The softening of a hard resin, polyvinyl chloride, by a liquid, dioctyl phthalate, is a set of processes occurring in sequence. Imbibition of the liquid is accompanied by volume reduction in the system. Dilatometer methods evaluate the amount and rate of volume decrease. The rate is temperature dependent, activation energy about 80 kcal. Solution of liquid into the resin follows with no further volume, but large dielectric change. Dielectric changes are measured on material in a cylindrical condenser, using a Schering bridge, and are rate dependent, activation energy about 110 kcal. Data are best described, assuming that segments of the polymer molecule ``react'' independently of one another.