A Bird in the House

The novel opens with Vanessa MacLeod’s memories of the “old Connor place” in Manawaka, where her grandfather, Timothy Connor, built a unique large brick house.

Vanessa and her pregnant mother, Beth MacLeod, are on their way to dinner at this house. Vanessa’s father, Dr. Ewen MacLeod, is delayed due to his medical duties with a terminally ill patient. At the house, Vanessa’s gruff grandfather contrasts with her tender, religious grandmother, Agnes Connor, who delights in her canary and lovingly calls Vanessa “pet.” Vanessa, although disinterested in Sunday school, routinely prepares to answer Agnes’s inquiries about her lessons, often picking the most macabre topics to discuss.

Grandfather Connor is restless, yearning for Monday so he can resume his activities. Despite having recently sold his hardware store, he often visits it, critiquing the new owner’s lax work ethic. In the kitchen, Vanessa’s aunt Edna, unemployed due to the Depression and living at home, gossips with Beth about Grandfather Connor.

Frustrated by a torn skirt on a doll she is making, Vanessa is dismissed from the room as the adults discuss Grandfather Connor’s overbearing ways. Outside, Vanessa snaps at Grandfather Connor for his impatience with her father’s delayed return, earning a rebuke for potentially upsetting her grandmother, who remains oblivious to the tension.

Both grandparents detest smoking and playing cards; Grandfather Connor has even expelled several of Edna’s boyfriends for smoking in his home. Meanwhile, Beth and Edna retreat to smoke in secrecy, masking the scent with Attar of Roses perfume. This act of deception troubles Beth, who fears it might teach Vanessa the wrong lessons, though Edna views it as a necessary coping mechanism.

In Edna’s room, surrounded by beauty products, an overwhelmed Beth breaks down, burdened by her household responsibilities and pregnancy. This emotional moment deeply affects Vanessa, stripping away a layer of her childhood innocence.

Ewen calls to inform the family that he won’t return for dinner. Distressed, Beth discovers blood in her underwear and downplays the gravity of the situation despite Edna’s concern, fearing she has lost the baby. Overwhelmed, they embrace and cry together.

Edna discusses a pioneer story Vanessa is writing with her. She questions the haste and suggests she could pace herself more. However, Vanessa remains determined to finish her story.

The evening grows more chaotic with the arrival of Dan, Grandfather Connor’s brother, who appears to be intoxicated. Edna predicts their father will eventually banish Dan. Unlike Grandfather Connor, Dan maintains a carefree attitude and dismisses critical remarks. He owns a farm but always returns from horse sales with no success.

Dan’s unruly behavior at dinner—burping, swearing, and smoking—amuses Vanessa but irks the adults. Grandfather Connor tolerates Dan’s antics, choosing to sit and talk rather than confront him. This inconsistency frustrates the sisters, who discuss it while cleaning the kitchen.

A loud dispute erupts over Dan asking Grandfather Connor for money again, claiming it is a loan. Grandfather Connor angrily denounces Dan, and he criticizes Edna’s joblessness and Beth’s precarious financial situation amid her pregnancy. Edna stands by Beth as the confrontation peaks, while a shocked Vanessa witnesses Grandfather Connor evict Dan. Agnes and Edna urge Grandfather Connor to reconcile with his brother. Grandfather Connor, conflicted and saddened, eventually goes after Dan, expressing disbelief that Agnes would defend him.

In the aftermath, the sisters speculate if Grandmother Connor had ever considered marrying Dan. Dan had once told Edna that her mother chose the better man. Edna’s comparison of Vanessa to Grandfather Connor offends Beth.

Dan returns briefly but leaves again. Beth suggests Vanessa join him for company but doubts she can catch up.