Part 2: Chapter 8 Summary

Finally, the agricultural fair arrives. The entire town has participated in the preparations and all turn out for the event. Rodolphe takes Emma around the fair with him, and as one of the town's major contributors to agriculture, he feels he has to hide from the attendees in order to spend time with Emma. He is dressed very elaborately in a way that sets him apart from the other town citizens and in a way that makes him more exciting that other men in Emma's life. During the speeches at the fair, Rodolphe professes his love for Emma, but despite her interest, she plays it cool and does not seem interested in his advances. A woman wins a monetary award for working at the same farm her entire life. She has worked at the farm since she was old enough to...