'As in a Mirror' Summary

John started his tramp adventure in early July and now it is September which he found himself at the Elliott Farm. He had learned a lot especially being deprived of want. John is getting used to the routine and started to think of the Bible and the need of church which was lacking since he first set out, feeling that his appearance in church would with attract too much attention. The family discuss the worthiness of him, he sees them as being the closest to perfect in their acts of kindness, he would like to talk to Hildreth. Corliss and Elfrida are the other children. Hildreth is asked to go to a club meeting which will have games, after the last one she refused ever to go again. Her friends try to change her mind into attending, Elfrida would like to go but can only go if her sister is to go. Elfrida is upset and would like to have some fun, John hears Hildreth express the truth to her friends but feels it is not fair for the younger, he looks to find out more about this gathering. Elfrida is finally convinced to go with her friend, Laura's plan to stay the night at her home and they will go to the party together, the Elliotts had no idea of this plan, thinking that Laura being ill lately will not be going to the party across the street. Elfrida has gone to the dance and John is tending the horses when he glances at the games with many of the forfeits are kisses. Elfrida has refused the kissing and Rob Skerritt is trying to get his kiss when John steps in and tells Rob to leave the girl alone, Elfrida is upset at John because he would not give his promise to tell about her being at the dance, if they ask he must tell. A smooth college man looks to dance with Elfrida. Rex Hartwell is Squire Hartwell's nephew, his mother died when he was 5 & his father died before his wife. The Squire raised the nephew but he did not come to stay with him until they vacationed abroad. Nannie Marvin comes from poor family in the farm business, though her father is intelligent, she has been working as a secretary for the Squire and after the return of the men from their vacation, Rex is interested in Nannie too, his uncle sees this but is taking his nephew out of his will due to his nephew not wanting to be a lawyer, as the Squire wants but to be a country doctor as his father, who did not do well. John has a distant relative connection with Hartwell, he saw the old man when he was around 8. Hartwell's will is to go to John King, nobody would think that this young tramp was the heir but the will is lost. Hartwell died and did not tell his lawyer were it was kept, after weeks of search, Hartwell's lawyer not pleased at the situation, gives the house to Rex. Rex who is studying to be a doctor and Nannie, who was looking for work can now plan their wedding. Mr. Elliott has a cough and his wife wants him to stay home instead of driving to school for the beginning of winter classes, so John is told to go with Rex and Nannie driving them there. Miss Elliot wanting to help John, asks him about teaching some young boys but after she worries though he is good in his job, hopefully he is not speaking of evil to the young boys. The religious subject is honesty which makes John wonder.