Chapter 4: Francie visits Flossie to see what kind of costume she will be wearing to Saturday evening's masquerade party. Flossie's brother, Henny, is dying of consumption. When Francie looks into Flossie's closet and admires all her lovely costumes, she also imagines that she sees a skull and bones peeking out from the costumes and understands that death is waiting there for Henny.
Chapter 5: Francie's mother, Katie, has spent this Saturday afternoon at the movies with her sister, Sissy. Aunt Sissy works in a condom factory, although the actual product made there is never so clearly explained. Instead, Francie knows that this factory makes some rubber toys and other rubber articles "which were bought in whispers."
The many loaves of stale bread that Francie had earlier brought home will feed the family for the next week. Katie is described as a wiz with stale bread, easily turning the bread into delicious meals. Francie also describes visiting the Jewish pickle seller, who always seems angry with her. She always asks for a "sheeny pickle" and does not understand that she is insulting the old man. The sour pickle, which Francie eats slowly and makes last all afternoon, helps to make all the stale bread even more delicious.
