather than human beings. When the cold weather comes and Claudia gets a cold, her mother chastises her for being inconsiderate. Nonetheless, Claudia's mother covers her in Vicks and flannel and puts her to bed under a pile of quilts to sweat it out. When Claudia thinks back on that autumn, all she remembers is that somebody didn't want her to die.

Mr. Henry comes to stay with them that August...