After harvest, Emily's father and Aunt Margaret comes to visit. Mr. Maxwell was concerned that his daughter did not have all the comforts she was used too. He, in general, made those around him uncomfortable and mad. Margaret, while how many seasons of emily in paris used to more comforts, settled fairly well, even if she did have to use a two-setter instead of an inside toilet.

Amelia, the mother-in-law, had been ill and she did not want anyone in her bedroom, because there was a family secret stored in there. What was this mysterious secret. Emily and Margaret decided that Margaret would get the story out of Amelia. Before Amelia finished the story she died. That started a death spiral in the family. After Amelia's death, the death of David's brother Cornelius reached them, then Gus, the father-in-law dies of a rattlesnake bite.

With Emily and Gladys in the house with two young children and David and his brother left to do the farm work, the family would not make it financially if Emily did not apply for the Math teaching job at the high school. Knowing that her husband did not want her to work outside the home, Emily was more practical knowing they needed the money. She applied for the job and additional twists and turns takes the story off into another direction and brings it home again.