Chapter 23 - 25 Summary

As Chapter 23 begins, it is a few days later, and Dyomka is moved out of the ward because he has agreed to the operation. Vadim is offering him encouragement as Dyomka is packing his things, and Vadim is not looking too well. Every day is bringing more pain and less mobility. The man who takes Dyomka's bed, Shulubin, is old and has huge eyes. Shulubin's entry into the ward is not a pleasant one. Pavel is on his twelfth injection and the tumor is much smaller. Dr. Dontsova is worried that he will have secondary tumors and she keeps searching for them. Pavel believes he is almost ready to go home. Pavel and Oleg, who used to argue and fight about everything, are now both laid low, spending all their time lying side by side, suffering. A new man enters the...