My Guardian Angel by Sylvie Weil

explained that Miriam and Precious had gone to Ramerupt to look after her Aunt Yochebed, who was soon to give birth. This normal conversation reassured Elvina, somewhat, that everything was just like before. She bid the neighbors good day and went home.
    Later Judah and Solomon came in, followed by Samuel, Yom Tov, and several other students who have no other home but Solomon’s. All of them had rings under their eyes from lack of sleep and cheeks that were hollow from fasting. None of their faces showed the joy and serenity that are usually part of this day of rest, and there was no guest with them, no merchant from afar who might fascinate all of them with tales of the faraway places he had seen. Elvina waited on Solomon and Judah with the jug and basin for them to wash their hands. Then she served the Sabbath meal on the table that she had very carefully set. She had forgotten nothing. There were several pitchers of wine, the silver cup for the blessing, and two round loaves of bread. The meat and vegetable stew she had prepared and cooked herself was delicious, spiced just right. Everyone was delighted by the excellent food.
    It was a meal Elvina would always remember, because Judah asked her to sit next to him, complimenting her. “My daughter is becoming an excellent housewife,” he said. “She is indeed a worthy daughter of Israel.”
    Never before had he spoken to her with such a soft, gentle voice, as if he were addressing a young bride! Elvina was so dumbfounded, she didn’t reply. She didn’t even dare look him in the eyes. Later she regretted not having at least rewarded her father with a smile. For deep inside Elvina was very pleased and flattered. She promised herself that she would make up for her silence later on when, for the third Sabbath dish, she would serve her father and grandfather the walnuts she had fried in honey. It was Solomon’s favorite sweet.
    After the meal, it was time to rest. As usual, Samuel and Yom Tov lay down on the benches in the room. Elvina suddenly remembered what Precious had said to her before leaving, so she cried to the boys, “Take care, you two. Don’t use your coats as pillows!”
    â€œOh, Elvina,” they complained, “now you sound just like Grandmother!” Still, they obeyed her.
    As soon as Solomon and Judah had left to return to the synagogue, though, Samuel and Yom Tov jumped up and declared that they were going for a walk.
    â€œBut we aren’t allowed to go out.” Elvina protested. “You heard what they said. I’m not even allowed to visit Tova.”
    â€œThat’s only meant for girls,” retorted Yom Tov. “Anyway, we won’t go far. And then we’ll walk straight back to the synagogue.”
    She watched Samuel, the redhead, and dark-haired Yom Tov run across the courtyard. With their red cheeks to the air and their gray capes billowing behind them, they looked as if they hadn’t a care in the world.
    Usually on the Sabbath, the courtyard would be ringing with the happy voices and laughter of Elvina’s friends and those of her mother and grandmother. This is visiting time. The house would be full of girls and women chatting, rolling apples or nuts across the table aiming to hit one another’s. It’s a game that Elvina thinks is a little stupid, but she is good at it. She always wins the nuts, because she can flick them more skillfully than anyone else, but she can’t very well play by herself! She knows that her friends will not be coming. They, too, are forbidden to go outside.
    At least Muriel, Bella, the twins, and their identical mothers have one another for company. They can tell stories while they eat honey cakes. How Elvina envies them! She would have liked to spend the afternoon with them, even if it did mean talking about dresses. Even if they called her proud. She remembers one Sabbath when her friends made fun of her because she tried to teach them to