- Lost in thought, Virginia walks along the streets of Richmond, planning the plot of her novel.
- Virginia plans to give her heroine, Clarissa Dalloway, a girlhood love. She also plans to have Clarissa kill herself toward the novel's end, but she doesn't yet know why or how.
- When another pedestrian gives her a strange look, Virginia realizes that she's been talking to herself aloud. She keeps walking on, and as she makes a loop back toward home, she reflects on the nature of sanity and insanity.
- Virginia returns to the house, and stops to have a conversation with Nelly, the cook. As Nelly announces what she plans to make for lunch, Virginia grows frustrated by the subtle, almost unspoken challenges that the servant throws her way. She knows that Nelly doesn't think much of her ability to manage the household.
- Virginia reminds Nelly that visitors will be arriving in the afternoon. Virginia's sister Vanessa will be coming with her sons and daughters, and they'll be staying for tea. To remind Nelly who's boss, Virginia says that she'd like to serve China tea and candied ginger when Vanessa and the children arrive. Nelly will have to take the train all the way to London to get it, but Virginia insists.
- As she fumbles her way through this little power-play, Virginia reflects on her mother's and sister's talents for managing servants. She decides that her heroine, Clarissa Dalloway, will have this talent, too.