Chapter 8 Summary

In this chapter, Lutie goes home. On the way home she thinks, "That's what's wrong. We don't have time enough or money enough to live like other people because the women have to work until they become drudges and the men stand by idle." This thought ignites her determination.

When she enters the building the atmosphere inside depresses her. On her way up the stairs she sees Mary, one of Mrs. Hedges' girls, and a young sailor. She questions why they are on the cold landing inside and Mary explains that the sailor is out of money and Mrs. Hedges won't let him come inside. It angers Lutie that the sailor's last memories will be of a dark hallway.

She finds Bub is still up with the light on when she gets inside of the apartment. She sees signs that someone else was...