later that night, after Allie returns to her inn
Noah's Loneliness After Allie Leaves
After Allie leaves, promising to return the next day, Noah sits on the porch for hours, replaying the evening in his mind. He whispers to himself that she is engaged. He is overcome with longing and grief, and he bends over in his rocker with his face in his hands, crying. He does not know how to stop the tears. Clem checks on him occasionally. The night is quiet except for the sound of his rocking chair.