Summary

In Chapter 17, Peter told Frances that Cara was asleep. He asked Frances to have dinner with him in town. Frances dressed in a man’s silk robe. She was excited because she considered the dinner a date.

Over dinner, Frances apologized about the blackbird. Peter said it was one of Cara’s Irish superstitions. Cara claimed a bird in the house was a sign of impending death. Back home, Frances expected Peter to kiss her, but he did not. He put his hand on her arm and Frances sensed he was trying to communicate that he wanted to kiss her, but should not. He said he should check on Cara. As he walked away he told her she should wear that gown more often and not worry if other people stared at her. Frances felt as if she had been slapped because she...