Section 8 Summary

Bernard's monologue begins the section. He is traveling to Hampton court to meet the others in a restaurant. When he arrives, everyone is already there and the monologues that follow all display unease at each other's presence, much like the dinner meeting earlier in honor of Percival. This time there is no Percival to ease the atmosphere and it takes a few drinks and a hearty meal before they relax. At this point, the monologue changes back to Bernard. He notes he feels content and from there is a brief interplay between the characters with short monologues like at the beginning of the book.

After the meal, they decide to go for a walk. Neville notes that there is no Percival, but things between the friends are going along well. Bernard notes that Susan is holding Louis's hand with Jinny walks alongside them...