Part 2, Chapter 7 Summary

Idabel spots Joel hiding in the woods near the Landing and asks Joel to go fishing. Joel agrees although he squeamish at the thought of baiting a hook. Randolph wears dress clothes and he has been hiding from Randolph who is intent on painting Joel's portrait. Joel does not want to return to the house to change clothes though, because Miss Amy will corral Joel into sitting for hours with the unresponsive and immobile Mr. Sansom.

On the walk to the creek, Idabel and Joel pass through a woods where Joel inquires about a lone grave with a tombstone reading, "Toby, Killed by the Cat". Idabel explains that Toby had been the infant daughter of Jesus Fever and his wife and had died when a cat supposedly sucked the breath from the baby's mouth. Joel's incredulousness launches him into another one...