Dan is a schoolteacher in the small town of Cobargo. He and his wife, Emily, have one daughter who he dislikes: Dorothy, who has Down syndrome. He partially blames Emily for bearing the child and for liking her. He storms home from school early one day, incensed by a boy's rude comment about Dorothy.
Dorothy leaves the house to Emily's dismay. Without Emily's knowledge, she visits Sister Paula at the convent, who is of similar age to Dorothy. Sister Paula guards her from the sight of others, and treats Dorothy to 'afternoon tea' beans through the garden fence with leaves for plates and acorns for cups.
Back home for tea with her parents, Dorothy copies Sister Paula, learning to cover her mouth while eating. Emily considers this a sign of improvement and looks to Dan, but Dan leaves without seeing.
