320 Questions
What did Dallas imagine the silver bird doing after it disappeared from his sight?
Flying to a narrow green valley with a clear creek
Why did Mr. Trepid shout at Dallas from below?
Dallas was leaning out of the window
What did Dallas think the silver bird might have done after disappearing?
Flown home
What was the significance of the sun's position when Dallas was watching the silver bird?
It created a spotlight effect on the bird
Who are known as the 'trouble twins'?
Dallas and Florida
Where do Dallas and Florida plan to escape to?
Ruby Holler
Who inhabits the cabin in the middle of Ruby Holler?
A sixty-year-old man and his wife
Who wants Dallas and Florida to be meek and cowed?
The Trepid family
What do Dallas and Florida discreetly stash under loose floorboards in their rooms?
Food
What haunts Florida's dreams?
Memories of the Hoppers
Where is Ruby Holler located in relation to Boxton?
Twenty miles away
What do Dallas and Florida think of adults?
Short-tempered, impatient, and quick to punish
What is the Trepid family's attitude towards Dallas and Florida?
They want them to be meek and cowed
What are the living conditions like for Dallas and Florida at Boxton Creek Home?
They are marginalized and seated separately during meals
What do Dallas and Florida plan to do to escape Boxton Creek Home?
Jump on a night freight train
What are the Trepid family's rules at the home?
No talking during meals
What is the name of the neglected place where thirteen children, including twins Dallas and Florida, live?
Boxton Creek Home for Children
Who are the cranky managers of the Boxton Creek Home for Children?
Mr. and Mrs. Trepid
What is the name of the overworked assistant at the Boxton Creek Home for Children?
Morgan
What is the punishment that Dallas and Florida endure in the damp, dark basement?
Thinking Corner
What is the process called where children are gradually moved to cramped, airless rooms at the back of the building?
Rotation
What is the appearance of the Boxton Creek Home for Children described as?
Ramshackle house that tilts toward the train tracks
Which of the twins is quieter and more inclined to daydream?
Dallas
What is the punishment Florida frequently earns due to her inability to sit still and follow the rules?
Time in the 'Thinking Corner'
What do the Trepids firmly believe in for the children?
Rules and the importance of hard thinking and hard work
What kind of oversight and support is lacking at the Boxton Creek Home?
Funding, oversight, and staff
Who have lived in the Boxton Creek Home longer than any of the other children?
Dallas and Florida
What type of visitors once came to the Boxton Creek Home, but now it operates without them?
Social workers, health workers, and building inspectors
What led to Dallas and Florida being sent back to the Boxton Creek Home?
Accusations of stealing money
Where does Dallas cope with the harsh reality of the foster home?
In the Thinking Corner
What does Florida struggle with in the Thinking Corner?
Resisting thinking
What does Dallas teach a younger boy that leads to his punishment?
Throwing a tennis ball
What does the narrative shed light on?
The struggles faced by children in the foster care system
What do Dallas and Florida yearn for?
A better life
What does Florida resist at the Boxton Creek Home?
Conforming to the rules
Where are Dallas and Florida initially placed?
With the Hoppers
What does Dallas do that leads to his placement in the Thinking Corner?
Breaking a window
What does Florida do that leads to her placement in the Thinking Corner?
Stomping on flowers
What do Dallas and Florida dream about?
Escaping to a beautiful place
What illustrates the challenges and emotional toll of life in foster care?
The children's experiences at the Hoppers and the Boxton Creek Home
What does Mr. Trepid present to Florida and Dallas?
A grand opportunity involving a temporary foster arrangement
Who do Mr. and Mrs. Trepid introduce as the couple accompanying Florida and Dallas?
Mr. Tiller Morey and his wife, Sairy
What do Florida and Dallas express reluctance towards?
Going to another foster home
What do Florida and Dallas express skepticism about?
The new opportunity and the new couple
What do Florida and Dallas discuss their impressions of?
The Moreys
What does Dallas imagine himself doing on the island in Kangadoon?
Making a campfire and hearing the waves in the distance
What do Mr. and Mrs. Trepid order Florida and Dallas to do?
Change into clean shirts
What do Florida and Dallas express doubts about?
The 'very nice and respectable couple' they are supposed to accompany
What does Mrs. Trepid mention as a traveling opportunity?
A river trip and a trip to Kangadoon
What do Florida and Dallas discuss while expressing skepticism about the trip?
