Summary

The story opens in New York City. Don Hedger is a painter who lives in an apartment building near Washington Square. He resides on the top floor and has lived there for four years. His room seems rather cheerless, as no direct sunlight ever enters through the windows. The apartment doubles as his studio. He has a purebred Boston bull terrier named Caesar III. In May, he learns that the adjacent apartment will soon have a new occupant. The apartment is leased by a nurse who subleases it to other people. He overhears the new occupant moving in. By her voice, he can tell that she is female. He overhears the movers moving a piano into her apartment. Don thinks that it will be a nuisance to have a woman living next door. While taking Caesar for a walk, Don sees a beautiful woman...