# III: Visible and Invisible Friends explained — Wired Love

> Chapter companion for Wired Love by Ella Cheever Thayer.

## What happens

Nattie grows closer to C through their telegraphic conversations, finding comfort and excitement in their invisible friendship. She begins arriving early and staying late at the office to chat with C uninterrupted. Meanwhile, Quimby, hopelessly infatuated with Nattie, enlists Miss Archer to help him call on her. During the visit, Nattie introduces Miss Archer to C over the wire, much to Quimby's dismay. Miss Archer is delighted, while Quimby remains jealous and awkward, expressing a fear that he will someday marry the wrong woman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Technology and Romance

Nattie and C's relationship flourishes through telegraphic exchanges, highlighting the romantic potential of the wire.

### Jealousy and Unrequited Love

Quimby's jealousy of C is evident as he scowls at the sounder and fears losing Nattie to an invisible rival.

### Illusion vs. Reality in Relationships

Nattie and C's friendship is built on imagination and mystery, with Nattie acknowledging they may never meet face to face.

## Character check-ins

### Nathalie Rogers

Nattie eagerly engages with C over the wire, arrives early and stays late at the office, and receives a visit from Quimby and Miss Archer.

### Mr. C.

C continues his flirtatious telegraphic exchanges with Nattie, calls her 'little girl,' and is introduced to Miss Archer.

### Quimby

Quimby, jealous of C, arranges a visit with Miss Archer to see Nattie, but is uncomfortable with Nattie's attention to the wire and fears marrying the wrong woman.

### Miss Archer

Miss Archer arrives at the hotel, visits Nattie with Quimby, and is delighted to be introduced to C over the wire.

### Betsey Kling

Miss Kling remarks disapprovingly about Miss Archer's three trunks.

### Mrs. Simonson

Mrs. Simonson is mentioned as the source of a merry laugh and the trunk in the hall signaling Miss Archer's arrival.

## Key lines

> G. M. (good morning) C!

Nattie greets C with the telegraphic shorthand for 'good morning.'

_This marks the beginning of their daily exchange._

> Good morning, little five-foot girl at B m!

C affectionately addresses Nattie by her height and office location.

_Shows growing familiarity and endearment._

> I have a presentiment—a horrible presentiment—I'm always making mistakes, you see. I'm used to it, but I couldn't get used to that, you know—that some day I shall marry the wrong woman!

Quimby fears he will accidentally propose to or marry the wrong person due to his habitual awkwardness.

_Foreshadows future comedic misunderstandings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wired_love_se/chapters/iii-visible-and-invisible-friends
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wired_love_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wired_love_se/chapters