Part 2, Chapter 20 Summary

Luke and Helen are often gone, so Gant goes to Eliza's, but she discourages it. He makes trouble for her when he comes. Even so, he comes and regales the boarders with his stories and is popular with them. He and Eugene go to movies together from time to time. Gant has prostate cancer and is in pain but refuses to have surgery; the family members are aware that he is slowly dying.

Eliza, on the other hand, is in her mid-fifties and is in good health. She pretends that Gant is not seriously ill, which infuriates him. Dr. McGuire is also aging and not taking many patients, but he spends much time tending to Gant. He doesn't feel that surgery is a good choice.

Part 2, Chapter 20 Analysis

Gant is an embarrassment to Eliza, but the boarders are entertained by him...