Chapter 32 Summary

The abbess is ailing, and Pare Aldonza has absolved her from the duties of her office. She spends the days lying in a hammock in the garden, where she wonders whether she has ceased to pray or if she prays all of the time. Her vision is almost gone, but she can see blotches of color and people look fuzzy. The abbess senses that Pare Aldonza is anxious that her successor will replace him with a younger priest, but the abbess is no longer concerned with cares of this world.

Amara approaches the abbess, and the abbess jerks awake. Amara wants to know why she is kept at the convent, and she wants to leave. Amara tells the abbess that she longs to be far away where there is no speaking. The abbess seems to fall asleep, and Amara wanders away.

Severo awakes...