Summary

Tom is in an especially good mood. The Summer is beautiful, and he feels a sense of levity. A week later, he goes into town to buy cleaning supplies to finally sort out his living situation. Tom deep cleans the apartment, and sorts through all his excess stuff. In addition to loving his house, Tom is in awe of Mr. Tomelty's beautiful, luscious garden. It seems as if everything, at last, is coming together for Tom.

One day, on his way in from walking around the garden, Tom sees a man he has never seen before. Tom goes inside and changes as fast as his age permits, and the man enters Anne McNulty's apartment. This raises concern for Tom, who is sure that he has never seen this man before, and knows Anne does not often have visitors. Tom hears a struggle, and...