Summary

In “The Rebel,” Nella retrieves the doll from outside. At breakfast, Marin praises the burgomaster’s decision to ban dolls. At breakfast, Nella complains about the cold, and Otto notes that the “wood supplies have thinned” (183). After breakfast, Nella goes to the kitchen with Otto and Cornelia and they discuss the upcoming holidays. Cornelia says that on Epiphany, Johannes allows Otto and Cornelia to dress in “lords” (184) clothes and feast with them. Marin comes downstairs with a letter from Nella’s mother, asking Nella and Johannes to come home for the holidays. Nella sees that Marin actually wants her to stay, and so Nella denies her mother’s letter.

The next chapter, “The Fox Is Feverish,” begins with Nella writing to the miniaturist. In her letter, she acknowledges the miniaturist’s awareness that Peebo has flown away. She...