Page 76 - Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

those who were waiting here in Viosk for our return
from the forest, those who were getting ready for the
wedding, they have been sent ahead. They have taken
with them what clothing and household goods we shall
need in the resettlement camp."
"But what of our clothes and our goods," called out
Yitzchak, "those of us who are not from Viosk?"
"We will share what we have," said the rabbi. "For
are we not all neighbors and friends? Are we not all
' brothers and sisters in God's eye? Are we not. . ."
"All will be taken care of," said the Nazi colonel,
interrupting smoothly. "You will want for nothing."
"We wanted for nothing except to be left alone here
in Viosk," said a voice.
"Nevertheless," the colonel continued, smiling, "in
this matter, we will make the ruling. When you get to
your new homes, anyone who wants to work will be
treated humanely. The tailor will sew, the shoemaker
will have his last. And you will be happy among your
own people, just as we will be happy you have followed
the government's orders."
"The snake smiles but it shows no teeth," murmured
the badchan. Hannah wondered if anyone else heard
him.
Raising his hands, the rabbi began to speak. "The.
colonel has assured me that some of his soldiers will
remain billeted here to guard our stores and houses and
schools from harm while we are gone. At my request,
the soldiers will pay special attention to the shul to make
sure the peasants do not desecrate it."
"Better the fox to guard the hens and the wolves to

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