Establishment Read Online Free PDF Page A

built for her thirty-five years before, soon after their marriage. Jean had converted the ground floor into the gallery through which she was none too successfully attempting to bring to the citizens of San Francisco an appreciation of modern art. Just now, in the gallery, the doors temporarily closed to the public, Jean had forgathered with Eloise and Adam Levy, her daughter, Barbara, and on Barbara’s lap her grandson, Sam, who was determinedly attempting to destroy his thumb with his eight rudimentary teeth.
    â€œI would give him a pacifier,” Jean was saying. “I don’t think all that is good for his thumb.”
    â€œI know, mother,” Barbara said. “I forgot it. I dashed out of the house, wondering what awful thing had transpired.”
    â€œIt is awful,” Eloise said. “It’s dreadful.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s dreadful at all. Two FBI men were asking about me. The way things are today, with everyone seeing communists behind every bush and wall, they must be asking questions about thousands and thousands of people. It’s what they’re paid for. I only wish Jake hadn’t been so high-handed with them. Then you might have found out what they were after.”
    â€œJake is Jake,” Adam said. “I was pretty damn angry myself. It’s the whole look and attitude of them. They’re such cold, malignant bastards. And why Eloise? Why do they come to her?”
    â€œProbably because it’s easier to bully a woman than a man,” Barbara decided.
    â€œCould it have had something to do with Bernie?” Jean wondered.
    â€œWhy Bernie?”
    â€œWell, I only mean he has that kind of a past, hasn’t he? Spain, Palestine, smuggling, then the British army. I never did understand what he did during those years.”
    â€œHe did what most people were doing. He fought fascism.”
    â€œWhich is not exactly popular these days.”
    â€œI think you are all making too much of this. I have nothing to hide and nothing to conceal,” Barbara said firmly—asking herself at the same time whether there was any truth in her statement. In fact, she had a good deal to conceal, and she was not very good at dissembling. It was close to lunchtime, and Jean suggested that Adam take Eloise to have seafood on the wharf and that they both take the afternoon in town.
    When Barbara rose to go, Jean said, “I’d rather you remained. I have oatmeal and applesauce and all sorts of things to feed Sam, and you and I will talk.”
    â€œI’d rather not, mother.”
    â€œI’d rather you would.”
    Barbara sighed and nodded. Adam and Eloise left. “You’re very arrogant, mother,” Barbara said. “You order people around. You tell them what to do and where to go, and you treat grown folk like children.”
    â€œI know. At the same time, we’re going to talk. I know you very well, my dear, and I’m not going to lie awake wondering what’s happening in your life.”
    â€œYou never have.”
    â€œThat’s as it may be. Suppose we put together some lunch for your son.”
    While she fed Sam, Barbara told Jean what had happened between her and Bernie. “I’m trusting you,” Barbara said. “It’s no matter-of-fact thing to trust one’s mother with stuff like this. I do trust you. They would be in terrible trouble if this got out.”
    â€œAnd you think that’s why the FBI was asking about you?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. It’s just too soon, and if they were, why wouldn’t they ask about Bernie instead of me?”
    â€œI don’t know. Bobby,” Jean said, “what does it all add up to? Does he want to leave you? Is this crazy scheme an excuse?”
    â€œAnything would be an excuse. It isn’t that he doesn’t love me. I think he loves me as much as he could love anyone. He’s as gentle as a lamb, and you watch him