This article from the Halleluia, Mississippi, newspaper reports that Lucius Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Egg Ranch, is selling the ranch after 48 years. Peterson expects his old hens to end up on local dinner plates. The article cites the terse response of Eula Dapplevine, a supporter of “lost causes” and animal rights.

Eula pulls up to Peterson’s Egg Ranch, and she and her granddaughter, Ruby Lavender, get out and chase away the chickens being herded to slaughter. In the chaos, Ruby grabs an armful of birds and runs to the car. Eula chases off as many as she can and gets in the driver’s seat. The pair drives off with three red chickens, giggling.

Two days later, Ruby finishes a letter and heads to town. She runs barefoot, taking the long way, which she has done since “the accident.” She goes to the silver maple tree behind the post office and locates the knothole that serves as her secret mailbox. It contains a pink envelope. Extracting it and depositing her own, she reads the note from her grandmother, who is looking forward to seeing her later today and hoping for an update on Ivy, Bemmie, and Bess, the three hens.