When the sheriff—who is related to Gillis—arrives, he denies that the evidence points to Gillis and Robbie, blames kids, and accuses Pearl of starting the fire herself. R.C. intervenes when the sheriff threatens to arrest Pearl for harassing an officer. The sheriff also threatens Honey, saying her books came between Gillis and his wife, invoking the “alienation of affection” law (254).

After he leaves, R.C. says he will fire Robbie for not reporting the fire at Pearl’s tower from the base cab. He apologizes, but says there’s nothing else he can do without the sheriff’s help. When he is gone, Pearl and Honey hug each other and cry.

As Honey waits outside the courthouse for Mr. Morgan, she watches Wrenna, her rooster, Bonnie, and Gillis. Bonnie feeds Tommie seeds, who tosses them at Gillis. Gillis, irritated and mocked by his coworkers, goes after the bird, but can’t catch it: He is only able to pull out a tail feather. Bonnie throws more seeds, and the bird cuts into Gillis’s legs. He hits the bird, Bonnie smacks him, and he hits Bonnie. Wrenna makes a sound that means hens are in danger, and the rooster attacks Gillis’s face and neck, causing him to bleed heavily.