Part 1: Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis

When the school year begins, Essie Mae is upset because they have to go in their old clothes. She hurries around trying to secure another job, but no one seems to need any housekeeping help. One day Mama tells the children to hurry up and eat so that they can go to Mr. Wheeler's farm and pick pecans. For two days in a row, the family picks pecans and Mr. Wheeler gives them half of all they pick. Mama and Raymond drive to Woodville where they can get a better price for the pecans and come back with one hundred and twenty dollars - enough to buy new school clothes.

Essie Mae takes a job with the Jenkins family looking after their young daughter, Donna. Mrs. Jenkins notices that Essie Mae is uncomfortable calling her "Mrs." And tells Essie...