Chapter 9 Summary

During the obligatory week of Jewish mourning, when Ida and Helen remain in their home, Frank keeps the store running, though his night earnings barely keep things going. People come in and pay off debts they owe to Morris because of their sympathy at his loss. He pays rent and Ida augments that with little sewing jobs she takes. Frank tries to tell Helen he is not the same man, but she still refuses him. He asks her if she even understands the books she'd given him to read.

Helen dreams of Frank and wakes afraid. She sees him in the hall in the morning. He tries to think of something, anything, to make her happy and finally figures that he can somehow put together the money to send her to college. In the morning he begins to revamp the store, including more...