Part Three, Welch, Pages 129-183, Summary and Analysis

It took a month for the Walls family to make it to West Virginia. When they did, Jeannette imagined they would meet a set of grandparents not unlike Grandma Smith. Jeannette imagined hot meals, hair brushing and stories. However, it was clear from the first moment that this was not what Jeannette would get. Grandma Erma was a rough woman who did not accept criticism well. Erma's cooking also left a lot to be desired. Erma also liked to drink. Living in the house along with Erma was Grandpa Walls and Uncle Stanley, Rex's brother. Neither seemed capable of standing up to Erma, even when she was clearly wrong.

The children started school shortly after their arrival in Welch. However, Rose Mary had left town so quickly that she had not bothered to...