The Moffats

Jane cleans out the kerosene lamps and waits for the others to come home from their chores and errands. She especially hopes that Mama and Dr. Belknap arrive soon, since Rufus is quite sick. Jane feels sad, and her mood only worsens when she sees the lamplighter lighting the streetlamps and darkly fantasizes about herself as a “poor,” unhoused “match girl” selling matches on the street. Jane’s mood improves when she hears the doctor and Mama arriving at the house.

Sylvie and Joe are back from their errands, and they eavesdrop with Jane as the doctor examines Rufus. They’re stunned to learn that he has scarlet fever and that everyone in the home must quarantine. The doctor puts a second sign on the house warning the neighborhood of the presence of scarlet fever in the home. When the doctor is gone, the family shares their surprise, and Mama sees the bright side of the situation: No one will want to buy the yellow house while it has a “Scarlet Fever” sign on it.

Over the following days, Mama takes care of Rufus, and Dr. Belknap comes to check on him. The other siblings collaborate to do the cooking and cleaning in the home.