Part One, Chapter seven Summary

Niel has been reading books from Bohn's Classics. At his uncle's suggestion that he save the book "Don Juan" for later, Niel decides to read it first. As Niel works his way through the love stories, he believes the characters in them acted as people do in real life. He allows the material in these books to mold his perception of other people and their place in the world.

In June of that summer, one of the banks into which Mr. Forrester had put much money, has failed. Niel's uncle tells him he is afraid that the Forresters will lose alot of money from this failure. Mr. Forrester and the judge go away to see about the bank for several days. While they are gone, Frank Ellinger comes to visit Mrs. Forrester. At this same time, Mrs...