Not Without Laughter

As fall settles in, the family fails to receive news from Harriet and Jimboy. Nevertheless, Annjee rushes home from work everyday expecting a letter from Jimboy. Her continued love for Jimboy angers Hager, who told a pregnant Annjee years ago that Jimboy was worthless and would never be a good provider like some of the other suitors who came around. Just as she did back then, Annjee defends her relationship with Jimboy by saying that she loves him. Hager tells her that it is impossible to live on love, however.

Annjee falls sick with the flu after Thanksgiving and is unable to work. The doctor tells the family that she is simply overworked and needs rest. Attempting to make up for the lost money, Hager takes on so much laundry work that the house is dominated by her customers’ clothing. The house is freezing cold because the family cannot afford to run another stove beyond the kitchen one used for heating washing water. Sandy frequently does his work there amid the laundry.

Sister Johnson, sympathetic to Hager’s burdens, helps with the laundry one day. She tells them that a hard winter is coming since so many men are unemployed and the weather is bad.