Responding to the Story 1. How did you feel while you were reading this story?
2. Did you like Louisa/Lois? Did you hate her? Did you feel sym-
pathetic when she reveals near the story's end, "I realized that
all I wanted was to stay ..."?
3. Give your reactions to Louisa's parents, her sister, and Paul.
4. Why do you think Carol was at the house when Louisa re-
turned, three years after Louisa's disappearance? Remember
that Carol was married the day after Louisa left. Is she just vis-
iting her parents? Is she back home because the marriage didn't
work out? Does she frequently stay with her parents because
they are upset over Louisa's continuing absence? Justify your
answer with evidence from the text, if you can.
5. Does the author provide a motivation for Louisa's leaving
home? If so, what is it?