Concerned that Richard would take everything from his daughters, Mr. Chase had left all his money to Laura. If he had left any to Iris, Richard would have taken it. However, there was not much money remaining by the time of his death, and Laura was still a minor. Therefore, Laura was forced to live with Richard and Iris.

This plan did not suit Laura. On the day she was to arrive in Toronto, only her suitcases appeared via the train. Several days later, through a police investigation that Richard made sure was kept private, Laura was found working as a waitress at a beach resort. Richard brought her home and warned her that if she ever ran away again, he would put her into a school for “wayward girls.”

When they were alone, Iris asked Laura why she had run away. Laura told her sister it was because she could not live with Richard. She still blamed Richard for their father’s death. Laura insisted that both she and Iris should get out of Richard’s house before it was too late. This forced Iris to reflect on her life and what she had done in marrying Richard. When she thought about Richard and his sister Winifred, who ruled her life, Iris saw herself as a mouse creeping around silently so as not to call any attention to herself. She had agreed to marry Richard as a way to save the button factory and the members of her family. The plan had not been successful.

Laura did not fare well in Richard’s house. She was forced to attend a private school, which she did not enjoy. Iris noticed how skinny Laura was becoming and that Laura was constantly biting her fingernails. Richard had no empathy for Laura’s sensitive nature. He merely thought she was spoiled and needed discipline. Iris spent much of her energy trying to separate Richard and Laura so they would not get on one another’s nerves.

One day, Laura confessed to Iris that she had seen Alex Thomas while they were out shopping in Toronto. Although Iris did not tell Laura, she had also seen him. He had not appeared to notice either one of them. Both the girls had intended to say hello to him but had changed their minds. They did not want to draw any attention to him because they suspected he might want to remain incognito. They assumed he was still trying to run from legal authorities who wanted to question him about the fire at the button factory. Then Laura told Iris that she had seen Alex on the same street as their house. She thought Alex knew where they lived and might be looking for them.

Iris warned Laura to stay away from Alex and asked if she had a crush on him. Laura denied this—mostly because “a crush” made what she felt sound too simplistic, implying that her feelings for Alex went much deeper. Iris told Laura that whatever she felt for Alex could be dangerous. He would do nothing but make her unhappy, Iris said. At this Laura rebuked her sister. Laura demanded to know what Iris knew about unhappiness, suggesting that Iris was perfectly happy in her life.