Act 3 Summary

This act takes place back in the study room at the school, which is now shut up tightly. It is obvious that it is now a lifeless place. It is ten days after the conclusion of the libel trial and Karen and Martha sit quietly defeated in purpose and spirit. The relentless ringing of the phone and the grocery delivery boy are the only signs of outside life as the women have sequestered themselves in the farmhouse to avoid the ridicule and shame inflicted by the judgment in the trial.

The sense of depression weighs heavily on both women, who cannot project a life outside the one that they had worked so hard to achieve. The trial had been widely publicized, so Karen and Martha know that there are few places they can go where they would be allowed to teach young girls...