Summary

“At His Place” begins with a phone call from the husband of the narrator’s friend, with whom she visited the castle. He tells her that his wife’s father suffered a stroke and asks if she could watch the house and the dog while they are away. She grapples with budding romantic feelings for him, and begins to recognize the value of family by examining their apartment. However, as she walks the dog over the next few days, she feels her romantic feelings for him dwindle.

The narrator debates with the barista about accepting a fellowship in “At the Coffee Bar.” She is uncertain whether she will take it, as it requires a year outside of the city, which is something she has never done. As she leafs through a newspaper, she sees an obituary for the philosopher...