Book IV: The Rail, Chapters 1-4 Summary

Albert must take a part of an injured milkman's route, in a bad section of the city, and insists that David accompany him, in order to protect the wagon and its contents while he delivers the mild. As David waits, his father out of sight, two men approach the wagon, terrorizing David, and stealing two bottles of milk. Anticipating his father's reaction, David considers running away but is completely unfamiliar with his surroundings. Furious with both David and the two thieves, Albert whips the horse and races after the men, cornering one and both whipping and punching him unconscious. Back in the wagon, he hits David with the reins and drops him off on their street, with instructions to go directly to cheder and not to relate any of what has happened to...