...Conscience?

In chapter sixteen, another side of Brett is revealed. Up to this point, we had never really seen her actually think about her actions. In this chapter, she finally thinks about the things she has done and the way she feels about people. She regrets her trip to San Sebastian with Cohn. "He can't believe it didn't mean anything. Nobody else would behave as badly. Oh, I'm so sick of the whole thing" (page 185). Cohn is unwilling to forget about it and just leave everyone alone. In addition, Brett realizes that she no longer loves Michael and cannot be with him after the way he has acted. Brett tells Jake, "'Don't I know it, darling? Please don't make me feel any worse than I do.' Brett was nervous as I had never seen her before" (page 185). Jake has known Brett for a very long time, so saying he had never seen her this nervous before actually means something. Throughout the book, Brett has never reconsidered her actions and felt sorry about them until now. This chapter shows us another side of Brett...one that actually cares about those around her and those she hurts.