Chapter 4 Summary

Robert must adapt his life to take care of his new pet pig Pinky. Before he eats, he mixes a bowl of milk and meal, which is ground-up grains, for his pet. His mother and aunt both agree that Pinky is a very pretty pig. Although they say they have never heard of a pig being named before, they approve when they recall that cows have names, too.

Robert and his father set to work creating a home for the new pig. Papa selects a corn "cratch," which the reader will assume is a corncrib or place for storing dried corn, for Pinky's new residence. Here author Peck illustrates some farm construction techniques and wisdom, explaining how Papa and Robert move the corncrib with leverage from a capstan crank, which Peck describes in good detail. As they work, Robert asks his father if...