What happens when Lyddie goes to sign the petition? What is her reaction?

Lyddie goes to sign the petition in chapter nineteen of the book. Lyddie is already feeling down and incredibly lonely by this point in the novel. In the previous chapter, Lyddie briefly reunites with her brother, Charlie. He says the Phinney family treats him incredibly well, and they want to take on the care for Rachel as well. This means that Lyddie has to give up caring for Rachel. Additionally, Lyddie finds out that the...

Lyddie goes to sign the petition in chapter nineteen of the book. Lyddie is already feeling down and incredibly lonely by this point in the novel. In the previous chapter, Lyddie briefly reunites with her brother, Charlie. He says the Phinney family treats him incredibly well, and they want to take on the care for Rachel as well. This means that Lyddie has to give up caring for Rachel. Additionally, Lyddie finds out that the farm has officially been sold. Lyddie feels as if all of her hard work has been for nothing. She was not able to save the family and the farm.

When chapter 19 begins, Lyddie feels lost and without a purpose. Perhaps as a way to gain a purpose again, she goes to a meeting with the intention of signing the petition. Unfortunately, Lyddie is told that it is too late. The petition had already been sent off to the legislature. The news sends Lyddie deeper into her depression. She declares, "I'm always too late to do any good." On top of that, Diana announces that she is leaving the factory because she is pregnant. The entire evening comes as one giant punch to the gut for Lyddie.