Overview
For the St. Louis, during the summer out of 1903, seventeen-year-dated Esther Smith fantasizes from the conference John Truett, brand new shy boy-next-home, if you are the lady more mature sibling Flower frets regarding the lady beau, Warren Sheffield, that is out of from the Yale. Sure that Warren, who’s contacting Rose from the 6:30 you to definitely nights, is actually in the end planning to want to this lady sister, Esther organizes having Katie, the new Smiths’s housekeeper, on relatives to consume eating very early, making sure that Flower will receive particular confidentiality when you find yourself talking on the phone. Esther’s cantankerous father Alonzo, who has got maybe not come informed about the asked phone call, spoils the woman package, however, when he claims towards dining during the typical go out.
During dining, someone, including Esther’s five-year-old cousin “Tootie,” attempts to rush Lon with each other, however the phone bands just like the main course is offered. Just like the her nearest and dearest eavesdrops toward entire dialogue, Flower attempts to prod Warren for the a proposal, however, the guy gets mired during the small talk and you may hangs up as opposed to uttering a single intimate word. , who are able to Princeton. At the cluster, Esther in the beginning feigns indifference in order to John, but covers his hat to store your on household and you will next requires him to aid their power down all of the bulbs. Regardless if John is obviously drawn to the brand new flirtatious Esther, they are too bashful so you’re able to kiss the lady, and you may alternatively brings the lady a hearty handshake.
Before the guy departs, Esther invites him to become listed on the lady family members you to definitely Weekend to have a trip of your St. Louis Exposition fairgrounds, in which he tentatively welcomes. On the Weekend, Esther waits eagerly having John at the trolley avoid, but they have not turned up by the point new trolley is actually booked to exit. Because the trolley try extract out, not, John seems and you can, so you’re able to Esther’s delight, hops toward next to the lady. Days afterwards, Tootie and her some elderly sis Agnes dress while the goblins and you will time to help you celebrate Halloween night towards area youngsters. Nervous to prove herself, Tootie, that is possessed with dying, claims into the contacting feared neighbors Mr. Braukoff so you can his home and, adopting the local personalized, punches flour inside the deal with. Just after Tootie try ily to the a panic whenever she production household, weeping, bruised and you will slashed. Tootie states you to definitely John struck the girl from the trolley songs, and even though Esther initially will not faith the girl, she alter their attention when a beneficial clump regarding locks are discover in Tootie’s hands. Upset, Esther storms off to John’s family, accuses your to be a beneficial bully and then sounds and hits your.
After, yet not, Tootie and you can Agnes declare one to John actually stored them away from getting detained once they almost brought about an accident on the trolley music. Esther rushes back again to John’s house to help you apologize, and you can John besides forgives the lady, but flirts together with her as well. After one night, Lon, a lawyer, production the place to find declare one to their enterprise are animated him to help you Nyc. Regardless if Lon is actually contemplating this new import, that requires a marketing, Anna and people react with surprise and you will proper care. Ultimately, however, Anna agrees towards flow, while the Smiths propose to hop out St. Louis after Christmas. Weeks after, on holiday Eve, Flower try disappointed because the going to Warren provides desired Lucille Ballard, an enthusiastic Easterner, into the regional Christmas moving in the place of her.
Leon Ames
Straight back off Princeton, Lon, Jr., is crazy while the he planned to inquire Lucille on the dance. Shortly after Katie convinces Lon, Jr., to help you companion Flower for the dancing, Esther’s preparations try disrupted whenever John try forced to crack his date with her given that he failed to get to the tailor’s at some point to get their tuxedo. Regardless if Esther assurances John this woman is not disturb, she after stops working inside rips and you can does not want to end up being escorted by the Lon, Jr. When Esther’s pops, yet not, offers to get the escort in Madison lady, she gratefully accepts. From the dance, Esther and you can Rose strategy against Lucille, whom he’s got never ever came across, by filling in their dance cards on the brands out-of clods. Their bundle backfires whenever Lucille happens to be sweet and insists you to Flower feel which have Warren, while she complements Lon, Jr. Embarrassed, Esther brings Lucille the girl dance credit, up coming braves the brand new clods.