Chapter 4 Summary

Henry writes about how cold weather accompanies Easter and that he has not written anything for five days. His best ideas come while he is walking and away from his typewriter. Brushing past Walter Patch, Henry wonders how the author of a multi-volume art book translation sees the world through his drooping eye. While thinking about his good health and optimistic outlook on life, a condition that Carl finds disgusting, Henry determines that the only thing between him and the future is a meal. Otherwise he lives in the moment.

As his thoughts turn to Carl and his European ways of constantly complaining about situations and doing nothing about them, Henry tells a story about Carl, Marlowe and himself. Marlowe has been drinking for days on end. He usually writes reviews for a living, but now his drinking binge is in the way...