Summary

In Chapter 17, the Schlossers join the Meiers at their summer house. The adults eat dinner together in the elaborate yard, and talk at length about Ralph’s acting work. Julia pleads for the family to stay over. Caroline attempts to turn down her request, but Marc proposes that they could simply move their tent into the backyard the next day.

Chapter 18 resumes late that night: Caroline and Marc are arguing outside their tent at the campground, uncharacteristically smoking. Caroline is worried that there are changes to Marc’s personality: he is usually dismissive of his upper-class patients, but now seems desperate to be within Ralph’s orbit. Their argument wakes up Julia and Lisa, who are surprised to see them smoking.

Chapter 19 serves as a montage of the next several days, after the Schlossers move their tent in to the Meiers’ backyard. They...