Millie invited Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles over to watch the walls, and the walls keep them totally entertained until Montag turns off the power. He asks them about the war and when they think it will start. He expresses concern over the whereabouts of their husbands. The ladies aren't concerned. Mrs. Phelps replies
"... the Army called Pete yesterday. He'll be back next week. The Army said so. Quick war. Forty-eight hours, they said." (pg 94)
Then they comment that it is always someone else's husband who dies. . She says her husband has told her,
"...if I get killed off you just go right ahead and don't cry, but get married again and don't think of me. (pg 95)
Millie tries to change the subject and asks if they have seen a certain program on the walls. Suddenly Montag interrupts and asks Mrs. Phelps about her children.
"You...
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know I don't have any! No one in his right mind would have children." (pg 96)
Mrs. Bowles disagrees.
"The world must reproduce, you know, the race must go on. (pg 96)
"I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it's not bad at all. You heave them into the 'parlor' and turn the switch. It's like washing clothes: stuff the laundry in and slam the lid. They'd just as soon kick me as kiss me. Thank God, I can kick back!" (pg 96)
Millie again changes the subject and suggests that they talk politics to satisfy Montag. The women show their shallowness when they only speak of the physical characteristics of the politicians. When they speaks of the losing candidate, they say,
"What possessed the 'Outs' to run him? You just don't go running a little short man like that against a tall man..... Fat too and didn't dress to hide it. No wonder the landslide was for Winston Noble. Even their names helped. Compare Winston Noble to Hubert Hoag for ten seconds and you can almost figure the results." (pg 97)
This frustrates Montag, and he runs and gets a book of poetry.He is wearing the earpiece that Faber gave to him, and Faber tries to stop him from reading the poetry. Montag, in his frustration says aloud,
"....Oh God, the way they jabber about people and their own children and themselves and the way they talk about their husbands and the way they talk about war, dammit, I stand here and can't believe it!" (pg 98)
The women are insulted at this point and prepare to leave. Montag insists they sit back down. After Montag reads the poem to them, Mrs. Phelps is in tears, and Mrs. Bowles is angry. They leave. Mrs. Bowls remarks as she leaves,
"...I won't come in this fireman's crazy house again in my lifetime!" (pg 101)
This is part of Montag's undoing for the two ladies report him to the fire department for having a book. Millie does too. As a consequence, Montag's home is burnt to the ground, and Millie leaves him.