Summary

On the day of the dance, Thea receives a letter from her mother. In the letter, Thea’s mother talks about the garden for two pages, before finally addressing her feelings towards Thea, which alternate between anger and sadness.

Thea’s cabin mates are very excited for the dance that evening, and Eva and Sissy practice a waltz together. Thea and Mary Abbott are the only people who are not excited.

Thea thinks about the story of when she and Sam were born. There was a rare winter storm that destroyed the garden. Thea’s parents were not expecting twins, but Thea was born first and followed quickly by Sam. Thea thinks about the ways in which their lives were entirely planned out for them, through college and beyond.

At the dance, all of the girls put on their finest clothes and jewelry. Thea...