Night and Day by Virginia Woolf. Short summary

5 seconds

Kathyrn Hilbury was pouring tea for guests. In her mind, however, the girl was only partially occupied with ensuring the well-being of her guests. Most of the British woman’s thoughts went back to a situation from the past.

1 minute

It was an ordinary October evening and nothing seemed to portend trouble. Acquaintances were gathered at Catherine Hilbury’s house. As a hostess is supposed to do, she provides her guests with food and tea for the evening. But the girl was only partly occupied with the organization of the evening. Her thoughts were elsewhere. Namely, she was remembering an incident that had happened to her in the distant past. Even though it had been a long time since that incident, she couldn’t forget it.

Alone with her thoughts, the British woman continued to make sandwiches and pour tea for her guests. The guests were engaged in a lively discussion. Observing the visitors, Hilbury got the feeling that an outsider might get the impression of the cheerful mood of the meeting. At this moment, the landlady recalls her companion, Mr. Denham, who would have found the evening cozy. And at that moment, several knocks sound at the door of Catherine’s house. Being in a state of shock, the woman goes to open the door.