Chapters 15 and 16 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 15: 'A Large Square Box Such as Children Draw"

After Viktor's father died, his mother moved to a hotel in Vichy and Viktor and Emmy had a whole floor of the mansion to themselves. Their living quarters were stuffed with valuables from decades of over-spending by other relatives. The rooms were loaded with valuable art. Apparently, the glass vitrine with the netsuke posed a logistics problem to Viktor. He didn't know where to have it placed. Other gifts were practical like clocks and globes and there were obvious places for them. Although Viktor appreciated the gift and the little figures were interesting, they couldn't settle on a place for the large case that held them. Viktor left the décor and furnishings up to his wife who was a beautiful woman and dressed fabulously.

Edmund's father found an old...