Summary

Becoming inspired about the mystery surrounding Felix and Cooey's Red Apple in Chapter 22, Willa lies that Mrs. Bucklew wants to see her, and during her visit, she offers to go to Mr. Houdyshell's store to buy whisky for her friend. After buying blue thread to conceal their secret, Willa proceeds on to Houdyshell Tack and Saddle, but when she asks Mr. Houdyshell if Felix is a bootlegger, the proprietor looks shocked but answers in the negative; however, Brennus, a customer who recognizes Willa as Felix and Sylvia's child, brags on Sylvia's beauty but says the whole town knows Felix is a bootlegger and crooked. Returning to Mrs. Bucklew, Willa asks if Mr. Houdyshell is a criminal and learns that, while he could get in trouble for breaking the law, everyone knows what he does. On her way home, Willa recalls how Brennus seemed...