Though the novel starts with the scene of Jurgis and Ona's wedding, at this point we are still dealing with the flashback of the family's first weeks in America. Ona wants very much to get married as soon as possible, and she brings up the idea of her seeking employment. This way, she says, they will be able to afford the wedding quicker. Jurgis can't argue against that. He loves Ona and can't wait to marry her.
During this time, another Lithuanian family befriends them. This family tells them about the family who used to live in the house Jurgis and his family have just moved into. It turns out that the house is not brand-new, as the agent had said. In fact, it was cheaply made and was freshly painted every time another.....
