Chapter 17 Summary

The women are gathering outside the Senior Common Room in preparation for dinner. Peter is joining them for dinner and some of the women are nervous. Peter appears, having spent the afternoon with Gerald. The Dean handles the introductions. During the dinner, Harriet listens to the Warden and Peter talk. When Dr. Baring brings up philosophy, Peter, not taking the bait, says it is not one of his subjects.

After dinner the group moves to the Senior Common Room for coffee. All feel that the dinner has gone well even though some of the women have been nervous. When Harriet asks Peter what he wants her to do he tells her to be her usual self in speaking the truth and sticking to the point.

The conversation continues in the Senior Common Room. They talk about murder victims and social principles and their...