How does Palmer resolve his problems of meeting his friends at the cannon on the day of the pigeon shoot? Why? What do we learn about Palmer?

Palmer does not want to go to the shoot, nor does he want his friends to know of his feelings about the shoot. He decides to pretend he is sick and his mother will not let him leave the house. Palmer's mother stays home with him that day, and the gang does not come to see him. Palmer wants to be part of the gang, but cannot tolerate the cruelty of the pigeon shoot.