From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Early the next morning, Claudia and Jamie wake and get dressed; Claudia relishes the smell of clean clothes. After hiding their belongings in various locations, they hide in the bathrooms and wait for the staff to arrive. To his amusement and Claudia’s alarm, Jamie is briefly spotted by a janitor. They leave the museum to buy breakfast as well as snacks for later. Claudia scolds Jamie for eating non-breakfast food for breakfast.

Back at the museum, Claudia announces her intention for her and Jamie to visit a new exhibit each day. Annoyed, Jamie picks the Italian Renaissance for their first visit, hoping that Claudia will get bored and give up. As they join the long line waiting to enter the gallery, Jamie and Claudia notice a photographer for the New York Times; Claudia shoves Jamie to remind him not to draw attention to himself. Soon, they spot the object of interest: a small statue of an angel, which Claudia considers “the most beautiful, most graceful little statue she had ever seen” (52). Determined to find out more about the angel, Claudia plans to buy a copy of the next day’s newspaper, but Jamie, who is angry at Claudia for shoving him, refuses to allow it.