I Cheerfully Refuse

The town and police descend on Rainy’s home. The police initially suspect Rainy of murdering Lark, though they soon discern that he had no reason to hurt her. When an officer asks who he believes killed Lark, Rainy mentions Kellan’s fear of a man named Werryck. The officer freezes at the mention of this name and leaves. Rainy begins to wonder if the old man at the party was Werryck. The town honors Lark, and many bring their favorite books to the ceremony. Rainy passes through the summer in a haze, burdened by memories of Lark everywhere he looks. He drops out of his band and neglects his music lessons. When the police officer returns to show him a picture of Werryck, Rainy knows that the old man from the party was indeed Werryck. The officer tells him that Werryck didn’t kill Lark. By the end of the summer, Rainy can’t live in the house and begins sleeping at a nearby woodlot. One night, he recalls Lark’s last night, when she mentioned the Slate Islands, and rushes to his boat, convinced that he must meet her there.