Cranford

Narrator Shares Reunion News with Martha

While the siblings are reunited, the narrator tends to the shop and breaks the news to Martha, who bursts into tears and questions the identity because Peter is grey-haired, not the handsome young man she had always imagined. The narrator also makes tea.

Peter Reveals Indian Gifts for Miss Matty

At tea, Miss Matty can barely eat or drink for staring at her brother, and remarks that hot climates must age people quickly since he had no grey hairs when he left Cranford. Peter announces he has brought her an Indian muslin gown and a pearl necklace from India. Miss Matty momentarily imagines herself elegantly attired, but the touch of her customary muslin wraps at her throat reminds her the necklace is no longer suitable for her age. She accepts them kindly, saying they are what she would have liked years ago.

Miss Matty Convinces Peter to Stay in Cranford

When the narrator begins arranging a room for Peter, he insists on going to the George Inn for his carpet-bag. Miss Matty becomes deeply distressed, crying out that he must not go. Both the narrator and Peter promise to stay, and Peter sits down again, giving her his hand, which she holds in both of hers.

Miss Matty Recounts Peter’s Past to the Narrator

Into the night and early morning, Miss Matty recounts her brother’s life to the narrator. She explains that he volunteered at the siege of Rangoon, was captured by the Burmese, obtained his freedom by bleeding a chief, found his letters returned marked “Dead,” and had settled in India as an indigo planter. On receiving the narrator’s letter, he sold everything and rushed home. Miss Matty talks the narrator to sleep.