Summary

Chapters 3 & 4

In Chapter 3, Louise begins her narration by saying that the bombing of Pearl Harbor shocked her and the rest of the world. As a child, she is devastated by the terrible tragedy. Louise hears the news of the bombing over the radio, even though she is not allowed to listen to the radio on Sundays. She rushes upstairs to tell Caroline the news, and they both stand frozen, holding hands, in front of the radio. When their parents come home, they don’t chastise the girls for breaking one of their Sabbath rules, but stand as shocked as the girls, listening.

At school, Louise dramatically suggests that the school Christmas pageant should be cancelled due to the news of war, but Mr. Rice ignores her suggestion, which embarrasses her deeply. After school, she hides in the marsh, too embarrassed to even walk home...