Carl Brown

The beginning of the novel gives a detailed description of Carl's background. His parents named him after his father's boss, but, when the boss proved less than generous, they shorten Carlton to Carl. Young Carl leaves his hometown in Brooklyn to study law at a university in the Midwest. For the first year, Carl's proud and doting mother supports him generously.

After a year, Carl sends for his childhood sweetheart, Annie McGairy, to join him and become his wife. This news causes his mother to cut him off. Carl then works very hard to support his new family. Annie often looks to her husband for worldly knowledge. He tries to inform her about sophisticated matters without changing her personality.

Carl shows a multifaceted personality. He offers Annie education about marriage and life as an adult, yet much about a woman's personality and physiology catch him off guard...