Wired Love · Chapter
XVI: O. K. explained
Cyn confronts Nattie about rumors that she and Clem are in love, leading to a tense conversation where Nattie admits she did not wish for them to be together.
What happens
Cyn confronts Nattie about rumors that she and Clem are in love, leading to a tense conversation where Nattie admits she did not wish for them to be together. Miss Kling then interrupts, revealing she has discovered the private wire and accuses Nattie of immoral conduct. The chapter ends with Clem and Nattie affirming their love, and Nattie tapping 'O. K.' on the telegraph key.
Themes in this chapter
Miscommunication and Misunderstanding
Cyn and Nattie misunderstand each other's feelings about Clem, leading to an emotional confrontation.
Technology and Romance
The private wire is central to the romance between Nattie and Clem, and its discovery by Miss Kling creates conflict.
Characters to notice
- Nathalie Rogers
Nattie is confronted by Cyn about Clem, admits she did not want Cyn and Clem to be together, and later affirms her love for Clem by tapping 'O. K.'
- Cyn
Cyn confronts Nattie about Clem, denies caring for him romantically, and expresses frustration at the tangled love affairs.
- Betsey Kling
Miss Kling discovers the private wire and confronts Nattie, accusing her of immoral conduct.
- Clem
Clem declares his love for Nattie and proposes they leave behind 'wired love' for genuine love.
Key passages
“I shall never be able to say OK to what you term your romance of the dots and dashes, Cyn.”
Nattie tells Cyn she will never be able to approve of the telegraph romance.
Nattie expresses despair about the situation with Clem.
“I know all.”
Miss Kling claims to have discovered everything about the wire.
Miss Kling confronts Nattie with her discovery.
“Henceforth ours shall be the pure, unalloyed article, genuine love!”
Clem declares that their love will now be real and not mediated by telegraphy.
Clem proposes a shift from wired romance to genuine love.