Chapter 10 Summary

Virginia is helping her husband and his assistants, Ralph and Marjorie, correct printing proofs when her sister arrives an hour and a half earlier than planned. Leonard insists he cannot interrupt his work and will make his appearance at four o'clock, when Vanessa was scheduled to arrive. Virginia assures him she will take care of her sister. Virginia worries about her appearance; she meant to fix her hair and change her clothes before Vanessa and her children arrived. She attempts to greet her sister with a worldly sense of assurance, and they kiss chastely on the lips. Virginia asks where the children are; Vanessa informs her that the children found a dying bird beside the road and have taken it to the garden. Virginia tells her that Nelly is in London, picking up treats for their tea; she admits that Nelly gave her...