Lost Man’s Lane · Chapter
A Knot of Crape explained
Amelia Butterworth observes a surprising change in the household's spirits as the Knollys sisters appear more cheerful and natural.
What happens
Amelia Butterworth observes a surprising change in the household's spirits as the Knollys sisters appear more cheerful and natural. Despite their improved demeanor, she remains suspicious and investigates the house, noting a locked door and a window tied with black crape. She cleverly maneuvers William into allowing her to explore the grounds, where she confirms the location of the Flower Parlor window and discovers the ominous knot of crape.
Themes in this chapter
Detection and Investigation
Amelia systematically investigates the house and grounds, using observation and deduction to locate the Flower Parlor window and the knot of crape.
Secrecy and Deception
The family's sudden cheerfulness seems deceptive to Amelia, masking underlying secrets; the locked door and crape-tied shutters hint at hidden truths.
Family Loyalty and Sacrifice
The Knollys siblings present a united front, with Lucetta and Loreen coordinating activities to maintain normalcy, suggesting loyalty to each other and to family secrets.
Characters to notice
- Amelia Butterworth
Narrator and investigator; remains vigilant despite the family's improved spirits, using her wits to explore the grounds and confirm her suspicions.
- Lucetta
Appears with morning-glory sprays, showing a lighter mood but underlying melancholy; guides Amelia through the house but avoids one door.
- Miss Knollys
Sits behind the urn with a smile, displaying a cheerful demeanor that surprises Amelia.
- William Knollys
Whistles cheerfully in the window; reluctantly accompanies Amelia on her garden tour, grumbling at her botanical interests.
- Hannah
Mentioned as having gossiped about Amelia's ghostly experience, prompting the family's teasing.
Key passages
“I was prepared for some change in the appearance of my young hostesses, but not for so great a one as I saw on entering the dining-room that memorable morning.”
Amelia expected a change in the sisters' looks, but their transformation was far more dramatic than she anticipated.
Highlights the unexpected shift in the household's mood.
“It was the first time I had seen any attempt made by any of them to lighten the sombreness of their surroundings, and it was also the first time I had seen the three together.”
This was the first instance of the family trying to brighten their gloomy home, and the first time Amelia saw all three siblings together.
Emphasizes the novelty of the family's behavior and unity.
“I was more disconcerted by this simple show of improved spirits than I like to acknowledge.”
Amelia was more unsettled by their cheerfulness than she cared to admit.
Reveals Amelia's suspicion and unease despite the apparent normalcy.
“It was, as I expected, the third one from the rear corner; but it was not this fact which gave me a thrill of feeling so strong that I have never had harder work to preserve my equanimity. It was the knot of black crape with which the shutters were tied together.”
As Amelia had anticipated, the window was the third from the back corner, but what truly shocked her was the black crape knot binding the shutters.
Climactic discovery that confirms Amelia's suspicions and introduces a symbol of mourning.