Chapter 11
December 1894
Hope
The bracing wind of the late December afternoon gusted outside and intruded into Albert’s thoughts. It was the first Thursday of the winter school break. Hoping to escape his troubles, Albert went to the Bavarian Library near the Gymnasium campus where he sat contemplating his compass. Inspiration was not forthcoming, so he put his treasure in his coat pocket and wandered over to the bookshelves. He searched half-heartedly for one of his favorite philosophers, Kant, and found Critique of Pure Reason. As he pulled the book from the shelf, he heard a familiar voice call his name.
“Albert?”
Albert turned, and his face lit up. “Herr Talmud, it is so good to see you!”
They embraced cordially, Max, a head taller, with a premature touch of gray in his chestnut
