Chapter 31 Summary

Penny is not recovering, and Ma announces that he is likely "ruptured." He will not allow her to send for Doc Wilson, as he already owes him money. Penny is convinced he will recover, and Jody shares his optimism, having seen his small father bounce back from one injury after another. Now the corn is up, Jody announces, and Penny makes it crystal clear that Jody must keep the yearling out of the cornfield. Jody promises to do so, and boy and deer go off hunting, returning with four delicious squirrels for dinner.

The next morning Jody checks on the corn crop and discovers, to his horror, that something has pulled up and eaten half the shoots. Flag's hoof prints are unmistakable. He delays telling his father, but then the truth must come out. Penny is neither surprised nor angry, but he tells...