Anna and Gussie arrive at the beach to see the Atlantic City annual pageant swim. Gussie excitedly looks for Stuart. She has always loved the race; the whole family used to go to watch Florence win the race. Anna is also excited about the race and asks Gussie more questions than she can answer. Gussie takes Anna to the pier, where she suspects Stuart will be. Gussie is afraid that Stuart might be avoiding her because she asked him to marry her, even though she was pleased with the response he gave her.

Gussie races off to look for Stuart. When Anna catches up to her, she slaps her face. It’s the first time anyone has slapped Gussie, and she cries. Anna is upset because she thought Gussie had fallen off the pier and drowned. She chastises her, “I am sorry you are having a rotten summer. A rotten year, really. […] You have every reason to be angry and your grandparents have every reason to want to coddle you. But when you are with me, you will never disappear like that again” (209). Gussie is embarrassed, and Anna hugs her.