Part 1: Mother - Arthur Summary

Alice is ten years old when Mother is sent to the "San." After Mother's admittance to the "San," Alice goes to live with relatives. Alice lives mostly with Uncle Billy and Aunt Frances. Uncle Billy is Mother's brother. As soon as Alice arrives, Aunt Frances imposes her will on Alice, and she is only allowed to talk about living persons. Alice's picture books are replaced with other books that Aunt Frances deems more suitable. Alice is given a new hair cut, and her clothing is taken to be name-tagged.

Alice doesn't particularly like Uncle Billy's house, and she prefers to spend her time visiting the neighborhood where she and Mother used to live. Alice would have Arthur drive her to her old neighborhood and stop in a discreet place where her former neighbors could not see Alice...