Part Two, Chapter Three Summary

Although Niel had planned to spend much of his summer reading the Forresters' grove, he doesn't go often because Ivy Peters is there so frequently. He believes the way that Ivy visits with Mrs. Forrester when she is not yet dressed for company is shameful. Ivy either treats Mr. Forrester as if he isn't there, or speaks to him as if he is not very smart. One day Niel hears Ivy and Mrs. Forrester speaking from a distance and believes from what he hears that Ivy is flirting with Mrs. Forrester. Ivy doesn't even offer to carry Mrs. Forrester's bucket into the house for her.

When Niel mentions Ivy's impolite behavior to Mr. Forrester, he admits the man is rude. Niel tells Mr. Forrester he had met a man who worked on the railroad with him. When...