The Whistling Season

Coincidentally, on the day that Oliver decides to confront Rose about the need for a cook, Rose announces she is going to take on the kitchen. However, she intends to clean the kitchen, not to cook, reinforcing the message of her original advertisement. To cheer up his sons, Oliver takes them to the Big Ditch, intending to eat dinner later at Rae’s house. When the family reaches the Big Ditch, they find that the revival tent is gone, and hear that their teacher has eloped with Brother Jubal, the evangelist. The news stuns Oliver and Paul.

The chapter begins with Morrie addressing all the students in the school, having taken Miss Trent’s place. The narrative then shifts slightly back in time to the process of convincing Morrie to take over the school. First, Oliver must convince Morrie and Rose that Morrie should become the new schoolteacher; then Oliver must make Morrie’s case to the rest of the school board.

The scene returns to the schoolhouse where, starting with the first grade and going through the eighth grade, Morrie greets everyone personally. He allows Barbara to change her name during the school day to “Rabrab” and he stops to staunch the nosebleed of Martha.