Making Bombs for Hitler

Lida again receives noxious soup from the Russian pot for her midday meal. The unfriendly Hungarian girl from the day before surprises Lida by asking to sit with her. She introduces herself as Juli and apologizes for being mean. Juli is glad that Lida did not have to take the train with the other workers, who spend the entire day in town working either at factories or moving rocks. Lida prays her friends prove themselves useful. Juli looks tired and subdued, and there are tears in her eyes and a bloodstain on her nurse-like uniform. Juli works in the hospital. Lida asks if Juli has seen the younger children who were taken there, but Juli, looking haunted, tells her not to talk about it. Lida drops the subject.

Lida continues to prove herself useful to Inge in the laundry. Inge irons, using a massive steam press, while Lida mends frayed seams on sheets. All the sewing machines are being used to make war uniforms, so Lida sews by hand, using an artful chevron stitch that machines cannot duplicate. Inge praises her work. Lida repairs the officer’s uniform. Inge promises to tell him that Lida is a hard worker.