The Beet Queen

Mary admits that she stayed away from Dot for a few years after she was born, but she could not manage to keep away forever. She feels a kinship with Dot that she believes Celestine, Dot’s mother, does not share. Mary also admits that she and Celestine spoiled Dot, in large part due to their unfortunate childhoods; they wanted Dot to have everything that they did not have growing up. When Dot begins school, she is demanding and “violent” with the other children (183).

Soon enough, Dot’s teacher says she will need to meet with Celestine to discuss Dot’s behavior. Dot has knocked a tooth out of a fellow student’s mouth with a rock. While Celestine is justifiably furious, Mary wants to comfort Dot, who claims she was only trying to help the girl get money from the tooth fairy. Dot tells Mary about the “naughty box,” a dark wooden box where her teacher puts children who misbehave. It is dark and scary, Dot says, and she cannot get out until the teacher lets her. Mary drives to the school in a rage to confront Dot’s teacher, Mrs. Shumway. She sees a red box in the back of the room that fits Dot’s description.