A Room with a View

The Church Departure

The household chaos continues with Mrs. Honeychurch desperately calling for everyone to hurry as the horse arrives. She expresses annoyance at Charlotte’s tardiness and her habit of bringing only blouses. The Rector’s niece is taken to church protesting, mocking young men who suggest she sit in the sun instead. Miss Bartlett descends the stairs dressed in the height of fashion, admitting she has no small change—only sovereigns and half crowns. Mrs. Honeychurch admiringly exclaims over her lovely frock. Miss Bartlett quotes reproachfully about wearing her “best rags and tatters,” then takes her seat in the victoria facing backward. The carriage departs with Cecil calling out sarcastically, “Be good!” Lucy bites her lip at his sneering tone, having had an unsatisfactory conversation with him about “church and so on.” Cecil believes people ought to overhaul themselves spiritually, but Lucy does not want to undergo such self-examination, though she fears she may need to before marrying him.

The Emersons After Church

After the church service, the Honeychurch carriage stops opposite Cissie Villa where Mr. Emerson and George are smoking in the garden. Mrs. Honeychurch asks Lucy to introduce her. Lucy formally introduces her mother to the Emersons, deliberately omitting reference to the Sacred Lake incident in Italy. Old Mr. Emerson warmly claims Lucy and expresses gladness about her upcoming marriage. When Lucy asks about their new house, Mr. Emerson mentions with offense that they have turned out the Miss Alans, who were expecting artistic tenants—a misunderstanding about the Emersons’ “type.” George seems inclined to pursue the matter further. Lucy lightly advises them to stay put, knowing she must avoid censuring Cecil, who is responsible for the episode though never mentioned. Mr. Emerson worries about giving up the house to the Miss Alans, but George quotes his father’s philosophy: “There is only a certain amount of kindness in the world,” comparing it to light—we cast shadows wherever we stand and cannot escape by moving. Mrs. Honeychurch declares she agrees with this sentiment. George mentions Mr. Floyd and invites the Emersons to tennis that afternoon, though Mr. Emerson apologetically says the walk is too far for him. George puts his arm around his father’s neck in a moment of affection that Lucy notices. Miss Bartlett approaches, and Mrs. Honeychurch introduces her; Miss Bartlett gets into the carriage and emits a formal bow from her protected position. George does not respond to the bow but blushes with shame, knowing the chaperone remembers Florence. He awkwardly promises to come to tennis if he can. Lucy catches Miss Bartlett’s eye and, reckless, raises her voice to say she hopes George will come.