City of Orphans

Maks arrives at the shoe factory with news of Emma for Papa. He notes the dangers surrounding factory work, especially on the large machines. People often lose limbs or worse. He is thankful Papa works in shoes and only has to use scissors. Agnes is particularly useful for her small hands; as Papa once said, “Best thing ‘bout America, she uses all kinds” (129). Maks finds Papa and relates to him the sad state of Emma and the story of the watch. Papa is called back to his work by the foreman, Mr. Purnham. He tells Maks to return home and tell Mama the news. Maks considers going to look for Willa. He bumps into a member of the Plug Ugly Gang and escapes by running home. Mama is not there, but Willa is. He tells the whole story to the family. Maks is in a hurry to collect his papers and make his daily sales. Mama, like Papa, is grieved over the news of a possible trial and the lack of food. Maks assures her that Agnes is trying to find a lawyer but says that, in the meantime, she could visit her for comfort. Willa says she is sorry about all that has happened to Emma and agrees to join Maks to collect his papers.