Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary

John Singer has become very popular in the boarding house. Jake Blount, Mick, Dr. Copeland and Biff Brannon visit him all the time,. They use the deaf man for a sounding board without considering his perspective as they crowd into his life. They take him for granted, until he leaves abruptly one day without warning.

Singer has decided to take his vacation and visit Spiro in the insane asylum. Little about his friend has changed other his increased size. Singer takes him fine gifts, but Spiro acts like a petulant child when he realizes that none of the boxes contain food. Singer tries to sign to him in a frantic attempt to speak to his friend, but the Greek man ignores him. Dejected, he returns home to the boardinghouse room, which quickly fills up with people spilling over with their own...