Eli is a fifteen-year-old apprentice and Sam's friend, present since the factory's beginning. He clenches his fists then lets them hang limp when he sees his name missing from the school list. He suggests the boss may think there are too many people, though both recognize it as a flimsy lie. After Billings' encouragement, Eli straightens his back, agrees with the foreman, and shares a sly joke with Sam about using Henry's books to prop up a wobbly table leg.
