Exodus - Leon Uris [194]
“Hello, Jordana,” Kitty said, “I feel as though I know you, from David ...” She extended her hand.
“You are Katherine Fremont. I have heard of you, too.”
The handshake was cold and Kitty was puzzled. Jordana turned quickly and picked up the reins of her horse and led him back toward the house as Ari and Kitty followed.
“Did you see David?” Jordana turned and asked Ari.
“He is in Jerusalem for a few days. He told me to say he would phone you tonight and he will be here by the end of the week, unless you want to go to Jerusalem.”
“I can’t with those new children at Gan Dafna.”
Ari winked at Kitty. “Oh,” he continued to Jordana, “by the way, I saw Avidan in Tel Aviv. He did mention something or the other about ... now let me see ... yes, about transferring David to the Galilee Brigade at Ein Or.”
Jordana turned. Her blue eyes widened and for an instant she was unable to speak. “Ari, you mean it? You’re not teasing me!”
Ari shrugged. “Silly girl.”
“Oh, I hate you! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t know it was that important.”
Jordana was about to jump on Ari and wrestle with him again, but Kitty’s presence obviously restrained her. “I am so happy,” she said.
Another dinner was forced upon Kitty, who did her best by it when it became apparent that refusal would come close to creating an international incident. When dinner was done Sarah brought out tables full of snacks for the company that would be arriving.
That evening almost everyone at Yad El came to the Ben Canaan home to welcome Ari and to satisfy curiosity about the American woman. There was, in discreet Hebrew, excited speculation. They were a rugged and friendly lot of people and they went out of their way to make Kitty feel like visiting nobility. Ari hovered near her during the evening with the intent of protecting her from a torrent of questions but marveled at the ease with which Kitty was able to handle the pressing group.
As the evening wore on Jordana became more obvious in the coldness she had shown Kitty earlier. She was hostile and Kitty knew it. She could almost read Jordana’s thoughts ... “What kind of a woman are you who wants my brother?”
It was exactly what Jordana Ben Canaan was thinking as she watched Kitty perform perfectly, charming the curious farmers of Yad El. Kitty looked like all the soft, white, useless wives of English officers who spent their days at tea and gossip around the King David Hotel.
It was very late when the last guest left and Ari and Barak were alone and able to speak. They talked at length about the farm. It was running well despite their absences. The moshav saw to it that little was neglected during the protracted leaves of Ari, Jordana, and Barak.
Barak looked around the room for a cognac bottle with something left in it amid the shambles of the welcome-home gathering. He poured his son a glass and one for himself. Both of them settled down and stretched their long legs out and relaxed.
“Well, what about your Mrs. Fremont? We are all bursting with curiosity.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. She is in Palestine in the interest of a girl who came over on the Exodus. I understand she is anxious to adopt the child later. We have become friends.”
“Nothing more?”
“Nothing.”
“I like her, Ari. I like her very much, but she is not our kind. Did you see Avidan in Tel Aviv?”
“Yes. I will be staying in the Huleh Palmach at Ein Or most likely. He wants to do an assessment of the strength of each village.”
“That is good. You have been away so much it will do ema good to be able to fuss over you for a while.”
“What about you, Father?”
Barak scratched his red beard and sipped his cognac. “Avidan has asked me to go to London for the conferences.”
“I imagined he would.”
“Of course we must keep stalling and fighting to gain a political victory. The Yishuv can’t take a military showdown, so I’ll go to London and add my bit. I hate to say it but I am finally coming to the conclusion that the British are going to sell us out completely.”
Ari arose and began pacing the room. He was almost sorry that