Lives of Girls and Women

Del spends her summer with her father’s aunts, Aunt Elspeth and Auntie Grace, as well as his Uncle Craig in Jenkin’s Bend. Jenkin’s Bend is named after “a young man killed by a fallen tree just a little way up the road” from her aunt and uncle’s house (35). Del’s uncle works as a clerk for the town, and he spends his time working on various projects, such as compiling their family tree and historical accounts of Wawanash County. During her stay, Del engages with her uncle regarding their familial history and current events, such as World War II. Despite his interest in politics and work with the township, Uncle Craig decides not to run in the local political election, which is praised by Del’s aunts. They don’t believe in prioritizing ambition, especially if there is a chance of not succeeding. The aunts spend most of their time telling Del and one another stories about their experiences, such as the time their father hired an Austrian man to work on the farm. Early in her stay, her aunts and uncle entertain a neighbor and his family for dinner, and they prepared by polishing their best silverware. However, Del’s family finds the neighbor to have poor table manners, and one of her aunts mocks the man for his eating habits.