Chapters 7-10 Summary

William wonders why the adult Driffields bother with a dull, quiet, pretentious adolescent, but they take him sailing and picnicking and William becomes passionate about rubbing brasses and occasionally spends time in the church yard talking with Rosie, who treats him like a grown-up. She is able to do nothing for long periods without growing bored, and William then cannot imagine this frank, open woman could do the filthy things that Mary-Ann claims, particularly with someone as gross as Kemp. When he mentions Mary-Ann, Rosie asks her to tea,but passing this along is awkward for the young snob, who is floored by how Ted and Rosie recall their working-class past fondly. The Vicar refuses to discuss them because they do not attend church, and when they attend, only to be gawked at, William drops the subject. He is astonished to...