Book 2, The Things We Learned (159-186) Summary

In January, the Underdowns show up, coming in Mr. Axelroot's plane. Rachel thinks that they are plain Janes if she's ever seen any. Frank and Janna even look alike to her. Mrs. Underdown tries to make friends with mother by complaining about her houseboy in Leopoldville, but Mother seems uninterested. The girls are excused but they are curious about the Underdowns and want to stay. Rachel lingers in the room, checking her hair and tidying up. She finally joins her sisters on the veranda where they listen in.

Rachel picks up a paper that they've brought and reads that the Russian Khrushchev wants to take over the Congo. She thinks that he can have it if he wants it. The article also says that the Belgians often interrupt cannibal natives in the villages...