Final answer:
Mary's 'polite but chilly' demeanor towards the narrator at O'Hare reflects a strained relationship, hinting at emotional distance and unresolved issues. This complexity is characteristic of nuanced interpersonal dynamics often explored in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The description of Mary as "polite but chilly" when the narrator visits O'Hare indicates a complex relationship between the characters. Mary's behavior suggests an emotional distance despite a semblance of civility.
Given that the narrator misses Mary, this interaction reveals a tension that may stem from past events, unresolved feelings, or other interpersonal complexities that aren't fully explained within the context provided.
Characters in literature, such as Mary, who are described with a mix of warm and cold behaviors, like being polite but chilly, offer a compelling contrast, indicating nuances in their relationships with other characters, such as the narrator's fond memories versus the present coolness in their interaction.
References in the provided passages to characters like Daisy Miller, who is treated rudely by Mrs. Costello, also suggest strained social interactions. Similarly, the way Dorothy treats others 'kindly' contrasts the boys in her diary who try to deceive her, showing the varied ways characters interact based on their relationships and personal ethics.
Such figurative language and interactions are common in literature to provide depth to characters and their relationships with each other.