The Haunting Of Hill House

Eleanor wakes up happy the next morning. She and Theodora remark how well they both look. At breakfast, the four cannot remember what happened the night before. When they comment on how good the food tastes, Dr. Montague worries that they have “fallen under a spell” (102). He reminds them that ghosts do not pose physical dangers—rather, “[t]he only damage done is by the victim to himself” (102).

Later, in the hallway, they find the words “HELP ELEANOR COME HOME” written on the walls. When Theodora suggests Eleanor wrote it herself, Eleanor responds bitingly, and the two women exchange insults until Luke tells Eleanor to stop. Eleanor is enraged, so Theodora apologizes. Dr. Montague and Luke think Theodora was trying to make her forget her fear, but Eleanor believes Theodora is sabotaging her so that she can be the center of attention.

Luke, Eleanor, and Theodora explore the grounds; Eleanor says she cannot remember a world outside Hill House. Dr. Montague informs them his wife is arriving on Saturday. The group has trouble determining what day Saturday is.

When they retire to their rooms to rest, Theodora finds blood all over her room and her clothes, the words “ELEANOR COME HOME ELEANOR” written above the bed.