During lunch, Ivan is able to trick the kitchen staff into giving his gang two extra bowls of mush, one of which he is allowed to keep for himself. He also picks up a piece of steel which he thinks might be useful later on, and he succeeds in buying himself a cigarette.
After the noon break, Ivan becomes so involved in his task as a bricklayer that he loses track of time and eventually he delays the return of the whole prison detachment because of his feverish perfectionism. After the march back to the camp, the prisoners line up for the regulation body search before reentering the camp. Ivan discovers that he is still carrying the piece of steel he found, which, if discovered by the guards, could lead to severe punishment, possibly death. He panics, momentarily, but once again, he is lucky. He manages to smuggle the piece of steel past the guards.
Later, in return for standing in line for one of his wealthier fellow prisoners, one who has received a food package from home, Ivan is given the man's evening meal ration. After dinner, Ivan is able to buy some good tobacco in another barracks, and he is even lucky enough to receive additional food for guarding a gang member's food parcel during the evening check.
After evening inspection is over, Ivan returns to his bunk and discusses God and the efficacy of prayer with Alyosha, a Baptist prisoner with whom he also shares some of his unexpected "wealth." After a second inspection and roll call, Ivan begins to fall asleep, feeling "almost happy" because of all the "good fortune" which has befallen him during this day.
