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Summary
A few minutes later, Abbie waits on a sofa in the parlor. She looks frightened. Eben enters, and Abbie says she feels something in the room. Eben replies that it's his mother. She says the presence has become softer since he came into the room. They agree his mother bears a grudge against Cabot but not Abbie. Abbie asks about Eben's mother, and Eben describes her kindness. Abbie embraces him with a mixture of desire and maternal love. She is affectionate at first and then passionate. Eben calls out, asking what his mother wants, and Abbie insists she wants him to love her. Eben is still confused since he sees Abbie as stealing his mother's house. Abbie says she loves him, and Eben suddenly grins, deciding their love could be his mother's vengeance on his father. He replies that he loves Abbie and kneels, embracing and kissing her. The scene is a turning point in their relationship and understanding of each other.
At dawn, Eben walks outside, dressed for work. Abbie sticks her head out of the window and asks for one more kiss for the day. They kiss and banter affectionately. Abbie asks if he loves her, and he says he does. They speak of the parlor being their room, and Eben declares his mother can rest in her grave now. Cabot comes up, and Abbie retreats inside. He looks up at the sky and declares how pretty it is. Eben talks to him cheerfully, and Cabot asks why he's so happy. Eben asks if he felt his mother passing and going back to her grave. Cabot responds that he slept well with the cows. Eben retains his cheerfulness and walks off to the barn. Cabot is scornful, says he's soft like his mother, and spits in disgust. He goes inside for breakfast.
Analysis
The setting of the parlor is significant in this scene. It is the only scene that takes place in this room, and it acts as a symbol of the presence of Eben's mother. It is described as a "grim, repressed room like a tomb" to make sure it is portrayed as a dark and cold place where apparently no one ever goes. This is reflected in Abbie's trepidation, no longer having fun seducing or taunting Eben. Eben's unease is also clear, but he's not frightened—more in a daze. He always seems aware of his mother's presence, whereas Abbie has just discovered it in the room. Abbie comments that the feeling changes once Eben enters the room as if the presence has grown softer.
Their interaction differs from the others in that they are both serious and no longer taunting or angry with each other. They recognize the somberness of the room and Eben's mother's memory. Their discussion speculating on whether Eben's mother would hate Abbie is not an argument but more an opportunity to grow closer and understand each other. Eben considers whether his mother would hate Abbie for stealing her house, but he is not angry as much as he is rethinking how his life could be. They are able to cement their bond through their shared contempt for Cabot.
Abbie allows Eben to show his deeper feelings for his mother and then comforts him, winning him over with maternal affection and identifying with his mother. But mixed with sincere maternal affection, her sexual attraction is also apparent. Although Abbie tries to convince Eben that his mother knows Abbie loves him and that she would want him to return that love, the thing that changes Eben's mind is the idea of revenge towards his father. Rather than accept their mutual desire and possible love, Eben is transfixed with getting back at his father for the death of his mother. After this revelation, he allows himself to be with Abbie and stop resisting, but his motivation and reasoning remain wrapped up in revenge on his father and peace for his mother. It's not clear that Abbie understands or cares that this is what is behind Eben's actions and decisions, but she is able to get what she desires, which is a true human connection.
In the morning, it's clear through context that Eben and Abbie have spent the night in the parlor together. She talks about letting the sun and air into the parlor, to let life into it, drawing a contrast with the idea that it has been a kind of grave for Eben's mother. Abbie has been possessive of the house up until now, but here she seems sincere when she comments that she and Eben made the parlor theirs the night before. But when Eben mentions his mother being able to sleep in her grave, Abbie responds with, "may she rest in peace." She then immediately pivots to ask not to talk or think of sad things, suggesting that she is eager for Eben to think of her as something other than a maternal figure and that she wants to focus on the living present.
