In New England in 1835, 6-year-old Sarah meets Alex Stafford for the first time. She was conceived during an affair, and Sarah’s mother, Mae, begs Alex to acknowledge his child for the first time. His cold reticence hurts Mae and Sarah. Mae and Alex argue, and Sarah can feel “Mama’s fingers trembling” (11). Alex sends Sarah away while he and Mae fight; Alex wanted Mae to get an abortion, but she refused on moral grounds. Mae says that she has given up everything for Alex because her community ostracized her. Alex believes Sarah is “ruining everything” (14) and wishes she were never born. There is a crash from inside, and Sarah runs and hides. She hears Alex leave on his horse.

Sarah returns home to find her mother with a bruise on her face. Mae makes excuses for Alex, who does not return. Mae becomes “thin and wan” (15). Sarah and Cleo try to cheer her up but fail; Sarah blames herself and begins to resent Alex. One day, Mae announces that Sarah is to take a trip to the seashore with Cleo. Sarah knows that it is because her father is returning and does not want to see her.