Chapter 8, Part 1, pp. 149-167 Summary

As June turns into July, things start to get better. Jim gets hired on at Cudahy's slaughterhouse, so he will be making a few cents more per hour. He is very enthusiastic and optimistic, and tells Anna that she need not take in any more laundry. He buys a whole bunch of fireworks, and the family has a big Independence Day celebration in the yard. The garden starts to produce a little bit of fruits and vegetables, so the family's diet is more varied. Anna regains some of her strength, and manages to do some of the housework again. Jim secretly plans to buy her a second-hand sewing machine.

Anna takes the children to the public library, excited about sharing with them the world that books make available. However, since they have already been told by their...