In the present, Jack and Grace are going to Esther and Rufus’s for dinner. Grace already knows she will see Millie the next day because Janice has lunch plans she must attend. The idea that she knows that seeing Millie cannot be taken away makes her more relaxed going into the dinner party. Grace is also “pleased that [she] didn’t fall into the trap [Jack] set [her] by shading the words in Esther’s book, although [she]’ll have to be careful that [she doesn’t] say anything to her that he could misconstrue” (169). As a result, when they get to Esther’s house, Grace hands the book back to her, telling her that it took her time to read it because it wasn’t something she would normally be interested in. Esther looks disappointed, which makes Grace think that perhaps it was Esther who highlighted the words and that she missed a chance. However, Esther just seems to be let down that Grace didn’t like the book.

Relieved, Grace almost forgets her situation and has a great time at the party, drinking too much champagne and talking more than usual. Jack brings her back down to earth at the dinner table by reminding her that Millie is coming to live with them in seventy-five days.