Chapter 1, Childhood Summary

Latimer's childhood was happy because he had not yet developed his power of pre-vision. In addition, his mother adored him and always kept him near, particularly during a brief period during which he was blind. Unfortunately, she died when he was seven or eight, and Latimer missed her terribly, more so than another child of the same age would have because he was so sensitive.

Due to Latimer's excessive sensitivity, his father thought Latimer strange and kept his distance, though he was careful to take care of him as a father should. Latimer's mother had been the second wife of his father, who was much older than she was. Consequently, his father already had another son named Alfred. Alfred was much older than Latimer and was away at school from the time Latimer was quite young.

Latimer's father was a stern...