Summary

In Chapter 1, Christina Goering grew up just outside New York City with her parents and sister, Sophie. Christina's mother came from "a very distinguished family" (1). Christina would later inherit the family property from her mother.

No one liked Christina. She was often lost in her own thoughts. Unlike Christina, Sophie was "admired by everyone" (2). When Sophie started inviting her friend Mary to the house, Christina longed to play with her. One day while Sophie was distracted, Christina danced for Mary. Another day, while Sophie was at the dentist, Christina convinced Sophie to play with her. She invented a baptismal game, which she told Mary was not fun but was "necessary to play" (4). Eager to find her own salvation, Christina was often preoccupied with religious thoughts.

Years later, Miss Goering continued living in her childhood house. One day, Lucie Gamelon stopped over. She...