One last trial awaits you and the other immigrants before you can enter America. All immigrants (except for the wealthy who are processed on ship) must pass through Ellis Island receiving station. You step off the ship for the first time in 3 weeks. The excitement rushes to your brain. You are in America. But as happy as you might be, you also remember the stories that other passengers told of the "Island of Tears" where immigrants were deemed unfit and returned to their motherland.
For you, going back to Russia is a fate worse than death.
As you step out onto Ellis Island you are confronted with the greatest mass of humanity you have ever seen in your life. Tens of thousands of immigrants from all over Europe have converged on Ellis Island seeking entry. Customs officials in uniform shout, "Leave your luggage!". "Men in this line, women in that line". Long lines form as people wait to be processed. Mothers hold their children's hand while always keeping one eye on their luggage; like yourself, everything these people own is in those bags and steamer trunks.
You look up towards the top of the stairs and notice men watching the whole spectacle and jotting things down in notebooks. You notice that the doctors have marked some people's coats with an 'X' or 'H.' You don't know what this means but you look over your shoulder to find that your own coat is free of such marks. One of your companions that you shared a cabin with has the letters 'PG' drawn onto the shoulder of her coat. She doesn't realize this and you could easily brush the marking off. However, a stern looking official is looking down at the line in your direction. He seems to be carefully examining everyone, but for what, you are not sure.
The line begins to move and you are nearing a set of stairs. You notice that those with similar chalk marks are heading in one direction and those without in another. You don't know what the marks mean but suspect that it might have something to do with being denied entry. You want to help your friend, she really kept you company and you hope the two of you become friends in New York. However, you are afraid of getting caught by one of those mean looking officials above.
Do you risk being caught and help your friend or do you let her go on, you have come too far to fail now.
You will later find out that these are doctors looking out for anyone who showed signs of ill health such as a limp or a cough. The 'PG' meant that she was pregnant, a condition that did not bar immigrants from entry. In fact, most of the marked immigrants had to wait a period on Ellis Island in the infirmary until they got better. Less than 10% were deported back to Europe. Of course, you will never know this.