Lucy's next encounter, with Mr. Emerson and his son, is in the church. She has lost her companion and tour book and is upset that she can not appreciate the art because she has nothing stating what pieces are truly beautiful. She happens upon the pair and seeing that she is all alone, Mr. Emerson asks her to join them. She is affronted by this and Mr. Emerson scolds her. He is acknowledging the fact that she can be herself around them and that they do not expect her to act a certain way; "I think you are repeating what you have heard older people say. You are pretending to be touchy; but are not really. Stop being so tiresome, and tell me instead what part of the church you would want to see." (43).
Mr. Emerson shows his indelicate nature again, in the church, when he speaks his mind to Mr. Eager who is giving a tour of the frescoes. Mr. Eager tells how the church was built by faith and Mr. Emerson, quite loudly, explains that faith had nothing at all to do with it. ".That simply means that the workmen were not paid properly."(45). Lucy is embarrassed by this display and wants greatly to get away from it. Mr. Emerson is only saying what he thinks to be true even if it goes against the views of those around him. George offers no apologies for his father; ". he is kind to people because he loves them; and they find him out, and they are offended, or frightened." (45). This is the beauty of Mr. Emerson and Lucy is beginning to have an understanding and appreciation for it.
Mr. Emerson demonstrates his dislike for the rules of society during a trip to the countryside. As the group ventures out to enjoy the splendors of spring, the two young Italian carriage drivers show no pause in publicly displaying their affection for one another. Mr. Eager scolds them for this and demands that the young woman be left by the road and the young man continue the rest of the way without her. He does this because, in Victorian society, this type of behavior is not acceptable and therefore it is uncomfortable for those riding in the carriage, forced to watch them.