Janice. He encourages her to have a whiskey, then, misreading her mood, pressures her to have sex despite her postnatal condition. When she refuses and accuses him of treating her like a prostitute, Harry masturbates onto her and then leaves in an attempt to resume his relationship with Ruth. Finding her apartment empty, he spends the night at a hotel. The next morning, still distraught at Harry's treatment of her, Janice gets drunk and accidentally drowns Rebecca June in the bathtub. The other main characters in the book except Harry soon learn of the accident and gather at Janice's parents' home. Later in the day, unaware of what has happened, Harry calls Reverend Eccles to see how his return home would be received. Reverend Eccles shares the news of his daughter's death, and Harry returns home. Tothero later visits Harry and suggests that the thing he is looking for probably does not exist. At Rebecca June's funeral, Harry's internal and external conflicts result in a sudden proclamation of his innocence in the baby's death. He then runs from the graveyard, pursued by Jack Eccles, until he becomes lost. Harry returns to Ruth and learns that she is pregnant. Though Harry is relieved to discover she has not had an abortion, he is unwilling to divorce Janice. In Rabbit’s apparent final attempt to salvage his relationship with Ruth, he decides to find her and make empty promises. Harry abandons Ruth, still missing the feeling he has attempted to grasp during the course of the novel; his fate is uncertain as the novel concludes. Characters Harry Angstrom – also known as Rabbit, a 26-year-old man. Married to Janice Angstrom. He was a basketball star in high school and begins the novel as a kitchen gadget salesman. Miriam Angstrom – also known as Mim, Rabbit's 19-year-old sister. Mr. Angstrom – Rabbit's father. Mrs. Angstrom – Rabbit's mother. Janice Angstrom – Rabbit's wife. Nelson Angstrom – Harry and Janice's two-year-old son. Rebecca June Angstrom – Harry and Janice's infant daughter. Mr. Springer – Janice's father. A used-car dealer. Mrs. Springer – Janice's mother. She is harshly critical of Harry when he leaves Janice. Jack Eccles – a young Episcopal priest. He tries to mend Harry and Janice's broken marriage. His surname is an allusion to The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament of the Bible. Lucy Eccles – Jack Eccles's wife. She blames