one night, a drunk louise orders unity to get some groceries. unity does what she is told and on her way back, the food is stolen by kids. she returns to the home only to be beaten by an outraged louise. unity is severely hurt and louise gets arrested. it is announced she will have to serve three years in prison. john is kinder to unity and adopts her. unity is very grateful and falls in love with him. john himself is only interested in stella. john wishes unity to be raised at the blount's residence, but they don't want her. they prevent her from meeting stella, fearing stella will notice there are suffering people in the world. they finally convince john to raise unity at aunt gladys' house.