Chapter 29, The Dusters Summary

Oskar returns to the church many evenings, but Jesus never plays his drum again. Each night afterwards, Oskar destroys a window with his voice on his way home, out of frustration. One night, returning from the church, he encounters a threatening gang of young toughs. Oskar slips into a deserted chocolate factory to avoid them. The gang follows, and interrogates Oskar. Oskar tells them his name is Jesus. Furious, they "dust him," painfully digging their knuckles into his arm just above the elbow. They demand to know Oskar's real name, and he replies "Jesus" again. Just then, the air-raid sirens sound their warning. Several gang members rush off to their stations manning anti-aircraft guns. Oskar impresses the remaining members of the gang by shattering the windows of the chocolate factory with his voice. Awed, the gang leader gives Oskar...