Plainsong

Maggie drives Victoria to the McPheron farm. Victoria lingers in the car, “afraid of what they’re going to say” (207). Victoria approaches the house as the two brothers stand on the porch. She asks whether they will take her back, thanking them for their help and apologizing for the “trouble I caused” (207). She turns back toward the car, but Harold calls out and says, “We couldn’t have you leaving like that again” (208). They invite Victoria inside, and Maggie leaves. Inside, the house has “fallen into disorder again” (209). Victoria promises to tell them the story tomorrow, and Raymond admits they were worried. Victoria begins to cry without making a sound. They assure her that they do not hold any grudges and are glad Victoria is back at the farm. 

Bobby and Ike go to the cinema. When the film finishes, the audience pours out into the street. The boys walk home. Before they reach the end of their journey, three teenagers pull up and ask whether “you little girls want a ride” (210). Bobby and Ike try to walk home, but the teenagers follow them. One of the boys is Russell. Despite the warnings of the girl, the two teenagers step out of the car and try to catch Ike and Bobby.