Chapters 13-18 Summary

Every time Mildred finds herself attracted to Rocky she reminds herself of the Italian girlfriends, hoping that the image will keep her from falling in love.

The parishioners get together to decorate the sanctuary for Whit Sunday. There are traditional roles for each person and the longer one is involved with the church, the more important the role becomes. It is apparent that Allegra has ingratiated herself to Winifred even more as she dares to suggest that the arrangement of the flowers on the altar could be changed to be more attractive. Winifred argues that this is the way it has always been done, and the group is shocked that anyone should try to interfere with the job that has always belonged to Winifred. Winifred's centerpiece is always groups of lilies donated by the congregation's most illustrious member. Allegra takes over...