The Endless Steppe

Esther describes how children travel to school in a convoy to survive the winter wind and how the library is a warm haven to her. Esther finishes Marya’s larger sweater and happily receives a piece of furniture as payment from her next customer.

Uncle Yozia and Aunt Zaya’s friendship has become a lifeline for Raya, and when the hut’s freezing temperatures begin to worry her, she reaches out to them for help. Through Yozia, Raya is offered a job with a factory director. In exchange for caring for his house during his wife’s absence, Raya and Esther will live in the warmth of his home. Grandmother is unable to come but insists that Raya and Esther must take the opportunity. She moves to the Kaftals’ temporarily.

The factory director, Yosif Isayevich, “was a genial man who shared his food generously, kept his wooden house warm, and treated Mother with great respect” (182). Raya and Esther are happy to work for him, and, as a frequent visitor, Grandmother gains food and warmth from the arrangement.

Esther enters a declamation contest in school, selecting Tatyana’s dream from Eugene Onegin as her chosen piece to recite. Esther’s focus on preparing for her speech is briefly interrupted when Yosif’s wife returns earlier than planned.