“I’m sorry,” I said. “You’ll have to give me time to think about it. I do promise, though, to talk to Rimona and the young man. I think he can be persuaded to return to the barber’s shack. But first we must concentrate on Yoni. There’s reason to believe he’ll come back soon. You have my solemn pledge that once he’s safely home I’ll convene a meeting of the family life committee. If it decides that action needs to be taken, I won’t hesitate to do so. Hava. Please.”

“I want to di-i-i-e-e!” she suddenly wailed in the shrill, piercing voice of a spoiled child who has been crushingly humiliated. “Srulik, I just want to die.”

“Hava,” I said. “Do try to calm down. You know we’re all behind you. The whole kibbutz. Believe me, I’ve been doing, and will continue to do, everything in my power.”

“I know,” she sobbed, her face hidden in a white handkerchief. “I know you’re a dear. And I’m just a horrid old witch gone completely out of her senses. I hope you’ll forgive me, Srulik, though I’ve no right to ask after all my insults. I just want you to know I feel ashamed and want to die. Could I please have a glass of water?”

And after drinking it, she began again. “Srulik, tell me the whole truth. I’m tough as nails. I can take it. Tell me what you think. Is Yonatan alive? Yes or no?”

“Yes,” I said quietly, with uncharacteristic firmness, “he’s alive and well. He’s been unhappy lately and just decided to go away and be by himself for a while. I’ve often thought of doing the same thing. And so have you. We all have.”

She lifted her streaming face to me. “In this whole madhouse you’re the only one who remained human. I want you to know I’ll never forget it. That there was one feeling person among all those murderers and I attacked him like a beast and called him the most awful names.”

“Hava,” I said. “Don’t be angry with me for saying that you need to rest a bit. There’s already enough pain in the world. Let’s try to keep as calm as we can.”

“From now on,” she said, like a mollified child, “I swear I’ll do everything you tell me. I’m going to go back home right now and rest. You’re my good angel. But I still don’t think he should be living at Yoni’s. And sleeping in his bed. It’s indecent.”