Lizzie turned away from the knothole. She didn't want to see any more of the auction. She didn't want to look any longer at the liquidating of the Murphy household. It really was like a terrible flood carrying away everything her family had used and enjoyed.She jumped into the hay and hollowed out a couch for herself. Then she stretched out on her back, not caring if she mussed her new gingham dress. She remembered all the times Mama had come looking for her. She wished she could hear Mama calling, "Lizzie! Lizzie! Where are you?" Lizzie closed her eyes and pictured her mama as she had looked in the dream. Maybe Mama could hear her. "They are taking away all our things, Mama," she said aloud. "They are buying our house and this barn and Jupiter and even your beautiful piano. They say I'm an orphan, but I'm not-I'm really not! I belong to you and Papa and Danny. You are my mama, forever and ever, and I will look for you, Jencey Wishon Murphy!"
