Uncle Judah brought Rachel to Lyddie because he wished to relinquish responsibility for Lyddie's little sister. He claimed that the responsibility of caring for Mrs. Worthen and Rachel was too heavy for his wife, Clarissa. As a result of their joint decision, Uncle Judah and Aunt Clarissa decided to commit Mrs. Worthen to a mental asylum in Brattleboro. To finance Mrs. Worthen's care, Lyddie's uncle put the Worthen family farm up for sale. Uncle Judah...
Uncle Judah brought Rachel to Lyddie because he wished to relinquish responsibility for Lyddie's little sister. He claimed that the responsibility of caring for Mrs. Worthen and Rachel was too heavy for his wife, Clarissa. As a result of their joint decision, Uncle Judah and Aunt Clarissa decided to commit Mrs. Worthen to a mental asylum in Brattleboro. To finance Mrs. Worthen's care, Lyddie's uncle put the Worthen family farm up for sale. Uncle Judah informed Lyddie of his intentions in Chapter 15.
Distressed at the news, Lyddie implored her brother, Charles, to do everything he could to prevent Uncle Judah from selling the family property. However, Charles (being only thirteen years old) was unable to prevent Uncle Judah from fulfilling his desires in the matter. Unexpectedly, Lyddie later received a letter from Quaker Stevens informing her that Charles had approached him to represent the Worthen family interest. Meanwhile, Lyddie suddenly found herself fully responsible for her sister's care and well-being. However, Mrs. Bedlow allowed Lyddie to keep Rachel at the boarding house for more than a fortnight, due to her own sense of compassion for the beleaguered sisters. Later, Mrs. Bedlow made arrangements for Rachel to work as a doffer at the factory.
In Chapter 18, we learn from Luke Stevens's letter that his father had purchased the farm from Lyddie's Uncle Judah. In the letter, Luke shyly asks Lyddie for her hand in marriage. In that same chapter, we also learn that Charles and Rachel were adopted by the Phinneys. So, despite Uncle Judah's actions, Lyddie and her siblings managed to overcome tragedy in their lives.
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