Summary

In the month leading up to Lila’s wedding to Reverend Ames, she stays in a hotel in town and receives daily visits from her betrothed who treats her with propriety. Finally, they are wed in Reverend Boughton’s parlor and have a reception at their home before being left alone in a clean house that was prepared by the church, leaving Lila with nothing to do. Reverend Ames is saddened and embarrassed by Lila’s doubts about their union, but he is happy when she admits that Doll would be glad to know of their marriage.

Lila accompanies her husband to Reverend Boughton’s house where the gentlemen’s talk about sin and the elect causes her to think of Doll’s sins and ponder whether God cares about the reason for a crime. When Lila questions Reverend Ames about what...