"The Boarding House" Summary

Mrs. Mooney, after separating from her abusive husband, opens a boarding house. She lives there with her two children, Jack and Polly. For some time, there have been rumors that Polly has formed a relationship with one of the boarders, Bob Doran. While Mrs. Mooney suspects it, she does nothing until the relationship has gone too far. Mother and daughter have an unspoken understanding about the relationship. Allowing it to progress to this point is in order to trap Bob Doran into marriage with Polly.

Mr. Doran realizes what has happened when he is called down to meet with Mrs. Mooney. He does not want to marry Polly and views their relationship as a mistake. He worries that if he does not agree to marry Polly, Mrs. Mooney will spread the story around town and he will...