Duke Chapter 7

Summary

In Chapter 7, 'Raising the Flag,' young Toby and June prepare for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. June is unhappy with her hair, while Toby is excited about a model airplane kit of his father's plane, a B-24 Liberator. Uncle Trick brings gifts, and Toby learns the model will help train military personnel to identify aircraft. The ceremony honors the fishing fleet, and Toby is chosen to hoist the flag. Meanwhile, Toby receives a letter from his dog Duke at Camp Lejeune, promising to return soon, but Toby feels conflicted about Duke's military role.

Takeaways

• 📅 The story is set on March 25th, 1944, during a time of war.
• 👨‍👧 June and her mother are preparing for a special event, with June's hair being styled elaborately.
• 👦 Hobie is excited about a model airplane kit of a B-24 Liberator, which is his dad's plane.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Uncle Trick brings gifts for the children, including a jump rope for June and the model airplane kit for Toby.
• 🎨 June is not happy about having to sleep with bobby pins in her hair for the ceremony the next day.
• 🚢 The community gathers for the Blessing of the Fleet, a tradition since 1929, where a boat is chosen to represent all fishermen.
• 👔 Hobie is proud of his polished shoes and the effort he put into preparing for the ceremony.
• 🎨 June is reluctant to participate in the Blessing of the Fleet because it will interfere with her playing with her new jump rope.
• 🏠 Uncle Trick suggests that the model airplane could be used to help with military training by identifying plane silhouettes.
• 📬 Hobie receives a letter from his dog, Duke, who is with the military and cannot return home yet.
• 😔 Hobie is disappointed by the news about Duke and feels conflicted about what to do next.

Q & A

What event is taking place on March 25th, 1944 in the script?

The Blessing of the Fleet is taking place, where the fishermen and their families gather at Fishermen's Terminal for a ceremony.

Why is June upset with her mother?

June is upset because her mother is pulling her hair too hard while curling it and securing it with bobby pins, which she feels is not necessary for her to look her best.

What does Hobie trade with Max for a comic?

Hobie trades a comic with Max that he got from Miss Milner, the school librarian, who allows them to read in the library during rainy day recesses.

What is the significance of the model airplane that Uncle Trick gives to Toby?

The model airplane represents a B-24 Liberator, which was Toby's dad's plane. It also serves a purpose in training Navy, Army, and civil defense groups to recognize certain plane silhouettes during World War II.

Why does June's mother not let her jump rope before the ceremony?

June's mother doesn't want her to jump rope before the ceremony because she has spent a lot of time and effort curling and pinning June's hair, and jumping rope might ruin the hairstyle.

What does Uncle Trick bring for Toby and June?

Uncle Trick brings Toby a model airplane kit of a B-24 Liberator and for June, he brings a new jump rope with colored handles.

Why does Uncle Trick suggest that Toby might donate his finished model to the military?

Uncle Trick suggests that Toby might donate his finished model to the military because the military uses model aircraft to train people to recognize certain plane silhouettes, which is part of the war effort.

What does Toby plan to do with the model airplane after the ceremony?

Toby plans to work on assembling the model airplane after the ceremony, with the intention of donating it to the military once it's finished.

Who is chosen to hoist the flag during the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony?

Toby (Hobie) is chosen to hoist the flag during the ceremony, even though he hesitates because it seems like a big responsibility.

What does the letter from Camp Lejeune that Toby receives say?

The letter from Camp Lejeune is from Duke, who says that he and Marv passed their training. Duke also expresses that he considers himself a team with Marv now and promises to bring him back to Toby and June as soon as he can.

How does Toby react to the letter from Duke?

Toby is initially excited to receive the letter, but after reading it, he feels disappointed and worried about getting Duke back. He crumples the letter and throws it in the waste bin.

