Summary

The narrator wakes to a meeting between Claude, Trudy, John, and the author of the owl poem John tried to recite to Claude. Trudy’s pulse increases, a sign of rage or jealousy. The narrator learns that the poet’s name is Elodie, who lives in a studio on a farm around 200 miles away from London. The narrator comments on the fact that a married couple is meeting with both of their lovers. Elodie and Trudy have a heated conversation about whether owls are vicious killers or shy creatures. John gives a speech about how he and Trudy tumbled into love, but now the love has run its course. He tells Claude and Trudy to move out. As John and Elodie leave, Trudy comments that the murder has to happen tomorrow.

The two get drunk, too drunk for sex (fortunately for the narrator). The...