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Finny, still unable to face the truth of what has really happened in the
accident, tells Brinkerthat he lost his balance and fell out of the tree. Gene,
afraid to tell the truth in front of his peers, says he has been on the ground
during the accident. Leper, however, is called in to testify. He states that on
the night of the accident he saw two figures in the tree, one out on a limb and
one near the trunk. When the lowermoved, the figure on the branch fell. Forced
to face the truth, Finny is shocked and crushed. With tears flowing from his
eyes, he runs from the room trips on the steps. Gene is so ashamed at what he
has done and what he has caused that he cannot even help to carry Finny to the
infirmary. When Gene is finally courageous enough to enter Finny's room, his
friend turns on him. With anger, Finny asks if Gene has come to break another
part of his body. Gene reminds him that he had tried to tell Finny the truth
about the accident, but was always silenced. Realizing that his presence causes
pain so Gene leaves.The next morning he returns with Finny's clothes and
toiletries, as the doctor has requested. Finny has regained his composure and
tells his friend about the hurt he feels about not being able to help in the war
effort. Gene tries to cheer him by making a joke. When Gene leaves feels better
about the relationship he has with Finny. The doctor tells Gene that he can
return at five o'clock in the evening to see his friend after his leg has been
set. When Gene comes to the infirmary after his classes, he learns that Finny
has passed away. Gene is too shocked to even shed tears. He feels indirectly
responsible for causing Finny's death. He also feels like a part of himself has
died with the death of his friend. Gene joins the Navy and fights in the war,
but his heart is not in it. He cannot even think about killing a person, even
the enemy. He has fought one war, his own personal battle and that war ended
with a horrible death. Gene proves that he has great difficulty getting over the
loss of Finny. Even after fifteen years, he has come back to Devon to come visit
the two frightening places the First Building and the tree that hangs over the
river.
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