Chapter 3 Summary

A few hours later, the sun has arisen and Jody awakens on his cornhusk mattress. He washes and grooms himself in front of the small mirror, commenting to his mother that he is terribly ugly. She responds that he looks just like a Baxter and, if he were to develop the habit of working, would turn out like his father. Jody's look in the mirror reveals a slight build, blue eyes, and straw colored hair, which defies his attempts to train it.

Suddenly Jody hears Julia bark and realizes that she and Pa are tracking something. He tears outside, against the warning of his mother, and comes upon his father standing over the carcass of their pregnant brood sow. Old Slewfoot has struck, as Jody can see by the footprints. This was a personal kill, Penny explains, because the bear came into Baxter...