Jim studies diligently during his freshman year at college and stays in Lincoln through the following summer. Gaston Cleric, a Latin teacher, becomes his mentor. Cleric awakens Jim’s love for the classics. Although he admires Cleric’s scholarship, Jim knows that his own mind is too crowded by memories of people and places from his past for him ever to be a scholar, and this fact annoys him.
One evening, Lena Lingard appears at Jim’s door, and he learns that she’s been in Lincoln all winter. She owns a small dressmaking shop and has done well, but she’s hesitated to visit Jim because she heard that he was very studious. They talk of home and of Ántonia, who has bragged that Jim will someday be richer than Mr. Harling. Ántonia has made up with the Harlings and now works for Mrs. Gardener at the hotel. Lena also says that Ántonia is engaged to marry Larry Donovan.
Shortly thereafter, Jim and Lena begin attending plays together. They are particularly moved by Dumas’ Camille, and Jim is glad he didn’t invite a college girl, who would talk during the intermission about shallow things like college dances. Lena seems quite mature.
Jim often takes Sunday breakfast with Lena, and he discovers that her southern landlord has a crush on her, as has the Polish violinist, Ordinsky, who lives across the hall. At first, Ordinsky thinks Jim’s intentions toward Lena are dishonorable, but he decides later that Jim wants what’s best for her. In love with Lena himself, Jim begins to neglect his studies.
Cleric writes Grandfather Burden, asking that Jim be allowed to accompany him to Harvard to finish college. Grandfather gives permission. Lena is a little hurt when Jim tells her the news, but she understands his reasons for leaving, and she doesn’t try to stop him.
At the end of the term, Jim visits his grandparents in Black Hawk, returns to Virginia to visit relatives, then heads for Harvard. He is nineteen years old.
