Marlinspike goes down to the kitchen, to grow stout and live out his beastly nature. There is a summer ahead, though he cannot imagine its pleasures; sometimes when he's walking in the garden he sees him, a half-grown cat, lolling watchful in an apple tree, or snoring on a wall in the sun.
Marlinspike descends to the kitchen, embracing his primal instincts as he indulges himself. Although summer is approaching, he struggles to envision any joy it might bring. This sense of stagnation permeates his thoughts and behavior.
As he wanders through the garden, he occasionally spots a young cat relaxing in an apple tree or dozing on a sunlit wall. These moments provide a brief escape from his inner turmoil, contrasting his beastly nature with the innocence of the feline. The imagery illustrates a tension between his existence and the simpler pleasures of life.
