V.V. (18.5) Possession

[Samuel Moyer]

Why does Stencil think the teeth belong to V. ?  Because he is giving them
to her as a gift?  That seems incorrect.  Or does Stencil believe that the
teeth always belonged to V. but for some reason Eigenvalue had possession of
them... and that he would return them to her?

Sam

Stencil went to see (Eigenvalue) - perhaps as a test of the guts he'd need
to confront whatever of V. was still left on Malta.  They discussed the
concept of property and agreed that a true owner need not have physical
possession.  If the soul-dentist knew (as Stencil was nearly sure he did),
then "owner," Eigenvalue defined, was Eigenvalue; Stencil-defined, V.  It
was a complete failure of communications.  They parted friends.  (422.)