The Dain Curse · Chapter
III: Something Black explained
The narrator reconnects with Owen Fitzstephan, who shares his observations about the enigmatic Edgar Leggett and his family.
What happens
The narrator reconnects with Owen Fitzstephan, who shares his observations about the enigmatic Edgar Leggett and his family. Fitzstephan describes Leggett as secretive and decadent, and Gabrielle as odd and hostile toward her father. The narrator later visits Rhino Tingley and witnesses Gabrielle leaving Minnie Hershey's building. He then travels to interview Mrs. Begg, Leggett's former housekeeper, who reveals that Leggett's sister-in-law Alice Dain and her daughter Gabrielle arrived unexpectedly in 1923, and that Leggett later married Alice.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Illusion
Fitzstephan emphasizes Leggett's secretive nature and the difficulty of learning anything definite about him, suggesting hidden truths.
Family and Dysfunction
Gabrielle's hatred for her father, Leggett's worship of her, and the sudden arrival of the Dains highlight familial tension and secrets.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Reunites with Fitzstephan, investigates Leggett's background, and observes Gabrielle leaving Minnie's building.
- Owen Fitzstephan
Describes Leggett as secretive and decadent; shares his curiosity about the Leggett family.
- Gabrielle Leggett
Seen leaving Minnie Hershey's building; described by Fitzstephan as odd and hating her father.
- Rhino Tingley
The narrator observes him in a cigar store and later confronts him on the street.
- Mrs. Begg
Former housekeeper of Leggett; provides details about the arrival of Alice Dain and Gabrielle in 1923.
- Edgar Leggett
Described as secretive, ascetic, and decadent; his past is probed through Fitzstephan and Mrs. Begg.
- Alice Dain
Leggett's sister-in-law who arrived with Gabrielle in 1923 and later married Leggett.
Key passages
“I asked. “Gabrielle’s cuckoo, isn’t she?” “I wonder.” Fitzstephan looked curiously at me. “Are you saying that carelessly, or do you really think she’s off?””
The narrator asks if Gabrielle is insane, and Fitzstephan questions whether the narrator is speaking casually or genuinely believes she is mentally unstable.
The conversation explores Gabrielle's mental state and the ambiguity surrounding her behavior.
““She hates her father. He worships her.” “How come the hate?” “I don’t know; perhaps because he worships her.””
Fitzstephan states that Gabrielle hates her father, who adores her, and suggests the hatred may stem from his excessive devotion.
Highlights the dysfunctional relationship between Gabrielle and Edgar Leggett.
““I’ve told you what I know and what I imagine, and none of it is definite. That’s the point—in a year of trying I’ve learned nothing definite about Leggett.””
Fitzstephan admits that despite a year of effort, he has gathered no concrete information about Leggett, underscoring the man's secrecy.
Emphasizes the theme of deception and the difficulty of uncovering the truth about Leggett.
“Mrs. Begg said she doubted whether she could tell me anything that would pay me for my trip from the city, but she was willing to do what she could, being an honest woman and having nothing to conceal from anybody.”
Mrs. Begg expresses skepticism about being helpful but agrees to cooperate, asserting her honesty and lack of secrets.
Establishes Mrs. Begg as a reliable source of information about the Leggett household.
