- Now fully in her postulant's garb, Maria goes in to see Reverend Mother.
- She's very apologetic about being absent, explaining that she couldn't help herself—the sky was so blue, yadda yadda, and she just had to get out and be a part of it.
- She says that can't stop singing or saying whatever she feels.
- Reverend Mother remarks that some people would call that "honesty." We like this Reverend Mother already.
- Reverend Mother says it's the will of God that she leave the abbey, if only for a little while. She's thinking the religious life might not be the best career move for Maria.
- Maria's not happy, but she ultimately accepts the decision. She's not about to argue with God's will.
- Reverend Mother is sending her to be a governess to a widower with seven children. Seven children? Yikes.