Book Two, Chapter 26 Summary

Theo writes in his diary, which he has carried with him on the journey. He writes of an idealistic setting, where they are spending the day lazing around waiting for nightfall. He watches Rolf take pride in meticulously cleaning the car. Luke looks after the stores. Julian and Miriam enjoy listening to Theo read Emma aloud to them, which was in the car.

At the end of the day they discover there was another torch in the car after all. Theo is glad they did not locate it the night before. He believes they needed this day. He feels closer to the others in the group. He is amazed that he can be at ease and committed to people he does not know anything about; their families, their friends, their last names. He also admits aloud that he may...