Chapter 4 Summary

A Brazilian man named Joe Pete moves into town and at first is very popular, as a possible connection to the Old Country. Soon the people living near him decide he is strange and leave him alone, except for the children, who love to follow him around and pet his cows. Richard and a little girl named Genevieve become friends with the man, and Richard starts spending part of every day talking with Joe Pete. Even though they do not speak the same language, Joe Pete's Portuguese is similar enough to Spanish for Richard to understand him. Joe Pete is a cultured, educated man, the son of an aristocrat, and Richard loves their discussions. Joe Pete is the smartest person Richard knows, and the only one who can answer many of his questions.

Richard confesses to Joe Pete that he has realized that...