My Canary Yellow Star Read Online Free PDF Page A

where the material had been cut. “Can anybody tell me what happened here?”
    Nobody spoke up.
    She turned to Gizella. “Do you have an explanation for me?”
    “No, Madam. We always cut the materials carefully, leaving a fine edge.”
    “When I saw this crooked edge, I measured the length of the silk,” Madam said. “Four meters are missing. Four meters at sixty-five pengos per meter. I have been robbed of 260 pengos.” Nothing like this had ever happened in Madam’s salon. “The way I see it, I have two choices. I can either call the police or get the thief to return the material to me. I prefer the second course of action. It would be impossible to replace such fine silk with the shortages we’re experiencing.” She stroked the material lovingly.
    “It’s obvious that the Jew is the thief,” Irma muttered.
    “Madam, I didn’t… I wouldn’t…”
    “Hush, Marta,” Madam said. “I know you’re not responsible. As for you, Irma, you’d better watch what you’re saying!” With each word, Madam’s voice rose higher and higher. She took a deep breath, then continued. “We may live in turbulent times, but I will not allow innocent peopleto be accused of crimes they did not commit. Indeed, I do not want to accuse any of you of being the thief. I have chosen a more civilized way to solve this problem,” she said. We fidgeted under her scrutiny. Finally, she began to speak again. “This is what I would like you to do. When you get home tonight, each of you should make a bundle with old clothes or newspapers or rags – anything you want, as long as you have a bundle. Don’t put your name on your package. The person who stole my silk should wrap up her ill-gotten gains. I want my silk returned tomorrow morning! If all of you leave your bundles in the salon, I will never know which one of you brought the package containing the stolen silk. I’ll have my material returned to me, and everything can go back to normal. Do you all understand?”
    There was a murmur of assent. Irma was staring angrily into the air. Gizella’s hands were balled into fists and two spots of color dotted her cheeks.
    “Irma is right! The Jew must be the thief, Madam. All Jews are thieves. Nobody else here would take your silk,” Gizella said boldly.
    “Gizella, did you not understand what I just said? I’ve had enough of your accusations. You and your sister had better watch your step!”
    “You are the one who should watch your step, Madam! Be careful what you say to us. Our uncle is an important member of the Arrow Cross Party!” Gizella cried.
    “Are you threatening me, Gizella? How dare you!” I had never seen Madam so upset.
    Gizella became very pale. “No, Madam. I just … I mean, I’m sorry,” she spluttered.
    “Never mind what you mean!” Madam said. “I’m going to try to forget what you just said!”
    “Thank you, Madam.” The mutinous expression on her face did not match the humility of her tone.
    Madam turned her back on Gizella and faced the rest of us. “That’s all I have to say for now, ladies. Keep in mind what I told you: I expect to have my silk returned tomorrow.” Her expression softened. “I am sure that by now, all of you must be ready to go home.” And with a curt nod, she turned and left the room.
    “Thieving Jew,” Irma muttered as she brushed by me, jabbing me with her elbow. Both she and Gizella were gone before I could answer her.
    The salon emptied quickly. A few of the girls cast furtive and sympathetic glances at me, but not a single one came over to speak to me. I told myself I didn’t care, but I had never felt so alone.
    The warm May sunshine blinded me for a moment as I stepped into Vaci Street. Many of the glamorous stores were boarded up, and yellow-star graffiti defaced the walls of the buildings. A dress shop on the corner was a pile ofbomb-blasted rubble. A confectionery on the other side had become a large hole in the ground with a lot of debris piled up in it. I