Summary: In this chapter they are very low on money. For food, Jeannette goes back to looking in the garbage can at school. Rose is sneaking food, and not giving any to her kids. In the winter it's so cold that the house doesn't have water. They can't afford to keep the fire going, so the house is always freezing. Erma (Rex's mother) dies their second winter there. We find out that Jeannette wants to be a Veterinarian or a geologist. Brian and Jeannette find a wedding ring in the house. Jeannette thinks it would be a good idea to sell it. Then they would have money for food. But when Jeannette shows Rose, she wants to keep it. So they end up keeping the ring and starving. Jeannette thinks it would be better for the family if Rose left Rex. She tells her mom that, but her mom says that she won't leave him.

Main characters: The main characters in this chapter are Jeannette, Rex, Rose, Brian, Lori, and Maureen.

Character development: Jeannette still loves her family but she's starting to doubt them. It's getting harder for Jeannette to believe in her dad.

Setting: This chapter takes place when Jeannette was 12 years old. From the summer to winter. The family still lives in Welch.

Quote: "But mom," I said, "that ring could get us a lot of food."
"That's true, but it could also improve my self-esteem." This quote is important because it shows that Jeannette is worried about her family not eating, and that her mom cares more about herself. They're looking in the garbage for food, but Rose wants to keep the ring instead of feeding her family.

Vocabulary: Tourniquet: Any device for arresting bleeding by forcibly compressing a blood vessel, as a bandage tightened by twisting.
Disdainful: Full of or showing disdain; scornful.