Summary

In Chapter 1, the story opens in the home of Geoffrey Betton, a writer whose first novel garnered much acclaim and popularity. He used to have very limited financial means and lived in a cramped, low-rent apartment. When he then made large sums of money from his novel, he moved into an expensive residence and hired a valet named Strett. In the early months of living in his new home, he felt a deep sense of relief and luxury. However, he soon became worn down by the doldrums of an open, formless schedule, as he no longer requires a day job. Also, he became quite irritated with the endless flow of letters written to him by admirers of the book. The praise in the letters, while effervescent, always seemed rather vague and ultimately meaningless to him. At first, he enjoyed being recognized in public and...