The Heart of the Matter

After the rains, Scobie heads out in a police boat to greet Louise as her liner anchors outside the port. He rehearses welcome greetings and hopes to catch her in a public room, as it would be easier to greet her amidst strangers. To his dismay, he finds Louise alone in a cabin and offers up customary platitudes, telling her he missed her. The couple return home where Louise tells Scobie he needs to start attending Mass and communion. Scobie jokes that “adultery is more fun” and lies to Louise, saying he has to go check on Wilson. In reality, Scobie is off to visit Helen who is irritated with their changed circumstances. Scobie tells Helen that Louise wants him to attend Mass, to which Helen questions Scobie’s Catholic commitments. Scobie responds to her derision by saying that despite Church teachings, “one has the conviction that love—any kind of love—does deserve a bit of mercy” (194). Helen remains scornful, but Scobie reassures her that he will never leave her.

Meanwhile, Wilson visits Louise after Scobie leaves and professes his love to her. He tells her about Scobie and Helen’s affair, to which Louise is indifferent. She tells Wilson to stop “play-acting” (199) and strikes his face when he refers to Scobie as “Ticki,” the affectionate name Louise uses for her husband.