- What do you do when your mom tells you not to go through her stuff? Go through her stuff, of course.
- But Frank gets a surprise. He accidentally comes across Angela and Malachy Sr.'s marriage certificate.
- Since the certificate shows that Angela and Malachy Sr. were married about five months before Frank's birth, he wonders how he was "born into the world in half the time" (11.5).
- Frank learns from Mikey Molly that he was conceived out of wedlock, which according to Mikey Molloy makes him a doomed bastard.
- Frank soon gets a job helping Mr. Hannon, Bridey Hannon's father, with the coal delivery.
- Mr. Hannon has sores all over his legs and really appreciates Frank's help. Unfortunately for Frank, the coal dust is really messing up his eyes.
- It doesn't matter to Frank, who's just really excited to make some money to help his family.
- He's also eager about showing off his new job to all his friends and can't wait for Mr. Hannon to pick him up outside of school in his horse cart.
- The boys at Leamy's are gawking at Frank as he takes the reins from Mr. Leamy and leads the horse away.
- After his shift at work, Frank's eyes are worse than ever. Angela puts her foot down and tells Frank that he isn't allowed to work with Mr. Hannon anymore but it turns out she doesn't have to say much more. Mr. Hannon's legs give out and he has to quit his job.