Chapter 15 Summary

On May 15th, Hattie writes again to Uncle Holt, telling him about their nearest thing to a doctor, Leafie, who could be counted on to prepare everything from a poultice to a splint. Hattie happens to be with Leafie one day when she detours to the Ren farm to check on Mabel and her six children. While they are there, Elmer Ren is arrested by Deputy Patton and another man for neglecting to register for the draft. Ages twenty-one to thirty-one face mandatory registration, and Elmer is thirty-one. He argues, reminding Deputy Patton that his family need him. Elmer Junior runs out of the barn with a hoe and demands that his father be let go, but no amount of begging or pleading changes the inevitable. Elmer Junior chases the men until he trips in a prairie dog hole, breaking his arm. Luckily...