Chapter 12, Work Ethic Summary and Analysis

Another thing that Miller learns while living in the MacMurray house is that children produce a lot of noise. They also wake very early and, in turn, wake everyone else. Anyone living with a toddler, Miller claims, never sleeps in. Personally, Miller enjoys sleeping in and waking naturally.

MacMurray, however, sends the children to wake Miller whenever he sleeps past nine o'clock. If their chatter does not wake Miller, Elle (MacMurray's young daughter) gets him out of bed by begging to be carried down the stairs, which she will not do for fear of falling.

John MacMurray criticizes Miller's sleep and work habits. Miller describes MacMurray's work ethic. John MacMurray rises early, even after a long night. As a nature photographer, he takes many shots at sunrise or sunset. One day, after the two men hike up...