“She’s ‘Some Pig,’ all right,” I say, quoting the words Charlotte weaves into her web to try to save Wilbur.

“ ‘Terrific,’ ” Ivy says. We both laugh.

“I feel sorry for her,” Micah says. “Look at her. She seems sad.”

“Maybe she knows her destiny,” I say.

“What do you mean?” Ivy asks.

“She’s being raised for meat.”

A worried look comes over Ivy’s face, and I regret telling her.

“You know some farms raise animals for food,” I tell her.

“I know, but . . .” Ivy looks like she’s about to cry. “It’s different when you know them. Maybe you could be Lucy’s Fern, Rachel! Maybe you could save her!”

We all step up on the bottom rung of the fence to watch Lucy. I imagine running up to Mr. Townsend the way Fern does to her dad when he goes out to the hog house to “do away” with Wilbur. Only I don’t imagine Mr. Townsend with an ax. He’ll probably hire someone to come do the job. The thought of it makes me feel queasy.

Lucy flips her ears forward as she watches us, and for a minute, she does seem kind of cute. But then she scratches her hoof against the ground again, as if she’s going to charge us all.

“Come on, Lucy, don’t be like that,” says Micah. “We were just talking about saving you!”

She tilts her head and poops again.

“Wow,” Ivy says.

“Our minister says you have to love the hell out of some people,” Micah says. “That should be our summer goal for Lucy.”

“What does it mean?” Ivy asks.

“It means you need to love your enemies. Or people you don’t like. They probably need it. When they feel loved, they won’t be so awful.”

“Is that really what it means?” I ask.

“It’s my interpretation,” Micah says.

“I like it!” Ivy says. “Lucy, I’m going to love the hell out of you, too. Maybe if we love her, she’ll stop being so mean and the Townsends will feel sorry for her and save her after all. Maybe they’ll love the hell out of her, too!”

“Don’t say hell,” I say.

“It’s not a swear in this context,” Micah points out.

“Whatever,” I say. “Just don’t get too attached.”

“Let’s make a pact,” Ivy says, ignoring me. She reaches her hand over the fence and points it toward Lucy, palm down. Micah reaches out and puts his hand on top of Ivy’s. I place my hand on top of both.

“We solemnly swear to love the hell out of you, Lucy,” Ivy says seriously. “And you should let us. Because it could save your life!”

“I promise,” Micah says.

“Promise,” I add.

Lucy flops over and rolls in the mud.

“I think that means she’s thinking about liking us,” Ivy says.

“I like your optimism,” Micah tells her.