Contents
Chapter 44
Overview
Jack confronts Birdie about her letter, declares his love, and reveals he will run Henry Tartt’s bank in Oxford next year. Birdie agrees to try a future with him. That night, Mrs. Tartt discovers the upstairs operation. Charlie offers her $715 and pleads to stay open two more nights. Birdie reveals the mortgage forgiveness, and Mrs. Tartt permits the club to continue through homecoming.
Summary
Before opening, Jack arrives unannounced and confronts Birdie about her breakup letter. Birdie admits she cannot have children and plans to return to Footely. Jack counters that he wants only Birdie, reveals he will run Henry Tartt’s bank in Oxford next year, and vows to stay nearby for his son. Birdie admits she wants this, and they agree to try.
As the “boarders” descend, Jack notices oddities but does not press. He confirms the bank dismissed Mrs. Tartt’s mortgage except for one dollar and implies it’s in his interest for Frances to remain in Oxford. Jack leaves, puzzled but supportive.
That evening the club runs smoothly in the heat, with patrons dancing and appointments managed to avoid overlapping with Mrs. Tartt’s return. A timing slip occurs when Flossy stays upstairs with a college boy. Birdie ushers Mrs. Tartt and Frances inside, buys time with a returned wedding ring, and tries to settle Mrs. Tartt for bed.
The plan fails when a customer storms out from Rory’s room and the twins appear, exposing the truth. On the stairs, Charlie urgently offers Mrs. Tartt $715—her share—and asks to remain open just two more nights through homecoming. Charlie confesses her motive to secure enough to bring back her daughter Meg, which stuns Frances.
Birdie then reveals the bank has forgiven the mortgage except for one dollar, meaning tonight’s money can secure Mrs. Tartt’s future. After weighing risk and Henry’s advice about taking risks to make money, Mrs. Tartt decides to allow the operation to continue through the weekend, then close.
Who Appears
- BirdieNarrator; breaks down her fears to Jack, agrees to try a future with him, manages the night’s cover-up, and reveals the mortgage forgiveness.
- Mrs. Viktoria TarttHomeowner; discovers the brothel, is offered $715, learns the mortgage is forgiven, and permits operations through homecoming.
- CharlieMadam/organizer; offers Mrs. Tartt $715, pleads for two more nights to secure her daughter Meg’s future.
- JackBanker and Birdie’s suitor; declares love, plans to run Tartt’s bank in Oxford, tacitly accepts Birdie’s situation.
- FrancesBirdie’s sister; assists with Mrs. Tartt, hears Charlie’s confession about Meg, remains anxious and complicit.
- FlossyProstitute; overruns an appointment upstairs with a college boy, triggering the exposure.
- RubyProstitute; fields phone calls, provides comic bravado, underscores the club’s true nature to Jack.
- TrixieProstitute and twin; appears on the stairs wrapped in a sheet, inadvertently confirms upstairs business.
- DixieProstitute and twin; blurts about a booked hour, cementing Mrs. Tartt’s realization.
- VirginiaHouse help; supports Birdie in the kitchen, discusses Esmeralda’s fears, fetches medicine, ushers out a complaining client.