Chapter 9 Summary

The day Ben disappeared, Esther MacDonald was unconcerned until lunchtime. She glanced outside several times. When she didn't see Ben playing in the yard, she assumed cheerfully that he was in the barn with his father. It's not until William MacDonald comes in for lunch without the boy, that Esther begins to worry. Ben's father has been assuming the boy is with his mother. They call Ben for a long time before lunch, but finally give up. "Knowing Ben," his father says," He's probably out talking with a chipmunk."

When Ben doesn't show up by the time they finish lunch, they launch a thorough search of the homestead including the barn, loft, and outbuildings. Terrified, William runs to the new well, but Ben is not inside. For hours, William rides the property in ever-widening circles. When John gets home from school, he helps...