1664, Pages 51 - 73 Summary

Griet learns that the Vermeers are short on money. She is surprised to hear this as the family has so many nice things just lying around their house. Catharina and Johannes often fight about his painting - she believes that he should paint faster to make more money for their family, while he believes that rushing his work leads to sloppiness and a loss of art. Griet, obviously, agrees with Johannes, but does so secretly. Griet looks forward to cleaning the painting studio every day, and feels at peace there. She studies the painting each day, searching for differences. She finally begins to notice small ones, like an extra pearl added to the necklace the lady wears in the painting. One day she almost reached out and touched the real pearls when they were accidentally left out on a pillow, but...