Fourteen-year-old Cordelia sits frozen in church, suffering through a fly crawling across her hands while in a state of forced "obedience" imposed by her mother, Evangeline. She cannot move, speak, or even brush away the fly, though her senses remain partially intact. The obedience is described as feeling corpse-like: her body moves under her mother's will while her mind remains trapped inside.

After the service, Evangeline scolds Cordelia for being "rebellious," walks her home, and finally releases the obedience. Cordelia has learned not to scream or cry when coming back to herself, since any reaction gives her mother an excuse to comfort her or punish her further. She cannot remember what infraction caused this latest punishment.

The narrative reveals that Evangeline forbids closed doors in the house and considers any privacy a sign of secret-keeping. Cordelia keeps a deliberately bland daybook and once dared, at thirteen, to talk back; she was made obedient for days as punishment. Her only refuge is her white horse Falada, whom she confides in and dreams of escaping with to the sea.

Cordelia rides out and encounters Ellen, the kind daughter of a wealthy local landowner, with whom she has a regular but cautious friendship. Hoping to gauge what is normal, Cordelia asks Ellen whether her family lets her close her door and whether they accuse her of hiding secrets. Ellen's puzzled, then deeply sympathetic reaction reveals that she now understands something is wrong in Cordelia's home, leaving Cordelia anxious but quietly comforted by Ellen's reassurance.