Summary

Nello and Patrasche went home after the funeral to find that they were one month late on their rent payment. They went to the cobbler who owned the hut and begged for an extension, but he kicked them out and demanded all the things inside the hut for payment. They spent one last night together in the hut where they had so many loving memories, and then they left on the morning of Christmas Eve.

They walked to Antwerp in the cold snow. They stopped by one house where Jehan had done many favors, and Nello asked for a crust of bread for Patrasche, who had not eaten anything since the morning before. However, the door was shut on them, so Nello did not ask any more houses for food.

Nello and Patrasche walked to the town square where the winner of the...