A Popular Schoolgirl · Chapter
Bess at Home explained
Ingred visits Bess at Rotherwood, where she discovers that Bess has preserved their old attic studio as a shrine, complete with Ingred's portrait.
What happens
Ingred visits Bess at Rotherwood, where she discovers that Bess has preserved their old attic studio as a shrine, complete with Ingred's portrait. Bess reveals she had befriended the portrait before meeting the real Ingred. Ingred realizes the depth of Bess's loneliness and her own past unkindness, and the two solidify their friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Rivalry
Ingred's transformation from rival to close friend with Bess, overcoming past animosity.
Community and Belonging
Bess's loneliness and her creation of a symbolic community through Ingred's portrait.
Resilience in Adversity
Bess's coping with her mother's grief and her own isolation by preserving the attic studio.
Art and Music as Connection
Bess's use of the portrait and violin to create a sense of companionship.
Characters to notice
- Ingred Saxon
Visits Rotherwood, reconciles with Bess, and vows to live up to the idealized version of herself that Bess imagined.
- Bess Haselford
Hosts Ingred at Rotherwood, shows her the preserved attic studio, and confesses her lonely past and attachment to Ingred's portrait.
- Mrs. Haselford
A gentle but grief-stricken woman who has withdrawn due to the loss of her sons in the war.
- Verity Richmond
Comments on Ingred's sudden change of attitude toward Bess.
- Linda Slater
Quotes a proverb about Ingred's change of heart.
- Lispeth Scott
Previously criticized Ingred for her treatment of Bess.
- Miss Strong
Refuses Ingred's request to change desks to sit next to Bess.
- Miss Burd
Gives Ingred permission to miss hostel tea for the visit.
Key passages
“I'd rather have the bungalow with the family, than Rotherwood all alone!”
Ingred realizes that a loving home is more valuable than a grand house without family warmth.
Reflects Ingred's newfound appreciation for her own family.
“The girl of your fancy is a great deal nicer than I am, or ever can be, but I'll try to live up to her as well as I can, Bess, if you'll let me!”
Ingred promises to strive toward the idealized version Bess imagined.
Marks the turning point in their friendship.
“I used to come up here and sit when I felt very lonely, and it seemed company, somehow.”
Bess found solace in the attic studio and Ingred's portrait during her isolation.
Highlights Bess's emotional vulnerability.