The mood in the History House is sad, and Al notices that everyone is especially sullen at dinner each day. Mr. Brock complains about the plot of a book he is reading, and Ms. Scoggin has difficulty picking up things. Al recalls the boy once again. She learned from Ms. Scoggin that his mother had died. Al could relate, having been orphaned herself. She recalls learning to love books as a child and getting her first job in a library at age 13.

Two third graders bring a wagon full of books to the little free library. That evening, Al brings Mortimer dinner and tells him she is worried about both Ms. Scoggin and Mr. Brock. Suddenly, Al races back to the History House: The third graders have returned, one of their fathers in tow. The children ask about Al, but the father cautions them to leave her alone.

The children and father make a bed for Mortimer with a towel and stake an umbrella into the ground to shield it. Mortimer likes the bed very much.