This is the story of John Perry, minister's son, his high school days in and his college years in North Carolina during the period between wars. It is also story of Milton Silverstein, a Jewish boy whose only faith is science, and Zona Ca whose red hair and green eyes, charm, and grand but tarnished family tradition attr the two boys alternately, keep John close company through these years. In trying to accept the faith of his father, John finds the diverse views of Milton and Zona cause much conflict within his own mind, providing the underlying theme of the story. The vitality here is only occasional- much of it is dull.