The Terrible Secret explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family and Maternal Sacrifice

  Mother sacrifices her own comfort to protect her children from the full weight of their father's imprisonment, while Bobbie takes on the burden of the secret to shield her siblings.

• Resilience in Adversity

  Bobbie and her family continue to support each other and find moments of normalcy despite the devastating revelation about their father.

• Childhood Innocence and Adventure

  The children's playful arguments and Peter's accident highlight their youthful struggles, even as they grapple with adult-sized sorrows.

Characters to notice

• Roberta (Bobbie)

  Discovers the terrible secret of her father's imprisonment and struggles to cope with the knowledge while maintaining her composure.

• Mother

  Reveals her sorrow over the separation from Father and encourages the children to talk about him, sharing stories of their childhood.

• Peter

  Injures his foot with a rake but reassures Bobbie that it was not her fault, showing maturity and forgiveness.

• Phyllis

  Goes to fetch the doctor for Peter and remains unaware of Bobbie's secret.

• Perks

  Offers comfort and practical help after Peter's injury, showing his kindness and community spirit.

• Dr. Forrest

  Treats Peter's foot and reassures Bobbie that he will recover fully.

Key passages

• “So now I know, she said. What she had read was headed, 'End of the Trial. Verdict. Sentence.' The name of the man who had been tried was the name of her father. The verdict was 'Guilty.' And the sentence was 'Five years' Penal Servitude.'”

  Bobbie reads a newspaper report revealing that her father has been found guilty and sentenced to five years of hard labor in prison.

  This is the pivotal moment where Bobbie learns the truth about her father's fate.

• “I thought you were so unhappy about Daddy not being here, it made you worse when I talked about him. So I stopped doing it.”

  Bobbie explains to her mother that she stopped mentioning their father because she believed it made her mother more sad.

  Bobbie's sensitivity to her mother's feelings shows her growing maturity and empathy.

• “I wish I could comfort you, said Bobbie. Oh, my dear, do you suppose you don't? Do you think I haven't noticed how good you've all been, not quarrelling nearly as much as you used to—and all the little kind things you do for me—the flowers, and cleaning my shoes, and tearing up to make my bed before I get time to do it myself?”

  Bobbie expresses a desire to comfort her mother, and Mother reassures her that her small acts of kindness have been noticed and appreciated.

  This exchange highlights the theme of family support and maternal sacrifice.