Molly and James are taskmasters to Sara in accordance with the Headmistress's orders; fortunately for her, they appreciate a job well done. They loathe the idea of Sara scavenging for scraps of food, but Becky keeps her supplied and Sara befriends an attic rat whom she names Melle. Sara, first puzzled by Melle's caution, learns why when Ermengarde visits her (conquering her fear of rats) and Lavinia and Gertrude betray them...