Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

Chapter 3: The Trouble with Aunt Patty

The first thing that Aunt Patty does when the girls arrive in Raleigh is to take them shopping for new clothes. She doesn't ask them once what they want to wear. She is buying the clothes and she is going to pick them out. When all is said and done, the girls look like smaller versions of Aunt Patty. Willa Jo really resents it when Aunt Patty asks Uncle Hob if the girls look like new pennies in their new duds. He agrees. He is sweet and had learned long ago to agree with Aunt Patty.

Willa Jo could hardly choke out the word, "Thanks." She knows she should show more enthusiasm but it is difficult under the circumstances. Aunt Patty doesn't know much about children because she never had any. While they are shopping...