Book 2, Part 8 Summary

A traveler passing through Peyton Place on his way to Canada feels tension in the air at the cafe where he stopped for lunch. The men tell him that everything is dry and there is serious danger of fire. Allison and Kathy argue and say unkind and unmeant things to each other; Allison blames her mood on Nellie talking about Norman and his mother. After they leave, Nellie, in a syphilis-induced hallucination goes and hangs herself in Allison's bedroom, while believing that Lucas is there still in love with her. She vaguely remembers something about Lucas and Selena's pregnancy.

When Constance comes home from work, she notices the house is a mess and neither Allison nor Nellie are there. Allison's bedroom door is open, which Constance closes without looking inside. Constance learns from Kathy that Allison is out with Norman. When...