By September, Luke has fallen into a routine. He wakes up to eat breakfast on the stairs while his family eats at the table and rushes out. Once everyone has left the house, Luke goes upstairs to watch the neighborhood through the vents. The houses around Luke’s are much larger than Luke’s family’s house and barn combined. The workers are still finishing the interiors. 



Luke sometimes sees wealthy-looking families, Barons as Mother and Dad call them, looking at the houses. They all have one or two children. Luke fantasizes about sneaking into a one-child home and living as their second child. Luke distracts himself from these thoughts by reading, but he’s finished every book in the house. He most enjoys fantasy books where he can pretend to be a knight or explorer. 

When Dad comes home for lunch, Luke goes to the bottom of the stairs to eat sandwiches with him. They stay silent because Dad doesn’t want anyone to overhear them talking. At the end of the day, Mom comes home from the factory and checks on Luke before starting the housework. Matthew and Mark visit Luke too, but not for long.