Godliness, Part 2 Summary

David Hardy, the grandson of Jesse Bentley, is sent to the Bentley farm to live when he is twelve. His mother is Louise Bentley, who was born instead of the son that Jesse wanted. Her husband is John Hardy, a banker. She is quick-tempered and grouchy. Her husband tries to appease her by buying her a big house and keeping a manservant to drive her carriage. Louise throws temper tantrums, wields a knife toward her husband, tries to burn the house down and locks herself in a room. People think that she drinks. She drives the carriage down the road, recklessly, as fast as she can, nearly hitting people. People jump out of her path and think she is trying to run them down on purpose.

Because of David's mother, he does not have a happy childhood. David is quiet and...