John asks Miss Faust about Dr. Hoenikker. She explains that the pursuit of scientific knowledge was the only thing that mattered to Dr. Hoenikker.

Miss Faust recalls Dr. Hoenikker challenging her to say something “absolutely true.” When she responded that “God is love,” Dr. Hoenikker asked, “What is God? What is love?” (55).

John visits Dr. Hoenikker’s room, which is preserved as he left it. The room is filled with cheap toys, lab equipment, and unanswered mail. A framed photograph on his desk features a war memorial, which Dr. Hoenikker selected because of the unusual way the cannonballs were stacked.