Throughout the day, customers steadily trickle into Fern's mystery book sale, including locals Fern recognizes by name, indicating word has spread through Murk. Maylee arrives with two large baskets of lassy buns donated to the cause, reasoning that food encourages browsing. She mentions a gnomish pastry book she suspects Viv influenced and offers a flirtatious squeeze, but doesn't fully meet Viv's eyes—a lingering chill from Viv's distracted behavior on their previous walk. Viv feels guilty and resolves to apologize properly when they're alone.

Gallina appears, amused by Viv's playful descriptive labels ("spicy," "moist") on the wrapped books rather than Fern's suggested "passionate" and "love." After bantering, Viv buys the parcel for Gallina in exchange for settling a debt over a bun, and the gnome heads off toward The Perch.

Highlark, the surgeon, stops by and is delighted to meet Fern, bonding with her over shared literary tastes, particularly the author Tensiger. He leaves with three bundles and a bun.

By sunset, roughly half the wrapped books have sold—eighty-seven in total, according to Satchel—and the cashbox had to be emptied mid-day due to overflow. Viv returns Maylee's empty baskets to Sea-Song with Fern's thanks and a promise to visit the next morning. Back at Thistleburr, Fern celebrates the unexpected success. Satchel, ordered by Fern to do something non-laborious, is reading a book and admits he might see the appeal, dryly suggesting he sample one of the "moist ones."