Chapter 44, The Ring Finger Summary

Maria plans to marry her boss, Stenzel, who is divorcing his wife. The jazz band has found another drummer after Oskar's disloyal solo. Therefore, Oskar goes on tour for Dr. Dtzsch. The doctor summons Oskar into his boss's office, where Oskar finds Bebra, the dwarf clown, confined to a motorized wheelchair. Bebra is disappointed over Oskar's growth in the past few years.

Oskar completes three concert tours in rapid succession, growing wealthy. With his newfound wealth, Oskar makes Maria a proposal. He will purchase a deli for her, and provide the operating capital, if she will not marry Stenzel. Oskar continues to live at the boarding house with Klepp, although he takes several more rooms, including the room abandoned by Sister Dorothea. After his seventh or eighth tour, Oskar returns to discover Bebra has died, bequeathing a...