Outlines

00:00

👨‍👧 Preparing for the Blessing of the Fleet

The first paragraph introduces a family preparing for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. June, the daughter, is having her hair styled by her mother for the event, expressing a preference for a simple ponytail. Meanwhile, Howie is reading a comic book and is excited about the possibility of starting a comic club at school. His mother is busy preparing his attire for the ceremony, including polishing his shoes with his father's brushes. The father is notably absent, as he is missing the ceremony for the second year in a row. Uncle Trick arrives with gifts for the children, including an Air Scout Spotter model plane for Howie and a jump rope for June. June is also given candy to sweeten the wait for the ceremony. The family's anticipation for the event is palpable, and the importance of the Blessing of the Fleet in their community is highlighted.

05:02

🛶 The Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony

The second paragraph describes the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, where the community gathers at the fishermen's terminal. Howie and June, along with their mother, navigate through the crowd to meet Aunt Ellen. Howie is looking forward to working on his model plane after the ceremony, but the day's events include socializing with family and friends. Uncle Trick arrives and playfully interacts with June, eventually asking to borrow Howie to help with the ceremony. Howie is chosen to hoist the flag on the boat, which is a significant honor. Despite the cold, Howie feels proud and warm inside after successfully raising the flag. Uncle Trick promises to send the flag to Howie's father, who is away, and there's a sense of hope and family unity. The day concludes with a social gathering at Aunt Ellen's house, where the children play while the adults chat and enjoy pie.

10:04

📨 A Letter from Camp Lejeune

The third paragraph reveals a letter that Howie receives from Camp Lejeune, which is mistakenly delivered to his house. The letter is from his father, who shares the news of passing his training along with his dog, Duke. The father expresses his pride in Howie's role as a big brother and assures him that he will return Duke as soon as possible. Howie, however, is upset by the news and crumples the letter, tossing it in the waste bin. He is now faced with the challenge of figuring out how to get Duke back. The paragraph ends with a note that the next chapter will be read the following day, suggesting a serialized storytelling format.

Keywords

💡Blessing of the Fleet

The 'Blessing of the Fleet' is a traditional ceremony where boats and fishermen are blessed for safety and success in the coming season. In the script, it's a significant community event that the Hansen family participates in annually, symbolizing their connection to the sea and their hope for a prosperous year. The ceremony is also a moment of unity and tradition, as it has been held since 1929.

💡Ponytail

A 'ponytail' is a hairstyle where the hair is pulled back and tied at the back of the head. In the script, June prefers a simple ponytail, but her mother insists on a more elaborate hairstyle for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. This reflects the cultural expectation for women to look their best during special events and the generational difference in what is considered 'best'.

💡Comics

Comics are a form of art and literature that combines images and text to tell a story. In the script, the character Hobie enjoys reading comics during rainy day recesses, and the school librarian is considering starting a club. This shows the popularity of comics among children and the potential for community-building around shared interests.

💡Model Aircraft

A 'model aircraft' is a small-scale replica of an airplane, often used for hobbyists or educational purposes. In the script, Uncle Trick gives Toby a model of a B-24 Liberator, which is significant because it's the same type of plane Toby's father flew. The model is also a symbol of Toby's connection to his father and his desire to contribute to the war effort.

💡Bobby Pin

A 'bobby pin' is a type of hairpin used to secure hair in place. In the script, June's mother uses bobby pins to style her hair for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. The use of bobby pins is a common practice in hairstyling, and in the narrative, it adds to the historical setting and the attention to detail in preparing for the event.

💡Jump Rope

A 'jump rope' is a piece of equipment used for the sport of jumping rope, where one or more participants jump over a swinging rope. In the script, June receives a jump rope from her uncle, which she is eager to use, but her mother insists she cannot until after the ceremony. This reflects the tension between a child's desire for play and an adult's insistence on propriety during formal events.

💡Ceremony

A 'ceremony' is a formal event marked by ritualistic acts or procedures. The Blessing of the Fleet is a ceremony in the script that signifies the beginning of the fishing season and祈求渔民的安全和丰收。The ceremony is a focal point of community life and a way to honor tradition and the sea.

