Part 2, Chapter 3 Summary

Portia receives three letters from London, which she finds gratifying yet unusual; she's never had so many letters in one day before. The first is from Matchett, telling her a bit about spring cleaning and how things have changed since she's been gone. The second from Eddie, proclaiming his love for her and his jealousy toward Dickie. He also mentions the possibility of him coming to stay at the sea with her for a while. The third letter is from Major Brutt. He asks if perhaps she'd like a new puzzle to do, seeing as how she must be nearly done with the first one.

That afternoon, while Mrs. Heccomb is napping, Portia sneaks upstairs and looks about the bedrooms, wondering if Eddie came to visit which room would be his. She discovers a little room, facing north, filled with cardboard...