Chapters 2-3 Summary

In Chapter 2, Joss Merlyn is a large man, clearly capable of terrible violence. Mary follows him into the house where she meets her aunt again for only the second time. This woman, however, is nothing like the vivacious woman Mary recalls from their previous meeting. Patience is a frightened, skittish woman who fusses around her husband like a puppy dog. Mary goes with her aunt and uncle into the kitchen where Joss begins to outline his expectations. Mary is to work in the bar on Saturday nights when Joss has friends to the inn. Mary is also to help Patience with the housework. However, whenever Mary hears noises in the yard in the middle of the night, she is to ignore them. Mary shares a brief meal with her uncle, listening to his instructions and watching the way in which he...