Summary

The women continue to prepare for Mr. Prodger's arrival. Mother seeks Milly's advice on what she should wear, and they move a large chair onto the balcony for Mr. Prodger to sit in. There they find Miss Anderson, who is reading the paper. She explains that she was trying to brush up on her political discourse, but soon realized that the paper was five weeks old. Mother seems uncomfortable by the prospect of discussing politics, and tells Milly and Miss Anderson that they should not be "too intellectual" (9). Soon, Mr. Prodger arrives. All the women are silent as they listen to him enter the hall and make his way to the dining room. When he enters the room, Mother is the first to greet him. She introduces Miss Anderson and Milly prepares to shake his hand. She is surprised to find it so cold...