Book One, Chapters 6-13 Summary

Ada gives Van a tour of the house. Ada first shows Van her favorite room, the library, and then takes him upstairs to see the bed chambers. Van feels the furnishings of his own home are more luxurious. They view the portraits of family ancestors. Van becomes bored during the tour.

The children are told there will be a visitor at dinner, a man named Alonso, sent by Uncle Dan. When he arrives, they find he speaks only Spanish. He is the architect who is to build their swimming pool.

In Chapter Seven, they have tea after Alonso's departure. The family more or less follows the Russian customs. Van decides to swim in the brook the next morning. Finding the doors locked, he goes looking for a window and finds a maid he is attracted to but...