Chapter 42, The Blue Skirt Summary

In the clearing, Thérèse experiences a vision while the priest, the bishop, and some villagers stand by. Thérèse feels that the bishop and the others want something that she has, namely her proximity to the divine through her vision of the Virgin Mary. The curé comments dryly on the coincidence of Thérèse having a vision at this moment, but the bishop believes Thérèse's docile show of devotion. Thérèse kneels before the bishop, but she feels superior to him. The bishop asks if Our Lady has sent a message for him, and Thérèse tells him that a chapel should be built at the site of the old shrine. She adds that a festival...