Chapter Four Summary

When Rodion comes in to Cincinnatus's cell, Emmie slips past him. When Rodion leaves, she comes out of her hiding place. She is quiet but mischievous, tooting a tune on his water jug and running around restlessly. Cincinnatus asks her about his execution date, but she does not respond. Cincinnatus says if she were older, she would help him escape. Rodion finally comes in and shoos her out. Cincinnatus says he's through with his books and asks for the library catalogue.

Cincinnatus walks around his cell, distressed, examining the walls and reading the nonsensical rules for prisoners, which include a quiet time between one and three in the afternoon and singing with the guards only "my mutual consent and on certain days." The sixth rule outlaws pleasurable dreams. Cincinnatus looks through an old magazine, marveling at the pictures of bygone days...