“lots of people’s mothers work.” “those are american people,” i said. “so what do you think we are? i can do the pledge of allegiance with my eyes closed.” nevertheless, she tried to be discreet; and if my mother wasn’t home by 5: 30 we would start cooking by ourselves . .” the narrator later shifts her attitude when she desires to be like the american eugenie throws the umbrella in the gutter fears her mother is dead is embarrassed by her sister’s dirty glasses