Angle of Repose

Lyman takes Shelly into his house following a “crisis” (171). She is a competent secretary but is also a “card-carrying member of this liberated generation” (171) and treats history with a “modern ‘frankness’” (172) that makes Lyman nervous. He recalls an incident in which Shelly’s estranged husband turned up at the house, searching for Shelly. Ada and Ed, Shelly’s parents, try to convince him that she was not around. Lyman offers to let Shelly stay in his house, hoping to have his offer rejected, but Shelly accepts. One night, when Ada is washing Lyman and putting him to bed, Shelly walks in and offers help. Ada shouts at her to leave.

Lyman looks at the pictures Susan created while living by the sea in Santa Cruz. Oliver has turned down a job in Bolivia; Susan broods as she and her husband now seem to be at crossed purposes. She covets the simple life of Thomas and Augusta. Susan apologizes for being a “millstone” (181) around Oliver’s neck. They discuss the difficulties presented by Oliver’s career. Oliver has been working on an idea for hydraulic cement, though has yet to perfect the recipe. Considering the possibilities, Susan believes that Oliver must work on it.