Chapters 4 and 5 Summary

In chapter four, upon Aunt Cordie's death, Jonas is sent to a church orphanage due to a lack of any relatives to take him in. Brother Whitespade, the principal, names him "J." The man's power and cold stare across his desk makes Jonas uncomfortable. He begins to adjust to this loveless atmosphere. The school's belief is that order comes from the soul, and disorder from the body, and the orphanage represents the soul, keeping a watch on the ever-sinful children. Even now, Crow distrusts people who willingly live an institutional life.

A good student, J does not live up to his potential, being more interested in nature and reading important books, fascinating words and passages. He wanders in his memories of childhood, but the places have all changed since that time. He eventually adjusts to the school, but is always "odd...