“No, I think he meant for you to keep it.”

“It’s a terrible story.”

She nodded. “If Yaakov hadn’t seen these things with his own eyes…”

“So tell me, what’s happening now?”

She brought him up to date: the threat of expulsion, the urine, the car tires, and worst of all, the bicycle that had sent Leah to the hospital.

He slammed a fist on the table. “Tell me, who is responsible for this? A shandah and a cherpeh!”

“We don’t know, but we have our suspicions.”

“You know, Yaakov asked me about this Grub. I’d never heard of him, but since he is a Bobelger Hasid, I called the Bobelger Rebbe.”

“What did he say?”

He hesitated. “Well, in the end, I didn’t actually speak to the Rebbe. His nephew controls all the phone calls, the visits. The Bobelger Rebbe is very old, you know. But not so long ago, we would sit together on all the important community boards. A very wise and learned man,” he said wistfully. “He’s not well, they say. Nebbech. But the nephew told me they send all their girls to Grub. That he is one hundred percent reliable.”

“The nephew! He’s a youngster.” She lowered her voice. “And from what I understand, he surrounds himself with criminals.”

Rav Alter held up a restraining hand.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s loshon hara. But look, all I’m saying is that if the Rebbe himself would get involved, look into what Grub has been doing all these years, he could save the neshamas of so many innocent young girls. And then … and then … when the truth came out, they would have to leave Yaakov and Leah and the children alone. We don’t know what else to do. You’re our last hope.”

“Let me ask you, Fruma Esther, because this is a very serious accusation that can ruin a man’s life and reputation—aside from Shaindele’s word, you have proof about Grub?”

“Only what Yaakov said he saw.”

“Yes, I read. But this is not really proof. After all, Shaindele is his daughter. He was looking for proof; he wanted to believe his own daughter. His judgment could have been affected. We must have objective proof.”

“There was another young girl. Yaakov saw her coming out of Grub’s office, very upset. He found out her name. Maybe you could talk to her, to her parents?”

There was a moment of silence.

“But maybe it’s better you shouldn’t get involved.” She sighed, gathering the dirty plates and carrying them slowly into the kitchen. She put them into the sink and turned on the hot water.