After the mishap in the previous chapter, Turner is more strictly forbidden to see Lizzie or go to Malaga, and his father begins preaching sermons that are in favor of the Malaga eviction. Turner goes down to the shore where he usually meets Lizzie, but she isn’t there. Nonetheless, his father finds out that he was at the shore, slaps him, and confines him to the house except for playing the organ for Mrs. Cobb. Mrs. Hurd can hear Turner’s playing from her house and requests a favorite hymn. Lizzie sneaks into town and meets Turner outside his house, where they decide to meet at Mrs. Cobb’s the next day so Lizzie can hear Turner play. Mrs. Cobb is scandalized by Lizzie’s presence in her house.

Lizzie starts to come every day to hear Turner play for Mrs. Cobb, who comes to tolerate Lizzie over time. Summer turns to autumn, and Turner begins taking lessons at home with his father instead of going to the Phippsburg school. One day when he goes to play for Mrs. Cobb, he notices that Mrs. Hurd’s unconventionally colored shutters and door have been painted a more traditional green.