The War I Finally Won

Ruth accidentally burps at the dinner table. Lady Thorton rolls her eyes and sighs with derision. Ada leaps to Ruth’s defense, challenging Lady Thorton on her constantly mean and belittling behavior toward Ruth. Susan agrees.

At Susan’s insistence that the chores need to be shared, Ruth reluctantly helps Ada wash up, and Lady Thorton accompanies Ada to get groceries the next day. They buy beef shins, which Lady Thorton had no idea people ate. Later, she watches as Ada prepares the meal.

Lady Thorton asks Ada about her childhood and is shocked to learn that Ada and Jamie never ate beef shins growing up because they were too expensive. Ada also admits that she was kept in one room her whole life before living with Susan. As the household eats, Lady Thorton makes an effort to be polite to Ruth. She admits that there is a lot that she does not know.

Lady Thorton is shocked and thrilled when Jonathan unexpectedly comes to visit. He brings a banana, which Ada is intrigued with, having never seen one before. Jonathan is polite to Ruth, asking about her studies and about life in Germany before her family fled.