An Unexpected Guest, News from the Mountain, A Victory of Sorts Summary

In "An Unexpected Guest," Jim and Uncle Zeno arrive home and Jim immediately senses there's something wrong. Uncle Zeno says that Whitey Whiteside is going to Big Day with them and it seems clear that Cissy isn't happy. She accuses her brothers of "ganging up" on her and of humiliating her. Coran says they meant no harm by inviting Whitey along but Cissy is still angry. At the school, Jim takes his mom, uncles, and Mr. Whiteside to his school room where they meet Miss Nanney. Miss Nanney says Jim is "mostly a good citizen" though she'd sometimes like to "thump his ears." All three uncles tell Miss Nanney she should thump Jim's ears if he needs it.

In "News from the Mountain...