The End Of The Affair

When he arrives home from the detective’s office, Bendrix’s landlady informs him that “Mrs. Miles had been on the telephone” (15). Enjoying a momentary rush of nostalgic elation, Bendrix calls Sarah’s home. When a maid answers, Bendrix asks for Mrs. Miles, only to be told he has the wrong number. Just as he is checking the number, Sarah calls back. She tells Bendrix that she wants to have lunch with him.

Bendrix says that he would be “delighted” (16), and they agree to meet in a few days’ time. After he hangs up, Bendrix immediately regrets the arrangement. He calls Sarah and re-arranges their meeting for the next day. When Sarah hangs up, he sits beside the phone and thinks that “this is what hope feels like” (16).

Bendrix waits in the restaurant for Sarah, reading a newspaper and trying not to glance toward the door whenever a person enters. Sarah is five minutes late and arrives just as Bendrix is checking his watch; she apologizes for her tardiness. As they sit and talk, Bendrix catches the eye of a man who seems to be watching them. He stares at the man, who drops his glass of beer. Bendrix immediately regrets causing such confusion in the man, who is with his (now embarrassed) son.