Chapter 18, The Burthen of Nineveh Summary

Mr. Densch paces on the deck of a steamship that is departing from New York. His business is ruined. He and Mrs. Densch are on their way to Marenbad, a spa and resort town in Czechoslovakia. He goes below to talk with his wife in their stateroom. She cries quietly while he tries to comfort her. He decides to send his partner Blackhead a radio message.

While a nanny cares for Ellen's baby, Ellen takes a taxi to meet with George. She arrives late due to heavy traffic, and on her way she realizes how numbers help people to remain sane. Over dinner, George announces that Cecily has granted him a divorce. He proposes marriage to Ellen, and she accepts. She feels herself becoming hardened like a porcelain doll.

An old man drunk on bad...