eventime – evening

After Opal and the pig were sent home she spent the day playing in the nearby woods. It was near eventime (evening) when she started home.

Savonarola was a popular preacher and reformer in Italy. He was born on September 21, 1454 and died on May 23, 1498. His sermons were popular because he prophesied the downfall of the Medici family (a prophesy that came true) and spoke out against corruption in the Roman Catholic church.

Opal named her sorrel (reddish) horse Savonarola.

have understanding – to understand something

Opal wanted Peter Paul Rubens to have understanding (understand) what she was doing.

Opal named her pet pig Peter Paul Rubens. He is named after a Belgian painter born in 1577.

Opal is very fond of Peter Paul Rubens and has many adventures with him, such as when he followed Opal to school. There was also some sadness.

Opal’s "cathedral" was in the nearby woods. A cathedral is a tall, grand place of worship. Old growth forest with giant trees are often called "cathedral forests" because of their lofty tree tops.

There are few remaining cathedral forests today. Many have been put into protection so that they will be left in their natural state and never be logged. All of the "cathedrals" where Opal lived and played have been logged over the past century.