Their impressions of the Moreys
What do Florida and Dallas recall while expressing skepticism about the trip?
Past experiences with foster families
What does Dallas imagine hearing while on the island in Kangadoon?
The waves in the distance
What is the special recipe mentioned in the text?
Getting-over-kids stew
What items are found as decorations in the house?
Tiny wooden birds and miniature boats
What is the reaction of Florida and Dallas to Sairy's entrance?
They jumped back and stuffed their hands in their pockets
What do the characters discuss regarding the wooden birds and miniature boats?
Whether people can touch them
Who does Sairy ask to get her blue bowl from the porch?
Dallas
What does Florida whisper to Dallas about Sairy?
She certainly is a goofy lady
What does Sairy propose as a deal to the kids?
If the kids won't punish her, she won't punish them
What does Dallas inform Sairy about the location of her blue bowl?
It's on the porch with worms and mud in it
What material are the carved wooden birds and boats found in the house made from?
Wood found in Ruby Holler
How do Tiller and Sairy obtain the wood for their carvings?
By finding suitable pieces of wood that 'speak to them'
What activity does Sairy propose for Florida and Dallas involving knives?
Carving wooden birds and boats
What concerns Florida about the proposal involving knives?
The suggestion of using knives for whittling
What sound does Florida find lonely?
The passing train
What do Florida and Dallas discuss during their conversation?
Birth certificates and Mr. Trepid's involvement
What do Tiller and Sairy plan to do with Dallas involving the porch?
Fixing the porch
What do Sairy and Tiller create from the wood found in Ruby Holler?
Carved wooden birds and boats
Who reflects on having the kids (Florida and Dallas) staying with them?
Tiller
Where do Florida and Dallas find the carved wooden birds and boats?
In the house
What do Sairy and Tiller use the wood found in Ruby Holler for?
To carve birds and boats
What does Tiller suggest Dallas helps him fix?
The porch
What is the main theme highlighted in the story?
The impact of well-intentioned actions
What does Tiller feel nostalgic about?
The rocker
What surprises Tiller about Florida?
She has never seen a rocker before
What emotion does Tiller feel as he watches Florida on the rocker?
Peace
What does the story primarily showcase?
The complexity of human emotions
What does the maple tree symbolize for Tiller?
Memories of his children leaving
What do Dallas and Florida's actions reveal?
Their lack of understanding
What is Tiller's reaction to the barn window being chopped?
Upset
What does Tiller feel when Florida sits in the rocker?
Pained
What is the primary impact of the characters' actions in the story?
Causing distress to Tiller
What do the characters' different perspectives lead to?
Conflicts and realizations
What does the story emphasize about the characters' actions?
The unintended consequences
What do Tiller and Sairy worry about in the story?
The children's whereabouts
What do Dallas and Florida dream about, hinting at the magical nature of the story?
A golden bird and a silver bird
What is Tiller's initial concern about taking in the children?
He considers sending them back
What does Sairy do to reassure Tiller?
Encourages him to embrace the experience with the children
What does the text suggest about the potential events involving the children and their caretakers?
Tension and suspense build
What do Dallas and Florida discuss in the story?
Their plans and concerns about their upcoming journey
What does Tiller believe has happened when he hears a noise resembling chopping from the cellar?
The children are in danger
What does Sairy ask for when Tiller is panicking?
His help with a household task
What does the passage offer insights into?
The characters' relationships, fears, and the mysterious nature of Ruby Holler
What do Tiller and Sairy reminisce about?
Their parenting experiences and the challenges of raising their children
What do Dallas and Florida's dreams hint at?
The magical nature of the story
What does Tiller express concern about?
Taking in the children and considers sending them back
What does the text primarily explore?
The challenges and emotional weight of caring for multiple children
Who exhibits impatience and discomfort when handling the baby?
Mrs. Trepid
What does Mr. Trepid seek solace in?
A lean-to shack
Who attempts to resuscitate Joey before he passes away?
Mr. Trepid
What does the text capture within the context of a family environment at Boxton Creek Home?
Frustration and grief
What does the text shed light on?
The emotional toll of caring for children in a group home setting
What are the Trepids responsible for at Boxton Creek Home?
Eleven children
What does the Trepids' visit to their parents' graves lead Mr. Trepid to grapple with?
