Summary

Ellis is making himself a sandwich when Lily calls from her parents’ house to inform him of her suspicions that Calvin is not living with the Millstones. Ellis is understandably concerned, but also skeptical and he feels that they should wait before to say anything to Geraldine and risk causing her undue concern.

The following Monday morning Ellis follows Sylvia and Ruby to Ruby’s school. As classes break for recess Ellis finds his opportunity to speak with Ruby, who he finds off by herself, away from the other children. When questioned, she tells Ellis that she is being punished for having dirtied her sweater on the teeter-totter a few weeks prior.

As Ellis and Ruby continue talking, the conversation turns toward the canned goods that Ellis had left on the Dillards’ front porch in Laurel Township. An anecdote about chickpeas causes Ruby...