The Haunted Bookshop · Chapter
Aubrey Goes to the Movies, and Wishes He Knew More German explained
Aubrey has supper at a lunchroom near the bookshop, watching Mifflin's shop.
What happens
Aubrey has supper at a lunchroom near the bookshop, watching Mifflin's shop. He sees Titania and Helen Mifflin go to the movies, joins them, and enjoys the show. Afterward, he explores the alley behind the bookshop, sees Titania in her window, and overhears two men trying to enter the locked gate.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Romance
Aubrey's romantic feelings for Titania are evident as he imagines them bungalowed together and feels melancholy when she leaves.
Mystery and Adventure
Aubrey's surveillance of the bookshop, the locked gate, and the mysterious men in the alley build suspense.
Characters to notice
- Aubrey Gilbert
Has supper, joins Titania and Helen at the movies, then investigates the alley behind the bookshop.
- Titania Chapman
Goes to the movies with Helen Mifflin, chats with Aubrey, mentions the Cromwell book and Mifflin's upcoming trip.
- Helen Mifflin
Accompanies Titania to the movies, invites Aubrey to join them, later makes cocoa.
- Roger Mifflin
Mentioned as having a telephone call from Philadelphia and planning a trip on Monday.
- Mr. Weintraub
Aubrey notices Weintraub eyes him queerly at the pharmacy and uses pale violet ink.
Key passages
“Aubrey began to wonder if his unpleasant suspicions had not been overdrawn.”
Aubrey started to think his fears might be exaggerated.
Reflects Aubrey's doubt about the danger he suspects.
“He admired the layout of her face from the standpoint of his cherished technique.”
He appreciated her features using his advertising design perspective.
Shows Aubrey's habit of seeing the world through his profession.
“If men die a thousand deaths before this mortal coil is shuffled, even so surely do youths contract a thousand marriages before they go to the City Hall for a license.”
Young people imagine many romantic futures before actually marrying.
Highlights Aubrey's romantic fantasies about Titania.