Chapter 7 Summary

Mary revels in the coolness of the winter, which in the part of South Africa where she lives is at its peak in June. Her manner is calmer and more relaxed, and she even goes with Dick to look at the lands, something she usually refuses to do. They laugh together over the unlikelyness of the frost that has settled over the fields, and for a moment it seems as though things might be easing between them (see "Quotes", p. 119). However,soon afterwards Dick becomes ill with malaria and remains bedridden for several weeks. A doctor visits and tells Mary that she's unwell and needs to spend three months in the healthier environment of the coast. She reflects angrily that the doctor has not even the remotest understanding of her situation, and reacts with bitter gratitude when he refuses to accept payment. She...