Part 1, Chapters 16-20 Summary

George has always been technically faithful to Elena. The opportunity for infidelity has never really arisen and there is not much that one can do in a small town that is not known to the people. There is also a scarcity of women. Dorta begins receiving offers of marriage three months after Joe's death. She finally marries Steve Radilla, a widower.

The reappearance of Zuska has George rethinking his philosophy of extra-marital affairs. He had thought it was safer to drink rather than fool around. Now he is beginning to think about Zuska. He sees her in his shop and on the street. They are both fifteen years older than at their first meeting. After Dorta's wedding he tells Zuska that she will probably be the next to marry and she replies that she is too old to think...