This story is narrated by a young girl named Sylvia. It begins shortly after an eccentric woman named Miss Moore moves in on her block. Miss Moore is “black as hell,” and always dresses formally (87). She regularly volunteers to take Sylvia and her cousin Sugar to educational events. Although the adults agree that Miss Moore is odd, they allow the children to go because the opportunities are unique. Sylvia uses the opportunities not to learn, but to take advantage of Miss Moore. One day, while the children are in her care, Miss Moore begins to quiz them on arithmetic. They beg to head to the subway station, where they can get out of the heat and look for cute boys.