Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home

Chapter Thirteen

The rabbi phoned Wasserman as soon as he arrived home Sunday. He caught him just returning from the board meeting.

“Mr. Wasserman? Rabbi Small. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back in time. They had arranged for a party for me at the college for Saturday night. I didn’t know anything about it.”

“Nu, it happens, If the party was for you, you had to go.”

“Tell me, did anything happen at the meeting? Anything special?”

“Well. Gorfinkle announced the new committees, like I thought.”

“Yes? And how are they?”

“Well, if he appointed they should do a job. I guess it’s all right. After all, he didn’t appoint idiots. But if what he wanted is to start a fight, the appointments are good for that, too.”

“That bad, eh? And what did Paff say? Was he there?”

“Oh, he was there. And that’s the only nice part of it, because he didn’t say a word, not Paff, not Edelstein, not Kallen, none of them. So I guess they’re giving in, and for a while we’ll have a little peace. But how long it will keep up?”

But the rabbi was disturbed. “What do you mean, they didn’t say a word? Did they have a chance to? Was there time for discussion?”

“Oh, time, there was plenty, but no objections, no discussion, not one word, I tell you.”

The rabbi waited for Wasserman to say more, but nothing was forthcoming. “I don’t like it.” he said at last.

“Why not?” said Wasserman. “You remember I told you it was like a marriage. If an open break doesn’t develop, it can be fixed up.”

“Yes, but if they don’t talk at all, if the husband insults the wife and she doesn’t even bother to answer, then it can mean that she’s already made up her mind and it doesn’t make any difference anymore. It seems to me Paff should have reacted. And I don’t like the fact the others remained silent too.”

“You think they decided something already? Well, maybe. It’s possible. After what happened Friday night at the Brotherhood service…”