As Irene thinks back to the night of the dance, she realizes that as unimportant as the event seemed at the time, her life dramatically changed because of it. At the center of that great change in her life is Clare Kendry.

Since the dance, Clare is often with Irene. If Irene is busy, Clare comes to the house and visits with Irene’s sons. If the boys are not available, Clare goes to the kitchen and chats with the servants. On the occasions when Brian is there, she also spends time with him. And Brian does not complain. He even invites Clare to go with him to bridge parties and other public obligations he must attend when Irene is otherwise engaged or too tired to go out. Irene takes this in her stride, though she feels a little annoyed that Clare is spoiling her boys. As for Brian’s relationship with Clare, Irene’s feelings are neutral. Brian does not seem to be overly impressed with Clare, and Irene is glad that he also does not seem bothered. Once when Irene asks Brian if he thinks Clare is beautiful, Brian tells her that he prefers dark-skinned women to white women.

Clare often comes to dinner parties that Irene and her friends hold. Although Clare can be quite entertaining on most nights, Irene finds that Clare can just as well sit and stare as if she were not really present. Clare’s beauty and charm appear to be all that is necessary for the guests to enjoy her company.

Clare once complains to Irene that she wishes she could be more available to attend more social gatherings with Irene and her friends, but in general she can only go out when her husband is out of town. She then mentions a trip to Europe her husband will be taking in the spring. Clare asked her husband if she could stay in New York while he was gone, but he would have nothing of that. Part of his trip would include visiting their daughter. Surely, her husband said, Clare would want to be there, but Clare tells Irene that her life is more than taking care of her daughter.

Clare criticizes women who throw themselves into motherhood to the point of losing themselves. At this, Irene protests. Irene is that type of mother and thinks Irene must be teasing her. Irene cannot understand how a woman could have children and not be intimately involved in their lives. Clare responds that she is different from Irene. She does not have the proper morals or sense of duty Irene has. Irene does not accept Clare’s definition of herself, but Clare insists that it is true. She even warns Irene that she is not safe. Clare confesses that she would do anything to have what she wants. She would throw away everything she has if she wanted something passionately. Irene tells Clare she does not believe a word she is saying, but then Clare begins to cry for no reason that Irene can decipher.