# XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again explained — Bertram Cope’s Year

> Chapter companion for Bertram Cope’s Year by Henry Blake Fuller.

## What happens

Cope returns from Freeford with Lemoyne, and his engagement to Amy Leffingwell becomes known. He makes a tense visit to Mrs. Phillips' house on a stormy night, accompanied by Lemoyne, who acts protectively and possessively. The evening includes singing, piano playing, and interactions with other guests, including the French historian M. Pelouse. Mrs. Phillips and Foster observe Lemoyne's familiarities with Cope, and Amy remains distant, paired with George Pearson.

## Themes in this chapter

### Performance and Artifice

Lemoyne and Cope perform a song with elaborate expressiveness; Lemoyne consciously acts on the social stage.

### Unrequited and Ambiguous Desire

Lemoyne's proprietary gestures toward Cope and Mrs. Phillips' emotional reaction to Cope's singing suggest unspoken tensions.

### Social Manipulation and Patronage

Mrs. Phillips orchestrates the evening with 'types' to entertain her French guest, and Foster and Randolph discuss Cope's situation.

## Character check-ins

### Bertram Cope

Returns from Freeford engaged to Amy; visits Mrs. Phillips with Lemoyne, singing and displaying animation.

### Arthur Lemoyne

Accompanies Cope, acts proprietary and protective, sings and plays piano, draws notice for familiarities.

### Medora Phillips

Hosts the evening, observes Lemoyne's behavior, feels emotional during Cope's singing.

### Amy Leffingwell

Engaged to Cope but remains distant during the visit, paired with George Pearson.

### Joe Foster

Wheels in to hear the singing, later comments on Lemoyne's familiarities to Randolph.

### George F. Pearson

Present as a 'young American business man,' in evening dress, rivals Lemoyne for attention, praises Amy's violin playing.

## Key lines

> If Cope came back from Freeford with the moral support of one family, Amy Leffingwell came back from Fort Lodge with the moral support of another.

Cope and Amy each returned to Churchton backed by their respective families.

_Sets up the engagement announcement._

> Cope had written from Freeford, explaining to Randolph the broken dinner-engagement: at least he had said that immediate concerns of importance had driven the date from his mind, and that he was sorry.

Cope apologized to Randolph by letter for missing dinner, citing urgent matters.

_Shows Cope's attempt to mend social obligations._

> Lemoyne felt the big bare room... as a stage; and he surmised that he, the newcomer, was expected to exhibit himself on it.

Lemoyne saw the room as a performance space and knew he was meant to entertain.

_Highlights Lemoyne's self-awareness and theatricality._

> Mrs. Phillips noticed these minor familiarities and remarked on them to Foster, who had lately wheeled his chair in.

Mrs. Phillips observed Lemoyne's intimate gestures toward Cope and mentioned them to Foster.

_Indicates scrutiny of Lemoyne's behavior._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters