Summary

In “The Wife,” Cornelia is preparing for that night’s dinner, which the Meermans will be attending. Nella asks her what was in the packet Hanna gave her at the bakery. Cornelia explains it was the last of her best sugar. Nella goes into town to visit the miniaturist. No one answers the door, though a face appears in the window. Nella is certain it is the woman who was watching her on the street and in church. The man Cornelia dubbed “Hole-Face” appears and explains to Nella that the woman never answers to callers. Nella presses him for information, but he knows little, save for that she has been living there for “three or four months” (119).

Back at the house, everyone is preparing for the Meermans's arrival. All are nervous as Johannes has not yet returned home and...