Jacob's Room

Thanks to a small inheritance, Jacob is traveling abroad. Betty waits patiently for her son to write to her about his travels. Jacob is joined on his journey by two friends, Cruttendon and Mallison. After writing a letter to Betty, Jacob joins them. The trio discuss literature and drink wine until they are “more than a little drunk” (125). Such details are not included in Jacob’s letters to his mother. On another occasion, they discuss art or their friends’ professions. 

Through these friends, Jacob is introduced to a woman named Jinny Carslake. With Jinny, they visit Versailles. In a café, they sip coffee while “watching the soldiers” (128) march by. They chat about the differences between their native England and France, as well as politics and even the pigeons who bother the café-goers. Again, few of these details are included in the letters to Betty. Jacob believes that there is “nothing in the world” (129) more important than these adventures, but he does not tell his mother what he is doing. He does not tell her that he believes that people like Jinny and Cruttendon are extraordinary; he knows that he will eventually be parted from these friends. 

At home, Betty happily shows her friends the letters from Jacob.