Chapters 4-5

Chapter four contains one of the most important events in the book. Finny finally realizes how much Gene's school work means to him and that he has to study to get those good grades. The one night when Gene is studying he doesn't want to go to the meeting, but after Finny insists he can stay home and study, Gene still goes anyway to see Leper jump. At the meeting Gene gets this idea for both of them to jump out of the tree together, because it has never been done before. Gene realizes that Finny isn't jealous of him and he's not capable of being jealous, so before they jump Gene moves the limb which causes Finny to lose his balance and fall.

From his fall, Gene says his fear is forgotten because it makes him realize that Finny isn't perfect. Finny shatters his leg and has to stay in the infirmary which forces Gene to be alone for a while. One day Gene even wears Finny's things to remind himself of Finny and makes himself feel better. Gene learns that Finny will never be able to play sports again, but he will be able to walk. Finny can't really remember what caused him to fall and when he even mentions he thought it was because of Gene he quickly apologizes. Finny goes back to Boston, the summer session ends, and Gene goes back home for a month. Before going back to Devon, Gene visits Finny and tells him what really happened on the tree. Finny refuses to believe it and they argue, so Finny tells Gene he'll see him sometime around Thanksgiving.