Martha learns about the underlying disagreement regarding her receiving the jacket when the principal informs her that the Board has decided to charge fifteen dollars for the jacket. This decision directly impacts Martha, revealing the conflict surrounding her eligibility.
Unveiling the Conflict
The issue of Martha receiving the jacket was a point of contention, with a clear preference from some individuals for another student, Joann, to win instead. This preference stemmed from Joann's father being a member of the Board, indicating an external influence on the decision-making process.
The Principal's Revelation
It is the principal who acts as the messenger, delivering the news of the Board's specific requirement. This communication is crucial because it presents a significant financial barrier for Martha, effectively blocking her from acquiring the jacket.
Key Details of Martha's Discovery:
- Source of Information: The principal directly communicates the news to Martha.
- Content of Information: The principal relays the Board's decision to institute a fifteen-dollar charge for the jacket.
- Impact on Martha: This charge is problematic for Martha, as she does not possess the required fifteen dollars. This financial obstacle highlights the true nature of the opposition and the lengths to which the Board (or elements within it) went to prevent her from receiving the jacket without direct confrontation.
Through the principal's notification, Martha becomes aware that getting the jacket is not a simple matter of merit but is now contingent on a payment she cannot afford, a situation engineered as a direct outcome of the disagreement over her receiving it.
