During the annual haymaking at Mansfield’s farm, Robin enjoys the physically demanding labor, which allows him to empty his mind of the village gossip. His peace is interrupted by a fellow worker, Walter, who tries to engage him in malicious talk about the Mansfield sisters. To fit in, Robin is tempted to lie and agree with Walter but resolves he cannot do it before Thomas strides up and interrupts them. Thomas defends the sisters, insisting there is nothing wrong with them and revealing that Mr. Mansfield is getting a doctor to visit from Oxford to formally disprove the rumors. Walter, however, interprets this news as confirmation that something is seriously amiss. After the day’s work, Mr. Mansfield asks Robin to retrieve his hat from the field. There, Robin spots Thomas and Anne sharing a private, intimate moment. He watches as Thomas affectionately touches Anne’s hand and, disturbed by the implications of their secret relationship, flees. Robin dreads how the villagers would twist this discovery into another vicious story.

Grace privately confirms to Thomas that a doctor is coming, explaining that the doctor wrote to Mansfield having already heard about the sisters, and that Mansfield hopes the visit will end the rumors.