Chapter 1 Summary

The story begins at daybreak on the Tiflin ranch near Salinas, California. Billy Buck is a middle-aged ranch hand who works for the Tiflin family. He is a seasoned ranchman who is very good with horses. He rises with the sun and curries and brushes two saddle horses before breakfast. He goes to the ranch house when Ruth Tiflin rings the iron triangle to signal that breakfast is ready. He waits to go into the dining room because he is a cowhand and it is proper for a family member to go in first.

Ten-year-old Jody Tiflin is awakened by the triangle. Jody has blond hair and grey eyes, and his mouth "works" when he thinks. He dresses quickly in shirt and overalls, and hurries to the kitchen to wash before breakfast. It is late summer, so he wears no shoes. Everyone eats...