- The next day, Merle picks six apples: three for the old painter and three for her.
- Bridget is pretty tired that night. She's been working on getting the dragon orchids ready for three days straight, working fast so they don't lose their potency.
- Merle thinks about giving her mother one of the painter's apples. But, then she'd have to explain where she got them from, which would not go over well.
- Because moms are mind readers, though, Bridget asks about the old man. Merle hasn't gone to his house, right? That wouldn't be a good idea.
- Of course not, Merle lies.
- The next day, she's back on the western side of the island. But, this time, her three apples are still sitting on the old painter's doorstep.
- Merle knows that's not right, so she knocks on the man's door. No one answers. She knocks louder, but nothing.
- So Merle walks around the house until she finds another door that's unlocked and lets herself in—into the dragon's lair.
- Inside, she finds the old painter lying on the floor.
- Merle rushes back to grab her mother for help. So much for her secret trips.