Book 2: Chapter 4, The Death of the Curate Summary

On the sixth day, the author wakes to find the curate drinking the last bottle of burgundy. He tries to take the bottle away, but it breaks. The curate begins complaining very loudly. The author tries to quiet him but there is no use reasoning with the curate who is now crazy. The curate, runs to the opening yelling loudly. The author picks up a meat chopper and hits the curate on the head with the blunt end. The curate falls down, unconscious.

A noise is heard outside. The author sees a Martian outside the opening. A tentacle reaches into the kitchen. It touches the curate, who is unmoving. The author moves silently into the scullery and into the coal cellar. He tries to cover up as much as possible. The...