Chapters 19-21 Summary

The Old Man tells Bobby that February is the best time of year to hunt quail. Bobby is surprised, since the weather is absolutely miserable, and the best quail hunting is always in November. The Old Man says that this is something that separates the men from the boys, whether one does something when it is easy, or does something when everyone else says that it cannot be done. He tells Bobby that in wet February, the quail are unhappy enough to stay in one predictable place, and easy to shoot. Bobby does not want to go out in the rain, but he does, and goes to the place that the Old Man suggests to him. Not only does he find a covey of quail right away, but with his first shot, he brings down six birds! That day, he ends...