Chapter 4 Summary

In July 1945, Dennis and Billy return from the war. They plan on going back to their jobs at Con Ed, but for now they are on a sort of hiatus, time between what their lives used to be and what they are now. Dennis and Billy agree to fix up Mr. Holtzman's house on Long Island for him. Once there, they quickly fall into a routine and enjoy the physical labor of fixing up the long neglected house.

One day, just like every other day, the boys go down to the bay for a quick swim after their day's work. This day, however, there are children on the small beach and two girls watching over them. The boys are too shy to speak to them. The girls and their seven little charges are there the next day. This time Billy and Dennis get...