For instance, Dunstan Ramsay's relationship with Boy Staunton has been an interesting one. They always come off as friend and enemy to one another, yet the relationship lasts all of their lives. From the beginning, Boy tried to make Dunstan feel lesser than him. If it wasn't his expensive mittens bought from the city, it was the women Boy was "conquering'. Dunstan is relatively unaffected by Boy's attempts to make him jealous, and even learns to profit from Boy's success. Boy helps Dustan with his financial investments that pay off very well for Dunstan. If Dunstan did not have the extra money, it would have restricted him from doing some of the things he does in the novel. Like take care of Mrs. Dempster, or travel to far off places, where he runs into Paul Dempster on two occasions. Boy also confides in Dunstan on several occasions, when his knowledge of business, and financial areas are useless. He needs help with Leola on occasion, and Dunstan helps even though he has reason to take offence to Boy for "rubbing it in his face'. Leola is an example of Boy's conquest over Dunstan; he steals away Dunstan's love, and marries her.
Paul Dempster is also woven into the relationship between Boy and Dunstan. Paul is the result of Boy's snowball,