1. What does Jerome gather from Old Grouch's behavior while the baby skunks are under the house? What might his conclusions reveal about his own past?

2. How does Jerome deal with the rats who have nested in his wall?

3. What does Jerome assume about the status of Papa skunk when the new babies arrive?

4. Donald is spying on Jerome Kildee's house from the woods. What might this tell us about the time of history in which the book was written?

5. Looking back at this chapter, what stands out as ironic, given the outcome of the story?

6. To what is Jerome referring, when he tells Old Grouch, "I have missed much."

7. Although Jerome has given up stonecutting, his reaction to making Charmine's gravestone is interesting. Discuss what might be happening in this regard.

8. What makes Emma so contentious and determined to battle with Donald Cabot?

9. What can we learn about the Eppy family, based on the description of their arrival at the redwood grove which would become their home?

10. Why does Jerome consider taking a floorboard out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the subject of taming wild raccoons. Research to find out what kinds of problems, laws and other issues face people who allow raccoons to become pets. In conclusion, advise and convince your audience as to your educated opinion on domesticating raccoons.

Essay Topic 2

Jerome Kildee is a lonely man. Do you think he is lonely by choice? Do you think he is socially distant because of the kind of work he has done? What kind of person purposely attempts to be reclusive?

Essay Topic 3

Is Jerome Kildee a poor man? If not, how does the reader know? Do a careful reading of the story and find passages that reveal hints about Jerome's financial status, and draw your conclusions in a persuasive essay.

(see the answer keys)

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