Chapter 345

• Silence fell upon Jessica Barham, as she gazed at her mother and then at Mr. Adler.
• Amelia Stark appeared conflicted, torn between her concern for her daughter and her fear of Mr. Adler. In the end, fear won. She turned away, no longer looking at Jessica Barham, and withdrew from the silent war between the young people.
• The standoff continued, with Mr. Adler pursing his lips and remaining silent. He looked at his sister, who had always presented herself as a playful figure, and began to question himself. He wondered how he had failed to notice the quiet transformation of Jessica Barham.