Chapter 27 Summary

The flurry created by Helen had subsided and she and the Basts are now settling in at the hotel. Helen disapproved of her sister's methods but knows that ultimately, the Basts will benefit from them and that is all that matters.

Helen and Leonard are discussing his employment situation and hope that Mr. Wilcox will take Leonard on and then his life will be all right. It will not be inspired but it will be settled and a man needs that. Helen challenges Leonard that that way of thinking is nonsense; that money is not the only thing in life. People always forget about death. "I love death—not morbidly, but because it shows the emptiness of money. Death and money are the eternal foes, not death and life. Never mind what lies behind death, Mr. Bast, but be sure that the poet...