edf40wrjww2CF_PaperMaster:Desc
Book 3, "Lena Lingard," is set in Lincoln, Nebraska where Jim
studies under the instruction of an admired scholar Gaston Cleric.
Lena Lingard moves to Lincoln to set up a tailoring business and
visits Jim. They start seeing each other regularly, going to the
theater, and spending Sunday mornings together. He enjoys her
company much more than that of the women of his own class who
are so interested in socializing that they seem to have no life in
them. Lena's shop is very successful. She tells Jim she plans
never to marry, having seen enough of marriages to know that it is
not for her. She wants to be able to determine her own choices in
life. Her plan is to make enough money to set her mother and
younger siblings up in a comfortable house. From Lena, Jim hears
about Antonia's boyfriend, Larry Donovan, a railroad conductor
who puts on airs above his status. No one likes Larry, but Antonia
will not hear anything bad said of him. One day, Gaston Cleric
comes to see Jim and tells him he will be teaching at Harvard. He
invites Jim to come with him. Jim reluctantly says good-bye to
Lena and then goes home for a visit before leaving.
Book 4, "The Pioneer Woman's Story," takes place two years
later when Jim has finished his college courses and comes home
to visit before continuing on to law school. Antonia is now
twenty-four years old and has had a baby outside of marriage. Jim
is disgusted with her and doesn't plan to go see her where she is
living with her family again. However, one day he is in the
photography shop and sees a large picture of Antonia's baby. The
photographer says she is extremely proud of her ba ...