This chapter's epigraph comes from a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. In this poem, Edgar asks the reader to have a look at the baby. He wants to know if the baby is shy with strangers, and if it is strong enough to threaten his life. Edgar tells the reader that the baby does not like to stay in the room, and that he often puts the ring of the beast on the baby's chest. He tells Edgar that his father has sold the baby to him, and Edgar tells him that he will know the truth tomorrow when they finish their work. Edgar then tells the audience that he thinks Edgar's father wants a grandson, but that he has not been mentally prepared for it.