“A pretty fine livin.... I’m near dead wid it,” said Anna banging her empty glass down on the counter.
“Easy easy,” said the man in the stand. “Look out for the crockery.”
“But the worst thing was,” went on Rose Segal, “that while they was fightin up in Goldstein’s a rivet flew out the winder an fell nine stories an killed a fireman passin on a truck so’s he dropped dead in the street.”
“What for did they do that?”
“Some guy must have slung it at some other guy and it pitched out of the winder.”
“And killed a fireman.”
Anna saw Elmer coming towards them down the avenue, his thin face stuck forward, his hands hidden in the pockets of his frayed overcoat. She left the two girls and walked towards him. “Was you goin down to the house? Dont lets go, cause the old woman’s scoldin somethin terrible.... I wish I could get her into the Daughters of Israel. I cant stand her no more.”
“Then let’s walk over and sit in the square,” said Elmer. “Dont you feel the spring?”
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Dont I? Oh Elmer I wish this strike was over.... It gets me crazy doin nothin all day.”
“But Anna the strike is the worker’s great opportunity, the worker’s university. It gives you a chance to study and read and go to the Public Library.”