Summary

Daddy builds a new chicken coop near the house, so that the chickens do not suffer needless cold during the winter. With the buildup of wood debris, they decide to light a bonfire and invite others in the community to celebrate what was "set up to be a mighty blaze" (167). Vivien is also invited to the festivities. Daddy insisted to move the bonfire one final time, "in case any little animals had made their homes there" (167). Andrew and Peter join from the village and many of the guests bring their wives and children. Ewart Royce speaks about the worker's livelihoods and their homes, to whom they play rent, and "sins of their employers and landlords" (169). A woman mentions that once her bungalow transfers ownership from a council to a private landlord, he does not service her home. With the council, she feels as...