Summary
Inside St. Louis, in the summer of 1903, seventeen-year-old Esther Smith fantasizes on conference John Truett, the new timid man-next-home, when you find yourself the lady elderly sibling Flower frets in the her beau loveagain dating, Warren Sheffield, who is from on Yale. Certain that Warren, who is calling Flower at 6:29 you to night, is actually in the long run likely to propose to the woman sibling, Esther organizes which have Katie, new Smiths’s housekeeper, on relatives for eating dining early, so that Rose get some confidentiality when you find yourself speaking towards the cellphone. Esther’s cantankerous dad Alonzo, that has maybe not been informed about the questioned phone call, ruins this lady package, not, as he insists towards the food at the typical big date.
Through the eating, folk, as well as Esther’s five-year-old brother “Tootie,” tries to hurry Lon collectively, nevertheless cellular phone groups similar to the main course is being supported. Just like the their family relations eavesdrops for the whole discussion, Rose attempts to prod Warren towards the a suggestion, however, the guy becomes mired in the small-talk and hangs upwards in place of uttering a single close word. , who is able to Princeton. During the class, Esther in the beginning feigns apathy so you’re able to John, however, hides his hat to keep him in the domestic and upcoming requires him to simply help their shut down all of the lights. Regardless if John is truly interested in the fresh new flirtatious Esther, they are as well shy so you’re able to kiss this lady, and you may instead gets their a hearty handshake.
Prior to the guy departs, Esther attracts your to join the woman family unit members you to definitely Weekend to have a good journey of the St. Louis Exposition fairgrounds, and then he tentatively accepts. To the Sunday, Esther waits eagerly getting John during the trolley avoid, however, he’s got not turned up once the fresh trolley are booked to leave. Since trolley is actually extract away, but not, John appears and you may, so you’re able to Esther’s glee, hops to the alongside their. Days afterwards, Tootie along with her a little more mature cousin Agnes liven up given that goblins and you will date to help you enjoy Halloween party on people people. Stressed to prove herself, Tootie, who’s possessed having dying, insists toward contacting dreaded neighbors Mr. Braukoff so you’re able to their door and, following the regional customized, blows flour in the face. Immediately following Tootie are ily for the an anxiety whenever she output domestic, crying, bruised and you will cut. Tootie says you to John hit the lady by trolley tracks, and though Esther to start with will not trust the woman, she alter the girl attention whenever an effective clump regarding locks are receive into the Tootie’s hand. Mad, Esther storms out to John’s home, accuses him to be an excellent bully following beats and you can bites your.
After, but not, Tootie and you will Agnes confess you to definitely John in fact protected him or her of getting arrested after they almost triggered an accident on the trolley tracks. Esther rushes back to John’s house to apologize, and you may John not simply forgives this lady, but flirts together as well. After you to evening, Lon, an attorney, returns the place to find mention you to their firm try animated him in order to New york. Although Lon is actually contemplating the new transfer, that requires a marketing, Anna as well as the college students respond having shock and you can care. Sooner or later, although not, Anna believes toward disperse, plus the Smiths intend to leave St. Louis immediately after Christmas time. Weeks later on, on vacation Eve, Rose was distressed due to the fact going to Warren has invited Lucille Ballard, a keen Easterner, to your regional Xmas dancing in lieu of their.
Leon Ames
Back from Princeton, Lon, Jr., is also angry just like the the guy wanted to ask Lucille on the moving. Just after Katie convinces Lon, Jr., in order to escort Flower into moving, Esther’s arrangements was disrupted when John was obligated to break his date together with her once the the guy didn’t get to the tailor’s in time to grab their tuxedo. Even when Esther ensures John she actually is maybe not distressed, she later on reduces for the rips and you may does not want to be escorted of the Lon, Jr. Whenever Esther’s father, yet not, offers to take the lady, she gratefully allows. From the dance, Esther and you will Rose strategy against Lucille, just who they have never met, by the filling in this lady moving card with the names out of clods. Its bundle backfires whenever Lucille actually is sweet and insists you to Flower getting having Warren, when you’re she matches Lon, Jr. Embarrassed, Esther provides Lucille their dance credit, next braves new clods.