Summary

Chapter Four begins with a catalog description of two paintings: "Sisters" (private collection) and "Two Boats," (collection of the artist).

Jim wakes to a phone call from Steve, who is making sure the artist makes it to Pim's on time. The Pantelas' house is near a Buddhist stupa where Jim came for comfort after Alce died. He is met at the expensively furnished and large house by Pim's French-Canadian wife Julia. Jim has told her not to have the twin girls get hairdos, but rather to dress like they do on a normal day. He finds them dressed in sailor suits in the kitchen, which Jim immediately thinks of as the heart of the house, the only place where real living happens. Pim is away on business. Jim tells Julia that he wants to paint the girls there, in the kitchen, which...