Chapters 9 and 10 Summary

Chapter 9 is called "Hard, Hungry Work." Doon does not mind the hard work. It is making him strong, but other Emberites are straining under the difficulty. The leader of his work team, a man named Chugger Frisk, is a brusque man with little patience.

After the noon meal one day Kenny Parton leads Doon to a building called the "ark" where the villagers store their food. In a room at the back of the building he shows Doon piles of dusty books that have been stacked there. Doon takes a few back to the hotel with him to read.

After a time, Doon notices that Martha Parton's elaborate meals become plainer and smaller. Other Emberites notice that the people of Sparks are not sharing as much food as they had before. They begin to complain among themselves and at a meeting...