Part 1: Chapter 12 Summary

Larry thrives in the laid back schedule at Battell Pond. With his meals provided and his solitude enforced, Larry feels like he can accomplish anything. The mandatory recreation and leisure in the afternoon is something entirely new to Larry, but he finds that it's good for his soul and his health. The children are all whisked away before dinner, fed separately from the adults, and put to bed while the adults enjoy good food and conversation in the evenings.

The Langs and Morgans take long walks at night, and Sid becomes the talkative one. Larry describes their foursome as two Adams and two Eves, and he thinks it's an improvement to God's plan. Larry and Sally love being around the thick web of relatives, the cousins, grandparents, brothers and sisters, because neither of them has experienced such familiarity before.

They take...