Praisesong For The Widow

The day after the dream, Avey is unsettled by a parfait. She and her traveling companions sit in the luxurious Versailles Room surrounded by people facing them who “gave the impression of having their backs turned” (47). Avey has grown accustomed to not noticing this and, when she does, to “not feel anything one way or the other about it” (47). She does notice though, the long mirrors surrounding them. Avey takes in the woman who is meant to be her—“the woman in beige crepe de Chine and pearls” (48)—and does not recognize herself. This has happened before, but when she mentioned it to her doctor, he only laughed and said it was a sign of her affluence (49).

So, when the parfait, decadently arranged, arrives, Avey is overwhelmed with an unrecognizable sensation; she becomes aware of the sound surrounding her, becomes “immobilized,” and suddenly, her hand puts the spoon down “with a jerk” (50). A strange feeling spreads through her stomach. She tells her companions it is simply indigestion and passes on eating the parfait. The sensation lingers until the lengthy dinner is over and stays away during their stroll and game of pinochle.