From His Grace's Journal to Mr. Hendley's Account Summary

These sections include eight of the Duke's journal entries and an account by Mr. Hendley, the local postman.

On November 28, the Duke laments his own wasted life. He has not created anything. He has not made any significant contribution to the world. He has not married nor has he reproduced. However, he is not alone in failing to create because he thinks that men in general are not true creators.

The Duke visits his attic where he rifles through his families discarded things. He's not searching for anything in particular. He seems to be making this trip because he feels safer retreating to the past than facing the present or the future. He finds a windup monkey.

On December 2, 5 and 7, the Duke is preoccupied with the presence of the...