# Roger Raids the Icebox explained — The Haunted Bookshop > Chapter companion for The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley. ## What happens Roger Mifflin spends a quiet evening at home after Helen and Titania return from the movies, where they met Aubrey Gilbert. Roger sells a copy of 'Philip Dru' and receives a phone call from Mr. Chapman inviting them all to visit. Later, Roger indulges in his habit of raiding the icebox, then tends the furnace and reads Burton's 'Anatomy of Melancholy' while Bock grows uneasy at a noise in the cellar. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Power of Books and Reading Roger sells a copy of 'Philip Dru' based on its rumored authorship, and reads Burton's 'Anatomy of Melancholy' in the cellar, showing how books shape conversation and thought. ### The Art of Bookselling as a Profession Roger's casual sale of a book and Titania's practice in wrapping parcels highlight the practical skills and quirks of bookselling. ### Post-War Anxiety and Hope Roger's resumption of icebox raiding 'with hearty violence' since the armistice and his mention of the war reflect a return to peacetime domestic life. ## Character check-ins ### Roger Mifflin Spends the evening writing to Andrew, selling a book, closing the shop, raiding the icebox, and reading in the cellar. ### Titania Chapman Returns from the movies with Helen, mentions meeting Aubrey Gilbert, and practices wrapping parcels. ### Helen Mifflin Returns from the movies with Titania, prepares cocoa, and discusses Roger's icebox habits. ### Bock Wags tail politely, dozes under Roger's chair, and later growls uneasily at a noise in the cellar. ### Aubrey Gilbert Mentioned as having joined Titania and Helen at the movies and plans to fix the furnace on Monday. ### Mr. Chapman Calls Roger to check on Titania and invites them all to visit his home the next day. ## Key lines > I actually sold that copy of Philip Dru . Roger sold a copy of 'Philip Dru' to a customer. _Highlights Roger's ability to sell books through storytelling._ > I have often noticed that the most terrific philosophical agonies can be allayed by three cups of Mrs. Mifflin's cocoa. Roger believes cocoa can soothe deep philosophical distress. _Shows Roger's whimsical philosophy and domestic comfort._ > I've been practicing doing up parcels all afternoon, so as to learn how to tie the string nicely and not cut it until after the knot's tied. Titania has been practicing wrapping parcels to improve her bookselling skills. _Demonstrates Titania's earnestness to succeed in her new job._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/x-roger-raids-the-icebox - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters