 The story opens with Ward Bennett, an explorer of extraordinary will, and his men making an attempt to reach the North Pole, enduring brutal hardships. Many of the men die slow, painful deaths, and they all would have had a boat not stumbled across them. However, when they arrive back home, Bennett and his surviving men are greeted with a heroes welcome.
At this point the attention of the novel shifts to Lloyd Searight, a young, attractive girl, who works as a nurse, despite being independently wealthy. The reader discovers that Lloyd and Bennett have mutual feelings for each other, although neither one has ever expressed these feelings.
Ferriss, Bennett's closest friend. contracts typhoid fever, and Lloyd is in charge of nursing him. Fearing that she will contract the disease, Bennett refuses to let Lloyd come near Ferriss, and as a result, Ferriss dies. Lloyd refuses to speak to Bennett, and they both enter into a time of deep despair. However, when Bennett comes down with the same disease, Lloyd is forced to nurse him, and they eventually reconcile, and marry. At this point, Lloyd gives up nursing, Bennett gives up exploring, and they go live in the country together while Bennett works on a book, both for a while very happy with their situation. However, after talking with Bennet's man Alder, who does work around the house, Lloyd realizes that it is Bennett's calling, his duty to America, to lead the first expedition to the north pole. The book ends with him setting off, while Lloyd rather proudly watches him go.
What does Bennett refuse of Lloyd to do? How are Bennett and his men greeted by the public when they return from their attempt to reach the North Pole? What disease does Ferris contract? During the expedition, what helped Bennett and his men escape certain death? After marrying Lloyd and giving up exploring, how does Bennett spend his time? What happened to Ferris as a result of Bennett not allowing the nurse to treat him? Why does Bennett refuse to allow Lloyd near his friend Ferriss? What does Bennett discover is his calling? How does Bennett's wife feel about Bennett going to the expedition? What forces Lloyd and Bennett to reconcile? What is Bennett's calling in life? What destination does Ward Bennett and his crew attempt to reach? Why does Bennett refuse to let the nurse help Ferris? How are Bennett and some of his men saved from death on their way to the North Pole? What is the name of the nurse that becomes Bennett's love interest? What are Bennett and his men attempting to do? What happens to the couple's carrer after they marry? Who makes Lloyd realize that exploring is Bennett's calling? Who nurses Bennett back to health? What is the name of the man who convinces Bennett's wife to allow him to follow his dreams? What kind of feelings do Lloyd and Bennett have for each other? Who inspires Bennett to continue to be an explorer? What is Lloyd Searight's profession? What destination is the group attempting to reach? What event causes Lloyd to stop speaking to Bennett? How are Bennett and his group of survising explorers treated when they arrive back home? What kind of welcoming do the survivors get when they return home? Where do Bennett and Lloyd go to live after they are married? After the nurse treats Bennett for his illness and they reconcile, what happens to the both of them? What is intriguing about Lloyd being a nurse?