# Mr. Jones Shows Me the Place explained — Driven Back to Eden > Chapter companion for Driven Back to Eden by Edward Payson Roe. ## What happens Robert Durham travels to Maizeville to inspect the farm described in John Jones's letter. John Jones meets him at the station and drives him through the melting snow to the property. Jones, a gaunt but honest man, explains the farm's history, its fruit trees planted by the late Mr. Jamison, and the advantages of the location. Durham grows increasingly fond of the place, especially the old fireplace and the orchard. After a thorough inspection, he agrees to buy the farm pending his wife's approval, and then joins the Jones family for a hearty meal. ## Themes in this chapter ### Escape from City Life Robert Durham, a city man, is drawn to the rural farm as a place to make a living and find a homelike atmosphere, contrasting with urban life. ### Self-Reliance and Hard Work The farm is presented as a working property that will yield a crop the first year, emphasizing the value of labor and practical self-sufficiency. ## Character check-ins ### Robert Durham Visits Maizeville to inspect the farm; impressed by the orchard and the old fireplace; agrees to buy the farm subject to his wife's approval. ### John Jones Meets Robert at the station, drives him to the farm, and gives an honest, detailed account of the property; executor of the Jamison estate; invites Robert to dinner. ### Mr. Jamison Deceased former owner of the farm; remembered as a natural fruit grower who planted the orchard and chose only the best varieties. ### Mrs. Jones John Jones's wife; described as short, red, and round, with friendly, bustling ways; serves a fricasseed chicken dinner. ## Key lines > No, I didn't crack up the place, and I ain't a-goin' to. As I wrote you, you can see for yourself when we get there, and I'll answer all questions square. John Jones assures Robert that he will not exaggerate the farm's qualities; instead, he will let the property speak for itself and answer all questions honestly. _Jones establishes his integrity as a real estate agent, emphasizing transparency._ > You don't come to the country to amuse yourself by developin' a property, like most city chaps do, but to make a livin'. Jones points out that Robert's goal is not recreational farming but earning a livelihood from the land. _Highlights the practical, economic motivation behind the move to the country._ > Paint, putty, and pine will make a house in a few weeks, but it takes a good slice out of a century to build up an orchard like that. Jones remarks that while a house can be quickly renovated, the orchard represents decades of careful cultivation. _Emphasizes the value of established fruit trees as a long-term asset._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se/chapters/vii-mr-jones-shows-me-the-place - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se/chapters