Chapter 2 Summary

Cousin Stickles knocks on Valancy's door at 7:30 am, which is the time Valancy always gets up. Her aunt runs a strict household, so breakfast is always at 8, lunch is always at 1 and dinner is always at 6. As Valancy gets ready for the day, she sees an insignificant person in the mirror. She also thinks about how she has always been afraid of something all her life and believes she will always live her life afraid of one thing or another. In her dreary mood, Valancy decides that she has to give up her fantasy of a Blue Castle and she goes down to breakfast.

Chapter 2 Analysis

Valancy is depressed. She feels as if she is contained in a world where she doesn't have any choices. It is as if she is a prisoner in her own home. She has resigned herself to the...