Chapters 7-16 Summary

Chapter 7: Aibileen

Elizabeth punishes Mae Mobley for going to Aibileen's bathroom. Aibileen cannot do anything about Elizabeth's behavior and is outraged by the fact that Elizabeth hits her again and again across her bare legs.

Aibileen gets ready to go home, but before she goes home Aibileen keeps her promise to herself and hugs Mae Mobley, telling the little girl that she is smart and good. On the way home, Aibileen thinks about Elizabeth's words and becomes increasingly outraged.

"I want to yell so loud that Baby Girl can hear me that dirty ain't a color, disease ain't the Negro side of town." (Chap. 7, p. 96)

Things are quiet and Mae Mobley is potty trained now.

Aibileen goes outside to have her lunch. A local boy, Robert, stops by to chat with Aibileen. Robert had been a friend of Treelore's and has...