Until the Dawn's Light_ A Novel - Aharon Appelfeld [56]
The cemetery was empty, and its open gate showed that it had been days since anyone had visited it. Seeing the neglect, Brandstock raised his voice and said, “The Jews also neglect the cemetery, and they won’t be forgiven for that in the world of truth. In the world of truth, there’s no favoritism. They’ll all be punished, believe me.”
The men from the burial society didn’t listen to him but started to dig the grave right away. Blanca observed the men who were digging. They weren’t the same men who had arranged her mother’s funeral. They were younger. Their faces expressed effort and concentration, and it was evident that they were doing their work faithfully.
After the grave was dug and the coffin was placed in it, the men from the burial society began to recite prayers. They prayed loudly, emphasizing the words. After the prayers, Blanca approached them and thanked them.
“There’s no need to thank us,” said the head of the burial society.
Blanca then left the cemetery hurriedly so she could catch the noon train. She ran with determination and reached the station within a few minutes. In the buffet car she had two drinks and sat next to the window. Now, with clarity, she saw the morning’s chain of events.
Kirtzl had appeared at eight o’clock, and Blanca had handed Otto to her. Otto had refused to part with her and shouted, “Mama, Mama!” Blanca had sat down and said, “Dear, I’m not going far. I’ll come back very soon. Don’t worry.” Her voice seemed to soothe him, and he stopped crying. Afterward she had slipped out of the house without saying good-bye to him. At first she had stood at the door and listened. Not hearing the sound of crying, she had set out, but after taking a few steps she heard crying again and was about to go back. Then, out of the fog, Brandstock had appeared and told her the sad news.
“Otto!” she said out loud, downing another glass of spirits. “Your mother just saw Grandma Carole to her final rest. Grandma Carole was a woman of principle, and she wounded me more than once, but I can’t be angry with her now. Unlike me, she was loyal to the faith of her ancestors and defended it with her body. I wanted to tell you that, so that no secret will divide us. Now you have to know everything, and indeed I will tell you everything. You will be with me wherever I go, my dear.” Hardly had the words left her mouth when dizziness took hold of her head and shook her. Blanca put her hands over her face and leaned against the wall of the train. She had almost arrived at Blumenthal when she realized that it was already five o’clock, and Elsa would certainly be furious. Anxiety drew her out of the dizziness, and she grasped the railing and stepped down cautiously from the train.
42
BLANCA REACHED THE old age home in Blumenthal at six o’clock. It was already dark. Elsa stood at the entrance to the corridor, and when she saw Blanca, she thundered, “I don’t want to see you here!”
Blanca just stood there, motionless. “Grandma Carole died, and there was no one to attend her funeral. Forgive me.”
“And who will take care of these people?” Elsa pointed to the inmates lying in the rooms.
“What could I do?” Blanca replied, her arms upraised.
“You could have come here on time.” Elsa continued to hammer at her.
One of the veteran workers dared to approach Elsa and said, “Forgive her.”
“How can I forgive her?” Elsa addressed the woman angrily.
“Blanca is devoted to the old people, and she doesn’t avoid any task.”
“She was late by six full hours. That’s an unforgivable sin,” Elsa said, and went into her office, leaving Blanca standing outside. Two women who lived in the home and had witnessed the unpleasant scene entered the office and said, “Forgive her.”