Chapter 24 Summary and Analysis

Skeldale House suffers an onslaught of firecrackers in the mail slot, pulled up flowers and general mischief at the hands of Wesley Binks, a 10-year-old who is the town bad boy. Herriot sometimes sees Wesley out fishing with his chums when he should be in school; and on one occasion Wesley removes the grating from the coal cellar at Skeldale House.

Wesley removes the grating on the day of the Darrowby Gala, a day of parades, festivities and general civic merriment. As Herriot strolls in front of Skeldale House with his wife, he steps into the chute once covered by the grating—and slides all the way down to the coal bin. His head and shoulders protrude just above street level, causing finger pointing and much laughter at his expense.

The following week, Wesley brings in his mixed-breed puppy, sick...