Character Relationship Map: More Trouble

Characters

• Lemuel Deering (played by Frank Keenan) — protagonist

  Wealthy steel-mill owner and Harvey's father. Initially trusting, he becomes appalled by mounting bills for vices. His refusal to pay a forged $25,000 bill leads to the bank foreclosing on his mill, p...

• Harvey Deering (played by John Gilbert) — supporting

  Lemuel's son returning from college. He is falsely accused by his father of running up vice bills due to forged signatures. He denies involvement and remains the focal point of the conflict regarding...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Lemuel Deering → Harvey Deering (Family Father) — Lemuel is Harvey's father and initially trusts him as an upstanding young man.

  The plot identifies Lemuel Deering as Harvey Deering's father and states that Lemuel welcomes his son home from college.

Story Analysis

A father's trust collapses under forged vice bills, causing the loss of his steel mill before the truth is revealed.

Plot Progression

1. A Welcome Home — Harvey returns from college and is warmly welcomed by his father, Lemuel. The family situation initially appears stable.
2. Bills Under Suspicion — Bills for alcohol, pool, cigars, and other vices begin arriving. Lemuel's trust changes into suspicion while Harvey denies responsibility.
3. The Crushing Demand — A $25,000 bill makes the dispute impossible to ignore. Lemuel refuses payment, triggering the bank's foreclosure of the steel mill.
4. The Forgery Revealed — After the foreclosure, a college friend admits forging Harvey's signature because his own father had cut him off. The confession clarifies Harvey's innocence and the role of fraternity loyalty.