Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

Chapter 3 is called "Through the Village" and returns to the present as the Emberites are led by Mary Waters through the village of Sparks. They marvel at the strange plants so different than the ones they grew in their underground greenhouses in Ember. Lina is inquisitive about what things are called and learns the words for "pine tree" and "plaza."

Mary leads them to the village plaza, which has a large fountain in the center. She points out the fountain and the nearby river and invites the Emberites to drink. The thirsty travelers rush to drink as the people of Sparks continue to look on at the strangers in bafflement. Lina notices the three leaders moving among the villagers speaking to them in turn. She realizes the difficulty of the situation having some 400 new people arrive.

After a time, Mary Waters...