Duddy’s homecoming after quitting his job in a fit of righteous indignation proves to be bittersweet. His father is pleased to see him, noting how he’s grown and how he’s managed to not get sunburned. Max is not very interested in the details of Duddy’s life, though, and instead talks nonstop about Lennie. Lennie has been doing well in school, plays tennis, and has an attractive blond girlfriend, Max tells Duddy. Duddy attempts to win some of his father’s praise by giving him some gifts purchased at the hotel, but Max says he’s too tired to open them now. Feeling sad and sickened, Duddy heads to bed to sleep and cry, though he is first greeted by Lennie, who asks if he can borrow ten bucks to go play tennis with his girlfriend. Duddy gives him thirty dollars and tells him it is a summer gift because he didn’t know what to bring him back.

Later, Duddy visits Simcha, his grandfather. The two have a quiet, companionable connection, and over tea spiked with cognac, Duddy tells his grandfather about his plan to buy the lake and the

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