Unsolicited Writings

His sister had died the year after she had given him the double text, and his
father the year after that. He was left thus, the sole support of his ailing
mother, who transferred to the silent, sullen boy the irresistible rule of
complaining weakness with which she had governed his father. it was thought she
could not live long, and the boy stood in terror of a sudden death brought on by
displeasure at some act of his. In the end, however, she died quietly in her bed,
an old woman of seventy-three, nursed by her daughter-in-law, the widow of
Jehiels only brother. Her place in the house was taken by Jehiels sister-in-law,
a sickly, helpless woman, alone in the world except for Jehiel, and all the
neighbors congratulated him on having a housekeeper ready to his hand. He said
nothing.