Between The Acts

After the audience members begin to leave, Giles walks Mrs. Manresa to her car. Near the lily pond, the actors change into their regular clothes, and Mrs. Swithin expresses her desire to thank Miss La Trobe for her work on the pageant. Bart tells her, however, that Miss La Trobe does not want anyone to thank her and that it would be better for Mrs. Swithin to thank the actors. Mrs. Swithin does not see them, however, and she nervously touches the cross she wears on her necklace. Her faith is demanding as it requires her to kneel for a long time each morning. She says that even fish must have faith because they trust humans not to catch them, but Bart does not believe it, challenging her ideas. Eventually, she gives up and decides to keep her vision of beauty, nature, and faith private. Bart holds onto reason and logic, unlike her.

After parting with Mrs. Manresa, William looks for Mrs. Swithin. He finds her, and she is happy to see him, telling him she wants to thank the actors for their performances in the pageant. She then explains that Bart told her she needed to thank the actors and not Miss La Trobe.