Part Two, Chapter Two Summary

Niel finds Mr. Forrester seated in his rose garden, staring at a sun-dial. He tells Niel that Mrs. Forrester is expecting him. Niel finds Mrs. Forrester in a hammock in the grove as Mr. Forrester directed him. Mrs. Forrester does not object when Niel hugs her, hammock and all. She tells him that she has been expecting him and has been looking forward to him coming home. Mrs. Forrester briefly asks Niel if he thinks Mr. Forrester is acting strangely by just sitting and watching the sun-dial, but quickly moves on to other topics. She asks Niel about the habit she's heard that some women now smoke after dinner, like the men. She comments that she doesn't like the changes that have come about in the modern ladies.

Mrs. Forrester comments that it takes all of her...