Summary

Nina returns to work and the narrator describes the various children’s reading programs Nina runs. Nina enjoys observing how parents handle the kids and each other, and also loves seeing how the kids mature through their reading. The narrator talks about other things Nina observes, including a conversation between two women that think they know each other but cannot figure out why. The narrator says it is because they once exchanged insurance information. Then, Mr. Meffo- the landlord who the narrator says is not a bad man, but a good businessman, arrives. It is revealed that he is the mysterious Mephistopheles, and Liz has struggled to pay rent since the price went up. Mr. Meffo says others are interested in buying the bookstore and leaves. When Liz says she cannot pay rent, Nina promises to take care of it.

At home...