Part 1, Chapters 2 and 3 Summary

As Michel recuperates in the hotel, Marceline stays by his side and prays for a successful recovery. It is a long time before Michel has the strength to venture out onto the veranda for a few moments at a time but his weakened condition allows him to focus on the small things he has never really seen like the pattern of the sunlight filtering into the room or the breeze that gently blows in from the veranda. When Michel gains some strength Marceline surprises him one day by bringing a little Arab boy named Bachir to cheer him. Michel's ghastly appearance startles Bachir at first but eventually the boy settles down and Michel enjoys watching him play on the floor in the hotel room.

One day Michel receives a letter and some pamphlets on tuberculosis from a friend and...