The Reformatory: A Novel

On Wednesday, Robbie and Redbone inspect the well where Hank is said to wander. Redbone is impatient when the haint fails to appear, so the two of them try calling him by name. Robbie briefly sees a young man by the trees, but he vanishes too quickly to be sure of him. Crutcher, who is skeptical of haints, sends the boys back to the schoolhouse.

At supper, Robbie and Redbone discuss giving up Blue to Boone. Robbie is reluctant, but Redbone worries about the consequences that will befall him if they don’t. Robbie decides to track Hank instead, so he brings Haddock, Crutcher, and Boone to the well, along with a crowd who have come to see Robbie’s gift in action. Robbie is unsure where Hank might be, and after several unsuccessful attempts to locate him, the warden is disappointed by Robbie’s failure. When they sequester Redbone for punishment, Robbie is filled with guilt. It is the last time Robbie ever sees Redbone. Robbie finally sees Hank and ties a shoelace from his boot around his tree to mark it.