In this short scene, the young narrator tries to make his way to the apartment where he and his mother are staying. He tries to convince his mother that she should accompany him to the theater so that she will not be frightened by the sight of the two of them together. His mother, however, refuses, saying that she does not want to go because she is going to school. The young narrator is horrified by his mother's refusal to accompany him, and he tries to comfort her by telling her that he is offering to accompany her because he is afraid she will be frightened.