chapter 10

When Ralph and Piggy meet on the beach the next morning, they are bruised and sore. They are deeply ashamed of their behavior the previous night. Piggy, unable to take responsibility claims Simon’s death was an accident. Ralph, hysterically say they're all murderers. clutching the conch desperately and laughing hysterically, insists that they have been participants in a murder. Piggy whiningly denies the charge.

Sam and Eric lie and pretend they weren't there. Each boy has a way of dealing with the horror of what he's done: Ralph admits the act, Piggy claims it was an accident (wasn't my fault!), and the boys are in denial.