Part Two, Chapter Five Summary

Mrs. Beasley and Molly Tucker decide when Mr. Forrester has another stroke that this has been caused by her unfaithfulness to her husband. Mr. Forrester is no longer able to care for himself at all. Mrs. Forrester falls apart as a result of the stress. Realizing her weakness, the people of the town take the opportunity to pry into the Forresters' life and their house. Niel hears what the people of the town are saying about Mrs. Forrester. He tells his uncle that he plans to take a year off school to help the Forresters. He plans to borrow Black Tom from his uncle to clear all of the gossips out of Mrs. Forrester's house.

Once Niel is able to get the house quiet, Mrs. Forrester sleeps for nearly a week. Even the captain improves under Niel...