Chapters 9 & 10: Silver Dollar City, The Master Woodcarver Summary

On the morning that Delrita and her family will travel to Silver Dollar City, Delrita asks her father to cut her blocks of basswood for her whittling. He encourages her to finally try to carve a swan in flight, even though she hasn't mastered one in the sitting position: "Come on, give this little fellow a chance. Let him spread his wings and fly" (p. 80). On the way to Silver Dollar City, Delrita's parents decide that she's old enough to watch Punky on her own for the day. They're headed off to an antiques market without Delrita or Punky, fearing that one wrong move with clumsy Punky could cost them hundreds of dollars. He would have more fun at the amusement park anyway. So with a long list of instructions, Delrita's...