Margaret's month-long stay with her Aunt Jeanette is almost over, and she can't wait to leave. The New York apartment is tiny, never quiet, and very lonely—except for the occasional maid, Margaret has no company and nothing to do for the entire day. She likes the weekends and the mornings, which she spends with Aunt Jeanette and the maid, respectively, but the rest is miserable. She particularly hates Aunt Jeanette's habit of brushing her hair roughly, to the point her neck hurts. One afternoon, a new sound pierces the air. The violin student beneath them starts practicing, and the noise stirs Margaret's frustration until she erupts, screaming at him through the window. The young man pokes his head out, laughs, and returns to practicing. Margaret drifts off in violin-inspired daydreams until Aunt Jeanette and her friends come home that evening. As usual, Margaret sits in silence, resenting their small talk and patronizing glances. The next afternoon passes quickly thanks to a brief conversation with the violinist. But then, tragedy strikes. Aunt Jeanette informs Margaret that she'll be staying there—her mother has had a miscarriage, and Aunt Jeanette has suggested that she keep Margaret with her during the recovery. Margaret responds with heavy disappointment and fury, frustrated that she will need to spend more time with her suffocating aunt. Her visit with her aunt now becomes indefinite, with no news of when she'll be able to return home. On Monday, the first day after her intended departure, Margaret has another conversation with the violinist, mostly about her beautiful hair. If he could, he says, he would use it to re-string his bow. Margaret then runs off, cuts her hair, and throws it down to his balcony. She knows her aunt will be angry with her, however, Margaret feels free in her act of defiance against her aunt and relishes in the anticipation that her aunt will finally let her return home.