I wouldn't build a theory on this, because elsewhere Ada gives a different version of the end of her childhood passion for "everything that crawls:"

"What had she actually done with the poor worms, after Krolik's untimely end?

'Oh, set them free' (big vague gesture), 'turned them out, put them back onto suitable plants, buried them in the pupal state, told them to run along, while the birds are not looking - or, alas, feigning not to be looking..." (1.31).

Alexey Sklyarenko

Dear Alexey,

You would not make a very good detective! It seems to me that Ada is being more than slightly evasive. I read it this way:

Q: What did you actually do with the poor worms, after Krolik's untimely end? (the interrogator is probably Van who suspects Ada of several murders, Krolik's most likely the first)

R: [1] 'Oh, set them free' (big vague gesture),

[or 2] turned them out,

[or 3] put them back onto suitable plants,

[or 4] buried them in the pupal state,

[or 5] told them to run along, while the birds are not looking - or, alas, feigning not to be looking..."

That seems to be five different things she actually did with the poor worms! However I think there are only two (1, 2, 3, and 5 being basically the same) and (4). Which do you believe?

Personally, I think she buried them (4) but not in the pupal state. She buried them larvaely ("poor worms") with Krolik's still live body.

Carolyn

p.s.

Q: By the way, what kind of bird is it that can feign not to be looking! R: A cat?

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