Rules of Civility

On a random night in May, Katey runs into a woman named Fran Pacelli—an old acquaintance from Mrs. Martingale’s boardinghouse. Fran speaks brusquely and carries herself in the same manner. Her father is in the trucking business. Fran invites Katey for a drink, and when Katey accepts, the two end up at an Irish bar that has a sign out front indicating that women aren’t welcome. Fran doesn’t seem to care about the sign and drags Katey inside. Katey eventually realizes that Fran is really after a guy named Grubb who works for Pacelli Trucking. Grubb is arguing with a few friends (Hank and Johnny), all of whom look like the rough sort. When Fran sits with Grubb, Katey is left with the arguing friends and realizes they are talking about Cezanne. She then discovers the “Hank” she’s conversing with is Tinker’s older brother. Hank detests Cezanne and has notions about art despite being (at least to Katey) a knock-off of Stuart Davis. She also realizes that it is Hank who painted the dockworker scene in Tinker’s bedroom. She spars with Hank over art and beauty and wonders why Tinker ever thought they’d get along. She brings up the fact that she knows Tinker, which shocks Hank.