Chapter 38 Summary

As the day of the Pigeon Shoot approaches, Palmer realizes that he had let Nipper go for Nipper's sake but also for his own because there has been less stress in Palmer's life. Palmer wonders why he does not feel better since the problem is supposedly solved. Palmer attends the Family Fest with his parents since he no longer has Beans and the others as friends. Palmer notes that his father sensitively walks past the shooting gallery where little yellow ducks float as targets for zealous boys with the play rifles.

The day before the Pigeon Shoot, Palmer rides his bike to the train station where the crates of pigeons sit waiting to be transferred to the soccer field tomorrow. An old man tries to shoo Palmer away but Palmer sits for a long time just listening to the sound of the pigeons...