Chapter 8
Contains spoilersOverview
In a posthumous letter, Gran (as Flora Gray) tells Molly about revealing her terminal illness and continues recounting her youth. Flora attends an elite prep class as the only girl amid growing turmoil at Gray Manor, faces ridicule, and encounters John, Uncle Willy’s son, on a Gray family scholarship. Navigating class politics, Flora deflects mockery, meets Percival Peterson, and pointedly snubs John in the cafeteria.
Summary
The chapter is framed as a letter from Gran to Molly, written after Gran told Molly that her cancer was terminal. Gran reflects on Molly’s denial and on her own regrets about not being able to secure specialized schooling for Molly due to cost and systemic barriers. She then resumes her life story as Flora Gray, picking up when she was driven to an esteemed private college amid mounting tensions at home caused by undisclosed troubles in Reginald Gray’s firm.
Flora describes Reginald Gray’s deteriorating behavior—meals taken alone, unpredictable rage toward staff, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear—even Uncle Willy was on edge. In contrast, Flora felt pride entering school in her uniform, only to discover her prep class consisted entirely of boys familiar with one another. When asked to introduce herself, she curtsied after noting her name’s Latin meaning, prompting mocking catcalls until the headmaster restored order.
A second new student was introduced: John, Uncle Willy’s son, who announced he was the recipient of the Gray Scholarship. The boys mocked him as a charity case. John appealed to Flora to speak up given her family’s name on the scholarship, but Flora redirected the boys’ derision toward John with a cutting remark, securing approval from the class at his expense.
After class, the redheaded instigator approached Flora in the hall. He introduced himself as Percival Peterson, revealed his family’s ties to Gray Investments, and apologized for his earlier insults. Enjoying the deference associated with her father’s name, Flora accepted his apology, let him guide her to the cafeteria, and even lent him her notes after he asked to see them.
Inside the chaotic mess hall, Flora saw John eating a homemade lunch—recognizably Mrs. Mead’s roast beef and cucumber sandwich—and gesturing to the empty seat beside him. As Percival warned Flora that she would “never be one of the boys” and rushed to join their classmates, Flora, stung by exclusion and fueled by anger, rejected John’s silent invitation and left the mess hall.
Who Appears
- Gran / Flora Gray
Molly’s late grandmother narrating via letter; recounts first day at elite prep class, deflects ridicule, snubs John; reveals Reginald Gray’s escalating volatility at home.
- Molly
granddaughter and recipient of the letter; is told of Gran’s terminal diagnosis in the past.
- Reginald Gray
Flora’s father; head of Gray Investments; increasingly angry and secretive due to business troubles.
- Uncle Willy
Reginald’s brother; generally calm but unsettled by Reginald’s behavior; father of John.
- John
Uncle Willy’s son; new student on the Gray Scholarship; mocked by classmates; offers Flora a seat, which she refuses.
- Percival Peterson
new; redheaded classmate who initially mocks Flora and John, later apologizes, has parents with holdings at Gray Investments, borrows Flora’s notes.
- Headmaster
authority figure who introduces Flora and John and enforces order.
- Mrs. Mead
housekeeper/cook referenced; her sandwich indicates John’s lunch origin.
- Gray classmates
group of boys who mock Flora and John, reinforce social hierarchy.