Summary

In Chapter 16, “Paroxysm” (218), Caroline fainted again in her bedroom. In the morning, she came downstairs and found David looking depressed, as Sophia had already left for Ohio. Hawkins performed his “treatment” on each girl again, and Caroline attended, concerned about what might happen if he were alone with them. At one point she almost fainted again, and Hawkins pulled her aside. He threatened to tell Samuel about her symptoms unless she allowed him to treat her as well. She agreed. She stared silently at the ceiling as Hawkins touched her. Later, Caroline went to the post office and found a letter from Miss Gloria Sterne, who stated that there was nothing in particular she had done to get Eliza and the others to eat again. At supper, Hawkins remarked that he thought he was making strides toward curing the girls.

In Chapter 17, “Bodies...