The Homemaker · Chapter
XII explained
Aunt Mattie Farnham returns after two months away and encounters Helen and Henry Knapp skipping home from school.
What happens
Aunt Mattie Farnham returns after two months away and encounters Helen and Henry Knapp skipping home from school. She is anxious to learn how the family has been managing in her absence, especially with Evangeline working at Willing's and Lester incapacitated. The children explain that Lester, now in a wheelchair, does the cooking with help from Helen, and that neighbors and coworkers have stepped in to assist with chores and meals. Aunt Mattie is shocked by the unconventional arrangement but promises to visit Lester that afternoon.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Domesticity
Lester takes on cooking and housework, challenging traditional gender expectations, while Aunt Mattie struggles to comprehend a man managing the household.
Community and Solidarity
Neighbors and coworkers (the janitor, delivery driver, old Mrs. Hennessy) help the Knapp family, showing mutual support in times of crisis.
Family and Parenting
The children adapt to new roles, helping with chores and caring for Stephen, while Lester's storytelling fills a gap left by Evangeline's absence.
Characters to notice
- Helen Knapp
Explains to Aunt Mattie how the family manages, including Lester cooking and the children helping.
- Henry Knapp
Skipping home with Helen; notes that he and Helen do the walking for Lester.
- Mattie Farnham
Returns from Maine after a relative's death; expresses concern and confusion about the Knapp household arrangements.
- Stephen Knapp
Mentioned as having fewer tantrums and enjoying Lester's stories.
- Lester Knapp
In a wheelchair, cooks from a cookbook, and tells stories to Stephen.
- Evangeline Knapp
Working at Willing's; her absence from home is a key concern for Aunt Mattie.
Key passages
“Skippety hop to the barbershop To buy a stick of candy. One for you and one for me And one for …”
The children chant a skipping rhyme as they walk home from school.
This rhyme sets a playful tone before Aunt Mattie's serious news.
“I’ve been worried to death about you all.”
Aunt Mattie expresses extreme concern for the family's well-being.
Highlights her anxiety and the family's precarious situation.
“Father’s a lovely cook. He’s learning out of the cookbook. And so am I—learning, I mean. We’re learning together.”
Helen explains that Lester is teaching himself to cook from a book, and she is learning alongside him.
Shows the family's adaptation and Lester's new domestic role.
“Why, Stephen seems to be growing out of those naughty streaks. He’s lots better, somehow. He still has a tantrum once in a while, but not nearly so often, nor so bad. You see, he likes Father’s being sick!”
Helen notes that Stephen's behavior has improved because he enjoys the attention and stories from Lester.
Reveals an unexpected positive outcome of Lester's disability.