Part 2, Chapter 16 Summary

Tom adjusts to life at the reservation school. Tom is given a single room at the suggestion of Roweena Ellis the English teacher. Tom is put on several different chores, cleaning the cow barn and horse barn, but proves to be a poor worker. Tom is an unhappy boy, hard to reach, but he learns fast.

The school tries him at various vocation classes and he goes from carpentry class, to cobbler's shop, to basketmaker. The basketmaker teacher, Dolly Beaverfoot, is impressed with his skill. Tom shows her a style of basket weaving that is better than any she has seen. It reminds her of the style she remembers from the 'old ones'.

The other students tease Tom about doing girl's work (basket weaving) and call him 'Bear's Sister'. Tom fights the boys and is punished by flogging. Tom is sent...