Part 3: Ceremony, Chapter 5 Summary

Iris's attendance at Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Gwendolyn Savage plunges Iris into a world of wealth and privilege. In awe of the protocol and other guests, Iris finds it hard to believe that not only is she sitting at such a bountiful feast, but also that she has been invited because someone actually likes her. Iris is particularly struck by Mrs. Savage's hostess style and command of every social situation presented.

Iris temporarily forgets that she had had plans to go with a boyfriend, Tom, to his home in Cleveland to meet Tom's parents for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tom thinks that he is in love with Iris who does not have reciprocal feelings so the trip to Cleveland was easily abandoned in favor of dining with the Savages, with whom a relationship would be...