The Preliminaries
Young Oliver Pickersgill is in love with Ruth Lannithorne, the daughter of a man imprisoned for embezzlement. His straightforward view of love faces complications due to Ruth's strong loyalty to her father. When Oliver proposes, Ruth insists that he must respect her father, which shocks him, as he knows little about the man. Ruth describes her father's struggles with her demanding mother, revealing a tumultuous family dynamic that contrasts sharply with Oliver's stable upbringing. Despite his discomfort with her family's issues, Oliver expresses his commitment to Ruth, assuring her of his support. Ruth, however, remains hesitant, wanting Oliver to meet her father and gain his approval before proceeding with their relationship. She acknowledges the difficulty of this request but believes it is necessary. Oliver is taken aback by the number of people he feels he must consult about their union, highlighting the complexities of marrying into a family with a troubled background. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, class differences, and the challenges of love intertwined with familial obligations, as Oliver navigates his feelings for Ruth while grappling with her family's past.
By Cornelia A. P. Comer · First published 1925 · Genre: Short Stories, Fiction, Coming of Age · 4 chapters
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV