Laura is given an order by her mother to care for her dog, Jack, before going to town to greet a newcomer, Kezia Horn, who lives in a house without walls. Laura becomes frustrated at Jack and gives up trying to take the ticks out of his ears. Mary, Laura, Nellie and Willie go to visit Kezia and find out what a unique, yet kind person she is. When Laura arrives home, she finds old Jack dead in the barn.