Summary

Chapter 3 is titled “The Answer-Backer Cure.” The image at the top of the opening page shows an adult woman, probably a teacher named Mrs. Crabtree, talking while a youngster named Mary O'Toole stands with a scowl on her face and her arms folded. When Mary arrives home from school one day, she tells her mother that she made a rude comment to her teacher, Mrs. Crabtree, that day. As punishment, Mrs. Crabtree made Mary stand in the cloak room. Mary seems to expect that her mother will be happy with her behavior, but Mrs. O'Toole is upset and she sends Mary to her room, instructing her to spend the time thinking about her rude behavior. Mary apparently does not care about the punishment.

That evening, Mary and her parents have dinner together. Afterward, Mr. O'Toole instructs Mary to clear the table and wash the...