Bertram Cope

Medora Phillips

Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination.

Basil Randolph

Basil Randolph is obsessively infatuated with Bertram Cope, pursuing him with a mix of admiration and possessive desire.

Amy Leffingwell

Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated.

Arthur Lemoyne

Arthur Lemoyne is a close friend and confidant of Bertram Cope, sharing a bond of mutual support.

Hortense Dunton

Hortense Dunton is romantically attracted to Bertram Cope, but he remains emotionally distant and evasive.

Carolyn Thorpe

Carolyn Thorpe pursues Bertram Cope romantically, though he shows little genuine interest in her.

Joe Foster

Bertram Cope and Joe Foster are casual friends, with Foster often acting as a bridge to other social groups.

Medora Phillips

Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination.

Basil Randolph

Basil Randolph is obsessively infatuated with Bertram Cope, pursuing him with a mix of admiration and possessive desire.

Medora Phillips

Medora Phillips exerts a possessive, manipulative influence over Bertram Cope, treating him as a social protégé and object of fascination.

Amy Leffingwell

Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated.

Amy Leffingwell

Amy Leffingwell is romantically interested in Bertram Cope, though her feelings are largely unreciprocated.

I: Cope at a College Tea

A young instructor of about twenty-four, self-conscious about his age and status, resentful of being treated as a boy but skilled at performing affability.

II: Cope Makes a Sunday Afternoon Call

Makes his first Sunday afternoon call on Mrs. Phillips; engages in witty, slightly defiant conversation; mentally composes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne describing the visit.

III: Cope Is "Entertained"

The guest of honor, who is entertained by the young women and later sings for them; he mentally writes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne.

IV: Cope Is Considered

Subject of Randolph's investigation; his faculty page is now in place, showing his interest in English Literature.

V: Cope Is Considered Further

Discussed by Randolph and Foster; his singing is heard but not seen; described as having a cool, correct baritone and a detached manner.

VI: Cope Dines—and Tells About It

Writes a letter to Arthur Lemoyne describing his dinner at Mrs. Phillips' and his social life.

VII: Cope Under Scrutiny

Writes a lengthy letter to Arthur Lemoyne, describing his interactions with Basil Randolph and his longing for Lemoyne's company.

Cope Undertakes an Excursion

Subject of Randolph's account: declined cocktails, avoided direct address, and shows enthusiasm for the excursion to the sandhills.

IX: Cope on the Edge of Things

Shows youthful vigor and reluctance about romantic pursuits.

X: Cope at His House Party

Cope is the guest of honor, praised by Mrs. Phillips, and takes a walk where he admires the scenery, interacts with other guests, and suggests names for two pine trees.

XI: Cope Enlivens the Country

Sings well, avoids bathing, and engages in philosophical stone-skipping with Amy.

Cope Amidst Cross-Purposes

Receives and ruminates on a letter from Arthur Lemoyne; discusses his thesis and living quarters with Randolph; imagines sharing a room with Lemoyne.

XIII: Cope Dines Again—and Stays After

The young man faints at Mrs. Phillips' formal dinner due to overindulgence and fatigue, then recovers to walk to campus with Amy.

Cope Makes an Evasion

Referenced as the subject of Foster's bitterness; his fainting episode is discussed.

XV: Cope Entertains Several Ladies

Recovering from illness, entertains Medora Phillips and Amy Leffingwell with photographs, writes to Arthur Lemoyne.

XVI: Cope Goes A-Sailing

Recovers from his illness, disregards advice from his aunt and Mrs. Phillips, goes sailing with Amy, and ends up capsized and rescued.

XVII: Cope Among Crosscurrents

Embarrassed by the sailing incident, ill at ease in class and at the reception, avoids calling on Amy, accepts Randolph's dinner invitation.

XVIII: Cope at the Call of Duty

Makes a long-delayed call; feels uneasy about being heroized; sings reluctantly; begins an improvised legend about sassafras.

XIX: Cope Finds Himself Committed

Feeling trapped by Amy's expectations, he reluctantly kisses her and agonizes over his commitment, repulsed by the conventional life ahead.

XX: Cope Has a Distressful Christmas

Cope is distressed by his engagement to Amy, seeks to keep it quiet, and confides in Lemoyne. He is moody at home and finally announces the engagement to his family.

XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again

Returns from Freeford engaged to Amy; visits Mrs. Phillips with Lemoyne, singing and displaying animation.

Cope Shall Be Rescued

Leaves before breakfast with Lemoyne, exhausted and distressed; meets Randolph at the library and expresses despair over Amy, saying 'let him' win her.

XXIII: Cope Regains His Freedom

Ends his engagement to Amy, feels relief, and decides to focus on his thesis.

XXIV: Cope in Danger Anew

Recovers from his earlier embarrassment, attends the opera with Mrs. Phillips, and agrees to sit for Hortense's portrait despite Lemoyne's warnings.

XXV: Cope in Double Danger

Focuses on his thesis and domestic life with Lemoyne; feels pressured by Carolyn's sonnets and Hortense's portrait.

XXVI: Cope as a Go-Between

Acts as a go-between for Randolph and Lemoyne; shows signs of fatigue and pallor from overwork on his thesis.

XXVII: Cope Escapes a Snare

Visits Hortense for a portrait sitting, determined to make it the only one; deflects her emotional advances with cold detachment.

Cope Absent from a Wedding

Absent from the wedding; his name is invoked by Hortense in a hysterical outburst.

Cope Again in the Country

Accompanies Medora and Carolyn to the dunes; feels relief from past romantic complications; concerned about Lemoyne's neglect of his studies.

Cope as a Hero

Raises the alarm during the intrusion, but feels he contributed only noise; uncomfortable with being hailed as a hero.

XXXI: Cope Gets New Light on His Chum

Returns to Churchton, plays tennis, grows uneasy with Lemoyne's theatrical preoccupations, and feels personal chagrin at Lemoyne's downfall.

XXXII: Cope Takes His Degree

Takes his degree at convocation, appears aloof and distant from Randolph and Medora, and quickly departs with his parents.

Cope in a Final View

Leaves Freeford after graduation; sends a brief letter to Carolyn Thorpe from Winnebago, Wisconsin, mentioning a new post in the East.