Page 96 - Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

"I am a prisoner—yes," the woman said. "But I am
not a Jew. See . . ." She held up her arm so that the
blue number was plain.
Whatever it was they were supposed to read there
baffled the women and they murmured together.
"Quiet. You do not speak unless spoken to. I am a
prisoner, but you are zugangi, newcomers. And one of
the first lessons you have to learn is not to call attention
to yourselves. You, girl, who spoke out, you will give
me those blue ribbons in your hair."
"No!" said Hannah, surprised at the vehemence in
her response. "They aren't mine to give. You can't have
them."
The woman came over to her and slapped her hard
on both cheeks. "You never say no here. Not if you
want to live. I will have those ribbons. They go with
my dress."
Hand on her burning right cheek, Hannah drew in a
deep breath, willing herself not to cry.
Gitl poked Hannah in the side and whispered, "Give
them to her. What do two little ribbons matter?" Swiftly
she began to unbraid Hannah's left braid. Reluctantly,
Hannah undid the right.
"Good," the woman said, stuffing the ribbons into a
pocket in her dress. "And now you will all go in there."
She pointed down a narrow hall. "Schneli It is a most
important word that you should learn. Whether I say
it or the Germans say it, it is to be obeyed. Schnelir
They hurried through the hall and found themselves
in a kind of amphitheater. Hannah noticed Shifre and
Yente standing together, holding hands. Esther was

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