"Cross-Country Snow" Summary

Nick and his friend, George, go skiing in Switzerland. They stop at a little pub to discuss their future. The waitress at their table is pregnant, as is a woman at home, called Helen. George explains that he needs to return to school despite Nick's insistence that he stay and ski across Europe. After they finish their drinks, they return home for the night, looking forward to the skiing they will do the next day.

"Cross-Country Snow" Analysis

Nick's relationship with George is a strong one. Nick worries about being alone after George leaves. This follows Nick's pattern shown throughout the stories to attach strong emotions to his male relationships. In the background, the pregnant waitress and the woman called Helen are both mentioned as symbols of the male-female relationships that both Nick and George are avoiding. Nick wants...