# XXVIII: Taken Aback explained — That Affair Next Door

> Chapter companion for That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Amelia Butterworth cares for a sick patient and finds herself in a complacent state after identifying Miss Oliver as the woman who accompanied Mr. Van Burnam. However, she receives a shocking letter from Mr. Gryce revealing that Franklin Van Burnam is to be arrested for the murder, contradicting her own findings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Truth

Miss Butterworth's confidence in her deductions is challenged by Gryce's contradictory evidence, raising questions about the true course of justice.

### Observation and Deduction

Miss Butterworth's careful rewinding of yarn and her satisfaction with her investigative work underscore the theme of meticulous observation.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Butterworth

Narrator and amateur investigator; cares for the sick patient and feels proud of her discoveries, but is taken aback by Gryce's letter.

### Mr. Gryce

Sends a letter to Miss Butterworth informing her that the rings have been found and that Franklin Van Burnam will be arrested.

### Franklin Van Burnam

Accused of the murder and to be taken into custody, despite Miss Butterworth's lack of evidence against him.

### Ruth Oliver

Identified by the Chinaman as the Mrs. James Pope who accompanied Mr. Van Burnam to Gramercy Park.

### Lena

Brings Gryce's letter to Miss Butterworth at breakfast.

## Key lines

> My poor patient, sicker than she had been the night before, left me but little leisure for thought or action disconnected with my care for her.

The patient was worse, requiring constant attention.

_Highlights Amelia's role as a caregiver and her limited time for investigation._

> The identification of Miss Oliver by the Chinaman was the last link in the chain connecting her with the Mrs. James Pope who had accompanied Mr. Van Burnam to his father’s house in Gramercy Park

The Chinaman's identification confirmed that Miss Oliver was the same Mrs. James Pope who went with Mr. Van Burnam to Gramercy Park.

_Key evidence linking Ruth Oliver to the crime scene._

> Franklin Van Burnam! Was I dreaming? Franklin Van Burnam accused of this crime and in custody! What did it mean? I had found no evidence against Franklin Van Burnam.

Amelia is shocked that Franklin Van Burnam is accused, as she found no evidence against him.

_Shows Amelia's surprise and the twist in the investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxviii-taken-aback
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters