Chapter 21 Summary

David meets Rosalind in town for coffee. She looks in disgust at his mangled ear and asks him how he's been. She has heard of how he did not cooperate at his hearing at the university, and wonders why he tried to stand up for some principle instead of trying to save his job. David tells her that he did the right thing, and that he's not worse off for not having the job anymore. Rosalind does not see it this way; she sees an unemployed elderly man with no salary, no future, and no respect from his community. He tells her of the opera that he is writing and mentions that he will be selling his house soon. As they are about to part, Rosalind mentions that Melanie is performing in a local play.

David wonders if what happened between him and...