Chapters III and IV Summary

Chapter III: The Old Man (Pages 47 - 80)

For his birthday, Mama gives Ned a gold pocket watch which had once belonged to Ned's grandfather.

When Mama mentions the gun, Ned becomes embarrassed. He does not tell Mama that he sneaked out and shot the rifle.

Miss Jefferson, Ned's teacher, brings in homemade cookies and a basket of Jonathan apples for everyone. She and the whole class sing "Happy Birthday" to Ned at school that day. Miss Jefferson also read sa chapter from a book titled The Call of the Wild by Jack London in Ned's honor.

Later that day, Mama, Papa, Mrs. Scallop and Ned all have cake and lemonade in Mama's room. Mrs. Scallop tells Ned that if he does not make a wish when blowing out the candles, "a strange fate" would befall him. Mrs...