The Wright farm is a lonely one. John seemed to prefer it that way. He told Mr. Hale that he would not take the party telephone because it would disturb his “peace and quiet,” and he talked little himself. For Minnie, however, the loneliness must be akin to torture. In her youth, Minnie was a social person, a little bird, Mrs. Hale calls her. She sang in choir and enjoyed the company of the other young people. Now Minnie is alone. Her husband provided little to no companionship. They have no children. The other women do not come around because they, like Mrs. Hale, find the Wright home to lack cheerfulness and warmth. Minnie does not go into town or to gatherings for social interactions either. She is afraid of cats, and no dog is mentioned. Even the canary that provided her with a beautiful song and perhaps some companionship has been cruelly killed by her husband. Minnie is alone and unhappy because of it.

However, in the end, Minnie may not be quite as alone as she thinks. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters have figured out what must have happened to John Wright, but this does not make them turn their backs on Minnie. In fact, they reach out to her. They gather the small items Minnie has asked for and bring her quilting as well to give her something to do. They decide not to tell her about the ruined fruit out of kindness, and most of all, they stand in support of Minnie by choosing not to mention their findings or the dead bird to their husbands.