Pages 1-29 Summary

The novel opens with the image of a young woman standing in the rain. It is evening, and she is only wearing a thin sweater. She is solicited by a man but sends him away.

The next image presented is of Rosemary, only slightly older than the young woman, who is shopping in an antique shop. The owner fawns over her as she clearly has money to spend. She buys a small enamel box and a letter opener, leaves, and walks down the street, just a few feet away from the young woman in the rain.

Rosemary enters the flower shop and buys bunches of flowers. Walking out of the florist, Rosemary approaches the young woman in what is now pouring rain and asks if she is alright. The woman- Eleanor- asks for some money for tea. Instead, after short reflection...