Dirk DeJong

Selina DeJong

Mother and son with a deep, often strained bond as Selina's ambitions for Dirk clash with his own desires.

Pauline

A passionate but ultimately doomed love affair marked by Dirk's infatuation and Pauline's manipulative charm.

Mattie Schwengauer

A business relationship where Mattie, as Dirk's secretary, enables his architectural career while harboring unrequited feelings.

Pervus DeJong

Father and son with a distant, uncommunicative relationship due to Pervus's quiet nature and Dirk's restless ambition.

Julie Hempel

A flirtatious social acquaintance driven by Julie's wealth and Dirk's social climbing, lacking genuine depth.

Eugene Arnold

A friendship of convenience among young artists in Chicago, marked by shared bohemian pursuits and mutual envy.

Selina DeJong

Mother and son with a deep, often strained bond as Selina's ambitions for Dirk clash with his own desires.

Pauline

A passionate but ultimately doomed love affair marked by Dirk's infatuation and Pauline's manipulative charm.

Selina DeJong

Mother and son with a deep, often strained bond as Selina's ambitions for Dirk clash with his own desires.

Mattie Schwengauer

A business relationship where Mattie, as Dirk's secretary, enables his architectural career while harboring unrequited feelings.

Pervus DeJong

Father and son with a distant, uncommunicative relationship due to Pervus's quiet nature and Dirk's restless ambition.

Julie Hempel

A flirtatious social acquaintance driven by Julie's wealth and Dirk's social climbing, lacking genuine depth.

Chapter VIII

Selina's unborn child, four months along; she places the oak chest so he will see it each morning.

IX

At eight, Dirk is a hardworking, energetic boy with long lashes and a 'different' look; he is caught between his mother's ambitions and his father's demands.

Selina Takes the Reins

Selina's young son, who accompanies her to the market, excited by the lights and activity.

XI

Accompanies Selina to market, sleeps in the wagon, and becomes weary and hungry during the day.

XII

Enjoys the automobile ride and surveys the grays with the Van Ruys boys.

Chapter XIII

Attends school, has light farm tasks, meets Mattie Schwengauer, brings her to the farm, faces fraternity pressure to cut ties with her, discusses university plans with Selina.

Chapter XIV

Dirk works unhappily as a draughtsman, criticizes Chicago's architecture, and is infatuated with Paula Arnold. He confides in Selina about his desire to study architecture in the East.

XV

Visits Paula Storm at Stormwood, feels uneasy about her intentions, and expresses frustration with his architectural career.

XVI

Dirk has become a successful bond salesman in Chicago, acquiring a new manner of assurance. He defends his career to Selina and is involved with Paula Storm.

Chapter XVII

Successful Chicago businessman living a monotonous social and professional routine.

Chapter XVIII

Dirk is a successful Chicago businessman, handsome and confident, who hires Dallas O'Mara for an advertising illustration. He is intrigued and unsettled by her independence and composure.

XIX

Reflects on his changed perspective under Dallas's influence, feels alienated from his mother's world and North Shore society, and confronts Dallas about her lack of interest in him.

Chapter XX

Visits Dallas's studio, feels jealous of her guests, and accompanies the group to his mother's farm.

Chapter XXI

Feels like a 'rubber stamp' after seeing his mother's connection with Roelf; returns to his apartment and lies down in despair.