Summary

The opening section in “Two” focuses on Richard. Richard has found the line of bloodwoods trees that leads to the dairy, the place where Richard can count on consistency, but the building is gone. He wonders if it was a war that destroyed everything and where he was when it took place. He suspects “the old bitch” (55) blew up the buildings with the animals inside. He hears a call that he associates with Rachel. He wonders where she is hidden.

The novel switches to focus on Looksmart. He stands in the gloom of the kitchen that is smaller than he remembers and wonders if he is about to be shot. He hears “the old woman” (58) call for Beauty like she is calling for one of her dogs. When Looksmart catches sight of Patricia he feels a lurch, as if he had just seen a...