From the surly age of twelve I looked back upon eleven with disdain, but from the midst of any birthday hullabaloo (that was the word), I could push my gaze between those frilly-skirted girls, with their false and fulsome sweaters, past the “Hit Parade” and all our fatty adolescent tee hee, to observe my future self standing in front of a rented room in a tired suit, sad hat, and listless shirt, holding a single scruffy bag, with the hand that hid the handle hid in a sleeve, and I could even see how that figure (it’s my image, right enough, thinner in the face but fuller in the trunk) slowly turns to peer down a long door-lined corridor done in dull brown and stained, worn, carpet green toward a dim red sign at the end which says EXIT, feeling the candy bar soft in its pocket before finding the key.

Evening was a little easier on the mind. What was lost was lost, though the bitterness remained. Supper would be cold cuts and potato salad and yellow cheese. After supper the radio filled us with its joviality, and between jokes I would try to complete my work. Usually it went well enough, but sometimes the concentration was not there, or I was stubbornly unwilling, or often, when it was algebra or geometry, I simply did not follow or figure aright, but ran from premise to proof like the piper’s son. I had no patience then (now my patience is that of the spider), and I fiercely resented seeming stupid, so I would soon fall out with my father, who now and then agreed with Euclid that I was dumb to a degree beyond even Edison’s ability to invent a measure, and wanted to be the only one allowed to grumble and go on about it. I always listened to the news, and hoped the Hindenberg would blow up again. In bed I flew planes and dropped bombs. The opportunity for fantasy was endless, and already I was conceiving hidden castles, secret fortresses, underground hideouts, and other militant securities. Or gunned at hip, boot, and underarm, I took the early morning stage. Or swung by one arm through the trees. Sometimes I sullenly recited something I was supposed to learn, and sleep was a seltzerously swift relief from the headaches and labor of lessons.

Para. 3

1. Jews [see Para. 5 of the First Executive Decree concerning the Reich Citizenship Law of November 14, 1935; Official Gazette, p. 1333] over the age of six are forbidden to show themselves in public without a Jew’s star.

Male Female

Names Names

Abimelech Abigall

Bachja Balle

Chaggi Cheiche

Denny Deiche

Ehud Egele

Jiftach Henoch Gedalja Faleg Fradchen Ginendel Hitzel

Ahasver Jezebel

Barak Chajin

Fietel Eisig

Hemor Breine

Driesel Chana

Machle Gaugel

Jacusiel Itzig

Korach Jomteb

Machol Leiser

Pessel Periche

Reitzsche Rechel

Naftali Mosche

Naftali Moses

Nochem Oscher

Treibe Keile Kaleb Mikele Zimie Zilla Uria Pinchas

Nacha Libschel

Pesse Laban

Rebekka Menachem

Schiaemche Nissi