The Silent Boy

Katy is playing a word game in the kitchen with Peggy called “Love, Hate, Friendship,” and they are trying to determine who they will love. Katy’s game reveals Peggy and Loyd will be married, which makes Peggy blush. Katy says they could do Nell’s name next, but she already knows Nell “is sweet on” (148) Paul Bishop. Peggy is very upset by her saying this, so Katy decides she better not tell Peggy what she saw Nell and Paul doing in the barn.

Katy describes her impression of Nell from living next door to her. She knows that Nell likes to wear makeup and go to the movies, and she aspires to be a movie star. Katy remembers the picture she saw of the movie star Mary Pickford. She thinks girls that age shouldn’t be in films or in factories, they should be in school. Only one woman in her father’s class became a doctor, and she was teased along the way. Katy resolves to attend college and become a doctor too. She wants to marry Austin Bishop, have children, and travel.

Mr. Bishop brings his new camera out onto the lawn to show it off. The children gather around, and Paul and Nell play flirtatiously.