In a year the situation of Mr. Ralph Spencer was this: he had won the respect of most of the inhabitants of the place, his shoe-store was prospering, and he and Annabel were to be married in two weeks.Mr. Adams, Annabel's father, who was a typical country banker, approved of Spencer.Annabel herself was very proud of her fiancé.In fact her pride almost equaled her affection.Jimmy was as much at home in the family of Mr. Adams and that of Annabel’s married sister as if he were already a member.

　　在一年的时间里，拉尔夫・斯宾塞先生达到了这样一种境况：他赢得了本地大多数居民的尊敬;他的鞋店生意兴隆;他和安娜贝尔也将于两周内喜结良缘。亚当斯先生，安娜贝尔的父亲，这位典型的地方银行家，也对斯宾塞非常满意。安娜贝尔对自己的未婚也很自豪。实际上，她的自豪几乎和她的爱情不相上下。基米在亚当斯先生的家里以及在安娜贝尔已经出嫁的姐姐那里，都感到像在自己家里一般无拘无束。