Part Two, Chapter Eight Summary

One day in May, Mrs. Forrester visits Niel at his uncle's office to ask him to dinner. Niel allows her to persuade him and then later is angry with himself because he agreed. Friday evening Niel notices that Mrs. Forrester has set a nice table though he wonders if the boys she has invited will even notice. Ivy Peters seems to be the center of attention. When Mrs. Forrester enters the room, the boys stand up in honor of her. Niel believes the action looks alarmed rather than honoring but acknowledges that she has at least taught the rough boys to stand when a lady enters the room.

As Niel watches Mrs. Forrester during the dinner, she wonders why she puts herself to such trouble for these low class boys. She tries to engage the boys in...