Summary

The book opens with a description of the main character’s widowed mother, Mrs. Pitkin, living in a house in Vermont. Mrs. Pitkin’s home is falling apart, but it is “exceedingly dear” to her and her son (5). A lawyer, Mr. Slemp arrives and, after an initial exchange of niceties, explains that he is here to notify her, on behalf of her landlord, that she has three months to pay her mortgage in full or the house will be foreclosed. Mrs. Pitkin bursts into tears because she cannot make the payment. Her son Lemuel, the main character, returns from school as the lawyer exits. Mr. Slemp brushes him aside with such force that he falls off the porch into the cellar. Lemuel and his mother discuss their options and he decides to solicit the most prominent citizen in town, Mr. Nathan “Shagpoke” Whipple...