Book One, Chapter Four Summary

Chapter Four opens with Professor Abraham Gordon arriving at Reuven's home. Reuven feels overwhelmed. Gordon is exhausted from his worldwide travels but he and David, Reuven's father, have a long, scholarly conversation anyway. After a time, Professor Gordon turns to Reuven and asks him about the fair and Michael's tantrum. Reuven tells him about their conversation on the sailboat. Gordon responds that Michael does not like to talk about himself and has been to three therapists in the last fourteen months, to no avail.

Gordon claims that Michael is sick and wants to know how to get through to Michael. He asks Reuven to bring his friend Daniel Saunders over to their house as a mitzvah. Reuven agrees and the conversation winds down. Professor Gordon invites Reuven over with his sailboat to sail with him and Michael...