Passing

The third section begins at Christmas time, but Irene feels no seasonal joy. Clare is still in her life, and Brian is behaving erratically, even with the kids. Where he was once patient and balanced, he is now prone to angry outbursts. To Irene, it seems as if he is waiting for something, but she cannot fathom what he might be waiting for. One day, Irene returns home and crawls into bed, exhausted. She is having a tea party later, in Hugh’s honor, so she decides to nap for a little while. When she awakens, Brian is looking at her oddly, but he is soon his old self, which reassures her a bit. He tells Irene that Clare is downstairs, which angers Irene. She has specifically not invited Clare as Hugh will be in attendance and the two do not get along. Brian finally admits that he invited Clare, because she was sad to have been excluded. He reassured Clare that it must have been an oversight on Irene’s part, and tells her that she can attend. Irene objects to Clare’s presence, and Brian becomes defensive and caustic. His attitude irks Irene, and she suddenly realizes that his moodiness is tied to Clare; Brian is having an affair with Clare.