The Turn of the Screw, Chapter 11 summary

What happens

1. The governess delays speaking privately with Mrs. Grose while keeping the children close and hiding her distress from the household.
2. On the terrace, she recounts the previous night as Miles reads to Flora on the lawn.
3. She recalls bringing Miles silently to his room and fearing the harm of voicing her suspicions.
4. Miles says he goes outside to make her consider him naughty, then kisses her.
5. He explains that he stays dressed, reads until midnight, and relies on Flora to draw the governess to the window.
6. The governess accepts his explanation outwardly, and their conversation ends with another embrace.

In this chapter

What to notice

Miles presents the outing as a joint plan rather than an unexplained act. The governess recognizes that her discovery is part of the children’s design.

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