Explain the reference to chocolate cake.

The reference to chocolate cake in Chapter Seven has a double meaning. First, the boys loved their mother's chocolate cake. It was something that made all three of them think of their mother. Second, it shows the difference between the boys, and the ways they've organized their home life. Rules for making breakfast and cleaning up the dishes.... a bit of giving in on Darry's part that never would have happened with Mom. A love for chocolate cake is something they all have in common....