Book I, Chapter 4 Summary

The next morning Lily awakens to a note on her breakfast tray from her hostess, Mrs. Judy Trenor, asking if Lily could come down and help her with some secretarial tasks. Lily is resentful, but understands that, due to her financial situation, it is her social obligation to be of assistance to her hostess whenever possible. We are introduced to Mrs. Trenor as a woman who "exists only as a hostess," and one who, due to her social and financial successes, is ranked by Lily as one her friends who was least likely to "go back" on her.

As Lily works sending letters and paying bills, Judy Trenor gossips. Through the gossip, we are introduced to many of the characters that will form the backbone of the novel. Carry Fisher is a divorcee who borrows money from Gus Trenor...