Bessie's life with her father

Bessie's own life is hard. She has given ten of her best years to nursing her blind father. Her face is tired, and her eyes no longer expect anything.

Josiah Carvil roars for her from the window, abuses her, and makes himself more helpless than his blindness really requires, to keep her as his slave.

She walks him slowly along the sea-wall, as if dragging a penance. She hates knitting his socks.

Hagberd's cheerful talk about homes, husbands and servants only mocks her hopelessness. Sometimes she could scream, but she only answers him wearily.

Conrad sets the two old men side by side: one is blind to the light of the world; the other is blinded by an idea to the truth. Between them is one tired young woman.