That Affair Next Door · Chapter
VIII: The Misses van Burnam explained
Amelia reads the morning papers' sensational accounts of the murder, which cast doubt on Howard Van Burnam's statements.
What happens
Amelia reads the morning papers' sensational accounts of the murder, which cast doubt on Howard Van Burnam's statements. She learns of the family's troubled history with Howard's wife. The Misses Van Burnam plead with Amelia to say the man she saw was not Howard. Mr. Gryce calls briefly, and Franklin Van Burnam arrives to take his sisters away. Amelia observes the nocturnal visitor again that night, still uncertain about his identity.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The newspaper accounts raise doubts about Howard's honesty; the sisters plead for Amelia to say the man was not Howard, highlighting the tension between truth and public image.
Family Duty and Loyalty
The Misses Van Burnam show fierce loyalty to Howard, willing to forgive his wife and desperate to protect him, while Franklin takes charge of his sisters.
Observation and Deduction
Amelia continues her careful observation of the nocturnal visitor, comparing his figure to the supposed murderer, and reports her findings to Mr. Gryce.
Characters to notice
- Amelia Butterworth
Narrator; reads the newspaper accounts, interacts with the Van Burnam sisters and Mr. Gryce, and continues her nocturnal surveillance.
- Caroline
One of the Misses Van Burnam; pleads with Amelia to say the man was not Howard, shows attachment to her brother.
- Isabella Van Burnam
The other Miss Van Burnam; joins Caroline in pleading, expresses willingness to forgive Howard's wife.
- Franklin Van Burnam
Brother of Caroline and Isabella; arrives to take his sisters away, speaks privately with them about Amelia's stinginess.
- Mr. Gryce
Detective; calls early, receives Amelia's report that the night visitor did not match the man she saw, remains inscrutable.
- Howard Van Burnam
Discussed but not present; the papers cast doubt on his candor, and his sisters defend him.
Key passages
“From its headlines you may judge what it had to say about this murder: A Startling Discovery in the van Burnam Mansion in Gramercy Park. A Young Girl Found There, Lying Dead Under an Overturned Cabinet. Evidences That She Was Murdered Before It Was Pulled Down Upon Her. Thought by Some to Be Mrs. ¬ÝHoward Van Burnam. A Fearful Crime Involved in an Impenetrable Mystery. What Mr. ¬ÝVan Burnam Says About It: He Does Not Recognize the Woman as His Wife.”
The newspaper headlines sensationalize the murder, reporting that a young woman was found dead under a cabinet in the Van Burnam house, possibly Mrs. Howard Van Burnam, and that Howard denies recognizing her.
Amelia reads the morning paper's account of the crime.
“I was spoken of in one paper‚ÅÝ‚Äîa kind friend told me this‚ÅÝ‚Äîas the prying Miss Amelia. As if my prying had not given the police their only clue to the identification of the criminal.”
One newspaper called Amelia a prying old maid, but she notes that her prying provided the police with their only lead.
Amelia reflects on the newspapers' unflattering portrayal of her.
“Say it was not Howard, whispered Caroline, stealing up a little nearer to my side. And we will never forget it, murmured Isabella, in what I am obliged to say was not her society manner.”
Caroline and Isabella beg Amelia to say the man she saw was not Howard, promising eternal gratitude.
The sisters plead with Amelia to exonerate their brother.
