Clare is the kin of Grandmother Marshall, though she is named for her Grandmother Colston, as opposed to Clare's sister, who is named Maggie after Grandmother Marshall. Clare has the pasty complexion and blonde hair of the Colstons while Maggie is a spitting image of the Marshalls. Grandmother Marshall feels distant from Clare because of both her appearance and her demeanor, as she is shy and timid, unlike the Marshalls. When visiting her, Grandmother Marshall has a clear preference for Maggie and even quietly criticizes Clare to her mother, saying that she won't grow a backbone if she is raised so gently, adding that Clare is no kin of hers. The Marshall family is a grand, notorious family in Virginia, with distant relations to Robert E. Lee. The Marshalls have money, horses, and servants, though Grandmother Marshall notes that the Black servants were always better. Clare visits the museum of Robert E. Lee and observes how he appears steadfast with his horse, in direct opposition to Clare. While Clare is practicing horse riding, her grandmother is harsh with her, trying to incite the growth of the backbone that Clare lacks. Attempting jumps on the horse, Clare falls off and narrowly dodges injury. Her grandmother asks Clare what she must do, and she hops back on the horse and tries again, which makes her grandmother proud of her for the first time.