When the Angels Left the Old Country

At the docks in Hamburg, Rose waits to board a ship to America. She is angry and devastated by what she sees as Dinah’s betrayal. Her dark thoughts toward Dinah attract the attention of Little Ash, who stares at her. Disconcerted by his stare, Rose joins him and the angel. She is not excited to be with them, but she considers it safer to travel in a group. She shares food with them, and the angel leads a prayer. Impressed by Rose’s sincerity and reading her desire to go to America to help her family, the angel expands its purpose and commits to helping her as well. Little Ash believes that the angel is beginning to act too human and surmises that its new name must be affecting its behavior.

On the ship, both Rose and the angel fall ill. Little Ash takes them down into the boat. The angel leaves its body to sleep, and Rose asks Little Ash how he convinced the angel to go to America, as it is clear that the angel is hesitant to travel. Little Ash hesitates to answer her. While the angel and Rose rest, Little Ash, who does not sleep, goes through the angel’s bag and finds the books and letter that were found in Reb Fishl’s apartment.