The Assistant Chapter 9, Section 3 Summary

  • All morning, Morris watches the late March snow.
  • He tells Ida he will shovel. It's spring.
  • She says it's winter and warns him that he'll catch pneumonia.
  • They pass the day.
  • After Ida falls asleep, Morris goes out to shovel. He's not dressed very warmly.
  • Shoveling snow, he remembers his childhood.
  • Nick and Tessie return home. They admonish Morris for not wearing a coat.
  • He says he's finished.
  • He comes into the warm store and feels himself momentarily reeling.
  • Hot tea helps him.
  • Ida is furious when he gets back upstairs.
  • He says he wanted to smell the fresh air.
  • Morris sits on the couch with Helen. He sees that she looks happier and asks her how she feels about their selling the house and store.
  • Helen says she feels refreshed. They talk of their regrets and the good things to come.
  • As the night goes on, Morris feels himself getting sick. He's bitter.