Sara watches Ralph depart for India, and cries herself to sleep on her first night. She awakens to a beautiful winter scene outside her window and her maid, Mariette, helps her prepare for her first day of class. Lavinia Herbert is upset at the prospect of getting into trouble with the Headmistress because of her three roommates (including Jessie and Gertrude). While Sara has breakfast in her room, a typical breakfast scene unfolds in the dining room downstairs. Lavinia is annoyed with Lottie Lei and Ermengarde St. John, especially when Ermengarde makes a clumsy mistake for which the Headmistress scolds her...