As summer draws to a close in Tuscany, Serena does laundry outside under the shade of a tree while watching over her children and baby Giorgio. Donna Beatrice, Giorgio's mother, pays an unexpected visit to see her son. Serena's brother Stefano then arrives, having dislocated his shoulder in an accident. Serena and Stefano take him inside for treatment, leaving Beatrice alone with the children. She struggles to watch over them by herself.