Bread Givers

Sara moves back to New York. The prize money turns her into a wealthy woman, and she shops on Fifth Avenue to buy clothes for her new job as a schoolteacher. Afterward, she goes to a real estate office and finds an apartment that she wants to rent. Sara sits in her new apartment and realizes with satisfaction that she accomplished her goals.

Sara decides to visit her family after six years. She knows her parents moved back to Hester Street, and she goes to their apartment, where she listens to her parents talking. Shenah begs Reb Smolinsky not to leave her alone, but Reb Smolinsky tells her he cannot miss the prayers at the synagogue. Reb Smolinsky leaves so quickly that he does not see Sara standing by the door. Sara goes inside and sees with horror that her mother is sick. Sara remembers how she told her mother that she did not have time to visit her and feels guilty. Sara promises to use her money to pay doctors to cure Shenah, but Shenah says that the doctors cannot help her. Fania, Bessie, and Mashah come to visit, and they are happy to see Sara.