Dee leaves to get an education in another place, with the help of Mama and the community’s fundraising efforts. Mama never went to school past second grade, and Maggie has a very limited reading ability, so Dee’s education is a stark difference and Mama seems to feel that starkness, commenting, “like dimwits, we seemed about to understand”. Mama discusses the physical differences between the three: her own manly looks, Maggie’s timid disposition, and Dee’s nice hair, full figure, and stylish way of dress.