Charlie sneaks out again and Aunt Joyce drags him home, scolding him and ordering writing practice. When Dad and Ian return, they learn the boy is Joyce’s sister’s son — the sister is jailed for a hit-and-run — and Joyce explains she took him in but must be strict because he keeps running off. Dad tells her to be gentler and they go inside. At the table the boy, Mike, refuses cake and demands ice cream, declaring, "I'm Mike Locke. Buy me the ice cream shop... make me ice cream every day!" Joyce calls him insolent. The demand hangs unanswered.