Part 1, Chapter 7 Summary

It is a Saturday and Major Brutt has decided to stop by Anna and Thomas's home. When he left last, they had told him to "come again," and so he took it very literally to mean just that.

Phyllis answered the door and was surprised to see Major Brutt; the Quayne's rarely get casual visitors. Thomas is home alone and he is just as surprised; he's used to his privacy. Thomas looks at Major Brutt and wonders what, exactly, the man is after. He must want something: a job, perhaps? Thomas feels a twinge of shame that he would feel that way but still wonders what Brutt might want.

As for Brutt, he accepts a cigarette from Thomas as a means to steady himself. He is having a hard time accepting the fact that Anna had married Thomas. Brutt could only...