During Theo’s year in Golden, Theo and Mr. Ponder’s connection holds steady in its practical forms: landlord and tenant, consultant and client, and confider and confidant. After the first few weeks, that arrangement clearly deepens into a genuine friendship.

Theo values his younger circle of acquaintances, but Theo feels out of step with their modern world of technology and “digital everything.” Theo especially appreciates having an almost-contemporary in Mr. Ponder—someone Theo can speak to without guarding his past, quietly coordinate acts of help with, exchange ideas with as an intellectual equal, and learn from about the city and its people.

Because of that need, Theo often makes the inconvenient walk from his apartment to Mr. Ponder’s office for spontaneous visits. Mr. Ponder welcomes those visits as well, believing Theo is a rare superior and mentor, and Mr. Ponder’s light workload allows time for them.

To facilitate the growing friendship, Mrs. Gidley is instructed to admit Theo whenever possible. Although Mrs. Gidley initially dislikes the impropriety of unannounced intrusions, Mrs. Gidley gradually relaxes her old protocols and adapts to the new routine.