The narrator goes on a walk, and when he returns, he confronts Bartleby. But he's there, and he tells the narrator to wait before entering. When the narrator arrives at the office, at first it seems that Bartleby is gone. At the corner of Broadway and Canal Street, he hears men betting money on something, and to his ears it seems the whole city is thinking of Bartleby. But the next morning, his anxiety increases as he nears work. On his way home that night, the narrator congratulates himself on his handling of the situation. His speech assumes that Bartleby will leave he asks Bartleby to lock up on his way out.
He gives Bartleby some money, telling him firmly but gently that he must go. But the six days pass, and Bartleby is still there. Finally, the narrator dismisses him, giving him six days to go. Time passes, and Bartleby is still a fixture around the office. Even if his eyes should get better, he will copy nothing. Some days later, Bartleby announces to the narrator that he has given up copying. But even though he cannot copy, he refuses to do other work. The narrator realizes that working by the dim light of the window (which faces a wall) has temporarily damaged Bartleby's eyes. The next day, Bartleby stops copying altogether. But he does not dismiss Bartleby just then. Turkey is using the word "prefer" in nearly every sentence, and the narrator worries that Bartleby's presence is somehow contaminating them. Turkey comes in, suggesting that Bartleby take to drinking to improve his moods, so that he can work. The narrator realizes that of late, he has been using the word "prefer" constantly. The narrator tells Nippers that he would prefer for Nippers to leave. When he says he would prefer not to, Nippers bursts into the room, furious. The narrator tries to convince Bartleby to take up some of the normal duties around the office.
When questioned about his past, Bartleby simply replies that he would prefer not to answer.