Book 1, Part 5 Summary

Sabbath sits at the kitchen table with Norman. He notices Norman's discomfort with Sabbath's presence and feels like a contrast to Norman's life, which appears satisfying and successful from the looks of his house. Despite the recent depression Norman had admitted to over the phone, he looks wonderful and hasn't aged a day. Sabbath sees himself through Norman's eyes. He sees charity and shock at Sabbath's unexpected appearance. Sabbath thinks Norman must have romanticized him over the years as a talented but twisted artist who went to the mountains to find spiritual peace. This Sabbath, the wretch who sits before him, is not what Norman expected. Norman's kindly eyes reflect his acceptance of his old friend's weakness, along with pity. Sabbath says that he is entertained to see himself so pitifully reflected in Norman's eyes. After all, Sabbath is a man...