Summary

Patricia dressed in a fancy outfit for her trip to the leprosarium. At Charlene’s, she learned that Lily was coming, too. Before leaving, the women changed into “freshly laundered army fatigues” (161).

Dominic drove the women and Dr. Wally to the colony. In “some vague, perhaps detached, retrospect,” Patricia felt she was seeing the world outside Saigon for the first time and felt “truly happy” (164).

On the way, Dr. Wally shared the history of the leprosarium with the women. He explained the nuns' involvement and offered a story about a leper poet. The group argued about the meaning of chaos and the best response to it.

The leprosarium site was beautiful. However, Patricia “was suddenly afraid” when the lepers rushed the car (171). Lily greeted one girl enthusiastically. Charlene explained that the girl was Lily’s cousin. They had been raised as...