Telegrams of the Soul

Poverty

Conversation with my ten-year-old dinner guest, Karoline B., the little daughter of a poor widow, perfection in the making, already a profoundly human creature.

“Tomorrow, Sir, I have to travel far out to the ‘Doll Doctor’ in the Fifth District!”

“What ever for?”

“Somebody gave me a doll. She only has a top half.”

“Curious!”

“Why curious?! If she’d had a bottom half, too, they damn sure wouldn’t have given her to me!”