In Pawn

"In Pawn" by Ellis Parker Butler is a story about Harvey Redding, a junk dealer more interested in comfort and dreams of sainthood than hard work, and his son Lemuel, who reminds everyone of his late mother. Harvey's easy-going life is challenged by money troubles, family problems, and his own strange goals. The story looks at what it means to be a good father, the hard parts of growing up, and how people can sometimes chase the wrong dreams. The story starts by introducing Harvey, who is very lazy and loves to eat, and Lem, who is a hard-working boy who wants to be a regular kid. When Lem gets into trouble with some other kids, it causes problems between him and his father, as well as his Aunt Susan, who wants him punished. These family issues set the scene for funny situations and tough choices that will come up later in the book.