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

the very things that leave a man no peace, in constant journeys and wanderings from land to land. Rechnitz remembered the day of the funeral, the black hearse piled high with flowers, swaying slightly as it moved, and Shoshanah following with the black veil over her face. Now, however hard he tried, he could not picture her as a grown woman. But sometimes the veil would lift to reveal her again as a child, running on tiptoe, chasing butterflies in the garden, and threading them into a chain of flowers around her head. How many years had gone, how many years had come, but Jacob still recalled her unforgettable whimsy.
    VII
    The Consul did not disappoint Rechnitz. He came just when he was expected. One day as Jacob entered the school staff-room he saw awaiting him there a well-dressed, elderly man, accompanied by a tall and attractive girl. After Jacob had greeted his benefactor, or perhaps even before, Shoshanah offered him her warm, finely-shaped hand and spoke to him as an old friend, using the intimate du and looking at him as if she still saw before her the boy he had once been. And yet in her glance there was inquiry as well as remembrance, as of a person seeking to compare present and past. He found himself embarrassed. It had never occurred to him that Shoshanah might address him in terms of easy intimacy. With the beating of his heart and this sense of embarrassment he could not return her gaze. He too thought back to the past, yet without comparing the Shoshanah of those days to the Shoshanah who stood before him now.
    Rechnitz had made so many plans for the day of the Consul’s arrival; he had seen himself planning everything for the Consul’s benefit and pleasure, informing the Consul of arrangements for this day and the next. But now, as he stood facing his benefactor, the plans were all gone from his head, and it was he who waited for directions. The Consul took his watch from his pocket, remarked that it was lunch time and asked Jacob if he were free to join them at their meal. So Jacob followed their lead, sometimes walking to the left of the Consul and sometimes behind Shoshanah, until they reached the hotel.
    This was situated in the German Quarter, not far from Rechnitz’s school, where it stood in a wide, pleasant garden. There were shrubs and flowers and well grown trees as well as two large citrus groves that extended from the school to the edge of the quarter. Rechnitz had often walked in the garden, alone or with one of his female companions.
    Once again, Jacob was a guest at the Consul’s table. And although this was not the old home, nor was Frau Gertrude Ehrlich there to preside, he behaved much as he had in the past. He took good care of his manners, and did not rush to speak until he was spoken to. When Herr Ehrlich asked how he was doing he raised his head, and, looking him in the eyes, replied, “I am an instructor in one of the Jewish schools, where I teach a little German and Latin. The salary isn’t high, but it’s as much as I need since rent is low, food is cheap, and there’s no need to spend much on dress: not even the rich do that. This country teaches people to be satisfied with very little and I am satisfied too. What is more, I have found a few intelligent people who, though not scientists themselves, have respect for a man of science.” At this point Rechnitz blushed, for he had included himself among “men of science.”
    “And what of your research work?” asked Ehrlich. Rechnitz replied, “Here there is time for everything; even for useless things, such as my research.”
    Herr Ehrlich seemed pleased with his answer, which showed at once some knowledge of the world’s attitude and a readiness to carry on with his work, and after all somebody ought to have a look into such matters, for Rechnitz’s work might have its uses. Shoshanah sat wrapped up in herself. She may or may not have been listening. At least her eyes did not question the value of Rechnitz’s