Summer

Charity and Harney rent a boat and go rowing on the lake. She reflects upon the $10-fee that he paid the cab to transport them there, noting that an engagement ring might have cost less but realizing that “they were friends and comrades, but no more” (74). Harney explains that the Nettleton fireworks will be far more impressive than those of North Dormer.

A raucous group approaches, and Charity hears the familiar voice of the disgraced Julia Hawes exclaiming, “‘Say! If this ain’t like Old Home Week’” when she notices Charity. Julia strikes Charity as having “lost her freshness” (75), and Charity worries that Harney will realize that the somewhat unsavory crowd knows her. She is enthralled by the fireworks, as well as the fact that Harney kisses her with great enthusiasm afterward. After the pair race to the trolley and miss it, they decide to take a boat back up to the lake. Julia Hawes appears again, loudly telling Charity, “‘Here’s gran’pa’s little treasure come to take him home’” (77). Lawyer Royall, clearly drunk, sees Charity holding Harney’s arm and calls her a “bare-headed whore” (78). The rest of his party dissolves in laughter, and Charity, humiliated, approaches Royall and tells him to “[…] come right home with me” (78).