Two Tales: Betrothed & Edo and Enam Read Online Free PDF Page A

time and the growth of the mind they do not come into conflict. Furthermore, Jacob Rechnitz was a native of Austria, where one is less conscious of the Exile and where one’s thoughts are drawn to happier things; and it is the way of these happier thoughts that they give pleasure not only to oneself but to others.
    Many girls felt affection for Jacob, just as he felt affection for them. It may well be that some of them had marriage in mind, and Jacob perhaps thought of finding himself a wife, though he could not yet picture himself a married man, or decide who would suit him best. Meanwhile, he would call upon Rachel Heilperin, or take Leah Luria for a stroll, or visit Asnat Magargot, or gossip with Raya Zablodovsky, or chat with Mira Vorbzhitsky, or now and then see Tamara Levi. Sometimes they would all walk out along the beach at night, when the waves kiss the sands and the sky caresses the earth. Because they were seven, that is, Rechnitz and the six girls, and because they walked together at night, the people of the town called them the “Seven Planets.”
    Their little circle had come into being in the way of all circles. At first, Rechnitz had formed the habit of taking Leah Luria for walks. She had intended to go to Berlin on a visit to her relatives, and was therefore learning German from Jacob. Since conversational practice was all that she needed, they would take their lessons as they strolled by the shore. When her visit to Berlin was canceled, however, they continued their walks; and now Rachel Heilperin began to join them, for Rachel was Leah’s friend, and her father was one of the trustees of Jacob’s school, who would bring Rechnitz over to his home for “an olive or two.” After that, Asnat Magargot attached herself, and then Raya Zablodovsky and her cousin from St. Petersburg. But when the cousin began writing verses to her, she broke with him and brought Mira Vorbzhitsky instead, and Mira brought along Tamara Levi, who was previously acquainted with Rechnitz because when he first came to the country, he had lived next door. Thus the “Seven Planets” were constituted; and as seven planets they admitted no others, lest they lose claim to the title.
    VI
    One day before Hanukah a letter from Africa came for Jacob Rechnitz. It was from Herr Gotthold Ehrlich. For a year now the Consul and his daughter had been on their travels, and since they were returning by way of Egypt, they wished to visit the Holy Land, and Jerusalem the Holy City.
    Rechnitz was delighted at the news. First, because he would see the Consul again. Secondly, because this would give him a chance to make some small return for much kindness. He did not want a great deal for himself, but one thing he desired was to show gratitude to his benefactor. Now, with the Consul’s coming visit, Jacob could assume the role of a host and be of service to his guest.
    He began to make all sorts of plans. First, he told himself, he would take a leave from school, so as to be free to show the Consul his country – Sharon, Galilee, the Jewish people tilling their soil. In his excitement, he forgot that the Consul had written expressly of his intention to spend only five or six days in Palestine; in five or six days one could scarcely take in more than the view a bird has of the sea.
    In this time of waiting Rechnitz kept calling up memories of the Consul and his wife, their home and their hospitality. Again he saw himself walking with Shoshanah, picking flowers in the garden and plaiting them together, or sliding on the ice of the garden pond. In his thoughts all the seasons merged, and all the goodness and grace in them became one. How many summers and winters had passed since then? Now the villa was locked up, the table was deserted, and the fruit and flowers of the garden were for no one to see. Frau Ehrlich was dead, and Shoshanah was traveling about the world with her father, who since his bereavement had found no rest, but sought distraction in