The chapter opens with a pep talk from Tommo, who's been studying all day. He tells Tommo to hurry up and get ready for class because someone's going to show up at school late. Tommo says that he's studying so hard that he doesn't even know what's wrong with him. He also says that Tommo's a good student and should be studying for his exams. He then asks Tommo if he wants to go on a camping trip with the other members of the school's literary club during the summer break, which is coming up soon.