Private Peaceful

In the hay barn, Thomas struggles with his appetite and rejects the meal before him. His thoughts turn to his brother, Big Joe.

As an infant, Big Joe survived meningitis, and this impacted his cognition. Despite his difficulty with speech and literacy, his unique way of thinking captivates his family. Big Joe is cheerful and kind and is often found laughing and singing his favorite song, “Oranges and Lemons.” His occasional periods of restlessness and introspection do not overshadow his gentle personality.

Mrs. Peaceful promotes empathy for Big Joe within their home and the community. In response to Big Joe being excluded from school over his intellectual disability, she naturally takes on the role of his mentor. She guides him through life’s intricacies, aiding his understanding of the world. Her ever-protective stance toward Big Joe is reflected in the lessons that she teaches Charlie and Thomas.

Thomas recalls a regretful incident where he and Charlie tricked Big Joe into eating rabbit droppings. By making them taste the droppings themselves, Mrs. Peaceful ensured that Charlie and Thomas grasped the gravity of their actions and inspired in them a sense of responsibility toward their brother. Although he was initially ashamed, the memory of this incident now strangely warms Thomas’s heart. 

To Charlie and Thomas, how people interact with Big Joe is a testament to their true nature. While most people are kind to him, a few purposely ignore or belittle him, which greatly troubles the brothers. Thomas contrasts Molly’s behavior with that of his schoolmate, Jimmy Parsons. Jimmy once mocked Big Joe, igniting a fight with Charlie. In contrast, Molly commended Big Joe’s kindness, which cemented her bond with the Peaceful family.

The Colonel shows disregard for Big Joe. One day, when Big Joe caught a trout during a fishing trip with his brothers, he greeted the Colonel, who was walking by the bank. Seeing that the Colonel ignored Big Joe, Charlie began blowing raspberries, and Big Joe followed suit. The brothers faced a stern reprimand from the Colonel, whom Thomas believes held a grudge after the incident.

Thomas recalls the changes that ensued after his father’s death. A visit from the Colonel explains that the cottage they lived in was linked to Thomas’s father’s job. The Colonel offers Mrs. Peaceful the role of lady’s maid to his wife to ensure their stay, but the prospect of leaving her children for long periods worries her. The Colonel suggests that Charlie and Thomas look after themselves and Big Joe be placed in a psychiatric hospital, which Mrs. Peaceful vehemently rejects. Needing to secure their home, however, she accepts the offer of employment and convinces her aunt, known as Grandma Wolf, to move in and assist in caring for her children. 

Grandma Wolf significantly alters the family dynamic, quickly enforcing strict rules. The children secretly name her after the wolf character in Little Red Riding Hood, given their shared sinister demeanor. Under her care, they experience discomfort, resentment, and an underlying sense of unease. They strongly dislike her condescending treatment of Big Joe, whom she infantilizes and belittles. Adding to their discomfort is Grandma Wolf’s affinity for the Colonel. With Mrs. Peaceful seeming more fatigued as the days pass, Grandma Wolf increasingly asserts more authority over the household. 

Charlie and Thomas often imagine scenarios in which they rid themselves of Grandma Wolf’s presence and bring their mother back home. Their tales take on a playful and exaggerated form of fantasy. In whimsical stories, Grandma Wolf marries the Colonel and births peculiar monster children. Later, their stories morph into haunting nightmares during Thomas’s sleep. With every unsettling dream, Thomas revisits the memory of his father’s passing. The sound of a falling tree, coupled with a profound sense of loss, often awakens him in a state of terror.

Thomas finds amusement as he observes a mouse in the hay barn, and he reminisces more.

On Big Joe’s birthday, Molly gifts him a delicate harvest mouse that swiftly captures his affection. Big Joe is genuinely fond of all creatures, which draws Grandma Wolf’s disapproval. Despite the mouse’s heartfelt significance to him, once Grandma Wolf becomes aware of its presence, she banishes it alongside his other beloved animals.

At night, Charlie and Thomas further embellish their make-believe stories, now imagining Grandma Wolf and the Colonel have giant mice-children. Their tales turn morbid as they entertain the thought of poisoning Grandma Wolf for taking away Big Joe’s animals.

Shortly after, the Colonel’s wife’s unforeseen passing prompts Mrs. Peaceful’s return home. With no stable income, the family struggles financially. Charlie, Molly, and Thomas secretly go poaching on the Colonel’s land and the animals that they catch provide food for the family.

One day, the Colonel offers Grandma Wolf reinstatement as his live-in housekeeper and, as a promise to his late wife, clears the Peacefuls’ eviction fears. Grandma Wolf’s departure provides a newfound sense of stability. Charlie, Big Joe, Molly, and Thomas relish their adventures in the countryside, engaging in heartfelt conversations about their hopes and dreams. Molly longs to preserve this long-awaited joy and hopes that their friendship is ever-lasting.

Molly falls seriously ill with scarlet fever. The siblings visit her cottage, but Molly’s parents ask them not to return. Charlie and Thomas worry about Molly’s well-being and pray each night for her recovery, fervently hoping for a positive outcome.