Book I: Matching’s Easy at Ease
An American visitor who arrives at Matching's Easy, bringing a fresh perspective and engaging with the Britling household.
I: Mr. Direck Visits Mr. Britling
An American visitor on his first trip to England, secretary of the Massachusetts Society for the Study of Contemporary Thought, keenly observing and contrasting English and American life.
§ 1
Arrives in England for his first visit, keenly observing and enjoying the differences from America.
§ 2
Arrives by train at Matching's Easy, impressed by the English landscape and greeted by Mr. Britling.
§ 3
Arrives at Matching's Easy, meets Mr. Britling for the first time, and is disoriented by the stationmaster's loud interruption and Mr. Britling's unexpected appearance.
§ 4
Passenger in Mr. Britling's car, anxious and unable to deliver his speeches due to the dangerous driving.
§ 5
Gets out to help turn the wheel and then resumes his seat beside Mr. Britling.
§ 6
Attempts to share an anecdote about a friend in Toledo but is repeatedly interrupted by Mr. Britling; listens and responds with brief affirmations.
§ 7
Assists in righting the car and observes the social dynamics with detachment.
§ 8
Arrives at Mr. Britling's household, finds it sketchy and difficult to follow, and is introduced only to Mrs. Britling.
§ 9
The American visitor, observing the household and engaging in conversation.
§ 10
Discovers a possible family connection to the Hinkinsons and expresses interest in visiting Market Saffron, but is uneasy about another car ride with Mr. Britling.
§ 11
Accompanies Mr. Britling on the tour, but is distracted by the tennis game and the other guests, feeling unable to broach his own business.
§ 12
Observes the barn and farmyard, articulating his impression of England as superficially traditional but fundamentally altered.
II: Mr. Britling Continues His Exposition
Observes and reflects on the contrasts between English and German temperaments; engages in conversation with Mr. Britling and Herr Heinrich.
§ 1
Observes the English scenery and people, finding them more chaotic and inexplicable than anticipated.
§ 2
Accompanies Mr. Britling on a tour of the village and church, observing English life and customs.
§ 3
Visits Lady Homartyn's house for the first time, observing English customs and feeling uncertain about addressing titled people.
§ 4
Observes the political discussion, comparing it to the England depicted in Mrs. Humphry Ward's novels, and feels like an outsider.
§ 7
Extends his acquaintance with the Britling household, converses with Herr Heinrich about English vs. German order, and joins a sunset walk.
§ 8
Engages Hugh in conversation about Utopias and change, then is called to dress for supper.
§ 9
Dresses in a golden pheasant costume, dances with Cecily Corner, and falls in love with her.
§ 10
Listens to Mr. Britling's reflections and comments on the differences between England and America, noting his own lack of parental experience.
§ 11
Lies awake, comparing American and English social customs, and brooding over his failed relationship with Mamie Nelson.
III: The Entertainment of Mr. Direck Reaches a Climax
Enjoys the day's activities, grows close to Cecily, and after a car accident, realizes his love for her.
§ 1
Guest at Matching's Easy, shown the pond and boats by the small boys, observes Colonel Rendezvous and joins the conversation about war and fitness.
§ 2
With Mr. Britling and Mr. Manning, oblivious to the assassination.
§ 3
The American visitor, reluctant to play hockey but persuaded by Miss Corner.
§ 4
Participates in the hockey game, initially uncertain but improves; interacts with Cecily and others.
§ 5
Enjoys playing hockey, feels physically well and happy, accepts invitation to stay another night.
§ 6
Reads the Daily Chronicle and asks about the Archduke and Bosnia.
§ 7
Passenger who is injured in the crash; observes Mr. Britling's driving.
§ 8
Lying injured after the car accident, he feels exhilarated and at peace, realizing his love for Cecily.
§ 1
Mentioned as the bruised and broken victim of the accident, though his state of mind contrasts with Mr. Britling's.
§ 3
Present at Matching's Easy to 'organise the mental unveiling of Mr. Britling,' but his attention is increasingly distracted by Miss Cecily Corner.
§ 6
Mentioned as the American to whom Mr. Britling had been explaining England's backwardness; his point about the barn rankles in Mr. Britling's thoughts.
§ 8
Recovering from the car accident, visited by Mr. Britling in his room.
V: The Coming of the Day
Recovering from a car accident; participates in mirror-writing experiments; discusses travel plans with Cecily.
§ 1
Recovering from his misadventure, attends lunch and asks about the German Crown Prince's desire for war.
§ 2
Injured wrist prevents writing; learns to write with left hand using mirror technique; chats with Cecily about travel plans.
§ 4
His arm heals; he talks with Cecily Corner about their objects in life and Utopias, and orders Baedeker's guides.
§ 7
His broken wrist heals, but he stays on at Matching's Easy, drawn to Cecily. He struggles to reconcile his American ideals of gallantry and personality development with Cecily's more critical, socially conscious perspective.
§ 8
Confesses his love to Cecily, discusses religion and marriage, and kisses her before departing for Germany.
Book II: Matching’s Easy at War
An American visitor whose perspective on the war evolves.
§ 12
Mentioned in Mr. Britling's recollection of telling him the empire was 'an excursion'.
§ 14
Returns to Matching's Easy after escaping Germany, bringing shocking firsthand accounts of the war's scale and German atrocities.
§ 15
Visits the cottage, shares his fears about the German invasion, and proposes marriage to Cissie as a protective measure.
§ 16
His talk is described as 'indigestible' by Mr. Britling, who doubts his observations of German enthusiasm.
§ 10
Mr. Britling finds his real ideas inexpressible to Direck, suspecting him of 'high, thin American superiorities to war.'
§ 17
Unhappy and defensive, struggling to justify American neutrality to Cissie and Mr. Britling.
§ 19
Returns to Matching's Easy after a trip to Holland, torn between his pro-Ally feelings and his belief that America should remain neutral. He tries to explain the American position but is overwhelmed by Mr. Britling's anguish.
§ 20
Leaves Mrs. Britling, decides not to visit Cecily, and writes a letter-card vowing to find out about Teddy.
Mrs. Teddy Goes for a Walk
Torn between his American neutrality and his desire to satisfy Cissie; investigates Teddy's fate and eventually decides to enlist, appearing in a new uniform.
§ 1
Investigates Teddy's fate and reports the details to Cissie.
§ 3
Direck struggles with his conscience over not enlisting, and finally decides to join the war, arriving in a military uniform to prove himself.
§ 4
Wearing a Canadian uniform, he feels ashamed that this fact and its neglect by others is so vivid in his mind.
§ 11
Seen in khaki at the cottage porch behind Cissie.
§ 12
Mr. Direck is present, trying to explain a delayed telegram to Letty.
§ 13
Explains his decision to enlist in the Canadian forces, having lied about his birthplace; fights for Cissie and justice, not for England.
§ 14
Present with Teddy, observes Mr. Britling's grey hair.
