Chapter One, Du Cote de Chez Beaver Summary

Mrs. Beaver speaks with her son, John Beaver one late morning. Mrs. Beaver is in the business of interior decorating and real estate. They once enjoyed luxury until Mrs. Beaver's husband died. John Beaver, known as Beaver, is twenty-five years old and has no job. He remains connected to the upper class through invitation. Beaver tells his mother that he is spending the weekend with Tony and Brenda Last.

Beaver remains at home and is hopeful that he is being invited out when he gets a call from a woman named Lady Tipping. He knows that she is having a lunch party and he thought he left a good impression on her. To his disappointment, she was calling to get the name of one of his associates, Jock Grant-Menzies, and to...