Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

The chapter begins with six-year-old, teary-eyed Jamie Bawn leaving a seaside English town on a train. He is sad to leave old Mrs. Drake, a neighbor who reads to him from good books in return for his help with odd chores. Mrs. Drake has enclosed a new book for Jamie, along with several titles listed on a sheet of paper. She has gently explained to him that the kind people at the library in his new town would help him find the titles to continue his adventures in learning.

Jamie is returning with his parents to their native home of Scotland, a place his rebellious father Robert stormed away from years ago in one of his drunken furies. As sad as Jamie is to leave behind the afternoon walks, books, and love invested in him by Mrs. Drake, he is excited...