Chapter 19 Summary

Kuriatin takes Charlie on an outing in his Wolseley car. Bernov, the accountant, is sent along to act as an interpreter. Kuriatin has suggested they go to the Merchants' Church, about twelve miles outside of Moscow. During the day at the Press, new official regulations have arrived, requiring that all fines for absence or drunkenness should be paid into an account under government control. Frank knows that Bernov would have enjoyed figuring out whether the lost income was overhead, a variable cost, or an abnormal cost.

Frank arrives home quite late. Lisa brings the children in to say goodnight, which both amazes and pleases Frank. Dolly suggests that Uncle Charlie shouldn't stay much longer because he hadn't brought Mother back and really can't say when she will be back. Dolly thinks that Charlie shouldn't be there just to enjoy himself. Frank would like...