I called out to him quietly behind the curtain to be more careful, he’d scare the boys.
Faida was in a cheerful mood, well and truly sounding reveille.
I lost my temper.
“Miron Shayevich, the children were fast asleep and your shouting’s woken them up.”
Faida was embarrassed. He started explaining that he’d brought a little something from Sima and wanted to get it to the table while it was still hot. And it was after eight and everyone was already at work in the fields or offices.
I said:
“So what about you? Haven’t you got anything to do? You could’ve sent Sumka or his Young Communist girls.
Faida’s general appearance drove me to distraction. His shirt open to the belly-button. Belt below his gut. Standing there with his briefcase, every bit the big boss. With Simka’s cooking in th
