CHAPTER 6 "THE HASTINGS CAFETERIA"

Because Calvin and Elizabeth appear to have found a relationship that brings them both a great deal of joy, their friends and coworkers are green with envy. They are the subject of vicious rumors that are spread throughout the cafeteria, most notably by Miss Frask, who works as a secretary in the Personnel department.

Elizabeth and Calvin decide to move in together, but because Elizabeth's paycheck is significantly lower than Calvin's, she is unable to afford to pay half of the rent. As a "trade for services rendered," Elizabeth offers to cook five dinners a week in exchange for the other half of the rent.

However, she does not want to be seen as riding on Calvin's coattails when it comes to her work, which is especially important considering that Calvin has just received his third Nobel nomination in the past five years. For this reason, she does not want to work at Calvin's lab.

Elizabeth makes it abundantly clear that she does not intend to get married at any point in the foreseeable future. Despite this, Calvin goes out and purchases a diamond ring, which he then wears around his finger for the better part of three months while he waits for the right opportunity to propose.

One day, while Elizabeth and Calvin are eating lunch in the cafeteria, Elizabeth tells Calvin about a last-minute invitation that she has received to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. Calvin is very excited for Elizabeth.

Calvin, judging that this would be an appropriate time, takes the ring box out of its box and pops the question, all the while their coworkers are watching the scene unfold behind their backs. Elizabeth says no to Calvin because she does not want to lose her identity in marriage and become known as "Mrs. Calvin Evans," which is something that will happen regardless of whether or not she keeps her name.

The fact that Elizabeth has declined his proposal has made Calvin furious and upset. Already having a bad morning, he had received letters from alleged long-lost relatives, something that happens frequently now that he is famous: "A 'great uncle' wanted Calvin to invest in his alchemy scheme; a'sad mother' claimed she was his biological mother and wanted to give him money; a so-called cousin needed cash;" "A 'great uncle' wanted Calvin to invest in his alchemy scheme;" "A'sad mother' claimed she was (54). Calvin begs Elizabeth to change her mind, expressing to her how vital it is for him to start a family of his own. Elizabeth is taken aback at first because she believes that Calvin is going to suggest that they have a child, despite the fact that they have previously discussed this topic, and both of them have decided that they will not have children. In the midst of their conversation, Calvin interjects to clarify that all he was recommending was that they get a dog. Elizabeth is able to breathe a sigh of relief, and the two of them are able to kiss and make up, all while their coworkers look on in "profound jealousy."