Ruth

Ruth takes care of Bellingham tirelessly. She is not told that Mrs. Bellingham is coming until the older woman arrives. Ruth is worried about meeting Bellingham’s mother for the first time and slips away. Mrs. Bellingham arrives with many servants and medical professionals and entirely takes over her son’s care. Ruth is no longer allowed to go into Bellingham’s room and waits in agony to hear what is happening. Finally, she summons her courage to ask Mrs. Bellingham what is happening and learns that Mr. Bellingham will recover. Ruth is extremely relieved, but Mrs. Bellingham forbids her to go anywhere near her son; she blames Ruth and thinks of her as “the real cause of his illness, his mortal danger at this present time, and of her bitter, keen anxiety” (64). Mrs. Morgan gives Ruth a small room to stay in but insists that she stay out of sight and avoid drawing attention to herself.

Bellingham starts to recover but is cranky and demanding and wants to leave Wales as soon as possible. When the doctor confirms that he is well enough to travel and can leave whenever he wants to, Mrs. Bellingham brings up the subject of Ruth with her son.