A sense of confusion and emptiness
What do Dallas and Florida accidentally break, highlighting their youthful exuberance and occasional recklessness?
A window
What does the text provide a poignant exploration of?
The impact of past tragedies
What does Mrs. Trepid eventually do with the care of the six-month-old baby?
Passes it to an elderly assistant, Morgan
What does the story capture within the context of a family environment at Boxton Creek Home?
Challenges and emotional weight of caring for multiple children
What does Florida mention they have in case they get tired or run into trouble during their river journey?
A little motor
What does Florida say happens to the river as they travel downstream?
It turns into other rivers
What do Dallas and Florida use to find places to tie up during their river journey?
Maps
What river do Dallas and Florida expect to encounter after the Goochee River?
The Mackalack River
What do Dallas and Florida suggest doing with their money?
Bury it like buried treasure
Why do Dallas and Florida express reluctance about visiting Boxton Creek Home?
They believe their friends there have already left
What does Sairy recall about their son Buddy?
He used to call himself Mr. Trouble
What do Dallas and Florida claim about their time at Boxton Creek Home?
They have been there longer than anybody else
What does Mrs. Trepid ask Sairy to leave money for?
Dallas's passport
Where does Sairy sneak around, feeling uneasy?
The back of the courthouse and down an alley to Boxton Creek Home
What do Dallas and Florida encounter outside Grace’s Diner?
Mr. Trepid
What does Mr. Trepid comment on regarding the old couple?
Getting money at the bank
What does Florida reflect on while at the diner?
Fixing the boat and her parents being builders
What does Mrs. Trepid ask for $300 for?
Dallas's passport and additional expenses
What does the group decide not to do in the story?
Visit Mr. and Mrs. Trepid
What does Mr. Trepid learn about the family?
Their understone funds
What does Sairy hear Mrs. Trepid scolding?
A baby
What does Florida wonder about her parents?
If they were builders
What does Sairy realize she and Tiller are technically?
Orphans
What does Mr. Trepid wish the family?
Well on their trips
What is the primary setting for the events in the story?
A foster home
What task are Florida and Dallas forced to do by the Dreeps?
Dig a well
What do Florida and Dallas fear while being lost in the holler?
Rats and getting lost in the wilderness
What do Florida and Dallas plan to do to escape?
Haul a boat down to Hidden River
What is a prominent theme highlighted in the story?
Children's resilience and coping with difficult situations
What is the tone of the narrative primarily characterized by?
Tension and impending danger
What do Florida and Dallas discuss while trying to sleep in the wilderness?
The possibility of missing a train
What is the Dreeps' reaction to Florida and Dallas' resistance to adoption?
They lock the children in a dark, rat-infested cellar
What does the narrative primarily focus on in terms of character insight?
Providing insight into the characters' thoughts and emotions
What do Florida and Dallas struggle with while trying to sleep in the wilderness?
Discomfort of rocks and fear of creatures crawling around
What do Mr. and Mrs. Dreep do despite Florida and Dallas' resistance?
Adopt the children
What does the story primarily emphasize about the children's experiences?
Their ability to cope with difficult situations
What is the primary focus of the narrative in 'Troublesome Twins and a Secret Revealed'?
The twins' conflicted emotions about leaving the old couple
What do Dallas and Florida plan to do to escape Boxton Creek Home?
Take some money and leave some behind for items they used
What does the text reveal about the twins' childhood with the Cranbeps?
The Cranbeps mistreated them and eventually returned them to an orphanage
What does the old woman, Sairy, discover about Dallas and Florida's birthday?
Their birthday is not what they thought it was
What is the significance of the carved wooden birds and boats found in the house?
They symbolize the twins' troubled past
What does Tiller, the old man, dream about to solve his problems?
His trip to the Rutabago River
What do the old couple, Tiller and Sairy, do despite the twins' plans to leave?
They care for the twins
What do the twins contemplate in the narrative?
Leaving and wondering how the old couple will react
Where were Dallas and Florida raised before being returned to an orphanage?
By the Cranbeps
What does the narrative provide insights into?
The twins' motivations and past experiences
What do the carved wooden birds and boats found in the house represent?
The twins' difficult childhood with the Cranbeps
What does the story capture about the twins' past experiences?
Their troubled past and conflicted emotions
What did Tiller believe caused Lucy's illness?
Eating orange Popsicles
What did Tiller make for Lucy to help her recover?
