Jassamine, a teenage black girl is romantically involved with William, a white boy living nearby in a rural area of Nova Scotia, early 194's. They become concerned for the welfare of Tom, a very close friend. Tom is a promising Latin scholar, seen to be something of a dreamer, a recluse with few interests outside his Latin studies and reading about ancient Rome. He does, however tell William he is being sexually abused by a Christian Brother at school. His friends are not sure what to believe as Tom strikes them as fanciful and possessed of a vivid imagination. Jassamine and William love to explore the lakes and forests in their dory, frequently meeting up with Dancing Moonbeam, a Mic Mac trapper. Dancing is rather infamous in the area as he, as a young lad, retaliated against a Catholic priest who attempted to sexually abuse him. William confides in Dancing who suggests he should somehow find out if Tom is being truthful. He decides to do so despite misgivings on how to confirm his friends confidences.