THE LAST
MOHICAN
In
caught me peddling I was interned for six months in a work camp."
"Didn't they attempt to deport you?"
''They did, but I sold my mother's old wedding ring that I kept
in
my pocket so many years. The Italians are a humane people. They
took the money and let me go but they told me not to peddle
anymore."
"So what do you do now?"
"I peddle. What should I do, beg?- I peddle. But last spring
I got sick and gave my little money away to the doctors. I still have
a bad cough." He coughed fruitily. "NoW' I have no capital to buy
stock with. Listen, professor, maybe we can go in partnership to–
gether? Lend me twenty thousand lire and I will buy ladies' nylon
stockings. Mter I sell them I will return you your money."
"I have no funds to invest, Susskind."
"You will get it back, with interest."
"I honestly am sorry for you," Fidelman said, "but why don't
you at least do something practical? Why don't you go to the Joint
Distribution Committee, for instance, and ask them to assist you?
That's their business."
"I already told you why. They wish me to go back, but I wish
to
stay here."
"I still think going back would be the best thing for you."
"No," cried Susskind angrily.
"If
that's your decision, freely made, then why pick on me?
Am
I responsible for you then, Susskind?"
"Who else?" Susskind loudly replied.
"Lower your voice, please, people are sleeping around here,"
said Fidelman, beginning to perspire. "Why should I be?"
"You know what responsibility means?"
"I think so."
"Then you are responsible. Because you are a man. Because
you
are a Jew, aren't you?"
"Yes, goddamn it, but I'm not the only one in the whole wide
world. Without prejudice, I refuse the obligation. I am a single in–
dividual and can't take on everybody's personal burden. I have the
Weight of my own to contend with."
He reached for his billfold and plucked out another dollar.
"This
makes five. It's more than I can afford, but take it and
