City of Orphans

Willa and Maks return home for food and dry clothes. Maks hands over the day’s earnings. Papa asks why Willa carries the large stick, and Maks reminds him that it saved his life. Carrying it makes her feel safer. The younger brothers are reading with Zulot. Agnes is also reading, and Maks asks Papa about a lawyer for Emma. He becomes upset and leaves the room but asks Willa if she would like to go fishing with him on Sunday. Mama follows, but not before reprimanding Maks for upsetting his father saying that he is trying his best to help Emma. Maks tells Agnes about Donck’s plan at the Waldorf. She is skeptical and agrees with Willa that he should tell their parents. He tells her Willa will take over his paper sales. Willa and Maks fall asleep to the sound of the storm outside and of Papa singing in Danish about coming to America.

On Thursday morning, Maks wakes to find Willa helping with the morning chores, checks outside to find no Plug Uglies, and cleans himself to prepare for his first day at the Waldorf. He is reminded yet again of his family’s trials when Mrs. Vograd tells him their account is overdue for milk: “Maks feels like the whole world is pounding on them” (223).