One rainy day,
Bod sits in a sheltered spot in the graveyard, reading. When he hears a voice coming his way and cursing, Bod looks up and sees
Thackeray Porringer. Thackeray died of anger at 14, after his employer tricked and humiliated him. He died clutching his only possession—a copy of
Robinson Crusoe—and he wants his book back. Bod reveals himself and promises to give the book back when he’s done, but he hands it over when he sees how hurt Thackeray looks. Thackeray punches Bod’s ear, but it seems to hurt Thackeray’s hand as much as it does Bod’s head. Bod heads down the path, slips, and almost runs into
Miss Euphemia and
Tom.