Summary

Le Carré’s opens the novel from the perspective of the protagonist, Nat, who assures the audience that his meeting with Ed was not planned or contrived in anyway.

Nat switches to present tense to describe their meeting. Nat is at the Athleticus badminton club. He is 47 years old and has been an agent for the British Secret Intelligent Service for 25 years now. He is approaching retirement, which he seems unhappy about but reminds himself that he has “had a good run” so “no complaints” (2).

While Nat was chatting with his latest opponent, Ed approaches Nat. He is in his mid-twenties and tells Ed he has come to Athleticus in hopes of playing Nat in badminton, as Nat is the reigning club champion. Nat agrees, and Ed insists they pick a time. Nat is going on a ski trip tomorrow, so they decide two...