To the Lighthouse Part 1, Chapter 9 Summary

Lily and Mr. Bankes criticize Mr. Ramsay as Lily puts away her brushes.
Lily is about to criticize Mrs. Ramsay as well when she sees the look of complete adoration that Mr. Bankes, age 60, turns on Mrs. Ramsay.
Watching Mrs. Ramsay gives Mr. Bankes the same feeling he gets when solving a scientific problem.
As Lily wipes her brushes, she is cheered by the thought that people can love this way.
She looks at her picture and nearly has a nervous breakdown because it’s bad!
Lily recalls Mr. Tansley’s words that women can’t paint or write.
Lily joins Mr. Bankes in staring at Mrs. Ramsay.
Lily begins to think about Mrs. Ramsay, considering what comprises Mrs. Ramsay’s unique identity.
Mr. Bankes stops watching Mrs. Ramsay and looks at Lily’s painting.
Lily braces herself. Mr. Bankes asks the meaning of the purple triangle.
Lily says that it’s meant to represent Mrs. Ramsay reading to James.
They talk briefly about light and dark and composition.
Lily feels that she has shared something very intimate with Mr. Bankes (and without taking off her clothes, too, wow!).