Part 1, Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

Aloysius Sullivan's visits continue. Canon Crosbie also comes by to see how Lucy is doing. Heloise's aunt learns of her niece's disappearance and places an advertisement in several English newspapers. At Lahardane, everybody is still bewildered by the senselessness of the situation, as is Aloysius. But outside, the story is told and retold with exaggeration and details until the story made sense. It is Christmas time, and Mr. Aylward's class has a party. On her way back home alone, Lucy remembers how Edie Hosford said again, "Don't come near me."