Chapter 8 Summary

The next morning, Maria is told about what happened to Freda. She sits in shock in Rossi's office. Brenda, who tries to console her, has been vomiting all morning. The men in the factory take turns going upstairs to look at the body and are whispering between themselves. Maria thinks of how she will prepare Freda's body. Mr. Paganotti has called Rossi into his office an hour ago and now he wants to speak with Vittorio as well.

Brenda runs back to the apartment to get a washcloth and some toiletries for Freda's body. On the stairs, she meets the neighboring nurse, who inquires where Freda is. Brenda lies and says that Freda has gone on a holiday to Spain. As she returns to the factory, Rossi and Vittorio are arguing again. Apparently, Mr. Paganotti had called them into his office to tell...