Mrs. Newcomb spends her days writing, and in the evenings, she reads what she’s written to Mr. Newcomb. The Littles have become invested in Mrs. Newcomb’s novel, and they gather each evening in their living room, which shares a wall with the Biggs’ living room. They uncork a subtle hole in the wall to listen as Mrs. Newcomb reads. Whenever her reading runs late, Tom and Lucy beg to stay up past their bedtime because they do not want to miss any part of the story. Uncle Pete loves the story, too, but he’s worried about the Newcombs’ housekeeping. They’ve been leaving out food and uncovered garbage, and no one has swept the house since the Biggs left. Granny is certain there will be mice.

Mr. Little returns home one day to confirm Granny was right—there are now mice. The Littles must keep their doors locked and stay armed when they leave the safety of their rooms. There is a weapons chest under the sofa that Mr. Little retrieves. He laments that their generation of Littles must use them. Mr. Little assures Lucy that Uncle Pete will teach Lucy and Tom how to shoot a bow and arrow.