Chapter 13 Summary

As autumn turns into a dark winter, Papa works with Robert to feed Pinky richer food to force estrus, but nothing seems to be happening. Robert asks Mr. Tanner to check on Pinky, and he arrives at the farm. Tanner has his boar, Sampson, in the wagon, and tells Robert that a boar can tell if a pig is in estrus even if people cannot. Robert has to drive Pinky into a pen, and Tanner greases Pinky's rear end with a handful of lard. As the two wait for Samson to mount Pinky, they make a business deal. As a stud fee, Robert promises Tanner two of the pick of the litter. Because Robert is the pig's owner, he enters into his first mature business deal.

True to form, Samson mounts Pinky and mates with her. Robert thought he would be happy for...