At Alice’s request, her sister Eileen comes to visit Allos, bringing books and food. Eileen differs from Alice: she is neither sentimental nor sensual, but rather an intellectual pragmatist. Dreaming of a life with her, Allos wonders if he can will himself back to health. She visits him every week, but they do not speak much. Instead, he views the books that she gives him as the words she would speak if she was less shy. 

Macario visits and tells Allos he plans to go to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Though Allos admires his conviction, he also fears for his life. Eileen comes to visit him constantly, and their conversations about literature grow more satisfying. He feels a particular affinity with William Faulkner, whose books speak of a decaying American South where children lack ambition and prospects. 

Allos undergoes three more operations to halt the progress of a lesion on his left lung. After the third surgery, he has no more ribs on his right side. Meanwhile, Allos stays abreast of political turmoil and conflict in America but spends most of his time lost in