Chapter 6 Summary

Ruth and Lucille stop going to school in March when the weather turns warm enough to go to the lake. They also explore the woods and an old quarry. The school sends letters to Sylvie about the girls' truancy and she composes notes blaming adolescent female troubles. Sometimes she remembers to mail the notes, and sometimes she does not. One evening, while in the darkened kitchen waiting for Sylvie to cook eggs for their supper, Lucille turns on the lights, turning a shocking spotlight on the total disorder of heaps of unwashed pots and dishes, cupboard doors unhinged and propped on the floor, thick coats of dust, soot, and a curtain left hanging half-burned. Spitefully, Lucille asks Sylvie about her husband, accusing her of inventing him. Sylvie says she is out of touch with her husband, who was a sailor. For awhile Lucille...