A Bird in the House

Vanessa reminisces about the day her family moved into Grandfather Connor’s home. As they settle in, Grandfather Connor, despite mild weather, sternly instructs the movers while clad in his bear coat. He scrutinizes every action, particularly concerned with preventing damage to household items.

During the unpacking, when Beth starts setting up the MacLeod china, Grandfather Connor dismissively tells her to put it in the basement, suggesting it is of no use to him. This interaction leads to a conversation between Beth and Edna, reflecting on the irony of maintaining expensive silverware during financial hardship.

Seeking solitude, Vanessa sneaks into the old stable to sit in the MacLaughlin-Buick, a car Grandfather Connor owns but hasn’t driven in years. She is struck by a memory of her driving with him as a child, looking up at him lovingly. There, she immerses herself in writing a historical fiction story about a girl named Marie in early Quebec. However, Vanessa grows disillusioned with her story’s plausibility, realizing Marie’s escape from her circumstances is unlikely.

Wes Grigg, the new CNR stationmaster, comes to visit and shows interest in Edna. His visit stirs up mixed emotions and leads to an awkward dinner where Grandfather Connor, confused, initially refuses Wes’s company.