As if instructed by the Headmistress, Lavinia angrily throws her boots at Becky with orders to have them polished by Sara; Ermengarde protests, indicating that Lavinia's power base is beginning to crumble. Molly tells Sara and Becky to prepare a special room for a new resident; while shopping for the new resident's special meal, Sara learns that the resident is Lavinia (again the Headmistress's favorite student). Lavinia's parents have more honor than their daughter does, and the Headmistress ponders her behavior toward Sara.