Chapter 1 Summary

Ruth is born during a week of storms. The neighbor women doubt that her mother Mary will live. Senator Simon Adams delivers healing chicken stock. He is terrified of the sea while his twin, Angus, is a most aggressive lobsterman. Pretty Ruth's first word is No. She likes eavesdropping on adults, which is easy in the chaos created by the seven sons of Ira and Rhonda Pommeroy, who live next door. When her parents go away for a short time in her ninth summer, Ruth stays with this family and she and Rhonda become like mother and daughter. Ruth is sorry when her father returns alone and claims her while Ira drowns. Angus finds the body and deposits it on the dock where the Pommeroy boys are playing. They race home, hysterical, and overwhelm their mother. Simon builds a coffin but his phobia...