# Just in Time explained — Barriers Burned Away

> Chapter companion for Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe.

## What happens

Mr. Ludolph and Christine discuss Dennis Fleet's character and background, revealing their contrasting views on faith and ambition. The scene shifts to the Bruder family's attic, where Mrs. Bruder, exhausted and starving, collapses in despair. Her husband, Bruder, attempts to sell their last treasured painting to buy drink, but Dennis Fleet arrives just in time to intervene.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Providence

Mrs. Bruder's despair and Ernst's faith in God's help illustrate the struggle between suffering and divine providence.

### Redemption and Transformation

The painting symbolizes Bruder's lost artistic soul and the possibility of redemption if he overcomes his addiction.

### Social Class and Barriers

The juxtaposition of the Ludolphs' luxury and the Bruders' poverty underscores class divides.

## Character check-ins

### Christine Ludolph

Discusses Dennis with her father, showing curiosity about his artistic knowledge and disdain for American 'uppish notions'.

### Mr. Ludolph

Analyzes Dennis's character cynically, predicting he will resist Christine's influence due to his faith.

### Dennis Fleet

Arrives at the Bruder attic at the critical moment, blocking Bruder from selling the painting.

### Mrs. Bruder

Collapses from exhaustion and hunger, pleading with her husband not to sell the painting, their last hope.

### Mr. Bruder

In a drunken frenzy, attempts to sell the family's last painting to buy drink, but is stopped by Dennis.

### Ernst

The Bruders' son, watches with sorrow and tries to comfort his mother, then greets Dennis with joy.

## Key lines

> The blind are not more oblivious to color than he was to those divine qualities which are designed to win and enchain the heart.

Dennis is as unaware of spiritual qualities as a blind person is of color.

_Mr. Ludolph's cynical view of Dennis's faith._

> I can do not von more stroke if ve all die.

I cannot do another stroke of washing even if we all die.

_Mrs. Bruder's cry of utter exhaustion and despair._

> Dot picture dells you vat you vas, vat you might be still if you vould only let drink alone.

That painting shows you what you were and what you could still be if you stopped drinking.

_Mrs. Bruder pleads with her husband not to sell the painting, their last hope for his redemption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xvi-just-in-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters