Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
XVI: In the Sunny South explained
Monty Brewster recuperates in a lavish rented cottage in St.
What happens
Monty Brewster recuperates in a lavish rented cottage in St. Augustine, Florida, with a party including Joe Bragdon, Dr. Lotless, Subway Smith, and the Grays. Peggy Gray, troubled by the estrangement between Monty and Barbara Drew, confronts Monty about inviting Barbara to stay, but he resists. Later, Peggy drives with Barbara, who criticizes Monty's reckless spending and lack of character. Despite Peggy's attempts at reconciliation, both Monty and Barbara remain stubborn. Meanwhile, Nopper Harrison reports on the upcoming ball and yacht cruise, and the failing Viennese orchestra tour managed by Gardner.
Themes in this chapter
- Wealth and Extravagance
Brewster's lavish cottage rental, horses, and automobile highlight the absurd scale of his spending, even while ill.
- Love and Sacrifice
Peggy's selfless efforts to reunite Monty and Barbara, despite her own feelings, exemplify sacrificial love.
- Social Class and Status
Barbara's concern about Monty's reputation and potential poverty reflects the importance of social standing in marriage decisions.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Convalescing in St. Augustine, on a strict diet, and brooding over his estrangement from Barbara Drew.
- Peggy Gray
Desperate to reconcile Monty and Barbara, she confronts both of them, defending Monty's character while questioning Barbara's motives.
- Barbara Drew
Staying at the Ponce de Leon with her mother, she criticizes Monty's spending and insists she never accepted his proposal.
- Joe Bragdon
Installed as manager-in-chief of the cottage, overseeing the transfer of the establishment from New York.
- Nopper Harrison
Remained in New York to arrange the ball and yacht cruise; sends Brewster a letter with updates.
- Dr. Lotless
Part of Brewster's party in St. Augustine, enforcing a rigid diet and restrictions on Monty's activities.
- Subway Smith
Among the guests at the cottage in St. Augustine.
- Elon Gardner
Managing the disastrous American tour of the Viennese orchestra, facing lawsuits and internal quarrels.
Key passages
“You forget that this is the last place they would care to invade.”
Monty dismisses the idea of inviting Barbara and her mother to stay, implying they would not want to come.
Monty's defensive refusal to consider reconciliation.
“Perhaps you have never discovered that girls say many things to hide their emotions. Perhaps you don't realize what feverish, exclamatory, foolish things girls are.”
Peggy argues that Barbara's harsh words may be a cover for her true feelings, and that Monty is foolish to take them at face value.
Peggy's passionate defense of Barbara's hidden emotions and her frustration with Monty's blindness.
“To my certain knowledge he has spent more than four hundred thousand dollars since last September. That is something, is it not?”
Barbara cites Monty's extravagant spending as proof of his lack of character and unsuitability for marriage.
Barbara's primary objection to Monty is his financial recklessness.
