Summary

Abby and Mrs. Mallon continue to drive around the country and view people and landscapes of the various counties. Eventually, they enter the town of Blarney in County Cork. They arrive at the old castle that contains the Blarney Stone, and they see that there is a long, packed line. Abby is annoyed, and as she and her mother wait in line, she eventually becomes anxious. She sees that, to kiss the stone, people have to lie on their backs over a parapet and kiss the underside of the stone. A man helps to support each person, but he seems somewhat careless. The whole procedure seems scary and precarious to Abby. Abby tells her mother that she does not think she will be able to bring herself to lie on her back and kiss the stone. Abby tries to back out, but her mother...