This chapter opens with a conversation between Mr. Quin and his wife. They are talking about the fight that took place between the two of them the day before. They have not yet fired the teacher, but they are worried that she will misunderstand them. They decide to give her a birthday present, but then they decide to extend the contract for another year. They ask where the teacher is and she tells them that she has caught a cold that day. They apologize to her and she accepts the contract. She also tells them not to offer her things that they get from another person. She says that whenever she meets a stranger, she instinctively thinks that they will hurt her, so she does not trust anyone easily.