What happens in Chapter 3, when Hal is 10-years-old?

In Chapter 3, 10-year-old Hal visits a man who calls himself a professional conversationalist. He tells Hal that he is advanced for his age, as he can recite parts of the dictionary at will. The man tries to have a discussion with Hal, but Hal knows that the man is actually his father in disguise, trying to find a way to become closer to his son.