Summary

In the chapter “Greta,” Karl wakes up early the following morning to begin his work on the three hundred. However, he is only able to do 17 push-ups and 2 chin-ups, but does manage 80 sit-ups and 45 minutes of running. He figures his total for the first day has come up to 143, quite a bit shy of the required three hundred. He makes a trip to the basement to ask Herr Koplek if he can shovel the coal. The superintendent seems afraid he will steal the coal and threatens him. He agrees to allow Karl to do the shoveling but stands and laughs at him during his first attempt. As he is almost finished, Karl hears a girl behind him referring to him as “Vulcan at his forge.” It is Greta Hauser, the girl whom he wants...