Chapter 6 Summary

At age twenty-nine, Hugh fears his youth has gone. Ruefully, he imagines that his selfish past catches up with him; he admits to himself it is time to grow up.

Hugh reminisces through a long list of his accomplishments. His musical genius promises him much wealth and acclaim in England. To elevate his celebrity more, he takes a job well beneath his social status on the crew of a ship.

Hugh learns with disgust that his fellow seamen live a rather virtuous life and enjoy great food on board. After long months, he returns to England, hoping the press of his unusual trip bolsters the sale of his songs. Instead, he discovers that the publisher never distributed his music. Disgusted with a life in music, Hugh becomes a reporter.

A call of distress from the consul's bath draws Hugh back to the present...