Page 50 - Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

through burning cheeks, for Gitl came over immedi-
ately and put her arm around Hannah. "There, there,
child, forgive me. I am crazy with all this wedding busi-
ness, and my tongue is sometimes quicker than my heart.
Put on the dress. Perhaps it is, after all, a little out of
fashion, but then so are We here in our shtetl. And you
are not in Lublin now."
She paused for a moment as if waiting for Hannah's
reply. When there was none, she went on as before.
"Try on the stockings and shoes. I only used them for
shui and for the photographer. And then I grew, in one
year, too big for them. They still have plenty of wear
left and I think they will fit you nicely. I was just your
size at fifteen. At sixteen I was a giant! Then I will do
your hair for you and everything will look fine, you will
see."
Hannah pulled the dress on. It fit her perfectly in the
bodice and the sleeves, but came down way over her,
knees. Gitl didn't seem to see anything wrong with that.
The stockings were a heavy skin-colored cotton that
came halfway up her thighs, the shoes shiny black mary
janes. Shaking her head, Hannah put them on as well.
If she pretended she was going to a Halloween party,
the outfit would be bearable.
Gitl braided her hair into two tight plaits, then held
up a pair of blue velvet ribbons. "These I was saving
for my own wedding night—about which you know so
much." This time her voice held a hint of laughter. "But
who would marry that monster Yitzchak, who leaves
his precious children outside like yard goods? Besides,
the ribbons will look beautiful in your brown hair." She