Getting-better soup
What did Sairy find in a trunk that made her contemplate a trip alone?
A photo of herself at nineteen in New York
What did Tiller do when Sairy left for New York?
Followed her but was sent back home
What did Sairy reflect on after Tiller's postcards?
Her decision to leave New York
What did Sairy feel uncertain about regarding her planned trip?
Her identity and the purpose of the trip
What does the text describe about Ruby Holler at night?
Eerie and deceptive nature, teeming with diverse creatures and unsettling sounds
What did Florida and Dallas stumble into at Ruby Holler?
The dark, dense maze
What did Tiller seek guidance through a dream about?
A trip he's planning
What did Sairy contemplate a trip alone about?
Reflecting on her past
What did Tiller feel anxious about in his dream?
Leaving his wife Sairy
What did Sairy find in a trunk that led her to feel uncertain about her identity and the purpose of the trip?
A photo of herself at nineteen in New York
What made Florida feel like a trapped mouse?
The fear of being tricked and separated from Dallas
What did Sairy ask Dallas that made him uncomfortable?
If he wondered what he would be like without Florida
What does Dallas feel about being without Florida?
He doesn't like it
What was Dallas's reaction to Sairy's question?
He felt like he was going to throw up
What does Tiller advise Florida about carving wooden objects?
Start without knowing and see what comes out
What does Tiller mean by 'goose-drownder' in the context of the story?
A heavy rainstorm
What are Tiller and Florida doing when the storm clouds break above them?
Sitting under the tent canopy
What do Tiller and Florida suffer from while paddling along the Hidden River?
Soreness and itching due to mosquito bites
What do Sairy and Dallas struggle through, aiming to reach a path on a hill?
A thicket, facing obstacles such as tangled vines and briars
What is the primary focus of the narrative in 'Escape and Reflections on the River'?
The characters' resilience and their ability to find moments of escape and comfort in nature
What do the characters' interactions and reflections reveal?
Their resilience and the ways they cope with adversity
What does the passage explore?
The characters' inner thoughts and the impact of their experiences on their emotions and perspectives
What is a prominent theme highlighted in the text?
The characters' enduring determination and their ability to find solace and strength despite their challenging circumstances
What do Dallas and Florida pretend to do to make the task of digging a well more bearable?
Dig for gold and a grave
What does the text reflect on?
The characters' resilience and their ability to find moments of escape and comfort in nature
What do Tiller and Florida discuss about their different personalities?
Tiller expressing his longing for companionship
What do Dallas and Florida share their experiences of being accused and mistreated by?
Various people, including the Hoppers and the Cranbeps
What does the passage showcase about the characters' ability?
Their resilience and their ability to find moments of escape and comfort in nature
What does the narrative provide insights into?
The characters' inner thoughts and the impact of their experiences on their emotions and perspectives
What are Sairy and Dallas struggling with in the wilderness?
Finding water and adapting to the challenges
What is Z doing in Ruby Holler that hints at a hidden purpose?
Surveying and marking the locations of stones
What are Tiller and Florida discussing about in relation to their traumatic past?
Their traumatic past and Dallas's comforting words about their future
What are Dallas and Sairy reminiscing about in the wilderness?
The comforts of home
What is the primary focus of the characters' concerns in Ruby Holler?
Dealing with past trauma and trying to stay optimistic about the future
What does Mr. Trepid ask Z to do?
Survey an area, search for a special stone, and make a map
What is Z suspicious of in Ruby Holler?
Trepid's intentions
What does Mrs. Trepid express skepticism about?
Mr. Trepid's potential wealth from investments
What are Dallas and Sairy discussing in the wilderness?
Their hopes for a better future in Kangadoon
What do Sairy and Dallas discuss while navigating through the woods?
The toothless lunatic Mr. Dreep and his wife
What is the main challenge faced by the characters in the new environment?
Adapting to the challenges
What does Mr. Trepid promise Z if the right spot for the special stone is found?
A fine salary
What is Tiller grappling with emotionally in Ruby Holler?
The emotional aftermath of their past experiences
What does Mr. Trepid hint at to his wife?
Potential wealth from investments
What is Florida finding comfort in, according to the text?
Dallas's optimistic outlook
What does Sairy prompt Dallas to discuss?
Mr. Dreep and his wife
What are Dallas and Sairy trying to stay despite the challenges of the wilderness?
