- We are offered a description of Edna. She’s attractive.
- Robert is also attractive.
- Robert rolls a cigarette (cigars are out of his price range).
- Strangely enough, however, he has a cigar in his pocket.
- Turns out this cigar is from Mr. Pontellier. Robert plans to enjoy it after dinner.
- Edna fans herself; Robert smokes.
- They chat about their afternoon together.
- Robert talks a lot. He tells Edna about his plan to travel to Mexico in the fall.
- Robert is spending the summer at Grand Isle with his mother, Madame Lebrun. She runs the resort (which consists of a large main house and a dozen or more cottages).
- Edna reminisces about her girlhood home in the Kentucky bluegrass country.
- Edna reads a letter from her sister out loud (while Robert listens); the letter reveals her sister is engaged to be married.
- Edna voices doubt that Mr. Pontellier will be coming back for dinner. Robert agrees with her.
- Edna goes inside to dress for dinner.
- Robert wanders off to entertain himself.
- He ends up playing with the Pontellier children, Raoul and Etienne. The two boys are fond of him.