Part 2: Chapters 28 and 29 Summary

Sitting on the front porch, Will and his father have a deep philosophical discussion at 1:30 in the morning. Will wants to know whether he (Will) is a good person, and he wants to know why his father is not happy. Mr. Halloway tells him that it is time Will learned that being good and being happy do not necessarily go together. Will's father tells his son that he must go back into the house the way he came out (climb up the outside ladder). Will convinces his father to climb up with him, and they sit breathless at the top, having a moment of bonding.

Will falls into a deep sleep. An hour later he suddenly awakes and sees that the lightning rod atop Jim's house is gone. Will is worried and scared that the carnival people will come...