Crumbs From the Table of Joy

To the audience, Ernestine wonders about Lily’s revolution, which still hasn’t happened. Lily applies makeup, sipping from a flask and reminiscing about her youth. Men used to woo her and Sandra, but Lily was the prettier sister.

Lily doesn’t accompany the Crumps to the Mission banquet welcoming Father Divine. At a massive table, the family indulges in enormous quantities of food, although Gerte is bothered by the waste. Godfrey, with pockets full of questions, is trembling with excitement about finally meeting Father Divine. Ernestine imagines that Gerte shimmies into a clingy dress and serenades them.

A flat tire keeps Father Divine from showing up, leaving Godfrey crestfallen as he realizes that he will have to wait an entire year for another chance to meet him. Ermina wonders quietly why Father Divine can’t just fly there since he’s supposed to be a god. Gerte reassures Godfrey that the Mission did something powerful by bringing them together, and there are plenty of other preachers.

Elsewhere, Lily laughs smugly and smokes. Ernestine says that Lily dismisses religion as a government tool to pacify the people, but Gerte might destroy their God altogether.