Mr. Beebe and Freddy visit the Emersons after they have moved into their new home. Freddy is taken by George and invites him for "a bathe" (134) in the Sacred Lake. The duo makes awkward conversation as they walk to the lake, while Beebe chatters absent-mindedly, remarking on the coincidence that so many guests from the Bertolini Hotel would reconvene in Summer Street. George proposes that fate may have brought them back together. Beebe disagrees, citing their common interest in Italian culture. George remains convinced that fate is the reason but agrees to disagree.

When they arrive at the lake, the awkwardness evaporates and they take "delirious" (139) pleasure in swimming and horseplay. They swim nude, hiding each other's clothes. Then, Beebe notices that some people are approaching. Cecil, Lucy, and Mrs. Honeychurch appear just as the naked men run and hide in the bushes. Cecil leads the women away, just as Lucy spots George cowering nude in the forest. He waves hello to her but she can only bow silently in response.

Cecil leads Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch along the path to visit Mrs. Butterworth. He is already annoyed at having to pay another "tiresome" (143) social visit, so he acts rudely.