Elaine watched him leave and walk towards the harbor. When she turned back to the table her mother was gone, most likely to her room, without clearing the table. Elaine took the uneaten food downstairs to the cellar so it wouldn't go bad and then went back to the river. She didn't stay in the house when her mother was like this, she couldn't stand to see her in so much pain. While at the river bank Elaine lost track of time and fell asleep in the tall grass next to the river.