Chapter 9 Summary

The prologue for this chapter very briefly describes how people's hopes that the night will bring release from the difficulties of the day end in disappointment.

The morning after the events ending Chapter 8, in narration written from Lee's first person past perspective, Lee refuses to get out of bed and exaggerates the symptoms of his illness so he can be alone with Viv and put his plan of revenge on Hank into action. Joe-Ben gives up and goes downstairs, leaving Lee to be surprised when Viv comes in and teases him into joining the rest of the family for breakfast. As Lee, Hank, Joe-Ben and Viv eat, Henry appears, announcing his intention to go out with Hank and Joe-Ben to guide them in the ways of old-fashioned tree cutting, since they don't have the manpower (i.e. other members of the family) to...