- It's super-early in the morning—as in sun-not-up-yet early—and Banina's trying to get M.C. to go swimming with her in the lake. (Banina's definitely not one to sleep in.)
- This is their usual routine; in fact, none of the other kids—or Jones, for that matter—has to go through what M.C. goes through with Banina in the morning.
- No wonder M.C.'s more than a little grumbly.
- But he can't say no; otherwise Banina will go out to the lake by herself and something bad might happen there.
- At least, that's what Banina tells him. (Yep—she's a guilt-tripper, too.)
- The two get up and walk toward the lake.
- Once he's out and can see the lake, M.C.'s all good about being woken up early.
- That's because the mountain, the hills, the lake—it's all amazing and beautiful. Nature, you know? It does that to you.
- Banina and M.C. chat a little about James, but not much; M.C. gets the feeling that's a closed subject now.
- And then they spot the girl.
- Banina's a little surprised that M.C. knows the tent they see in the distance houses a girl, but M.C. explains how the two of them tussled with each other the other day.
- Banina gets that it's a touchy subject, so she lets M.C. have his space on the issue.
- They go into the lake and swim a little before the other kids and Jones come hollering along.
- The girl's in the tent sleeping, but M.C. guesses that she's awake now, what with all the racket.
- Banina tells him to ask the girl to breakfast (Jones has brought breakfast) before she goes to join the rest of the family.
- M.C. waits until he's alone with the girl (who's still in the tent) before he tells her not to be scared.
- Finally, she steps out, and M.C. is totally stunned.
- He can feel something like a vision coming on, only it's a vision he never would have expected to see.
- (The girl is clearly a hottie.)
- M.C. whistles and introduces himself as "M.C. Higgins, the Great."