After tearing up the letter to T.Ray, what does Lily do in the parlor later that night?

• A. Reads a letter she wrote.
• B. Touches the statue of Mary's heart.
• C. Prays to God.
• D. Looks at a portrait of Lily's mother.

Answer: (B)

Lily’s action shows how she seeks maternal comfort through sacred imagery in a moment of emotional distress. After tearing up the letter to T. Ray, she turns to the statue of Mary and touches the heart on it, using a physical connection to feel cared for and protected. That gesture signals a longing for warmth and guidance from a nurturing figure, which Mary’s image embodies for Lily in the Boatwright house. The moment isn’t about rereading a letter, praying aloud, or examining her mother's portrait; it emphasizes her turn toward a comforting, maternal presence in a time of hurt. This small act foreshadows Lily’s sense of belonging with the sisters and her openness to healing through that chosen symbol of compassion.