Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
On View Day, Meg prepares to be noticed and nearly finds a family, but Miss Garnett diverts the promising Smiths to another girl. A wealthy couple without papers then chooses Meg, prompting Garnett to block the adoption by citing the work program.
Miss Mildred invokes amended policy, and the inspector overrules Garnett after seeing the couple’s credentials and Yale connections. Meg departs on a trial adoption, escaping Garnett and the looming work program.
Summary
Meg wakes early on View Day, determined to be chosen. She pads her application card to attract interest, rehearses a persuasive speech, bathes first, dresses in her best, and battles nerves while Miss Garnett and staff assemble the children. In the crowded toddler room, Garnett subtly steers prospective parents away from the older girls.
A kind-looking couple, the Smiths, show interest in Meg, and Meg pitches herself as a helpful big sister. While they consult in the lounge, Garnett redirects them to nine-year-old Sarah, who is taken instead, crushing Meg’s hopes as multiple toddlers and big girls are adopted.
Late in the day, a fashionable woman, Lucille, and her husband, Tom, arrive hoping for a baby. Finding none, Lucille considers the big girls and, after dismissing Ginny, chooses Meg. Miss Garnett attempts to reassert protocol and declares Meg unavailable because she is slated for the work program.
Miss Mildred returns with an amended rule prioritizing placement over labor, and the inspector arrives. When Lucille lacks standard paperwork, Tom presents a card revealing high status; the inspector, noting Tom’s Yale ties and a connection to Dr. Welty Pittman, approves an exception. Garnett disparages Meg’s behavior, but Lucille insists.
Paperwork completed for a two-month trial, Meg gathers her few belongings, accepts quiet goodbyes from Miss Mildred and Miss Frances, and exits. As Tom starts the car, Meg secretly flips Garnett off, then reels between triumph and the ache of leaving behind Birdie, Ava, and Oxford as the orphanage recedes.
Who Appears
- Meg (Margot)Eleven-year-old narrator; prepares for View Day, pitches herself to adopters, and is finally adopted on trial.
- Miss Garnett PittmanOrphanage head; manipulates adoptions, tries to block Meg citing the work program, is overruled.
- LucilleWealthy, decisive woman who selects Meg despite lacking papers; drives the adoption forward.
- TomLucille’s husband; presents credentials and Yale ties that sway the inspector to approve Meg’s adoption.
- Miss MildredStaff ally; cites the amended policy prioritizing placement, enabling Meg’s adoption.
- Inspector RichardState inspector; overrules Garnett after seeing the couple’s credentials and connections.
- Miss FrancesVolunteer; briefly protects Meg from a predatory couple and attempts to support the match.
- Miss PrippStaffer enforcing protocol; skeptical but facilitates discussions with prospective parents.
- Mrs. SmithMother of three; initially interested in Meg but is steered by Garnett to adopt Sarah.
- Quitman SmithMrs. Smith’s husband; agrees Meg would be a good helper before choosing Sarah.
- DorellaOlder girl; trades barbs with staff and competes during View Day.
- GinnySeven-year-old; momentarily considered by Lucille before dissuading her.
- SarahNine-year-old; chosen by the Smiths after Garnett’s intervention.