Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis

On March 31, 1915, Roland leaves for the front in France, sending Vera an amethyst brooch. They continue to write to one another. Vera returns to her studies at Oxford, trying to concentrate on her work. She begins to do volunteer work at the Devonshire Hospital and works at war time fund raisers during her vacation from Oxford. She returns to Oxford for her last semester intending to go into nursing when she finishes.

At Somerville she is in different housing since the woman's college is now using many of the facilities that had previously been used by the men. She continues to play her tennis matches and seeks comfort in the chapel and cathedral services. She plans to take a leave from Somerville to nurse until the end of the war, due to her love for Roland. Vera knows that she will...