Positive
What does Mr. Trepid request Z to mark on a map?
The locations of special stones
What is the main focus of Z's secretive survey in Ruby Holler?
Marking the locations of stones
What do Sairy and Dallas discuss while trying to determine their direction in the woods?
The toothless lunatic Mr. Dreep and his wife
What does Mr. Trepid hint at to Z?
Potential wealth from investments
What does Mr. Trepid ask Z to do in addition to searching for a special stone?
Make a map
What does Sairy prompt Dallas to discuss while navigating through the woods?
Mr. Dreep and his wife
What does Mr. Trepid offer Z for the task of finding a special stone?
A deposit
What do Dallas and Florida carve together, symbolizing hidden potential?
Wooden birds
What do Sairy and her husband struggle with regarding a piece of wood?
Who should have the wood and what to make from it
What do Tiller and Florida express frustration about during their journey?
The amount of stuff they have to carry
What do Dallas and Sairy discuss their feelings of?
Being lost and their worries about their loved ones
What do Dallas and Florida recall about Mrs. Trepid?
A time when she questioned Florida's lack of tears
What do Sairy and her husband ultimately do with the wood?
Leave it untouched, symbolizing their relationship
What do Tiller and Florida struggle with during their journey?
Dealing with the difficulty of portaging
What do Dallas and Florida share a bond over?
Florida comforting him when he cried
What do Sairy and her husband want to make from the wood?
Undecided
What do Tiller and Florida find challenging during their journey?
Dealing with the difficulty of portaging
What do Dallas and Sairy discuss while carving wood together?
Their feelings of being lost and their worries about their loved ones
What do Sairy and her husband struggle with regarding the wood piece?
Who should have the wood and what to make from it
What does Trepid express skepticism about regarding Z's stone marking?
The number of stones marked by Z
What does Trepid instruct Z to do in addition to marking stones?
Survey the stones more thoroughly
What does Z's gaze fixate on during the meeting with Trepid?
Trepid's gold front tooth
What does Trepid hand to Z at the end of the meeting?
Some bills
What was the price quoted for the necklace Mrs. Trepid was interested in?
$18,000
How much was Mr. Trepid quoted for a watch at the jewelry store?
$9,000
How did Mrs. Trepid leave the jewelry store without making a purchase?
She used the excuse of not knowing if the necklace would go with her gown
How did Mr. Trepid react to the price quoted for the watch?
He felt pressured but declined the purchase
What emotion did Mrs. Trepid feel regarding the price of the necklace?
Agitated and uncomfortable
What did Mr. Trepid feel after being quoted the price for the watch?
Pressured but ultimately declined the purchase
What is Z feeling guilty about?
Forging a birth certificate to help Trepid
What does Z discover in the hospital records?
His old wife gave birth to twins
What does Sairy feel like for trusting others?
A 'dunce'
What is Dallas increasingly worried about?
Florida's safety
What does Sairy confirm about Z?
He does not talk much and lives alone
What does Dallas suggest leaving for Z at Grace's Diner?
A message
What does Dallas speculate about Z's past?
Possible tragedies that may have affected him
What does Z contemplate after discovering the hospital records?
The idea of having a family
What does Florida struggle to do in the river?
Swim
What do Sairy and Dallas begin to doubt in the woods?
The existence of the diner
What does Dallas recall seeing Z with?
Mr. Trepid
What does Dallas become increasingly worried about?
Florida's safety
What is Z worried about as he drives away from Ruby Holler?
The well-being of Tiller and Florida
Who does Z have a history with in Ruby Holler?
Tiller, Sairy, and Dallas
What is Z responsible for in relation to Tiller and Florida?
Driving them to the river and back
What is Trepid unaware of regarding Z's connection to Tiller and Sairy?
Z's history with Tiller and Sairy
What is Z anxiously waiting for in Ruby Holler?
Sairy and Tiller to return
What is Dallas worried about in Ruby Holler?
The understone funds
What do Sairy and Dallas feel is wrong with Florida and Tiller in Ruby Holler?
They encounter two young men with guns while hiking
What do the two young men with guns offer to do for Sairy and Dallas in Ruby Holler?
Watch their belongings while they go to a nearby diner
What is Z reflecting on in Ruby Holler?
His appearance and the state of his truck
Where will Z meet Tiller and Florida in Ruby Holler?
At the end of their journey
What is Z concerned about in Ruby Holler?
The well-being of Tiller and Florida
What is Trepid unaware of regarding Z's connection to Tiller and Sairy in Ruby Holler?
Z's history with Tiller, Sairy, and Dallas
What does Z discover buried beneath a smooth gray stone?
A metal box with "Sairy's. Keep Out" painted on it
What does Dallas encounter while running down a narrow path?
A small furry animal
What does Florida see Tiller doing before he disappears beneath the boat?
Trying to cling to one end of the boat
Where do Dallas and Sairy reach before spotting a narrow path spiraling steeply downward?
A summit
What does Florida fear for when she resurfaces downstream after the boat accident?
Her life
What does Z do after arranging stones and making mysterious-looking squiggles on them?
Marks the location of the cabin and the new stone piles on a fresh piece of paper
What does Tiller try to avoid by steering the boat sharply to the right?
A huge boulder
What does Mrs. Trepid show interest in at the jewelry store in Prosper City?
A gold necklace with rubies and opals
What does Dallas spot while spiraling downward toward a stream?
A narrow path
What does Florida see Tiller doing before the boat tips over?
Trying to cling to one end of the boat
What does Z decide to do with the metal box he discovers buried beneath a smooth gray stone?
Keep it
What does Dallas do after encountering a small furry animal while running down a narrow path?
Falls and injures himself
What did Dallas use as a pillow while camping in the wilderness?
A sack
What did Florida spread out and crawl inside while camping in the wilderness?
Her sleeping bag
What did Dallas and Florida dream about while sleeping in the wilderness?
Talking birds
What is the primary concern for Sairy and Tiller regarding the Boxton Creek Home?
The poor living conditions for the children
What does Sairy express regarding her feelings for Dallas and Florida?
She loves them like her own kids
What is Tiller's reaction to the doctor's news about his bypass operation?
He is skeptical about the necessity of the operation
What is the main topic of conversation between Sairy and Tiller during the afternoon?
Concern for the children at the Boxton Creek Home
What does Mr. Trepid imagine finding and decides to search for in Ruby Holler?
Buried money
What unexpected items does Mr. Trepid find while digging for the treasure?
Brownies, a mousetrap, and stinging nettles
What does Mr. Trepid find in the final hole while treasure hunting?
A pouch full of jewels
What do Mr. and Mrs. Trepid examine at home after Mr. Trepid's treasure hunt?
The jewels
What does Mr. Trepid do after examining the jewels at home?
Scratches a rash on his arms
What do Tiller and Sairy discuss while Mr. Trepid plans to sleep on the idea of keeping Dallas and Florida in the holler?
Ways to keep Dallas and Florida in the holler
What does Mr. Trepid plan to do with the jewels he discovers?
Sell them to a jeweler for appraisal
Who observes Mr. Trepid's treasure hunt from a distance?
Dallas, Florida, Sairy, Tiller, and Z
What do the Trepid's employees plan to make for Mr. Trepid?
A 'mission-accomplished cake' with various ingredients
What does Mr. Trepid become frustrated with during his treasure hunt?
Finding unexpected items instead of money
What advice does Sairy give to Florida?
Not to let anyone treat her badly
What does Mr. Trepid encounter while digging for the treasure?
Various obstacles including brownies, a mousetrap, and stinging nettles
What does the salesman notice about Mr. Trepid at the Cadillac showroom?
Rash and blisters
What does Mr. Trepid find in the final hole while treasure hunting?
A pouch full of jewels
What do the Trepid's employees decide to do instead of going on trips?
Stay in the holler
What does Mr. Trepid do after examining the jewels at home?
Scratches a rash on his arms
What does Florida feel conflicted about?
Leaving the Trepids
What does Tiller plan to do while discussing ways to keep Dallas and Florida in the holler?
Sleep on the idea
What does Mr. Trepid plan to buy with the money from the jewels?
A red Cadillac convertible
What do the Trepid's employees express toward Mr. Trepid and his actions?
Disdain
What does Sairy advise Florida not to tolerate?
Being treated badly
What does the salesman question Mr. Trepid about at the Cadillac showroom?
Making financial arrangements for the car
What do the Trepid's employees plan to make with various ingredients?
A 'mission-accomplished cake'
What do the Trepid's employees decide to do instead of quitting their jobs?
Stay in the holler
What does Sairy question about her desire for Dallas and Florida to stay?
