The story is set in the present on the campus of a university in fictional Churchton, Illinois, modeled on Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where Bertram Cope, an attractive young English instructor, is spending a year completing his thesis. While he has a certain sophistication, he is socially unaware, easily impressed by the wealthy and their comforts. Lacking confidence, Cope is too careful and self-conscious as he tries to find his place in local society. Cope's primary emotional attachment is to his college chum Arthur Lemoyne, who comes to live with him. Will Arthur and Bertram ever re-unite? What all has fate in store for Bertram?