Summary

In chapter 11, Isabelle’s mother begins keeping Isabelle under a very tight watch, knowing Isabelle had been doing something each Wednesday afternoon that she would disapprove of, even if Marg couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Isabelle strained to hear Nell and Cora’s conversations to see if they discussed Robert, but they didn’t, at least within earshot of Isabelle.

One afternoon, Isabelle is on her porch and Nell begins to sing. Isabelle has heard Nell sing plenty of times, but this is the first time she notices how angelic Nell’s voice is. Isabelle expresses a desire to see Nell sing at Nell’s church’s revival, though she admits to herself it’s a silly suggestion.

On the Sunday of Nell’s church performance, Isabelle feigns illness, which she thinks is only possible because her mother is sick with headaches...