Chapter 7 Summary

As a little boy, Julian tried only once to run away from home. He had gotten in the habit of shoplifting with other boys. He had not wanted to, and at first tried to make it look like he was stealing when he was not, but the other boys were not satisfied until he really stole something. Once he experienced the thrill of getting away with it, he became increasingly daring, as his status rose among the other boys. When he was caught stealing a flashlight, he got away and hopped a train out of Gibbsville with one of his friends, only to be returned home a few hours later.

Julian's father did not view this incident as a normal boyhood adventure. He decided then that Julian was a thief, like his grandfather. Julian never stole again, but sometimes he overdrew his checking...