Mr. Monday and other tales of Jewish Amsterdam

176 Air. Monday and Other Tales of Jewish Amsterdam

worthwhile. So I think I'll buy an interest in Sol's undertaking."

When Mr. Sheep started protesting, she announced that she was not his slave.

Time did not stand still but moved, and a new era was coming in which women spoke for themselves. If she had saved a few guilders each week from the household money without her husband noticing, then she was free to spend it anyway she chose.

The exciting story that Mother told us was that her friend, Mrs. Sheep, against her husband's wish, had become a business partner of Sol. Mother gasped indignantly, "I can't imagine a more stupid thing to do. That boy has as much business know-how as his father, so she can say goodbye to her money."

But she was wrong, because soon enough it became apparent that in fact, Sol possessed more business sense in his little finger than old man Levi had in his entire body. He stayed at the Weesperpoort station for another three months and used that time to tell travellers that he was going to start his own business. And could he get their trade, please?

The little shop in Weesper Street quickly became a flourishing affair. Duplikate now came to our home in Rapenburg Street at least once a week, ostensibly to drink a cup of coffee but actually to brag about her son Sol's success. "Such a boy, and chochme he has! Honestly, I don't know where he got it from. Not from me, I'm sure."

"Not from Levi either," Grandma commented.

Duplikate was so full of motherly pride that she did not even notice Grandma's remark, she just continued the-