Summary

Jolly does not come home for two days, and Verna must stay overnight with the children. She misses school, sending her mother into a rage. She does pity the children, however, for having to be without their mother. Jilly screams and cries when Verna leaves and Verna prays that she will not end up like Jolly.

In Chapter 13, Verna tries to bathroom train Jeremy because they are running out of diapers. He wets himself and makes a mess, but Verna never raises her voice to him. She worries about having enough time to study for her tests in school because she is so focused on Jeremy and Jilly. Jeremy eventually manages to use the toilet properly.

In Chapter 14, Jolly comes home with her face bleeding. Verna asks if she can call Jolly’s parents for her, but Jolly says she has none. The...