Chapter 7 Summary

After a long day of cutting and hauling hay with his father and then doing his own chores, Robert relaxes outdoors with Pinky, lying in the soft grass. Robert observes the natural world as he notes that paintbrush doesn't grow next to clover and other weeds. He also notices that the late-afternoon sun makes the purple clover glow more intensely than during the rest of the day, and it is comfortable to lie in. Like most country boys, Robert knows what wild plants are good to eat as he pulls out the flower shoots and sucks out the nectar. Robert likes the flavor, but Pinky doesn't even try a taste.

Robert observes a red-tailed hawk circling above in the beautiful orange and white sky as sundown approaches. From Robert's point of view, lying in the grass, the hawk seems to stand still in...