💡Pin Curls

Pin curls are a hairstyle where sections of the hair are rolled around fingers or curlers and secured with bobby pins to create curls. In the script, June's mother is putting her hair in pin curls for the Blessing of the Fleet. This hairstyle is indicative of the era's fashion and the effort put into appearances for special occasions.

💡Pastor Havoc

A pastor is a religious leader, often in charge of a church. In the script, Pastor Havoc is the one who blesses the fleet, representing the spiritual aspect of the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. His role is to invoke divine protection and favor upon the fishermen and their boats.

💡Tie

A tie is a piece of clothing worn around the neck and under a collar, often as part of formal attire. In the script, Hobie is reluctant to wear a tie, which his mother insists on for the ceremony. The tie symbolizes the formality of the event and the discomfort associated with dressing up for special occasions.

💡Model Air Scout Spotter

The 'Model Air Scout Spotter' is a program mentioned in the script where children build model aircraft to help train military personnel to identify enemy planes. Toby's uncle gives him a model of a B-24 Liberator to build and donate. This activity is part of the war effort and shows how even children were involved in supporting the military during World War II.

Highlights

June's mother is styling her hair for a special event, using bobby pins.

June prefers a simple ponytail but is being prepared for a formal occasion.

Hobie is reading a comic book in the library during recess, a new activity facilitated by Miss Milner.

Miss Milner is considering starting a comic book club at the school.

Hobie's father has a tradition of shining shoes for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.

The Blessing of the Fleet is an annual event where a boat is blessed to represent the entire fishing fleet.

Uncle Trick visits with a gift for Toby: an Air Scout Spotter model of a B-24 Liberator plane.

June receives a jump rope and candy from Uncle Trick as a consolation for not being able to play.

The model airplane is revealed to have a purpose: to help train military personnel to identify enemy planes.

Toby and June collaborate to assemble the model airplane, with June's help being crucial.

The Blessing of the Fleet is a significant community event with families gathering at the docks.

Toby is chosen to hoist the flag during the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.

Uncle Trick promises to send the flag to Toby's father, who is absent due to military service.

Toby receives a letter from his dog, Duke, who is now part of the military and has passed training.

The letter from Duke promises to return to Toby and June as soon as possible.

Toby is disappointed and crumples the letter, unsure of how to get Duke back.

