After a brief and fitful sleep, Edna awakens with an impulsive desire to attend church. She summons Robert to accompany her. On the ferry ride to the Chênière, Robert chats briefly with a Spanish girl named Mariequita, who relays gossip about a local Spanish man who runs away with another man’s wife. Robert shushes her with some emotion, then becomes thoroughly involved in Edna’s presence. They make plans to go to a small nearby island by themselves the next day for sightseeing. Having reached Chênière, they go to church.
Once in church, Edna feels stifled and drowsy. She leaves during the service, accompanied by Robert. He takes her to his friend Tonie’s house, where Tonie’s mother, Madame Antoine, puts Edna in the guestroom. Edna sleeps for several hours, till late afternoon. Robert fixes a meal for her while Madame Antoine is out. When Madame Antoine returns, they listen to her tell stories until after nightfall. Robert borrows Tonie’s boat so that he and Edna can return to Grande Isle.
Upon returning to her cottage, Edna finds that her youngest child is too cranky to sleep. She rocks him to sleep and Robert helps her put the boy to bed before heading for the beach. Edna sits alone and considers her changing perspective on life. Missing Robert, she sings the song he sang to her on the trip back “si tu savais” (“if you knew”).
