The Cold Millions

Rye tries to behave inconspicuously, fearing harassment. He observes life on the affluent side of town and is once again filled with sorrow. When a restaurant door attendant shoos him away, Rye notices how warm the doorman’s gloves look and wonders where he got them. Rye retrieves the $20 he had been given by Lem from his boot, weighing the contradictions around not wanting to spend it. He finally reaches a fine clothing store and asks the salesperson for gloves.

The salesperson suggests shopping at a bargain store but offers him a $10 pair of ermine gloves anyway. Rye inquires if they are the most expensive pair, and learns that higher-quality gloves come in higher prices, which sometimes get sold. The salesperson recognizes Rye from the riot and is sympathetic to what happened to him. Rye buys two pairs of ermine gloves for himself and Gig. The salesperson reminds him that cheaper gloves will be just as warm, but Rye disagrees.

On his way back to the union hall, Rye is picked up by Willard, who brings him to Lem’s house. Rye finds Lem eating at the servants’ table as he realizes that Lem had ordered the hit on them in Taft.