The Rise of David Levinsky

David rides the train from New York City to the Catskills for the weekend. His business detained him from joining Mr. Kaplan on his ride the day before. David knows Mr. Kaplan will sneer at his traveling on the Sabbath, so he takes a cottage at a different resort for the night to arrive the next day. At the resort, he meets Meyer’s sister, Auntie Yetta, who does not know about his engagement to Miss Fanny Kaplan. Yetta teases him about coming to the Catskills to find a wife and promises to help him. David does not divulge his status as engaged, instead investigating the various single women up for the summer with their families or staying with the other single ladies in the group cottage.

It is in this way he meets Miss Tevkin. He finds her captivating, intelligent, and highly desirable. She does not seem to be tempted by David and his fortune, though. She walks with David and a poet to the train, making observations about Jewish life and culture. David realizes Miss Tevkin is the daughter of the poet Naphtali introduced him to ages ago in Antomir. Initially, David plans to take the train first thing in the morning, but he remains captivated by Miss Tevkin.