How does the author set up a subtle conflict related to Grandmother Morrison and how it will extend to affect Katie and Matt someday.

The second conflict introduced in these chapters is a little more subtle than the death of Katie's parents. This conflict begins with the description of Grandmother Morrison's desire that all her children be educated. This information seems noble, but incidental at this point in the novel. However, as Kate flashes back from the present to the past, this desire grows in value as the reader realizes that there is tension between Katie and Matt for some unknown reason.