Chapter 28 Summary

Gertie lies in bed, partly asleep, partly dazed with remorse, partly fantasizing about how life would have been if she had stayed home, partly trying to get herself to work on the carving - and completely unable to get over her grief. She clings desperately to Amos in her determination to keep him safe, responds mechanically to well-meaning visitors like Sophronie and Mrs. Anderson, and cannot believe her ears when Clovis tells her all the money she gave him went to pay for the funeral and the casket. He explains that because corrupt police officers and funeral directors have a kickback scheme, there's no money left for a marker for Cassie's grave. When he sees how upset Gertie is, he attempts to reassure her by complimenting her on her ability to save, saying that if he'd known she'd saved so much he'd have...