Summary

In Chapter 4, Caroline reads a book each evening and reports her impressions to Mr. Shalimar. He accepts them and thanks her but does not offer encouragement. April arrives at work with a short haircut like Caroline's and new clothes. Amanda has a new secretary, a girl named Gregg Adams. She is 23 but looks and sounds like a teenager. Caroline fears Mr. Shalimar is using her but does not know how to alter the situation. Amanda cusses at Caroline, saying she is not a reader or an editor. Caroline realizes it is because Amanda sees Caroline's potential as a reader.

Caroline meets Alvin Wiggs after work one day. She steers him away from places they are likely to meet her coworkers. Caroline is bored with Alvin. When they encounter Mike, Caroline introduces him as F. Scott Fitzgerald. Mike plays along and Alvin accepts Mike...