Chapter IV, pages 115-127 Summary

The usual meeting at Café Progreso ends early because several of the friends have other places to be. Don Jaime takes a walk with Marcelino Romero, the music teacher. Romero's students are away for the summer, so he does not get paid for lessons. He gets by during the summers by borrowing money from friends. He asks Don Jaime for a loan, and Don Jaime grants the request and even makes an effort to sooth Romero's feelings of embarrassment for having to ask for money.

Romero makes a reference to his unrequited love for a married woman, and rather than offer sympathy, Don Jaime becomes intensely annoyed. He berates Romero. He says Romero is young at forty, and rather than complain in a pathetic manner he ought to take action. He should either do something or simply...