The protagonist was born in a mansion. She, however, called it a “building.” She thinks she ate the mansion at some point, and feels she contains it within her, feeling it change as she does. The mansion is sometimes occupied and other times empty. The narrator explores its floors and details, the rooms and furniture reminding her of her past and family.

She tells Marta that she believes everyone has two homes. The first is the physical home, and the second is the internal. This one has no address, and can change, but a person lives in both of them at the same time.

One of the von Goetzens was a professor of the history of religion. He was also an expert of roofs. It began when the mansion needed new roof tiles. The professor devoted himself to researching different styles and methods.

Later in his life, he wrote about Saint Kummernis and religious sects, including the Cutlers. He believed that religion intersected with roofs, as both acted as a barrier to what is above, protecting those under it and helping them make sense of the chaos in the world.