Book 1: Chapter 9 Summary

The hairdresser comes to try to straighten up Maggie's haircut and scolds her for what she has done, which irritates Maggie. Then Mrs. Tulliver and the children go to visit the Pullets at their home, Garum Firs. Lucy is there looking pretty and neat. Maggie likes Lucy, and they are good friends in spite of the carping of the adults. Now Tom is ignoring his sister and paying attention to Lucy, which makes Maggie angry. Mrs. Pullet is obsessed with keeping the children from touching anything or messing up the house. Maggie manages to drop a piece of cake and then step on it; then she hugs Tom so that he spills his cowslip wine, so they are sent outdoors.

Mrs. Pullet points out Mr. Tulliver's deficiencies and expresses her condolences to Bessy (Mrs. Tulliver) for what she must put up...