Section 1 Summary

It is night; it is cold; it is damp. In Lakesnam Villa, the blinds are closed to the outdoors while a family sits before a burning fire. Mr. White and his son, Herbert, play chess, and Mrs. Herbert knits by the fire.

Mr. Herbert tries to distract his son after he makes an erroneous move, sure to end the game in his son's favor. The father makes reference to an expected guest, a diversionary tactic, but Herbert sees his father's strategic mistake. Mr. Herbert bemoans the miserable pathways to their home in misplaced anger. Seeing right through this, Mrs. Herbert assures her husband he will win next time.

The banging of the gate heralds the arrival of their guest, Sergeant-Major Morris, a big man, with beady eyes and red face. Mr. Herbert offers his guest several drinks, and after the third, Morris speaks...