Summary

In 1903, years before any of the Shaw children are born, Jim lives on the farm with his parents as a young boy. He has been forbidden from naming the animals, but accidentally slips and makes reference to the goat, whom he has named Tito. When Jim lies and says that Tito is a neighbor boy, Jim’s mother punishes him by keeping up the ruse and telling Jim that Tito’s mother wants him to go to their house for dinner. Jim leaves and spends hours in a nearby barn. When he comes home, he breaks down crying, and his mother holds him close.

In 1911, Marie’s mother, Mrs. Ball, decides to send her to live with Marie’s aunt, Harriet, in a bungalow near the Shaw farm. Mrs. Ball is astonished when Marie’s first letter home extols...