# XII: Nancy Bides Her Time explained — The Bungalow Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene.

## What happens

After fleeing from Jacob Aborn, Nancy decides to investigate his activities further. She checks into a hotel, calls Laura to reassure her, and waits for nightfall. She then drives to Aborn's bungalow, enters through Laura's window using a trellis, and hides in a closet when she hears footsteps approaching.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Perseverance

Nancy resolves to investigate despite the danger, climbing a trellis and hiding in a closet to help Laura.

### Deception and Identity

Nancy suspects Jacob Aborn is hiding something and believes his charges against Laura are false.

### Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

Nancy uses a trellis to enter the bungalow, hides in a closet, and plans her investigation carefully.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Plans and executes a nighttime investigation of Jacob Aborn's bungalow, climbing a trellis to enter Laura's room and hiding in a closet when footsteps approach.

### Laura Pendleton

Receives a phone call from Nancy, expresses fear for Nancy's safety, and is mentioned as having left her window unfastened.

### Jacob Aborn

Suspected of mischief and of intending to harm Laura; Nancy believes he was about to strike her earlier and is determined to uncover his game.

### Hannah Gruen

Answers the phone at the Drew home and calls Laura to the telephone.

## Key lines

> I believe that man intended to strike me... He became positively vicious when I refused to tell him where Laura is.

Nancy thinks Jacob Aborn was about to hit her and grew angry when she wouldn't reveal Laura's location.

_Shows Aborn's threatening behavior and Nancy's determination._

> I don't want to leave Melrose Lake until I have learned something that will help Laura.

Nancy is committed to staying until she finds information that can aid Laura.

_Highlights Nancy's perseverance and loyalty._

> If I don't telephone again within twenty-four hours send the police to Jacob Aborn's bungalow looking for me.

Nancy instructs Laura to alert the police if she doesn't hear from her within a day.

_Demonstrates Nancy's awareness of the danger and her cautious planning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bungalow_mystery_se/chapters/xii-nancy-bides-her-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bungalow_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bungalow_mystery_se/chapters