If it's selfish
What do Dallas and Florida plan to leave before they depart?
A note and a carving
What are Dallas and Florida struggling with as they prepare to leave the holler?
Leaving the holler
What are Dallas and Florida contemplating about their contributions to the holler?
Their impact on the holler
What do Dallas and Florida find that Dallas had dreamt about?
A tree
What is Z doing in Ruby Holler?
Contemplating his life
What do Lucy and Buddy express for the holler?
Their love
What are Tiller's plans for Dallas and Florida?
To teach them skills
What does Z seem to be contemplating in Ruby Holler?
His life
What is the primary focus of the narrative in Ruby Holler?
Challenges of decision-making
What does Sairy recall about her son Buddy?
His love for the holler
What do Dallas and Florida plan to escape to?
Nowhere in particular
What is the primary emotion Florida feels about Tiller and Sairy in the holler?
Annoyance
Why does Dallas start packing in the holler?
Feeling unneeded and in the way
What do Dallas and Florida discuss leaving on in the holler?
Freight train
What causes tension between Dallas and Florida in the holler?
Dallas plans to leave without saying goodbye
What does the conversation between the characters reveal about them?
Their insecurities, uncertainties, and conflicting emotions about leaving
What does Florida express reluctance towards after initially agreeing?
Leaving on a freight train
What does Dallas plan to do without saying goodbye in the holler?
Leave
What does the text portray about the characters in the holler?
Struggle to find their place and purpose
What emotion does Florida express about leaving in the holler?
Reluctance
What does the dialogue and actions of the characters provide insight into?
Their complex relationships and internal conflicts
What do Dallas and Florida discuss leaving on to depart in the holler?
Freight train
What is the primary feeling Florida expresses about leaving in the holler?
Reluctance
Study Notes
A Grand Opportunity
- Mrs. Trepid pulls Florida and Dallas down the hall, and Mr. Trepid drags Dallas in through the back door
- Mr. and Mrs. Trepid usher Florida and Dallas into their office and order them to change into clean shirts
- Mr. Trepid presents a "grand opportunity" involving a temporary foster arrangement
- Florida and Dallas express reluctance to go to another foster home
- Mrs. Trepid mentions a traveling opportunity involving a river trip and a trip to Kangadoon
- Florida and Dallas are suspicious and express doubts about the "very nice and respectable couple" they are supposed to accompany
- Mr. and Mrs. Trepid introduce Mr. Tiller Morey and his wife, Sairy, as the couple
- Dallas and Florida discuss their doubts about the new couple and reminisce about previous experiences with foster families
- They consider the trip to Kangadoon and discuss their impressions of Mr. and Mrs. Morey
- Florida and Dallas express skepticism about the new opportunity and recall past experiences with foster families
- They discuss their impressions of the Moreys and express doubts about the trip
- Dallas imagines himself on the island in Kangadoon, making a campfire, and hears the waves in the distance
Family Dynamics and Tragedy in Boxton Creek Home
- Tiller reflects on his childhood memories and his experiences as a parent, contemplating the absence of nature and nurturing in some people's lives
- Mrs. and Mr. Trepid find peace and relief in the absence of troublesome twins, reflecting on the challenges of caring for the children at Boxton Creek Home
- The Trepids are responsible for eleven children, with most of them away at church camp, leaving them to care for a six-month-old baby
- Mrs. Trepid exhibits impatience and discomfort when handling the baby, eventually passing her care to an elderly assistant, Morgan
- Mr. Trepid seeks solace in a lean-to shack, contemplating the concept of life and reflecting on a past event involving a sick child at the home
- The Trepids' handling of a sick child, Joey, leads to a tragic outcome, with Mr. Trepid and Dallas attempting to resuscitate Joey before he passes away
- Mr. Trepid later visits his parents' graves, grappling with a sense of confusion and emptiness
- Dallas and Florida, two of the children at Boxton Creek Home, interact playfully and accidentally break a window, highlighting their youthful exuberance and occasional recklessness
- The family dynamics at Boxton Creek Home are characterized by the challenges and emotional weight of caring for multiple children, as well as the impact of past tragedies
- The text provides a poignant exploration of the complexities and struggles within a family and the lasting effects of traumatic events
- It sheds light on the emotional toll of caring for children in a group home setting and the impact of past experiences on the adults involved
- The story captures the range of emotions, from nostalgia and reflection to frustration and grief, within the context of a family environment at Boxton Creek Home
A Dream and A Trunk
- Tiller had a dream about his sick daughter Lucy holding a dripping orange Popsicle that turned red like blood, which led him to believe she was allergic to orange Popsicles.
