Chapter 33 Summary

Just as Reta is insisting that Arthur has problems with Alicia simply because she is a woman, three things happen in quick succession. As Arthur lifts his arm in a polite protest, he knocks over the wine bottle on the coffee table, frightening Pet so that he slides backwards, ending up in a corner. At that moment Reta's two daughters walk in, and as Reta tries to introduce them to the editor, the phone rings.

It is Tom. He tells her that Norah is in the Toronto General Hospital with pneumonia. Reta and the girls immediately drive to the city, leaving Arthur in the house by himself. He makes himself at home, finds the television, another bottle of wine and settles into the den for the evening. He is suddenly aware that someone is knocking at the door and when he opens it...