The children have a seemingly uncanny awareness of their guardian's inner struggles and fears, and their bizarre behaviour has her questioning her own mental state. The governess becomes increasingly convinced that there is a dark, hidden reality known only to the children, and she is haunted by the idea that they see terrible and unguessable things borne from sinister past interactions.
The governess tries to navigate around the forbidden topics of conversation, while the children seem to delight in making her feel uncomfortable. Adding to the mystery, they continuously bring up their uncle in Harley Street, even though he has ceased any form of communication with them. As the story progresses, the atmosphere at Bly becomes more oppressive and eerie.
At the end of the chapter we realise that the tension is about to come to a release, like the snap of a twig.
