Chapter 5 Summary

The events of this chapter take place several months later, in February of 1861.

"Father Pirrone Pays a Visit" Father Pirrone visits his hometown, where he is welcomed with teary embraces and warm, friendly memories. Conversations with friends, at times tense and at times mirthful, lead Pirrone to a lengthy speech explaining why the Prince and other aristocrats don't really have any reaction one way or the other to the events of the revolution - they "live in a world of their own ... all they live by has been handled by others". He concludes by saying that the feelings and attitudes that give rise to class sensibility never truly die (see "Quotes", p. 185). His elderly mother comes in, jokes about how he's still talking even though his friends have fallen asleep, and helps him get his visitors home. As he prepares for bed, Pirrone...