Section 2 Summary

As the pair walk, Sylvia spots the familiar tall pine standing a half a mile from the house. The tree is not of this generation. It is as if all of the other trees of its time had fallen dead and only this one was left. For years, people-Sylvia included-have been using this tree as a landmark. The young girl has often thought of the tall, towering tree and believes that one could see the ocean from the top. She often touches the base of the tree and imagines the view. Today, however, is different. For today, she not only thought of the ocean, but also the location of the white heron's nest. If one climbed the tree early in the morning, surely they could see all over the land and find the elusive nest.

Sylvia is so filled with excitement over her...