Transcripts

okay all right we're gonna read chapter

seven raising the flag March 25th 1944

June was having a conniption you're

pulling too hard she complained mom

tugged another Hank another hank of

June's wet hair around her finger and

secured it with a bobby pin don't you

want to look your best tomorrow June's

lower lip poked out I think I'd look my

best in a plain old ponytail she whacked

wild kitty kitty think so too well we

turn around turned another page in his

comic he traded with max miss Milner the

school librarian was a sport letting

Hobie and Max read in the library during

rainy day recesses other kids had

started bringing in their comics too and

miss Milner was talking about starting a

club how he didn't want a club he just

wanted to read comics ouch June hollered

aren't you done yet

almost said mom but she'd been saying

that for a half an hour

Howie was glad that all he'd needed to

do was make sure his shoes were shined

mom had even let him use dad's brushes

this was the second year dad would miss

the blessing of the fleet

the Hansen's never missed there was even

a photograph in the family album a

brand-new baby June they're on the docks

ever since every year since 1929 in late

March all the fishermen and their

families would gather at fishermen's

terminal and every year pastor havoc but

choose one boat to represent the entire

fleet and he'd blessed that boat this

year he'd picked the lily best how do

those shoes look mom asked twisting

another curl around her finger will be

set down the comic and held them up for

her to see dad couldn't have done a

better job she said I've ironed your

white shirt and laid out your tie tie he

choked to death tie said mom firmly

Hobie side but not too loudly at least

he'd only have to wear the tie for a few

hours

June was going to have to sleep all

night on those pokey bobby pins that's

someone at the door last Cosi hope he

scrambled up a huge man filled the

doorway just making sure you're going to

be there tomorrow said uncle trick

carried a box under his good arm when he

stepped aside he held it out Toby I got

one of these for my boys uncle trig said

meaning opens Kobe's cousins Emily Emil

and Eric they don't have the patience

but I thought you might

he had a Toby a blue box stamped

official air scout spotter models 25

cents B 24 The Liberator dad's plane

hope me ran his hands over the box

June's lower lip stuck out even further

what did you bring me my little pickled

herring

uncle trig said you don't think your

favourite uncle would come empty-handed

do you he reached into his pocket and

pulled out a brand new jump rope with

colored handles Oh Thank You June tried

to reach for it but mom tugged her back

down we're not done here

mom said fussing with the pin curl that

had come loose but I want to try out my

new jump rope said June not after I've

gone to all this work on your hair said

mom you can jump rope after the ceremony

tomorrow that's too long

June wild uncle trick patted his

overcoat pocket I may have something

that will sweeten the wait he had a

general of citrus fruit drops she toured

open and popped one in her mouth what do

you say mom asked Thank You June smacked

on her candy do you want one she offered

the role first to mom and then to Uncle

trick I'll take one said Hobie June made

a face June said mom oh all right

June peeled the paper rolled down

farther by passing a cherry drop here

she had to Toby the green one I don't

like this flavor oh gee thanks

Oh we popped to the candy in his mouth

then he studied the cover of the model

box this looks well thanks uncle trick

mom came back from the kitchen with a

cup of coffee and handed it to Uncle

trick Toby I'm sorry Hobie flipped the

box around and read the back a red white

and blue message caught his eye boys you

can help win the war Toby read closer

[Music]

