Summary

The doorbell rings, and Mother tells James to answer it. It is Dr. Murphy, and Mother invites him to stay for dinner. James leaves the room for a moment and overhears them talking about him. Murphy tells Mother that James is a good boy and that she should not worry so much. They sit down for dinner, and Murphy says grace, although Murphy once admitted to James that he stopped being religious in college. Murphy drinks liberally during the meal and frequently mentions his son Terry, with whom he has a bad relationship. Murphy calls Terry a solipsist. Mother advises punishing Terry by sending him to bed without dinner. Murphy James why he lies, especially about morbid things. James says that he does not know why. After dinner, Mother and Murphy play the piano and sing together. After Murphy leaves, Mother says how much...