Chapter 3 Summary

Shortly after Emma Lou's visit, the spotted skunks add to their number. Jerome listens on the floorboards and knows everything is all right when he hears Mama churring accompanied by the sound of the soft little squeaks of the babies. Papa snarls his nose up at Jerome which tells him he isn't welcome in the nest for the time being. A mama rat pack with three babies has dug a nest under the eave. She has pilfered spools of thread and coins and even pliers along with pine cones and brush in building her nest. Jerome figures that Papa would soon be hunting baby rats. If he doesn't, Jerome will have to dig them out of the wall. Their scratching around at night is stealing his sleep from him. But Papa comes through and soon all the baby rats are gone.

Jerome is...