Summary

In Part II, Bridget Carney worked as Thomas Hale’s maid. She studied the landscape, thinking of “her cottage back home . . . on Blasket Island” in Ireland (105). Since leaving, she often longed for her home and family.

Although Thomas was often preoccupied, Bridget saw him “like a guardian spirit” (107). He made her life, work, and loneliness in America feel bearable.

Thomas told Bridget a young artist named Ethan was coming to stay with them. He would “sleep in the barn for the rest of the summer” before attending art school (109). Bridget thought Thomas was “very kind” to help Ethan, but was disinterested in a young man's presence on the property (109).

When Ethan arrived, Bridget welcomed him despite her reservations. She led him to his room in the barn. Ethan followed Bridget, studying his surroundings. When he sat on the bed, he “looked like a...