Chapter 2 Summary

As Dolly, Catherine and Collin eat breakfast in the China tree, they are startled by a gunshot fired by Riley Henderson, a young man hunting in the nearby woods. As Riley approaches the China tree, Catherine admonishes the young man for frightening the tree's inhabitants. After learning of the circumstances leading to the exodus to the tree house, Riley shares some squirrels so that Dolly, Catherine and Collin can fix a meal later. Riley joins the others in the tree house and the group shares cake and cigarettes before Riley departs on his way back to town.

Collin recalls that Riley had been born in China of missionary parents and returns to the small Alabama town upon the death of Riley's father. Riley's mother, Rose, inherited money from her own father and raises Riley and two daughters until Rose experiences a mental breakdown...