Sub Rosa: June 22, 1959

Summary

• The chapter introduces a couple, Don Adler and Evelyn Hugo, who live in a beautiful five-bedroom home.
• Despite their idyllic life, they have not had children, which puzzles those who know them.
• Don is portrayed as wanting a child, something many have expected and awaited with anticipation due to the couple's attractiveness.
• Evelyn, however, is resistant to the idea of having a child and appears more focused on her career, specifically her new film project, "Little Women".
• She is described as neglectful of her household duties, dismissive of her husband's wishes, and seemingly indifferent to their hired help.
• Evelyn also socializes with single women like Celia St. James, spending her time outside the home while Don is left longing for a family.
• The narrative gives the impression of a marital imbalance, with Don feeling unsatisfied and mostly ignored by Evelyn, who is fully absorbed in her own interests.