Summary

As soon as the Bellini family leaves, Tucker scurries over to the newsstand and into a space where the boards are separated far enough to get through. He calls out from under the stool, and at first there is no answer, but then the cricket comes out and they introduce themselves to each other. The cricket's name is Chester. Tucker has never seen a cricket before, but Chester tells him that there are plenty of mice where he comes from in Connecticut. He tells Tucker the story of the events that brought him to the station. Tucker listens, amazed by his story and Chester has just finished when a shadow falls over Tucker. Chester shouts out a warning to Tucker and ducks into his matchbox as he realizes that it is a cat.

Analysis

In this chapter, the author portrays Tucker as...