A Prelude, Chapter 1, In Mendia Res, Arizona, and Chapter 2, 1927-37: Stump Creek, West Virginia Summary

In "A Prelude", a teacher yells from the door of a one-room school house in the Appalachian Mountains for Henry Lightcap, who does not arrive. She thinks she can see him off in the woods, playing.

In chapter one, Henry's third wife, Elaine, leaves him for good after yet another argument. For the moment, he is glad, but he knows misery will soon set in. Annoyed by the sound, Henry shoots the refrigerator. He then puts on loud music and begins to drink. A neighbor calls, asking about the gunfire, and Henry lies. He contemplates calling one of his other women lovers, but instead decides to bake bread to soothe his nerves. He thinks of visiting his...