Part 1: Chapter 5 Summary

One afternoon as Larry grades papers and Sally reads, the mailman arrives with news that one of Larry's short stories has sold to Atlantic for $200. Sid and Charity have just arrived to take them on a picnic, and the foursome celebrates Larry's success with screaming and jumping. They get in the car and drive out to the country for their picnic.

The women talk about how their pregnancies are going, and the men talk about their careers. Sid confesses that he doesn't feel that he has what it takes to attain Larry's level of success. Sid's father discouraged him from pursuing literature, and Sid studied economics until his father's death, whereupon he switched to English. Sid asks about Larry's father, a mechanic. Larry's father encouraged him to do whatever he liked best.

Sid has not been without success. As an undergraduate...