Summary

Part 2 starts with a page that announces, “Part 2: April 1870 - February 1873, Europe” (77). Chapter 10 begins as May wakes up on a ship, consumed with sea sickness and worry for her weak sister. She and Louisa are both suffering from the rolling of the ship, while Alice remains unharmed. May hears a rumor that there is a smallpox outbreak on the ship, and sees a body thrown over. At the end of the chapter, Alice announces they can see the coast of France.

Chapter 11 starts with a letter from May to her family dated May 15, 1870. She writes about the beauty of Europe, how much fun she is having with Alice, and Louisa’s health: “she has been under the weather” (87). Finally, Louisa is well enough to travel and the three women go to Switzerland. While on holiday there they read of Bismarck’s invasion of...