# Their Tenant Discovers the Ralestones explained — Ralestone Luck

> Chapter companion for Ralestone Luck by Andre Norton.

## What happens

Val and Ricky explore the overgrown grounds of Pirate's Haven, discovering the old slave quarters and bake oven. They meet their tenant, Charity Biglow, a Boston artist renting the overseer's house. She tells them about Jeems, a swamp boy who poses for her paintings, and mentions strange lights and a ghostly figure in the garden. The Ralestones discuss their financial troubles and the rival claimant to the estate. Charity suggests searching for hidden family papers, and they plan to meet later for coffee.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Legacy and Identity

The Ralestones grapple with their heritage and the threat of a rival claimant, while exploring their ancestral home and hidden secrets.

### Adventure and Mystery

Val and Ricky's exploration of the grounds, the discovery of a hidden safe, and the mysterious lights and ghostly figure in the garden.

### Class and Social Change

The Ralestones' reduced circumstances, their tenant Charity Biglow's independent life as an artist, and the social dynamics with Jeems and the swamp community.

## Character check-ins

### Val Ralestone

Explores the grounds with Ricky, meets Charity Biglow, and discusses the family's financial troubles and the rival claimant.

### Rupert Ralestone

Mentioned as having gone to town to see LeFleur; not present in the chapter.

### Rick Ralestone

Accompanies Val on the exploration, meets Charity Biglow, and shares the story of the rival claimant.

### Miss Charity

The tenant of the overseer's house, an artist from Boston, who tells the Ralestones about Jeems and strange occurrences.

### Jeems

A swamp boy who poses for Charity's paintings; mentioned as having a distrust of plantation people and knowledge of swamp stories.

### Satan

The cat, also called Cinders by Charity, who appears at her studio and is recognized by Val and Ricky.

## Key lines

> Penny for your thoughts.

Ricky asks Val what he is thinking about.

_Ricky tries to cheer up Val, who is brooding on the bridge._

> I’ve rented your old overseer’s house and am using it for my studio.

Charity Biglow explains that she is the tenant of the overseer's house, which she uses as an art studio.

_Reveals Charity's role as a tenant and artist._

> The quickest way to find out is to go and do a little probing of our own.

Val suggests they investigate the house themselves to find the hidden safe.

_Val's determination to uncover family secrets._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters/v-their-tenant-discovers-the-ralestones
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ralestone_luck_se/chapters