When Léonce receives Edna's letter telling him of her plans to move into her own little house, he is concerned about how this move might look to his current and prospective clients. Feeling that they'll think he can't afford the large house, he contracts long-distance with architects and workers to renovate his mansion, and places a notice in the paper announcing the renovations and also the Pontelliers' intention to spend the summer abroad while work is completed. He never considers that Edna might have left him, not merely the house. Meanwhile, Edna makes the little pigeon house her own home.
She then spends a week with her children and mother-in-law in the country. Edna relishes her time with the boys and leaves them with a great regret, which disappears by the time she reaches New Orleans where she feels once again freed by the solitude and simplicity of her new life.
