Summary

In another flashback, the story returns to Raymond one summer shortly before he joins the Korean War. The Iselin's take a vacation house for the summer near a rival liberal senator, Senator Jordan, and Raymond accidentally meets the senator's daughter when he was bitten by a snake. Josie, the senator's daughter, always carried a snake-bite kit around with her because her father was paranoid about the snakes in the area, so she was able to save Raymond quickly.

Raymond is so struck by her that he asks her to marry him, but when the Senator realizes who Raymond is, he tries to get rid of the boy. Fortunately, Raymond explains how much he despises his mother and stepfather and he bonds with the Jordan family over their mutual enemies. Raymond and Josie meet every day, and begin to fall for one another, but Eleanor discovers...