Page 145 - Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

one finger. Then she lost control and six zugangi hanged
themselves one night, my aunt Sarah among them. Aunt
Sarah had been sick for a long time and could no longer
disguise it. She knew she was to be sent to the hospital.
Everyone really sick in the hospital goes up the stack.
So she said to my mother, '/will do the choosing, not
them. God will understand.' " Rivka smiled. "A second
finger. I wish Aunt Sarah could have seen the blokova's
face in the morning. When they took the finger."
"Maybe we could do something to help the blokova
balance her hand. Three is such an unlucky number,"
Shifre said.
Rivka shook her head. "Too dangerous," she said.
"Let the grown-ups make their plans."
"What plans?" asked Hannah.
"Oh," Rivka said mysteriously, "there are always
grown-up plans."
"What plans?" Hannah and Shifre asked together.
But before Rivka could answer, a shout from the gate
end of the compound riveted them.
"Commandant!"
"But he was just through yesterday," Hannah said
in a nervous whisper. "He's not due for at least another
few days."
Ignoring her, Rivka already had her hands to her
mouth, making the clucking sound to warn the children.
Shifre, too, was signaling.
"It's not fair" Hannah complained, her voice rising
into a whine.
Shifre nudged her angrily, and Hannah began to cluck
as the little ones scrambled for the midden pile.

138