Part 1: Chapters 8-9 Summary

To Make a Garden Grow. Chris decides that since they are going to be in this room a while longer, they should make an attempt to make the attic more suitable for play. They decide to begin by cleaning it. Mother helps by bringing cleaning supplies and even working with them a few hours every weekend. During this time, Mother tells them about the people she sees and places she goes, as well as the secretarial classes she takes. Cathy soon becomes frustrated with her mother's lack of success in her typing course. Mother brings them many gifts, including art supplies from which they begin to make flowers and bugs to create the illusion of a garden in the attic. As their confinement approaches a month, the children are forced to hide in the attic one Friday to allow...