Chapter 4 Summary

Memoir--the narrator, with his infantry unit, describes a barricade, which he calls "absolutely topping," that they have jammed across a bridge to block the passage of the enemy. The narrator is pleased about their efforts because the barricade is a heavy, old wrought-iron grating that their riflemen can shoot through, but which forces the enemy soldiers to climb up and over. Then he describes how, after "potting" the enemy soldiers for a time from 40 yards away, they were "frightfully put out" about having to fall back.

Story--"The Three-Day Blow," picks up some time after Nick's breakup with Marjorie. The weather is probably too cold to go out in the boat because Nick crosses through an orchard where the fruit has all been picked, and the fall wind blows through the bare trees. Nick visits Bill, who is alone at his cottage, while...