Roland is excited by the guesthouse. He thinks it “[…] looks like TV” (62), which their mother never allowed them to watch. The twins pause at the doorway, reminding Lillian of “vampires” who need an invitation to enter. After entering, Roland is excited by the wide selection of food, while Bessie is drawn to a tall, crowded bookcase. Bessie rebuffs Lillian’s offer to read to them because they are already avid readers, having devoured their grandfather’s history books (the only ones available). Lillian promises trips to the library because Bessie has read most of the books on the shelves. Bessie sends Lillian to change out of her burned clothes, reassuring her that they will be alright alone with a stack of books and some cereal. Lillian reflects on her job so far, thinking that childrearing is simple and questioning those who struggle, like her mother.

After changing, Lillian gets the twins into unsinged clothing and sits them down for a talk. Despite having a week to prepare and a folder with information from a physician, Lillian is clueless about “the fire stuff” (65). Bessie says it is incurable, which she learned from their mother.