A woman who stamps ’s card each time she borrows a book, then shoves it back at her without ever smiling or looking at her. Francie asks her if she can recommend a book for a girl, in the hope of getting attention. The librarian always asks, matter-of-factly, how old the intended girl is and dutifully recommends a book. Francie admires a on the librarian’s desk, which has “a spray of pink wild aster in it.” The librarian, Francie later realizes, has hardly ever noticed the bowl.