Chapter 2 Summary

Merricat returns from her errands in town and the reader is introduced to her sister Constance. The first thing Constance says is, "Look how far I came today." Constance is so afraid of the world that she doesn't leave the Blackwood property. Merricat tells Constance that she shouldn't have come so far, to the end of the garden. Merricat is chilled by the fact that Constance has ventured so far.

Uncle Julian and Jonas join the action in Chapter 2. Uncle Julian is the brother of Merricat and Constance's father. He is in a wheel chair and must be cared for constantly. Jonas is Merricat's cat. Constance is preparing to have Helen Clarke over for tea, and Uncle Julian talks about a quarrel he had with his brother John. Constance mentions that it has been six years since the rest of the family died...