In this chapter, the narrator describes a dream in which he is lying in bed of damp mud. He feels a "veiled sense of fear" and a "helpless ness" as he sinks deeper and deeper in the mud. When he wakes up, he realizes that he has never had a safe night's sleep in his life. He wonders if they should put him and Elaine in the same bed. Elaine tells him that the students at the school are studying just like college students. The narrator says that he is fortunate to enjoy Elaine's love. He asks if she would like him to come to class with her. She says that she would, but that he must work hard if he does not want to be kicked out of the school. She tells him not to look sad, as those days were peaceful, but to look forward to the days to come. When she first met Elaine, she was filled with emptiness. She realizes that in every age there are talented children who do not get an education. She expects that one day, their talent will reach the school and they will be able to grow up to be adults capable of taking care of the future of the nation.