Chapter 26 Summary

Helen tells Winnie she always knew that Wen Fu was Pearl's father. She says she tried to convince Winnie that he had not been born bad so she would not believe Pearl might have been born bad, too.

Helen and Winnie shop for a god for Pearl's altar in the Sam Food Trading Company (Shop of the Gods). Winnie tells Mrs. Hong that she is looking for a goddess nobody knows, one that might not even exist. Mrs. Hong remembers a statue missing a name. Winnie buys this one and paints on a name.

When Pearl visits, Winnie gives her Chinese herbs and the statue she describes this way. She has very black hair and has had many hardships in her life, but now, no worries. She is ready to listen. Winnie urges Pearl, who is crying, to tell the statue everything. Her...