By now, Cal has learned some useful skills at the school, and he is starting his rotation taking care of animals: a task that he eagerly anticipates. Cal has learned to discern which tribe a person is from based upon their appearance, and he can also usually tell whether a person is “full-blood” (262). Mr. Adams works with the animals, and he knew Pop. Mr. Adams was injured in the war and hopes that Pop and the other men can help the cause of veterans even though “Old Hoover has got a heart of stone” (264). There is now a tent city in Washington in what has now been dubbed “The March of the Bonus Army” (264).

Possum runs and tells Cal that a letter from Pop has arrived. Mr. Adams allows Cal to go get the letter and read it in private. Pop is safe in Washington but does not have an address. He thinks it is exciting to be part of the group. He helps others get to Washington because he is an expert on the train system, and he hopes to be able to come and get Cal soon. Cal is proud of his father.