Later that morning, Nat receives a note from the apothecary, Doctor Nathan Read. Doctor Read has an apprentice who is interested in science. He invites Nat to come to his home Sunday evening to talk. Nat is interested in Doctor Reed, who is known to be interested in machinery. He holds a patent from Congress on a steam engine he designed for use on ships. He had tried to get a patent for a steam wagon as well, but Congress turned it down, thinking it was too ridiculous.

While Doctor Read is showing Nat his workbench, his tools, and his books, he offers a book to Nat saying that that might be interested in reading it, but it’s in French. Nat says that he can’t read French yet ,but he can learn it. Doctor Read gives Nat a French grammar book, a dictionary, and a copy of the New Testament in French.

Frederick Jordy comes into the chandlery. Jordy is French, and Doctor Read has told him Nat that is studying that language. Mr. Jordy suggests that they trade lessons, so that Nat can learn French and Mr. Jordy can learn English.

One day, Elizabeth Boardman comes into the chandlery to buy a present for her father.