Andrea attends a dinner party at Ena’s house in a wealthy part of Barcelona. During the evening, she watches Ena’s mother sing and play the piano, touched by the mother’s somber, beautiful voice. On a whim, she leaves the party, overwhelmed by sensations and having enjoyed a few drinks. She wanders the streets, feeling “at large and free in the city” (91) for the first time.

As she passes the cathedral on Vía Layetana, a well-dressed young man emerges from the shadows. He introduces himself as Gerardo and explains that they met at the dinner party. He scolds Andrea for walking alone and announces that he will walk her home.

Back at home, Juan has a tense conversation with Andrea about money. Andrea tells Juan she doesn’t need to eat at home. When she offers to use her monthly allowance to cover her room and a daily ration of bread, her grandmother cries, “my granddaughter can’t pay for a room in her grandmother’s house” (96). Andrea begins to spend her food allowance recklessly, purchasing luxury items such as “good soap, perfume” (96) and roses so she can experience Ena’s life.