Summary

In “Retelling the Story,” Vaughan revisited Mrs. Constantine. He went on to tell his truth about Amelia’s kidnapping and ransom. He explained that he went to the requested location where the ransom was to be paid and placed the money on the other side of the bridge as instructed. He hurried back over the bridge and tripped on a “soft but solid bundle,” which was “wet,” “cold,” and “dense” (339). He struck a match and saw a young girl’s body wearing Amelia’s clothes and necklace, yet he could not allow himself to believe it was her. He wept while relaying the events. He pick up the body and gently placed it in the river, hoping that if it were Amelia, she could come back to them. Mrs. Constantine asked him to talk about what he remembered...