Chapter 7, "Pine Billy" Summary

In the winter, Little Tree and his grandparents cover the corn patch with leaves and pine straw. The patch is on the 'slants', a sloping area at the foot of the mountain. There is little flat land around the hollow. The long, hard work becomes tedious; and they are often distracted. Granma digs herbs, which she uses as remedies for ailments of any kind. Granpa and Little Tree gather nuts. Despite the distractions, they manage to cover the corn patch; and a light rain helps seal the leaves to the ground. Then Granpa hitches the old mule, Sam, to the plow. Granpa occasionally lets Little Tree plow, despite the difficulties, as he is so small. At dinner, Granpa brags about what a good help Little Tree is in the fields; and Granma agrees he looks like he's becoming a...