Then we made a point of abstaining from work at least one hour every
Saturday and on the days that were the Jewish holidays according to
Jacob's calendar. On the other hand, work was considered obligatory
on Sundays and on Christian holidays. Tearing up some papers or
starting a fire was thought sufficient.
These and many other usages we invented, slowly, one after another.
In time we got into the habit of observing them very punctiliously,
even after we had made ourselves at home in Anna's house. But over
and above all Jacob never gave up preaching to me that it was wrong
on the part of an oppressed Jew to accept favors from a non-Jew.
And this he preached without ever noticing that he was himself
giving in to temptation when he accepted favors and kindnesses from
Anna. As to Marusya, he always found a pretext to separate us
whenever he met me in her company. I was very angry with him for
that, but I could not tell him so openly. At last it came to such a
pass that Marusya lost all patience, and made me the scapegoat. She
stopped having anything to do with me.
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