As Georges is in town helping Lise the young teacher at the orphanage, rumors begin to circulate in school that he now has a girlfriend. This serves tofurther alienate Robert -- who is still guilt-ridden over the death of theone he loved -- causing him to once again become aloof. Meanwhile, newpriest Father Louis arrives at school as a temporary replacement. From him, Georges learns a bit more about the reasons behind Robert's lack of faith, aswell as the astounding fact that Father Louis is Robert's brother, and, further, that Robert is the school principal's son. When Georges' ailing mother suddenlytakes a turn for the worse, he goes to the chapel to pray. His blind devotionand piety remind Robert of another -- a girl who God allowed to die, despite all of her faith. Robert goes into a destructive rage, until Georgesintervenes to clamp his rampage. As Father Louis prepares to leave, he asksGeorges to help Robert... A short story of a brief childhood incident -- revealing that Georgesand Robert have actually met before -- is also included in this volume.