The Blithedale Romance | Chapter 10 Summary

As Coverdale and Hollingsworth are sharing a lunch under a tree, a visitor appears. While many visitors come to investigate the Blithedale community, most come to participate (in a very limited way and with little success) in the bucolic life. Coverdale states that most people in the surrounding area view Blithedale as a farm run by frolicking free spirits. Little do they know of the strenuous work that the residents are performing as part of their philosophy.

The visitor turns out to be none other than Mr. Moodie, the one-eyed stranger who encountered Coverdale the evening before he came to Blithedale.

Moodie asks after Priscilla, whom it turns out was sent to Hollingsworth by Moodie. Hollingsworth states that she is well and thriving within the community. The thought of "his girl" thriving gives a shocked pleasure to Moodie.

The visitor then asks after Zenobia, seeming to have known her many years ago. He learns that she and Priscilla are close companions. When asked if Zenobia treats Priscilla as a servant, Hollingsworth replies that they are closer to sisters. Moodie seems to have trouble believing this.

Hollingsworth takes Moodie to visit Priscilla, leaving Coverdale to ponder the meaning of the visit. Later, he spies Moodie observing Priscilla playing on the lawn until called by Zenobia in an unusually peremptory fashion. It seems that this is just what Moodie expected.