pp.264-308 Summary

The staff meeting at the workshop begins after dinner. Each workshop leader talks about their goals for the conference and afterward Millie sings and Omio dances for the group. Then they all sing Saranam again. Polly asks what Saranam means; it means refuge, and a rich blessing, but there is no English equivalent. Omio likens it to a Bakian word that means love does not judge. Vee brings up Shakespeare, and it becomes clear that neither Bashemath nor Millie has ever heard of Shakespeare. After the meeting, Vee, Polly, and Omio walk back to the dormitory, and Omio comments that there is much true kindness at Osia Theola.

Polly falls asleep after writing in her school journal and watering Zachary's flours. She wakes in the middle of the night in a puddle of sweat. The electricity has gone out and her...