Late March arrives. Rain begins melting the snow and continues to fall endlessly. Panic begins, as the Ohio River is notorious for severe flooding. Baileyville experienced a deadly flood just the previous year, something the Pack House Library women and Fred consider with mounting dread. They soon learn that the river is flooding, and families along the creek need warning.

Margery and the others spring into action. Margery and Beth reach Spring Creek to warn its inhabitants, but they must stop at Mrs. Cornish’s house because her young mule is stuck in the rising mud. The women try coaxing the mule to safety, to no avail. Beth and Margery then attempt to use Charley (Margery’s mule) and Scooter (Beth’s horse) to free the mule, and only succeed when a few men rush in to help. They free the mule, but Margery’s stomach begins hurting. Though in pain, she rushes off to check on Sophia and William, whose house is in the lowest and worst part of town.

Elsewhere, Izzy sulks from boredom. Mrs. Brady tries cheering her up, but Izzy wants to return to the library. Mrs. Brady checks on her father because she’s afraid of the rain; she lost friends the previous year in the flood.