Peter's excitement and the Seminary's festive atmosphere before Sara's ninth birthday annoy Lavinia, and Sara agrees that it is excessive. The party begins, with Peter and Becky bringing in an intricately-detailed dollhouse. Sara insists that they stay, and Solicitor Barrow tells the Headmistress about Ralph Crewe's impoverished death in Becky's earshot. The Headmistress, taking her anger out on Becky for overhearing, crashes the party with the news of Ralph's death and orders Sara to leave the Seminary immediately; Mr. Barrow decides to take everything away from her.