Thimble Summer

Garnet rides the bus with only two passengers on board. As they travel, she looks at the rural scenery. At the next stop, she stays alone on the bus. The driver asks if she wants to go faster; excited, Garnet agrees. The bus speeds up, “like fire.” They soon reach New Conniston. Garnet thanks the driver and gets off, wondering where to go next. 

Garnet enjoys the town’s noise. Strolling around and looking at the stores, she thinks about buying presents for her family. By now, she has forgiven Jay and visits a dime store to buy everyone a gift. Dime stores always excite her. After deciding about her parents and brothers, she wonders what Eric would like. Suddenly, she feels hungry. After buying a sausage, she realizes her money is gone. She manages to slip past the lady who sold the food and heads for the street. Her legs hurt, and she feels somehow desperate. She sits in a park, but the fuss soon drives her away. 

Garnet understands she miscalculated her money and now cannot pay for the bus home. Her only solution is to hitchhike. A truck carrying chicken crates stops to pick her up. The driver is kind, and Garnet enjoys the scenery again.