Tipping the Velvet

After Florence’s disclosure, the mood lightens at the house. Nan begins to look at Florence with desire and at the rug Lillian made with disgust. Nan has grown more comfortable with her queerness. She starts to wear trousers again, growing more at home at Florence’s house. In February, after going to the market, Nan returns and overhears Annie and Florence discussing women. Nan can hear Annie tell Florence that she can’t grieve forever, especially not with such a beautiful bird caged in front of her. Guessing correctly that she’s the bird, Nan listens, until she knocks over a broom entering the room.

Florence invites Nan out to a public house that has a space for women, the Boy in the Boat. Nan dresses up and wears a tie, which Florence notices is crooked, and she reties it. They go to the bar, and people recognize Nan as Nan King; they coax her to sing. She and Florence return home late, and they have sex. Sleeping together in bed, Florence asks about her past. Nan confesses to her previous sex work, which shocks Florence. Nan describes how she dressed as a man. Once she begins to tell Florence her history, she doesn’t stop, fleshing out her relationship with Diana, how she lost contact with Ms.