Small Pleasures

Jean and her mother travel to Lymington on the southern coast—a trip they take annually together during the fall. At the same time, the Tilbury family travel east to the Forest of Dean. The final test for Gretchen and Margaret requires a skin graft from one to the other. If the grafts are successful, the doctors will conclude that Margaret was likely conceived without a father. On the train to Lymington, Jean creates a pros and cons list to evaluate the data she’s accumulated—so far, the tests lean in Gretchen’s favor. Jean’s remaining doubts are about Gretchen’s period of drugged sleep during her time at St. Cecilia’s, Martha’s belief that Gretchen is lying, and Gretchen’s hidden mood swings into sadness.

Jean realizes, as her mother crochets across from her, that though they’ve shared their lives, she doesn’t remember the last time they looked each other in the eye. She can’t even remember her mother’s eye color. Jean writes to her sister and Margaret, informing them of their trip and the beauty of Lymington. During their trip, however, the weather turns, and Jean and her mother must spend the day in the hotel lobby with the other guests.