The Song of the Lark

The narrative flashes forward 10 years.

Dr. Archie is now a wealthy widow living in Denver. His mining company is successful, and he’s influential in Denver because of his business. He is visited by Fred, with whom he has remained friends over the years.

Dr. Archie and Fred discuss Dr. Archie’s lack of interest in getting married again. Dr. Archie tells Fred he’s going to New York to visit Thea. Moving to Germany years ago helped launch Thea’s career; she’s now a successful singer. Fred has seen Thea a few times over the years, but they’re no longer close. Fred is still married to Edith, who is in a sanitorium and therefore prevents his divorce.

In the last few years, both of Thea’s parents have died.

When Thea was living in Germany, her father died suddenly of cancer. Mrs. Kronborg’s health swiftly declined over her grief. Dr. Archie wrote to Thea telling her to come to Moonstone, but Thea had just been offered the opportunity to take over a part and make her debut in Dresden, so she stayed in Europe while her mother died. Mrs. Kronborg remained proud of Thea and wished she could have seen her perform.