Summary

Chapter 11. The warden speaks again with Molina, who has nothing to tell but requests permission to create a ruse that he is about to be pardoned so Valentin will perhaps be more likely to talk. He again asks for groceries to allow him to pretend his mother visited him.

When Molina returns to the cell, Valentin apologizes for his outburst. Molina replies that he understands Valentin’s motives: he tries to keep himself from getting attached to people. Molina in turn admits that he wants to win Valentin’s affection, since he has never been so close with anyone other than his mother. He then tells Valentin he is being considered for pardon and might be transferred to a different cell. Valentin reacts with sadness and no longer feels like talking, and a footnote attached to the end of their conversation continues the discussion of...