Chapter 8 Summary

This chapter presents the attack, from Dorcas's point of view. The language is simple and transparent, and doesn't interfere with the flow of the action. Dorcas is completely happy at last. She is at a party with adults, drinking and dancing with Acton. He is a handsome young man with no gray in his hair. All the girls are after Acton, and he would never dream of buying Dorcas a present. She likes it that way. When she is with Joe, she feels she has all the power. He adores her no matter what she does. With Acton, she has to be careful what she wears and how she laughs, or he will take up with someone else.

When Dorcas breaks up with Joe, she tells him it was all the sneaking around. Really, it was the sense of power. Dorcas wants to...