Chapter Fifteen Summary

In the late afternoon, Cincinnatus hears the noises beginning again. A loud noise indicates a breakthrough, and Cincinnatus gets his few possessions together in anticipation of the diggers. With a tremendous crash, the wall falls in. From the clouds of dust emerge M'sieur Pierre and Rodrig Ivanovich, laughing at their joke.

Pierre tells Cincinnatus that the tunnel is for the two friends to visit, and he insistently ushers Cincinnatus through to have tea. With no other choice, Cincinnatus crawls ahead of Pierre through the tight, uncomfortable tunnel. Finally, they come out in M'sieur Pierre's cell. Pierre brushes the dust off of his guest and changes his clothes. He brags that his cell, though the same as Cincinnatus's, is decorated. There is a wall calendar and a quilt on the cot, as well as pictures and a fan on the wall.

Pierre...