Ibarra has a conversation with San Diego’s school teacher. The teacher explains how his teaching evolved from a punitive style to one which offers encouragement rather than threats. The church and conservative members of town believed this teaching style created weak-willed students—and thus, the teacher was ordered to revert to the punitive style.

The town leaders hold a conference to discuss the upcoming festival in honor of the patron saint, San Diego. Deputy mayor Don Filipo, the leader of the liberal party in San Diego, proposes a political trick suggested by Tasio. Filipo proposes an agreeable idea to the conservative party, but they disagree with it because they dislike Filipo. When another liberal member meekly proposes an idea more in line with the liberal party, the conservative party goes along with the plan, except one. The mayor adheres to what the priests want, making the meeting pointless.

An anxious Sisa is visited by military police, and they escort her to the village. When she arrives in town, she is identified by a woman exiting church as the mother of “two thieves”—Basilio (who is missing as well) and Crispin. She feels embarrassed. She is taken to the prison where she is eventually released by the ensign, who feels the theft doesn’t matter.