Gregor says he thought the spiders were their friends. Mareth says “We are on peaceful terms with the Spinners. We trade with them, we do not invade each other’s lands… but it would be an exaggeration to call them our friends” (180). Vikus apologizes to Gregor saying he thought he had done a lot to build bridges and create peace between humans and spiders. Gregor notices Vikus looks sad, so he tells him that the spiders were going to eat him until he mentioned Vikus’s name. On hearing this: “Vikus brightened a little. ‘Truly? Well that is something. Where there is life there is Hope’” (181). 

Boots suddenly yells out that she needs a new diaper, and Gregor realizes they are down to two catch cloths. Solovet says they could not be in a better place as the spinners weave all their catch cloths. She calls up to a guard, and two dozen fresh diapers are spun down. Then, Solovet goes from person to person, inspecting their wounds and patching them up: “Luxa, Henry and Mareth paid close attention, as if she were teaching a class” (182).