An Abundance of Katherines Chapter 17 Summary

  • The next morning everyone's sore from the fight. Their assignment for the day is to interview an old woman named Mabel Bartrand—Lindsey's not really up for it, but Hassan thinks she can probably use the company.
  • The three go out to the assisted living facility where Mabel is and she smiles when she sees them.
  • She recognizes Lindsey and the two chat a bit; Lindsey has tears in her eyes and seems really moved.
  • They start the interview and Mabel talks about Dr. Dinzanfar and penny candy. She's a bit confused, and Lindsey abruptly says they should cut the interview short—but don't worry, she'll be by to visit Mabel soon.
  • The old lady is very kind and Hassan notes that this is definitely not funny. Colin's confused—why does everything have to be funny to that guy? Dingleberries, says Hassan. Shmoop senses a pattern of that word popping up whenever it gets serious.
  • That night, Colin works on the theorem and finally finishes it—now that he knows what really happened with K-3, it was easy.
  • He goes and tells Lindsey and Hassan, who are pleased. They ask if it will work for any two people, so he tries it out on Lindsey and TOC. It works and Lindsey is relieved. Hassan says he doesn't want to be a party pooper, but guys like TOC and Katherines dump people a lot, so who cares.
  • Then Colin claims it will work on a relationship that hasn't happened yet.
  • But the real news is that Hassan was just online looking at colleges and he registered for two classes. Go, Hassan, go.