Maxine, Hanff’s close friend from America, visits London and writes to Hanff on September 10, 1951. She has just visited Marks & Co. bookshop. In her letter, she portrays the shop as something “straight out of Dickens” with shelves that “go on forever” (26). She also notes the difficult economic conditions in postwar England: While restaurants and hotels serve food, everything is extremely expensive, and sugar and sweets remain rationed. In response, Hanff sends Maxine sweets on September 15, 1951.

October 15, 1951, Hanff writes directly to Marks & Co. with a spirited complaint about the Pepys diary edition she received. She calls it nothing but a “busybody editor’s excerpts” and declares, “I could just spit” (28). She demands the full, uncensored version instead. She also asks if the bookstore would like fresh eggs or powdered eggs in a Christmas parcel. Frank Doel replies to Hanff, apologizing for the Pepys diary issue. He informs her that he has finally found a copy of the Leigh Hunt essays and the Vulgate New Testament that Hanff has been asking for. He mentions that he spoke with everyone at the shop and that they would be delighted to receive fresh eggs.