Summary

Erskine Thompson (50-55) — Erskine accompanied Watson to meet Watson’s family. Erskine was immediately taken with Carrie’s beauty, and other than Rob, who “didn’t look nothing like them others,” thought Watson’s family was kind (50). Noticing Erskine’s attraction to his daughter, Watson warned, “Carrie weren’t but only ten years of age” (51). Carrie stole Erskine’s heart, “and I ain’t so sure I ever got it back” (52). As the family headed back to Watson’s home on Chatham Bend, Watson talked excitedly about developing the islands, and being at the forefront of American progress. Mrs. Watson—also referred to as Jane or Aunt Jane—shook her head in amusement. She was sick when she arrived on the Bend, and her illness only worsened within her first year there. Jane, noticing Erskine’s aforementioned loneliness, told him, “‘You may...