Summary

In Chapter 16, Eszter watched a bird drinking and bathing. The only bird she “ever hated was Péter,” the lover and Angéla’s bird (224). The lover’s affection for it felt obligatory, as if he had to care “for anything weaker” than himself (225).

The lover never seemed to understand that Eszter “was never jealous” of him or of Angéla (226). Being around Angéla reminded Eszter of “everything that had happened to [her] in the past” (226). She used to think that running away would let her hide, but she was always longing for a lover. Everything reminded her of him and Angéla.

The gardener moved a large plant. Eszter knew it would survive. Remembering a night with the lover, Eszter wished he had told Angéla the real reason he did not go home at night.

The gardener talked to his...