The Edith Wharton Library

A Son at the Front Chapter XIV

In which Campton navigates a world transformed by war, encountering the troubled lives of artists and their families while grappling with the burdens of charity and the complexities of human generosity. His reflections deepen as he observes the quiet heroism of those around him and considers the true meaning of love and passion beyond artistic pride.

A Son at the Front Chapter XIII

In which the sombre realities of war are brought poignantly to life through the tragedy of a young artist’s death and the fragile communities rallying to support their bereaved families and wounded soldiers. Campton encounters the tireless efforts and quiet sorrows of those sustaining the front lines’ shadows, even as he wrestles with the vulnerability of his own son’s safety and uncertain tidings from afar.

A Son at the Front Chapter XII

In which Campton visits the once-glittering Nouveau Luxe hotel to find it emptied of its old-world charm and meets his cousin, Mr. Mayhew, whose impassioned account of captivity and resolve to combat wartime atrocities introduces a grim urgency to their encounter. He is then led by a determined young nurse to a wounded French soldier who admires his art, bringing Campton face to face with the personal tragedies woven through the war’s relentless grasp.

A Son at the Front Chapter XI

In which a painter, residing modestly in his studio amidst the wartime shadows of lost servants and distant loved ones, wrestles with his own impotence and detachment from the great conflict that clouds the world outside. His reflections wander between the grim fates suffered by others and the inscrutable calm of his son at the front, while unexpected messages hint at the prospect of renewed connection and purpose.

A Son at the Front Chapter IX

In which the station thrums with the poignant mixture of bravery and quiet dread as soldiers depart for the front, revealing the tender, steadfast faces of those left behind in their patient sorrow. Meanwhile, Campton encounters a determined young cousin whose earnest desire to join the conflict stirs a weary reflection on duty, kinship, and the uncertain tides of war.