Summary: Chapter XV
One evening at dinner, several people inform
Edna that Robert is leaving for Mexico that evening. Edna is shocked
by this news, as she spent all morning with Robert and he mentioned
nothing of his plans. The dinner conversation splits off into varied
stories and questions about Mexico and its inhabitants, but Edna
feels such anguish that the only time she opens her mouth is to
ask Robert what time he will leave. After finishing her coffee,
Edna promptly retires to her cottage, where she occupies herself
with housework and the needs of her sons. Mrs. Lebrun sends a message
requesting that Edna sit with her until Robert leaves, but Edna
replies that she doesn’t feel well and wants to stay in. Adèle comes
down to check on Edna and agrees that Robert’s abrupt departure
seems unfair and unkind. Unable to persuade Edna to accompany her
back to the main house, Adèle departs unaccompanied to rejoin the
others’ conversation. Robert himself then visits Edna. He bids her
good-bye and is unable to say when he will return. She expresses
her disappointment and offense at his spontaneous and unannounced
departure, but he stops short of giving her a full explanation,
fearing that he will reveal his true feelings for her. Edna asks
Robert to write her and is bothered by Robert’s uncharacteristic,
distant reply: “I will, thank you. Good-by.” Edna broods in the
darkness and tries to prevent herself from crying, recognizing in
her relations with Robert the same symptoms of infatuation she knew
as a youth.
Summary: Chapter XVI
Edna is constantly possessed by thoughts of Robert. She
feels as though her entire existence has been dulled by his departure.
She often visits Madame Lebrun to chat and study the pictures of
Robert in the family albums. Edna reads the letter Robert sent to
his mother before departing for Mexico from New Orleans and feels
a momentary pang of jealousy that he did not write to her instead.
Everyone finds it natural that Edna misses Robert, even
her husband. When Edna learns that Léonce saw Robert in New Orleans before
his departure for Mexico, she questions him extensively about their
meeting. Edna sees no harm in this interrogation, for her feelings
for Robert are nothing like her feelings for her husband. She is
used to keeping her emotions and thoughts to herself. Edna had once
tried to express this ownership of emotions to Adèle, telling her:
“I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would
give my life for my children, but I wouldn’t give myself.” Adèle
cannot understand what more one could do for her children than give
up her life.
Shortly before the summer’s end, Mademoiselle
Reisz approaches Edna on the beach, curious about the effect of
Robert’s absence on Edna. A conversation ensues in which Mademoiselle tells
Edna that Madame Lebrun is partial to her other son Victor, despite
Victor’s impudence. The two brothers apparently have a history of
squabbles. Mademoiselle Reisz does not realize that she has upset
Edna, and she gives Edna her address in New Orleans, urging her
to visit.
Summary: Chapter XVII
Léonce takes great pride in his possessions and enjoys
walking around his lavishly decorated New Orleans home and examining his
household goods. Every Tuesday for the past six years Edna has observed
her reception day—a day set aside each week for receiving visitors—dressing
handsomely and not leaving the house. A few weeks after returning
to New Orleans, she and Léonce sit down to dinner, Edna wearing
an ordinary housedress rather than her usual Tuesday gown. Léonce
notices her attire and asks about Edna’s day. She replies that she
was not at home to receive visitors, nor did she leave the servants
with an excuse with which they might placate her guests. Léonce
is angry with her, fearing that her neglect of her social duties
will jeopardize his business relations with the husbands of her visitors.
Complaining that the cook has produced a substandard meal, Léonce
leaves mid-meal to take dinner at the club, a practice to which
Edna has become accustomed over the past several weeks. After finishing
her meal, Edna goes to her room, pacing while she tears her thin
handkerchief into pieces. She throws her wedding ring to the floor
and tries unsuccessfully to crush it. Feeling the need to destroy
something, she shatters a glass vase on the hearth.
Summary: Chapter XVIII
The next morning Edna declines Léonce’s request that she
meet him in town and instead tries to work on some sketches. Not
in the mood for sketching, however, she decides to visit Adèle,
whom she finds at home folding newly laundered clothing. Edna informs
her friend that she wants to take drawing lessons and presents her
portfolio, seeking praise and encouragement in the matter. Edna
gives some sketches to Adèle and stays for dinner. Upon leaving,
Edna realizes with a strong sense of depression that the perfect
domestic harmony enjoyed by the Ratignolles is entirely undesirable
to her. She pities Adèle’s “colorless existence” and “blind contentment.”
