"Cliff Notes - Ethan Frome" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)

church social. Meanwhile, Mattie conceals her feelings toward
him. Since neither knows what the other feels, Ethan, at least,
agonizes in uncertainty.

About a year after Mattie's arrival, Zeena goes overnight to
Bettsbridge to visit a cousin and to consult a new doctor.
Ethan is thrilled to be rid of her, even for twenty-four hours.
One thing bothers him, however. On her trip Zeena is sure to
spend too much money on medical treatment. Now for the first
time he wishes Zeena would die.

That evening at home, alone with Mattie for once, Ethan enjoys
the illusion of being married to her. But the beauty of the
evening is marred by a slight accident. Zeena's cat knocks her
mistress' favorite and most valued glass pickle-dish off the
dinner table. Mattie is horrified because she knows that Zeena
never used the dish, not even for important occasions. Although
Ethan assures Mattie that he will glue the dish together the
next day, Zeena returns before he can do it. When she finds the
dish in pieces, she berates Ethan and insults Mattie.

Zeena brings bad news from the doctor. Her condition is so
grave that she must do absolutely no work in the house.
Therefore, she announces, she's hired a new girl who will arrive
tomorrow evening.

Ethan explodes. Angry words spew from his lips. He thinks
Zeena's sickness is part of a scheme to keep him in poverty and
to force Mattie out of the house. He almost hits Zeena, but
holds back at the last instant.

Mattie must leave. Of that there is no doubt because once Zeena
has made up her mind, that's it! Mattie, however, has no place
to go. The best she can do is return alone to her hometown and
hope to find some type of work.

Late that night Ethan makes a decision. He's going to run away
with Mattie the next day. He'll take her to the West, find
work, divorce Zeena, and start all over again. He starts to
write a goodbye letter to Zeena but stops cold when he realizes
that he doesn't have the money to go West.

One last hope to raise money occurs to him. Mr. Hale, a
builder in town, owes him for a lumber delivery. The bill is
due in three months, but Ethan will lie to Hale. He'll say that
Zeena's illness necessitates immediate payment. Then, with the
money in his pocket, he and Mattie will escape to the West.

On his way to collect, Ethan meets Mrs. Hale, the builder's
wife. She knows about Zeena's latest illness and praises Ethan