“That there is no knowledge that is not valuable.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson Sam says he’s going to take Ruthie and Spruce on a little “sightseeing jaunt.” “Good, drop her off at the ferry dock in Hyannis and buy her a one-way trip to Nantucket,” Mother whispers. “Stella, I’m sorry,” Sam says. “I should have warned you.” Sam leaves and I help Mother with last-minute things for the Caldor rehearsal dinner tomorrow night. The doorbell rings. It’s Ruby’s father, Mr. Sivler. I hear him explaining to Mother how the Bramble Beach Association is filing a legal injunction against the Audubon Society, claiming the superiority of people and their pets over wild animals like the plovers. He must be the person who wrote that awful message about serving the plovers piping hot with fries. I have half a mind to say something, but I have no proof. Mr. Sivler asks Mom to sign a petition. He gives her a flag, #279. “Bring this with you when your family is at Sandy Beach,” he says.
