Bob’s mother abandons her three children to live with Bob’s father, who is an alcoholic gambler. Bob and his younger brother are born and grow up with fighting and fear. Two of his mother’s children return home, and his older half-brother teaches him to steal. Both boys are required to leave school at sixteen to work. The family goes to mass every week, but live sinful lives. Bob works at a machine shop with a believer who gives him a Bible and answers questions about salvation. First part ends with Bob’s salvation.