Summary

The story continues in Chapter 22: Vera is released from the work line in August and walks home. She is heartbroken when her mother turns around and smiles at her, and then her smile fades when she sees that Olga is not there. Vera goes back to work at the library. After work, Vera goes each day and stands in a line to see what sort of food and supplies she can buy for her family. They have rations to buy enough food for them to live, but Vera knows that if she had chosen to work in the bread factory instead of the library, she and her family would get extra food because she would be considered an essential employee.

That night, Vera learns the Germans have surrounded Leningrad. No more supplies will be coming. Vera’s mother says that she plans to...