“Mr. Lifshitz, to put your consideration of the matter into proper perspective, allow me to state on my own the following facts. Mr. Trotsky is not a young man. He has been married and divorced four times. None of these alliances has produced any offspring. Among other things, therefore, we are talking about an estate that, without attempting to describe or assess its net worth, easily has a value, I would say, that is ten or twenty times greater than that of this entire esteemed kibbutz. Apart from his son, Mr. Trotsky has only one other relation, a mentally unstable brother who disappeared long ago and has not been heard from since. The young man under discussion, in other words, will not be left empty-handed. I have been authorized to stress the following: Mr. Trotsky has decided that the young man will be looked after even if the results of a paternity test should prove to be equivocal, or, from Mr. Trotsky’s point of view, negative. This is a matter in regard to which he has not chosen to share his motives or concerns with either you or me. I was asked, however, to emphasize as strongly as I can that Mr. Trotsky has no demands whatsoever to make in return. He is not asking that his son undergo a formal change of name. At the same time, he also does not as yet wish to make any binding commitments, and his sole request at this stage is to meet with his son and talk with him and Mrs. Lifshitz privately. Such is his desire, and, if I may say so, his indubitable right as well. And now, with your permission, I would like to have a few words with Mrs. Lifshitz. Afterwards, I suggest that the three of us confer together to see how matters stand. Thank you for your consideration.”

Yolek kept thoughtfully silent, still gently fingering his unlighted cigarette. With due deliberation he moved the ashtray from the edge of the table to its center and asked in a barely audible voice, “Did you hear all of that, Srulik?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Srulik, do you smell what I smell?”

“It would seem to me,” observed Mr. Seewald politely, “that the most important consideration for all parties concerned should be the welfare of the young man.”

“Srulik, before I say or do anything, I need to have your unqualified opinion. You be the judge. Is she involved in this? Is this an intrigue?”

“Absolutely not,” I said. “Hava had nothing to do with it.”

“On the contrary!” said Mr. Seewald contentedly. “Although I’m sure that Mrs. Lifshitz will be, to say the least, highly pleased. If you’ll permit me to speak with her now, I can’t imagine it will take long.”

“I’ll permit you, sir,” said Yolek calmly, “to get up.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Get up, mister.”