After supper, Beth tries to speak lightly when Frank gets up from the table and heads out to the pub again. Frank answers in the same strained tone, and Beth notices both tension and sadness in him. Unlike before, Frank does not ask Beth to come with him, which makes the growing distance between them unmistakable.

The meal has already been nearly silent, and Beth has been unable to think about anything except whether their marriage can survive, whether Frank hates her, and how deeply sorry she is. She senses Frank watching her at moments, but his thoughts remain unreadable, which increases her anxiety.

At the door, Beth tries to stop Frank and begins to speak, but she cannot say what she truly means. Faced with the chance to confess, apologize, or ask for reassurance, Beth instead says only, “Have a good time.” Frank replies, “Good night, Beth,” and leaves. The exchange is polite but hollow, confirming for Beth that they are already starting to feel like strangers.

Left alone in the kitchen, Beth spirals into self-reproach. She wonders what she should do, but feels she has no one she can ask for help without being judged for continuing to hurt Frank, who has loved her for years. Beth concludes that she must be fundamentally bad to keep betraying him day after day.

Even in the middle of that guilt, Beth recognizes the truth she cannot escape: she still longs for morning because morning means Gabriel. The chapter ends with Beth trapped between remorse over what she is doing to Frank and her continuing desire to see Gabriel again.