Summary

Chapter 1: The novel opens in 1935 at a dinner of the local branch of the Rotary Club in Fort Beulah, Vermont. Herbert Edgeways, a retired brigadier general of the U.S. army, gives a speech about the importance of peace between nations. In response, one of the Rotary Club women proclaims that she thinks another war would be good for the discipline and character of the country. The general, at urging from the crowd, agrees with the woman. He states that countries with power have a duty to use it. Lorinda Pike, a local boarding-house manager, objects to these ideas but is shouted down by the crowd. Also in attendance at the event is Doremus Jessup, editor of a local newspaper called the Daily Informer, accompanied by his wife, Emma Jessup.

Chapter 2: After the Rotary Club dinner, local quarry owner and Doremus’ childhood friend Francis...