The McCourt family has to move upstairs to get away from the cold and wet apartment they were living in... Frank steals lemonade from outside of a pub and exaggerates and decorates the story to his brothers to make himself sound cool. He proceeds to steal more food and drink from the wealthier families of the town which feeds him and his brothers. Having no fire fank tries going door to door and begging for coal but after recieving no help he just steals gasoline from his wealthier neighbors.
Angela comes down with an illness and becomes feverish. Grandma ends up calling the doctor (after guards come to their door asking why the boys havent been at school) and the doctor diagnoses Angela with pnemonia and she is rushed to the hospital. While Angela is at the hospital she sends the boys with their aunt aggie. While their uncle is nice to the boys Aggie beats and yells at the boys constantly. Fed up with this Frank sends a letter to Malachy in England telling him that Angela is in the hospital. After hearing this news Malachy returns home and the boys stay with him until Angela returns home from the hospital. Malachy then returns to England and a refusal to send his paychecks forces Angela to beg outside of churches for money and food which really upsets Frank.
It is heartbreaking to have a final image of Angela begging in front of a church for food for her family. Angela who has struggled so much to keep her family alive and fed. It is obvious how deeply she cares for her children.. It is amazing to me that she can continue to put up with Malachy's selfish ways. It is almost like he is just a nusence anymore... He is no help to the family.. rather a detriment and Angela never sees him anymore now that he is in England.. I will give Malachy credit though for coming home to take care of the boys while his mother was in the hospital but it is the least he can do.
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