Book IV: The Rail, Chapters 22-22 Summary

As the regular evening activities take place along the riverfront, David throws the milk dipper onto the tracks and runs, expecting to see the flash of light. Because it has not landed in the correct spot to cause the electrical flash, he returns and sticks his toe into the ladle to pull it out and try again. Immediately, he is seared with an electric current, causing a huge flash. The street activity stops. The oncoming trolley car suffers a power drain. Those nearby adults see the child on the tracks and rush forward, rolling him off and onto the cobbles, using a stick to avoid electrocution themselves. Efforts to revive David are not successful until the ambulance arrives with an intern. Through this ordeal, David hallucinates, engaging in stream of consciousness thought, meshing...