Summary: Chapter 41
As it appears that war may break out in Europe, Cal convinces
Aron to finish high school and begin college early. Cal even promises
to help Aron pay for college. When Lee finds out about Cal’s plan,
he offers to help with $5,000 he
has saved over the years. Then, Cal talks to Will Hamilton about
making money. Will is impressed with Cal’s openness and pragmatic
business sense. Will takes Cal out to the Trask ranch and asks whether
he wants a business partner. He tells Cal about a plan he has to
make a great deal of money exporting beans in the wartime economy.
After the war breaks out, patriotic spirit explodes in
Salinas. Cal and Will buy beans from local farmers for two-and-a-half
cents a pound and sell them in England for twelve cents a pound.
Cal plans to make enough money to restore the fortune Adam lost
in his botched attempt at the refrigerated shipping business.
Summary: Chapter 42
The narrator briefly discusses the onset of World War
I and how it affects Salinas. Telegrams begin to arrive informing
families that their sons have been killed—a reality that gradually
destroys the townspeople’s myth that the war could never affect
them directly.
Summary: Chapter 43
Adam, proud of Aron’s decision to finish high school early,
tells Lee that he wishes Cal had the same ambition. Lee replies
that Cal may surprise Adam. Aron, busy with his studies in school
and at church, hears that a local madam has begun attending church
services.
The war continues, and Liza Hamilton dies. Aron passes
his graduation exams but does not tell his father; Aron tells Cal
that he does not think his father would even care about the exams.
Lee, however, tells Aron that his father is immensely proud and
that he was planning to give Aron a gold watch for graduation.
Summary: Chapter 44
Abra starts to spend time with Lee and Adam after Aron
leaves for Stanford University. She confides in Lee and asks him
if it is true that Aron’s mother is a prostitute. Lee confesses
that it is indeed true. He worries that Aron will find out and that
he will never understand that Adam lied to him about it in order
to protect him. Meanwhile, Cal tells Lee that he has made enough
money to pay back his $5,000,
along with an additional $15,000 on
top of it. Cal plans to give the money to his father on Thanksgiving.
