Summary

Lila and Reverend Ames often discuss the mystery of existence, and he is eager to learn her thoughts. He admits that he finds it easy to believe some things he can never prove, yet he finds it difficult to believe the truth of Lila’s presence in his life. Lila does not understand why he does not see her the way everyone else does and considers telling him everything after the baby is born. She recalls a time when Doll tried to convince her to marry a much older man for security, and she considers if she asked the Reverend to marry her because she thought he would refuse and the disappointment would kill her. As they walk, Lila recalls the teacher at the school in Tammany who helped her catch up on her education, and Lila tells her husband that Doll...