In this chapter, the narrator tells us that the family is planning to take a vacation for a few weeks. He tells the kids that they're going to have a good time, since they've never gotten along with each other before. He also tells them that their mother is always trying to make them hate each other. He says that he's glad they'll be taking a vacation, since it will give them a chance to start living their own lives. The kids agree that it's a good idea, and the narrator says that they should all get together and have fun. The next day, he tells them to lock the door and wait until the next day to go to the inn. He's waiting for them to come, and he doesn't want them to be locked in the house two hours later. The narrator then tells them about the doctor's report, which says that the applejacks should be in the hospital right now, since the doctor wants them to stay and watch over him.