- It is nearing fall and the end of Archer and May's three-month honeymoon in Europe.
- They spent most of their time in Switzerland and France. May ordered a lot of dresses in Paris. Now they're in London, where Archer orders his clothes. (Europe is essentially America's Macy's?)
- They head over to the Carfrys', who are friends of Newland’s mother's.
- At the Carfrys', Archer meets Monsieur Rivière, who tutored the Carfrys' nephew.
- Archer enjoys talking literature with Monsieur Rivière, who is a failed writer. May thinks Monsieur Rivière is ridiculous.