Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary

Robbie soaks in his bathtub in a bungalow on the Tallis estate. Robbie forces himself to remember every detail of Cecilia's wet body. She is no longer a horsy sister, now strangely beautiful, carved and statuesque, her movements quick and impatient. Robbie knows he must speak to her soon about his new feelings, before she goes away. Robbie moves from tub to bed and rolls about, wondering what Freud would make of her casual stripping and anger over the broken vase. Robbie knows he should have turned down Leon's invitation. Cecilia will ignore him.

Half-dressed, Robbie moves into his tiny office, which is filled with class notes, poetry, Gray's Anatomy, a new typewriter, a photo of his parents on their honeymoon, a recent letter from Jack Tallis offering to help Robbie with medical school costs and application forms and handbooks. He...