Summary

In chapter 27, the reader learns that Isabelle is pregnant. She had been lying to her mother about needing the sanitary supplies, but can’t hide her growing stomach or her daily nausea. Isabelle’s mother doesn’t talk to Isabelle about her being pregnant; instead, Marg tried to convince her husband to help keep Isabelle’s pregnancy quiet. He refuses to get Isabelle an abortion.

Isabelle ponders her mother’s upbringing. Isabelle knows little, but she knows her mother was poor growing up, and that her mother was likely a prostitute in addition to being a washwoman. Marg left town as soon as she could and remade herself, meeting John in Louisville, Kentucky.

One morning, Isabelle discovers Cora is gone; she and Nell have been fired and Mrs. Gray has been hired as the McAllister’s maid. Isabelle realizes her mother did away...