Summary

Ellis's article finally received approval, upon its third revision and he is invited to lunch with the other newspapermen. His newfound confidence encourages him to ask Lily to accompany him to an art exhibit, an invitation that she politely declines, stating that she is busy. Because of Samuel she is unable to date and chooses instead to spend her evenings reading alone in her bedroom.

Ellis's conversation with Lily is swiftly interrupted by the managing editor of the newspaper, Mr. Baylor's revelation that his photograph, along with the negative, have been ruined in an unfortunate bleach accident. It is up to Ellis to conjure a replacement photo to accompany the article, by the end of the current workday.

Without another choice in the matter, Ellis returns to the farmhouse where he previously met the two boys with the brilliant blue eyes, only to...