When Palmer turns nine, his peers, Beans, Mutto, and Henry pressure him to join them in anticipation of becoming the best "wringers," boys who wring the necks of pigeons. Palmer's mother does not approve of his friends for this as the main reason, but she cannot force Palmer to find other friends. Palmer finds himself anxious to live up to his father's example, as he was known as one of the best wringers when he was Palmer's age. Though Palmer is actually reluctant to participate in the Pigeon Day wringing, he does not express this out of fear of being ostracized.