chapters 6-12 Summary

In Chapter 6, the family arrives at Patrick's house. It turns out that Patrick had never received Michael's letter and so he did not know the family was arriving from Ireland. Patrick's wife, Elsa, and her two daughters, Trudy and Hildegarde, are clearly not pleased at having company during dinner. Elsa is even less pleased when she learns that the family will be staying with them until Michael returns from Ireland. Patrick is kind and jovial and says they are delighted to have family from Ireland.

Elsa serves sauerkraut and rye bread for dinner. Rose thinks that the sauerkraut is the worst thing she has ever tasted. Margaret is so excited to be in New York that she does not notice the taste of the food. She and Patrick talk excitedly about the people back in Limerick while Elsa and her daughters...