Part Two: Chapter V, What Next Summary and Analysis

This chapter encapsulates too many trivial moments to summarize, such as Johannes being too big a baby to fit into the size Mrs. Drinker coerced Maria to buy. Then the little ones are home from boarding school and the older girls help cook. Martina takes care of the baby. Anne, the nurse, shows Maria how to use diapers the American way. Friends visit daily and take them to concerts and museums. Mrs. Drinker knows of a nearby boarding school for the girls. The house is cheaper than a hotel, but very small. Money and food are scarce. There's not enough of anything for everybody, since the family is so big. They wonder what to do besides pray.

Their visitor's visa expires in March. Friends assure it will be extended. However, their...