Summary

1937

Walter receives a letter from Frank’s school recommending that he go on to college. Walter thinks about his problems with the farm and Rolf and his own temptation to commit suicide. Had he killed himself, he would have missed the worst year of his life. But, looking at Lillian and Henry, he’s glad he didn’t. Attending the University of Iowa, Frank stays in a tent by the Skunk River. He keeps his dorm money in case he wants to return to Chicago, which he prefers to Iowa. He likes his classes. He “borrows” bikes each night to ride to his tent. One night, he finds a stranger, Lawrence Field, sitting in it. Lawrence is also a student and comes from a wealthy family. They decide to drive to Chicago to see a Cubs game in Lawrence’s REO Flying Cloud.

1938

Lawrence...