Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

This scene takes place on a June day three years later. A group of mothers has gathered outside Serafina's house demanding the graduation dresses that she has sewn for their daughters. However, Serafina has barricaded herself in her house. The women say that maybe if they call her Baroness she might open the door, but to no avail. All week long, she has promised them their dresses tomorrow, tomorrow, but graduation day is now here and they still do not have their dresses. What were their daughters to wear?

A woman called Peppina tells of one visit to the house where she hears Serafina's daughter Rose calling to her from inside the house. When she turned to look, she could see that Rose was naked. Can you believe it—naked! Rose had asked the woman to call the phone number she...