Chapter 2—Pages 199-214 Summary

After the incident with the Chinese brothers making fools of themselves, and Mary even laughing at their foolery, Yuan attempts to return to his life of solitude. However, Mary does not let him go so easily. She writes him again, and he eagerly opens the letter. When he reads the letter he is disappointed because her words are ordinary, as if she has not missed him the last three days. It talks of a flower ready to bloom in her mother's garden. Her mother would like him to see it, and that it will be in full bloom tomorrow. He goes the following day, and while he is in the garden, Mary comes along and slips her gardening gloves on. She does not accept his little bow and few words, but works to draw him out so...