Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Meg observes Lucille and Tom’s strained marriage before Lucille departs for Memphis. Tom softens Meg’s isolation by teaching her to swim and introducing her—indirectly—to family life at the lake.
Meg bonds with cousin Marybeth, learns family tensions over the “red house,” and endears herself to the formidable Mrs. Heidelberg, who repeatedly inspects and cautiously approves. Tom shares how Lucille pursued him in New York, deepening Meg’s attachment to him.
Summary
Over breakfast, Meg watches Lucille announce a solo shopping trip—really a getaway to Memphis—after arguing with Tom about her drinking and secrecy. When Lucille departs, Tom invites Meg on a walk, showing her the family grounds, slave and family graves, and admitting the Heidelbergs’ wealth came from shipping, cotton, and sugarcane.
Meg persuades Tom to visit the lake. Frightened at first, she nearly sinks but, with Tom’s steady coaching, learns to dog paddle and gains confidence. On shore, Meg meets cousin Marybeth and the prickly Gloria, who resents Meg because their grandmother reassigned the “red house” to Tom and Lucille, forcing Gloria’s family to move. Marybeth also repeats gossip that Lucille led Tom astray in New York, prompting their return home.
The next morning, Mrs. Heidelberg arrives with Mr. Oney, probing Lucille’s absence and testing Meg’s manners over strawberry cake. Tom claims Lucille is tending a sick friend in Memphis. Mrs. Heidelberg returns on subsequent mornings—snooping in cabinets, bringing pralines—while Meg performs small graces (piano, gratitude, good table service) to win favor. The house feels lighter without Lucille, and Meg and Tom settle into an easy routine.
Freed from oversight, Tom and Meg swim daily. He teaches her strokes and breath, and she revels in the new safety and attention. Resting under pines, Tom recounts how Lucille schemed a rendezvous at the Ritz, engineered a public kiss, and blew up his courtship with Darcy Davenport. He also reflects on Yale shaping his mind.
The chapter closes with Meg feeling accepted and buoyed by Tom’s care, Marybeth’s friendship, and Mrs. Heidelberg’s cautious approval, even as Lucille remains absent and family tensions flicker beneath the surface.
Who Appears
- MegNarrator; adapts to Heidelberg life, learns to swim with Tom, bonds with cousin Marybeth, and seeks approval from Mrs. Heidelberg.
- Tom HeidelbergKind guardian; argues with Lucille, teaches Meg to swim, shares family history and his New York courtship with Lucille.
- Lucille HeidelbergTom’s wife; bristles at drinking talk, forbids Meg from cousins, then leaves for Memphis under dubious pretext.
- Mrs. HeidelbergFamily matriarch; makes repeated inspection visits, tests Meg’s manners, and cautiously approves while monitoring Lucille’s absence.
- MarybethMeg’s friendly first cousin; shares lemon squares and family gossip about the red house and Lucille’s reputation.
- GloriaCousin resentful of losing the red house to Tom and Lucille; snubs Meg at the lake.
- Willy MayHouse maid; chats with Meg, is protective, and observes Lucille’s conspicuous departure.
- Mr. OneyDriver; brings Mrs. Heidelberg to the red house for her unannounced visits.