sorry about that hope we leaned closer

and read the fine print thousands of

model aircraft are needed to Train Navy

army and civil defense groups block

Hitler built a plane you could help it

uncle trick said shrugging off his

overcoat or donate it to the military

they are using them to Train folks to

look for certain plane silhouettes he

added what we have to the box I don't

get it how could a model help the army

uncle Trigg lifted his coffee cup high

over Hokies head if you hung that model

on the ceiling it would look like a b24

flying about a mile up nip tea ho we

decided to write then he would donate it

when he finished to do his part you'll

need some black paint said uncle trick

but I thought your dad might have some

in the basement would you like something

to go with that coffee mom asked I'm

done here she stretched a hair net over

Jun's head full of crisscross bobby pins

you can go play now

mom said but no jump-roping the coffee

hit the spot uncle trig sat down his

empty cup I best be on my way see you

tomorrow as soon as he left Toby ran to

the basement

there was a small can of black on the

back of dad's workbench he ran back

upstairs I'll be in my room mom he

called he carefully opened the model box

with his pocket knife and read the

instructions twice his bedroom door

creaked open what you doing June asked

she looked like some kind of space

creature with those pins all over her

head nothing Toby picked up a piece was

that the right wing or the left ring can

I help Jun bumped his elbow no how he

pushed her away but I heard you and

uncle trade this is daddy's plane she

padded the box as if it were a pet as if

it were a Duke beside okay you can help

but you have to do exactly what I tell

you he said the pieces out on the desk

some of them need to be pushed out of

the way

sorry punched out of thin wood frame but

they looked so flimsy and breakable but

we picked them up and set them down

again I could punch him out Jun offered

I have lots of practice with paper dolls

but we hesitated but her fingers were

smaller than his and she did have a lot

of paper dolls he handed over the piece

of wood and Jun gently pressed out the

first piece see he she said piece of

cake

want me to do the rest Obie handed poby

hand poised over the other pieces then

pushed them over June finished the task

while he started arranging the bigger

pieces for the assembly by the time they

left for the blessing of the fleet on

Sunday morning bundled up against the

cold March morning both wings were sandy

as smooth as mom's fancy silk scarf will

be planned to glue them on that

afternoon

mom June and Hobie made their way

through the crowds down the dock passing

boat after boat breathing deep of salt

and fish over here and Ellen called

waving a handkerchief mom took Joon's

hand and shimmering in the raw air they

hurried to stand with aunt Ellen you'll

come over after her coffee aunt Ellen

said to mom of course mom answered while

we try not to groan he had hoped to work

on the model that afternoon coffee and

aunt Ellen's would turn into a pinochle

game for the grown-ups and then supper

it always did you knew when they'd get

home there's my boy uncle trick came

over and scooped Toby in a bear hug he

turned to Jim and who is this movie star

with you he asked Jim giggled making her

pin curls bounce this it's me uncle

trick June

no uncle trick looked very thoughtful

not Shirley Temple June giggled again

may I borrow your brother fair maiden

uncle trick asked I promised to bring

him back

you may June answered like a princess

curtsy no come with me young man

uncle trick put his good arm around

Hobie shoulder the boys and I decided

there was only one person to hoist the

flag today he tapped Toby Hobie

hesitated are you sure he tugged at his

necktie but it's a pretty big deal seems

like you should do it

Palmer would do the honors if he were

here being the oldest Emaline earth Eric

our scuffling on the dock said uncle

trick as he stepped over to separate

them he started he started it a mill

said uh-uh said Eric stoic crumpled

uncle trick oh hello pastor he greeted

pastor havoc whose long nose was as red

as the scarf wrapped around his neck

god bless trick pastor havoc shook hands

with all the handsome crew then he

pulled a small purple flag from his

pocket I remember your father when he

was your age the pastor said to Hobie

handing him the flag he and trick were

like those two he tilted his head toward

Eric and Emil it's a wonder your

grandfather had any hair at all with the

trouble they gave him Toby glanced over

at his cousin's the male sneaked a punch

in Eric's arm Eric's shoe landed on top

of a male's foot he had a hard time

picturing dad and uncle trig acting like

that let us pray uncle trig and the

other men remove their hats pastor havoc

bowed his head and the crowd quieted for

a small man had a big voice and the

water helped carry it over the docks

Toby stood there uncertainly a moment

after the prayer finished he didn't want

to do the wrong thing

a big oh boy pastor havoc waved his hand

and Hobie scrambled across the gangplank

to the boats deck he clipped the flag on

the lines and hoisted it up up up when

it bumped at the top of the pole the

crowd cheered his hands ached from a

cold but homey felt warm inside

if only dad's was one of the faces there

on the dock he made his way back across

the gangplank in leapfrogged to the dock

good job Hobie uncle trick shook his

hand and then pointed to the flag when

the season's over we'll send that to

your dad he said you might be home

before then ho he said right you are

uncle trick tugged on the brim of his

hat there's always hope with the line in

the water he said before Hobie could

figure out what that meant the mail

grabbed his arm race you to the end of

the dock Hobie tore off after his

cousins and three of them dodging this

way and that through the departing crowd

at uncle tricks the cousins played

arousing game of Chinese checkers June 1

well the adults drink coffee and talked

and Ellen's butterscotch pie almost made

up for not being able to work on his

model plane then they came home to find

an envelope which between the screen

door delivered to my house by mistake

was penciled on the front

well his heart jumped when he saw it was

it addressed to him from Camp Lejeune he

ran to his room to read it dear Hobie

I am wagging my tail because Marv and I

passed our training with flying colors

I've never doubted that I'd passed but

Marv was another question altogether the

hardest thing for me not Marv was

learning not to bark especially during

the field exercises your pal Duke PS

Corps here I don't have a little sister

but if I did I hope I could be the kind

of big brother you are I hate to break a

kid's heart but Duke and I are a team

now I promise

bring Duke back to you and your sister

as soon as I can hope we crumpled the

letter and tossed it in the waste bin

his plan Hannah Bert

now what was he going to do to get Duke

back all right you guys that was Chapter

seven see you tomorrow