Chapter Two Summary

The jailers bring Cincinnatus the morning papers, and they are filled with photos of his house and family. Cincinnatus is an orphan, son of Cecilia C. and a stranger. Cincinnatus grew up in an orphanage and only met his mother when he was in his twenties. All his life, Cincinnatus has not been like other people, and he has managed to hide his strangeness. When he's not on guard, though, others perceive that his soul is opaque. Even as a child, the other children shun Cincinnatus when they detect how different he is.

At fifteen, Cincinnatus goes to work building toys, an assignment given to him by the government. At night, he reads avidly. He is brought out of his solitary life when he meets Marthe, who also works at the toy factory. They walk together in the park and make...