MRS. COMSTOCK IS THE ACTUAL WORST. At least until she reforms about halfway through the book.

There is also a scene where Elnora recalls being so hurt by her mother's indifference as a little girl that she went out into the garden and tried to hold her breath until she died, which didn't work. OH ELNORA. I WANT TO HUG YOU AGAIN.

On the other hand, moths! I feel like lots of children would get way more into science if science lessons involved more tromping through the fields and woods collecting specimens.