- Laura Brown collects Richie from the babysitter, and mother and son drive home.
- On her way to Mrs. Latch's house, Laura admits to herself that she's "been thinking kindly, even longingly, of death" (17.2).
- Richie is overjoyed to see Laura and starts crying when she arrives. A few minutes later, as they're driving in the car, his voice takes on a strange and unusual tone as he tells her that he loves her.
- Laura has never heard Richie use a tone like that before, and she feels that he must know her secret. He knows that she is lying about where she's been, and he knows that something is wrong.
- Laura does her best to reassure Richie that they're going to have a wonderful birthday party with his father when they get home.