Chapter 5 Summary

On the morning that Clovis is to go into town for his examinations to see whether he is fit to go into the army, Gertie wakes before sunrise, having just had a dream about Henley. She gets up and spends a few rare and precious moments looking up at the stars, enjoying solitude and quiet, contemplating her future, and imagining her life on the Tipton Place. After building a fire and putting on a pot of coffee she rouses Clovis, who tries to embrace and kiss her but is roughly rebuffed - Gertie, it seems, is uncomfortable with demonstrations of affection from her husband. As Clovis washes and shaves and Gertie makes him breakfast, their conversation reveals that they have very different desires for their futures. Clovis, simultaneously wanting to give Gertie a better life and jealous of Gertie's sister Meg and her...