Household confrontation opens when Mavis is shoved out and called a 'wretched girl' by a woman who orders her to leave and stay with 'that crippled loser.' Tension spikes as another person threatens the children—'Rather than let the children suffer... it's better to let them find peace with me today'—until Leon steps in: 'As long as I'm here, none of you will die!' The scene pivots when Father admits he's been poisoned and fears his trial will fail. Mother vows to find a doctor and insists she can save him, but others note Jenny is illiterate, leaving Father's fate uncertain.