Chapter 17 Summary

There were several categories of children at St. Bartholomew's, ranging from severe physical retardation with mild mental retardation to severe mental retardation and all manner of affliction in between. Most of these children were abused. A ten-year-old prodigy sits at the piano playing softly, and the children play and laugh while bodachs crawl through the room. The three Odd had seen the night before have become seven.

Chapter 17 Analysis

Odd notices the recreation room on his way to Mother Superior's and looking in he can't help reflecting on the varying children, who made their lives at the school. Some were severely physically retarded, and some mentally, and some in between the two, but one thing they all had in common was the need for affection. One child is playing the piano softly, although unable to dress himself, and Odd can't help wishing those...