- Tiller made up a recipe for "getting-better soup" for Lucy, which helped her recover, after which he refused further tests for her, insisting it was the orange Popsicles that caused her illness.
- Tiller seeks guidance through a dream about a trip he's planning and feels anxious about leaving his wife Sairy and being responsible for Florida.
- Sairy also contemplates a trip alone, reflecting on her past and finding a photo of herself at nineteen in New York in a trunk.
- Tiller had followed Sairy to New York when she left for college, but she sent him back home, and he continued to send her postcards from Ruby Holler, where he was living, until she returned.
- Sairy reflects on her decision to leave New York and return to Ruby Holler after Tiller's postcards.
- Sairy questions her decision to go on the planned trip, feeling uncertain about her identity and the purpose of the trip.
- The text describes the eerie and deceptive nature of Ruby Holler at night, teeming with diverse creatures and unsettling sounds.
- Florida and Dallas stumble into the dark, dense maze of Ruby Holler, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.
Family dynamics and emotional reflections on a journey
- Dallas recalls a time when Mrs. Trepid shook Florida and questioned her lack of tears
- Dallas and Florida share a bond, with Florida comforting him when he cried
- Dallas and Sairy carve wood together and discuss the potential hidden inside
- Sairy shares a memory of a wood piece that she and her husband both wanted
- Sairy and her husband struggled with who should have the wood and what to make from it
- Sairy and her husband ultimately left the wood untouched, symbolizing their relationship
- Dallas and Sairy discuss their feelings of being lost and their worries about their loved ones
- Tiller and Florida are shown to be on a challenging journey, dealing with the difficulty of portaging
- Florida and Tiller express frustration with the amount of stuff they have to carry during the journey
Adventurous River Ride and Unexpected Accident
- Florida and Tiller are on a river, navigating through the surging water and heading downstream.
- They encounter a bend in the river and aim for the middle of it.
- Their boat veers sharply to the right to avoid a huge boulder but catches in a swirl of water and plunges back towards the boulder.
- The boat smacks against the boulder multiple times, causing it to tip over.
- Florida resurfaces downstream, feeling drenched and fearing for her life.
- She sees Tiller trying to cling to one end of the boat and then lose his grip before disappearing beneath it.
- Z is in a holler, arranging stones and making mysterious-looking squiggles on them with a piece of charred wood.
- He marks the location of the cabin and the new stone piles on a fresh piece of paper.
- Z discovers a metal box buried beneath a smooth gray stone with "Sairy's. Keep Out" painted on it, and he decides to keep it.
- Dallas and Sairy reach a summit and spot a narrow path spiraling steeply downward toward a stream.
- Dallas takes off running down the path, but as he rounds a bend, he encounters a small furry animal and falls, injuring himself.
- Mrs. Trepid visits a jewelry store in Prosper City and shows interest in a gold necklace with rubies and opals, lying about it being for a special cruise to the Caribbean.
Conversations in the Night
- Two characters, Dallas and Florida, overhear a conversation between Tiller, Sairy, Buddy, and Lucy in a holler on a cool night.
- Tiller and Sairy seem happy to see their kids, but Lucy and Buddy express annoyance at Dallas and Florida's presence.
- Florida feels they are in the way and thinks Tiller and Sairy are no different from other grown-ups.
- Dallas starts packing, feeling they are not needed and in the way.
- Florida joins Dallas in packing, but hesitates to leave, showing reluctance.
- Dallas suggests leaving that night on a freight train, to which Florida initially agrees, but later expresses reluctance.
- They discuss whether the shirt Dallas has is theirs or Tiller and Sairy's, showing their uncertainty about their place.
- Florida is surprised by how much she doesn't want to leave, indicating a change in her feelings.
- Dallas plans to leave without saying goodbye, causing tension between him and Florida.
- The conversation between the characters reveals their insecurities, uncertainties, and conflicting emotions about leaving.
- The text portrays a sense of displacement and the characters' struggle to find their place and purpose.
- The dialogue and actions of the characters provide insight into their complex relationships and internal conflicts.
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