Chapter 7, Part 3 Summary

Yakov's broom has fallen apart from overuse. As he claimed he got the New Testament from his trips to the kitchen, he is forbidden to go there any more. Now that it is springtime, he has no more stove to tend in his cell. He is back where he started, with nothing to do and no small things to look forward to.

Yakov stopped keeping track of the days. He refused to keep counting after one year. He now spends his time re-reading the Old Testament bits he has been given. The Old Testament stories of suffering fuel Yakov's rage. He thinks evil thoughts about Tsar Nicholas for keeping him imprisoned like this.

Yakov starts blacking out for long periods of time. While he blacks out, he paces his cell and wears out his shoes. Yakov thinks often of Raisl and...