Chapter 5 Summary

When the Fourth of July dawns, Qwill is in good spirits. He investigates a tapping sound and finds Koko tapping his tail against the windowsill. When he picks Mildred up for the parade, she tells him about complaining last year when the parade consisted of lots of candy and not a single American flag. Qwill and Mildred push through the crowded sidewalk to the judges' stand, and they discuss the parade as Amanda Goodwinter, the third judge, arrives late and proceeds to complain about everything. Mildred is pleased with the improvements over the previous year's parade. After the parade ends, Qwill realizes that Clem did not march. Qwill and Mildred eat dinner early at the Fish Tank and discuss their neighbors. When Mildred suggests Qwill talk to Russell because she is lonely, he claims that he has had enough complications with younger women...