Chapter 4 Summary

Zorba begins his tryst with Madame Hortense. When the narrator awakens the next morning, he smokes a pipe and relives memories of his absent friend. The narrator's friend credits any great feat he may one day perform to Rembrandt's Warrior.

Zorba awakens, and admonishes the narrator and himself for laughing at Dame Hortense, and further rebukes the speaker for not praising the innkeeper's beauty before retiring for the night. Soon, work begins in the lignite mine, Here, Zorba takes command, but the narrator takes some time to get to know the workmen. As he learns more about the workers' lives and conditions, the narrator is filled with empathy and begins speaking to them about socialist ideals. Zorba puts his foot down, and throws his boss out of the mines for good. Zorba explains, "Don't go telling them we're all equal ... or they'll go...