Summary

In Chapter 8, Josephine woke up in Maman’s room and did not put on her usual makeup before going out to the kitchen, where Landon was making breakfast. When Iris emerged from the basement, she casually rebuffed her family for ignoring her. Helena asked about the day she was mauled at the zoo and “Iris dropped her silverware and her head slumped over her shoulders” (142). She began to speak to the voices that no one else could here. Josephine was distraught as her sister spoke, mentioning the children she had lost before full term. When Iris would not stop, Josephine picked up a glass pitcher and smashed it against her sister’s head.

Iris was seemingly unconscious of the hallway floor in Chapter 9. Maman instructed Josephine to bring her a utility knife. She was resolute on teaching Hallow how to cut caul...