Henry Carter Hull

The life choices of a mother and daughter are reassessed as the mother lies dying of cancer.

Tells how each member of the Burke family copes with the knowledge that Mrs. Burke is dying of cancer. The family returns as usual to Sanders Island where they have spent many summers together.

Examines the dynamic and complicated relationships in the life of Merritt Fowler who leaves her husband to find a new life with another man and strives to make a new family with her mother, daughter and aunt.