Summary

The third scene picks up on the day after Chater confronts Hodge in 1809. Resting on the table are now the copy of “The Couch of Eros,” Hodge’s portfolio, a tortoise named Plautus, and an apple identical to the one Gus gave to Hannah. As Thomasina works on her lessons in the same garden room, Jellaby delivers another letter to Hodge, who says there will be no reply. The tortoise sits on Mr. Chater’s book and Hodge puts the letter he has just received into the book. As Thomasina works on her Latin, Hodge eats the apple and feeds some to the tortoise. Thomasina realizes the Latin she is translating was written by Lord Byron and says her mother is in love with him. Hodge is shocked and calls this nonsense, but Thomasina says she saw them together in the gazebo. Thomasina notes her...