Part 2 Chapter 17 Summary

Amanda recalls being unready for the baby when the pains start, but is calm as Mathilda panics. When Ruth hides under the bed, Amanda gives her a peppermint stick to calm her. Now, having dragged the boat ashore, Amanda awakens from a dream about Ruth drowning. Amanda bathes, dresses, and starts dinner as Arthur delivers Ruth home. Amanda comforts herself that when summer ends, the problem will go away. She wants not to talk about Imogene, but Ruth insists, complaining about the ruin of their Chicago plans when Imogene and Arthur marry. Amanda declares that they must prevent this and insists that they involve no one else.

Ruth rejects the idea that Imogene is Clement's daughter until Amanda admits to being the mother. Ruth recalls Imogene's birth, with Amanda making scary sounds while she tries to lie quietly under the bed...