Chapter 19: December 1956

Summary

• The main feature of being a child of a scientist like Elizabeth is experiencing low safety standards, allowing her child, Madeline (Mad), to explore everything freely.
• Elizabeth is very permissive with Mad, who is into everything, including dangerous items.
• Six-Thirty, the family dog, is vigilant, protecting Mad from harm and preventing accidents.
• Harriet, likely a helper or nanny, is concerned about Mad's safety and Elizabeth's parenting style but notices an unusual mutual learning relationship between Mad and Elizabeth.
• Elizabeth is dedicated to hands-on, exploratory learning for Mad, reading her advanced literature like Darwin's "On the Origin of Species."
• Dr. Mason, who appreciates Six-Thirty and the struggles of being a working mother, unexpectedly visits Elizabeth to check in on her and Mad.
• Mason helps with household chores like folding diapers and washing dishes and brings up his earlier proposition about Elizabeth rowing again.
• Elizabeth grapples with grief over her husband’s death, feeling lost in her unexpected role as a single mother.
• Dr. Mason encourages Elizabeth to rejoin the rowing team, emphasizing the benefits and suggesting she ask Harriet to watch Mad during practice.
• Despite her initial reservations, Elizabeth is persuaded to consider rowing again thanks to Harriet's offer to watch Mad in the early mornings.
• After arriving at the boathouse for a tryout, Elizabeth faces a cold reception from the rowers and silent tension from the coach, but Dr. Mason seems optimistic.
• Despite the awkwardness at the boathouse, Elizabeth enjoys rowing again, and Dr. Mason offers philosophical reflections on how rowing, like parenting, involves looking backwards, not forwards.