The grub-man, who earlier surmised that Bartleby was a “gentleman forger,” deduces that he is “odd.”
Bartleby declines to eat dinner, since he is unaccustomed to full-scale dining. The grub-man, suggesting an introduction to his new client, makes a show of condescending to Bartleby and asks what he would like for his evening meal. The lawyer, willing to underwrite Bartleby’s meals, pays the man in advance to bring the prisoner “the best dinner you can get” and urges him to be as polite as possible. On his departure, the lawyer encounters the grub-man, who offers to provide a better grade of food than Bartleby is likely to receive in prison. The lawyer disclaims any part in Bartleby’s arrest and reminds him that the yard is pleasantly grassy and open to the sky Bartleby retorts, “I know where I am.” At the lawyer’s approach, Bartleby does not turn around and refuses to converse.
Since Bartleby is not considered a dangerous criminal, he has the run of the prison yard, where the lawyer finds him facing a high wall within sight of thieves and murderers.
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