Bert Breen's Barn Chapter 51 Summary

  • Tom returns the boards easily to their original locations, and then he goes to scatter the chaff and sand over the boards as Bert Breen had done so they would look undisturbed. Though Tom's learned a lot, he forgot to bring a tool to carry the chaff and sand from its box to the flooring, so he has to use his hat.
  • While he's doing that, he sees a light coming toward the Breens' place on a wagon. Gotta be the Flanchers. Time to vamoose.
  • Tom finds Polly Ann waiting for him, and they lead the horse quietly until Tom feels it's safe enough to light a lantern and climb in the wagon to make better time. With the lantern lit, Polly Ann sees Tom without his hat and chides him for not turning it inside out. Moms will be moms.
  • They decide to take the money to Billy-Bob's, even though it'll be past midnight by the time they get there. They think it's likely the Flanchers stopped by their house earlier and would probably go back, so it's better to find a different spot for the cash.