Past the Shallows: Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis

Miles and Harry hear Jake barking as they approach George Fuller’s shack. George waves the boys inside and Harry enters without hesitation as Miles follows slowly. Seeing George’s face up close for the first time, Miles realizes that his deformities are not shocking and that he is “just an old man.” He is surprised to see how neat and clean the inside of George’s house is. Harry acts as though he is comfortably at home, tending the wood heater and sitting with Jake as if their terrible night with Dad and Jeff had never happened.

George gently disinfects and dresses the cut on Miles’s forehead, then serves tea to the two boys. Harry notices that George’s teacups look like the ones Mum used to have, which Aunty Jean now displays in a cabinet but never uses.

After they drink their tea, George lays out a pillow, sleeping bag, and sleeping mat for Miles and Harry. Miles notices that Harry seems to have “an understanding” with George that transcends words, as the old man has difficulty speaking due to his facial deformities. Miles, Harry, and Jake burrow together in the sleeping back and George lights his pipe. The smell of the tobacco transports Miles back to a childhood memory of playing with Matchbox cars in Granddad’s house as his grandfather listened to the radio and puffed on his pipe.