Chapter 15 Summary

The McCoys arrive at the Bavardages in a rented sedan. Sherman laments the cost of the car, but it is necessary because it would be social death for the fashionable McCoys to be seen standing outside the Bavardages after the party trying to hail a cab for the six-block ride home. In Judy's fashionable, tout le monde cocktail dress, she could never make the walk. They arrive just behind Baron Hochswald, the German financier. Sherman feels that the presence of this financial giant brings his impending failure into sharp relief. Inside the Bavardage's luxurious apartment, he is momentarily cheered by the friendly greeting of Inez Bavardage, who shares her warm memories of Sherman's father. Inez is stylishly emaciated, and falls into the category of women Sherman refers to as Social X-rays. Inez leaves Sherman with a cluster of fashionable people and takes Judy...