Mr. Trepid asks the man called Z to make a map of Ruby Holler indicating the location of special stones. Z is reluctant, and when he asks Mr. Trepid about the significance of the stones, Mr. Trepid replies that they mark places planned to be drilled for oil. When Mr. Trepid returns to Boxton Creek Home, he tells Mrs. Trepid that they will be gaining a large sum of money soon.

Sairy and Dallas try to make their way back after they discover Dallas has forgotten the compass. Sairy asks Dallas to tell her about Mr. Dreep to pass the time and is shocked to learn of his treatment of Dallas and Florida (The Dreeps had locked them in the cellar).

Florida and Tiller eat lunch along the bank. Florida points out that Dallas differs from Tiller because Dallas is an optimist, but that she and Tiller are similar as they both complain frequently. Tiller thinks of Sairy and how he never wants to be apart from her again. He asks Florida to tell him of the other foster families she and Dallas lived with.