Summary

Chapter 42 describes the many months following Ralph’s appointment. Marc is personally surprised that Ralph does not fall ill more quickly. Marc tells Caroline that Judith had attempted to make romantic moves on him early in the crucial night on the beach. Caroline laughs and describes how she had seen Judith and Stanley being intimate with one another during the vacation. As Ralph is moved to the hospital, Marc and Judith begin an affair.

Chapter 43 describes the next summer, when the Schlosser family goes on a road trip across the United States. Caroline and Marc remained concerned for Julia, who is increasingly introverted. At one hotel, they have a large argument over the events of the previous summer. When the family reaches the end of the trip in California, Julia begins to slightly come out of her shell.

In Chapter 44, Marc is back...