The House by the River · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The House by the River by A. P. Herbert.
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Chapter 1
I
The chapter introduces the close-knit community of Hammerton Chase, a unique riverside enclave in London where neighbors are intimately acquainted. On a Wednesday evening at the Whittakers' At Home, the residents gather, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Stephen Byrne, a celebrated poet and the darling of The Chase. The chapter describes the setting, the characters, and the community's adoration for Stephen, while also introducing his wife Margery, Muriel Tarrant, John Egerton, and the Reverend Peter Tarrant.
Chapter 2
II
Stephen Byrne returns home after a satisfying dinner, enjoying the beauty of the river at high tide and his comfortable life. He encounters Emily Gaunt, the housemaid, fresh from her bath, and in a moment of desire and panic, he accidentally kills her during a struggle. He then discovers her body and hears a bell at the door.
Chapter 3
III
Stephen Byrne, having just killed Emily Gaunt, is interrupted by a visitor at the door. He realizes it is John Egerton and lets him in, revealing the body. John is horrified but agrees to help Stephen dispose of the body in a sack, driven by concern for Margery Byrne.
Chapter 4
IV
Margery Byrne walks home from the Underground, reflecting on her appearance, her pregnancy, and her deep trust in her husband Stephen. She idealizes him as a perfect husband and a successful poet, unaware of his recent crime. Meanwhile, Stephen, after disposing of Emily Gaunt's body, experiences a mix of elation and remorse, praying for forgiveness and resolving to be a better man.
Chapter 5
V
John Egerton returns home after a frustrating day at work, haunted by the memory of Emily Gaunt. He is confronted by a maid asking for a sack he borrowed from the Byrne household, forcing him to lie about losing it. Over dinner, his housekeeper Mrs. Bantam gossips about Emily's disappearance and Stephen's slanderous story that Emily was a 'hussy.' John is disgusted by Stephen's lies. Later, a series of irritating phone calls culminates in a call from Stephen, who urgently asks John to come over.
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