Summary

As Willa quickly does her chores so she can return to playing with Geraldine in Chapter 8, two ladies arrive summon Jottie because Vause Hamilton is at it again and only Jottie can stop him from burning a boot to mourn the death of his son who died young. Mr. Hamilton calms under Jottie's influence, observing that his son liked her better than any of the other girls, and everyone's reactions to this encounter inspires Willa's curiosity about Vause Jr. Mae and Minerva tell her that he died in a fire at age 20, but she can tell they are not telling her everything. Their answers to her questions reveal that Vause was good friends with Felix and Jottie, but he died in a fire he set at the mill while trying to steal money from their daddy's office so he could run away to...