ABSTRACT
Peretz Rokin and his wife, Hannah, came to K. at the time they had indicated in the telegram. They made their way to Elkanah the wizard’s house to find our where their son lived. Upon hearing that he had left without trace they were overcome with dismay for this son, who had so embittered their lives from his youth, but who had seemed for a moment to be a potential source of security and help in their hour of need. All their plans for the restoration of their fortunes vanished in a trice, and hope became dejection. In their anguish they poured out their bitterness before Elkanah. He answered them kindly and wisely, telling them everything that had befallen Gershon from the day that he arrived in K. until the day of his departure. He explained that Gershon was innocent of any wickedness and that all his actions had been honest and correct. If he had temporarily stepped out of the path of propriety to wean a simple girl from her parents’ home, this was nothing but youthful folly, but youth was as unstable as water. This was the sort of thing that young people did. He had sincerely wanted to marry the girl according to Jewish law, and it was not his fault that Shmaryahu, the messenger, had stolen his cash and made it impossible for him to meet his obligations. Nor could he return home for he realized that he was reprehensible to them and was despised by everyone else in his home town. In his trouble he had found refuge in the home of the heiress, Miriam Rozchek, but false enemies had brought evil reports to this kind-hearted woman, who loved Gershon dearly. In her anger she had written him a very harsh letter and like a man who had given up all hope he had fled to wherever the spirit moved him. “So this is my advice,” 72Elkanah continued. “Go to the manor of Leonova where Miriam Rozchek lives and tell her all that I have told you. Tell her that it was not for ill-gotten gain that Gershon had set his heart on her and become engaged to her, and I am sure that Miriam will hear you out. Her anger was temporary and she rejected her loved one only for a moment. If she hears the truth from your lips she will forgive him and take him back for she loves him to distraction. She will make friends with you and forget all the slander.”
