Pages 31 - 45 Summary

There is a rumor about the lily pond near Pointz Hall; a lovesick noblewoman once drowned herself in the pond. Mr. Oliver dismisses the tale, saying "servants must have their ghosts." Mrs. Manresa says she must have her ghosts as well, and is more at the level of a servant than a nobleman like Mr. Oliver.

Word comes that Giles Oliver (Isa's husband) has arrived. He is a stockbroker. Giles is in a poor temperament. He has read about civilian casualties occurring in Europe from World War II (which has not yet reached England's shores), and feels powerless about doing something about it, and angry that England seems oblivious to the horrors going on. Isa sees him and reminds herself that Giles is the father of her children, trying to forget her lust for Mr. Haines.

The group has tea and...