Madeline finds Abigail on the couch with a laptop and tries to speak cheerfully, but the effort feels false. Since Abigail moved in with Nathan and Bonnie and only visits on weekends, Madeline feels like a host with an important guest rather than a mother with her daughter. Madeline swings between over-accommodating Abigail and brusquely assigning chores, then feels guilty either way.

Madeline reflects that Abigail’s move has made her painfully self-conscious. Madeline worries Abigail has chosen Bonnie not just over Madeline’s household, but over Madeline’s personality: loud, emotional, materialistic, and flawed. Every exchange with Abigail becomes a contest between remaining herself and trying to become calmer, kinder, and more like Bonnie.

Madeline assumes Abigail is watching television, but Abigail explains that she is reading Amnesty International material about human rights abuses. Abigail says Bonnie and Bonnie’s mother are members, which makes Madeline feel competitive and inadequate. Madeline thinks about her own ordinary charitable habits and resents feeling judged by Bonnie’s more visibly ethical choices.

Abigail says she is reading about child marriage and sex slavery, and Madeline is alarmed by Abigail’s anger and distress. Madeline thinks Abigail is too young and emotionally open for such horror, recalling how sensitive Abigail was as a child. At the same time, Madeline’s thoughts connect the subject to Jane’s assault, and Madeline imagines violent revenge against Jane’s attacker.

Abigail declares that she is going to do something about the issue, but dismisses Madeline’s suggestion of writing a letter as useless. Before Abigail can explain her idea, Nathan arrives early to take her to dinner at Bonnie’s mother’s house. Abigail shuts the laptop, leaves with Nathan, and kisses Madeline goodbye in a way that makes Madeline feel pitied and excluded.