But soon the family lost one of their sons; Larry who was a pilot. He, was reported missing and was considered dead.
Kate did not believe that her son was dead. She was fully convinced that he was still alive and one day he would come back. She planted a tree for her son Larry. Three years later, Ann came to visit the Kellers. She was invited by Chris who loved her and wanted to marry her. Kate was fond of Ann but she was alarmed and worried by such a visit. She could not believe that Ann would travel 700 miles just to see Chris. She expected Ann to remain faithful for ever to Larry and believed that Ann had not married yet because of her love to Larry.
Chris told his father about his intention of marrying Ann. His father told him that such a marriage would be a shock to Mother who still believed that Larry was alive. If Ann married him, that would mean Larry was dead. But Chris threatened him his father if they did not bless his marriage, he would leave home and would take Ann to live somewhere else. When his father told him about the business and that he was the only heir of a all that money, Chris sai.d that he was not much interested in money as he considered it a means to an end not an end in itself. Keller promised Chris to do his best to win Mother to their side. Keller and Chris arranged to take Mother and Ann to dinner on the shore. While they were getting ready, Ann received a telephone call from Columbus. her brother, George phoned her and said that he would come to her on very important business. He was visiting his father in prison. Both Ann and George did not visit their father or write to him ever since the death of Larry. George visited the Kellers. Keller feared that George might reopen the case again to hurt him. Chris told him not to worry as he had nothing to fear; the court had freed him and he had a paper from court declaring his innocence. The family changed plans and decided to have a nice dinner at home.