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FELIX AUSTRIA
Translated from Ukrainian
by Vitaly Chernetsky
Chapter 1
January 9, 1900
T
here is no peace in this
house.
This is especially true
during the winter holiday
season. One party after
another: the technologists’
ball at the theater auditorium,
the first “woolen” party
at the Moniuszko Music
Society, an academic soiree
at the casino, a costumed ball
organized by the local branch
of the Sokol Society, and on
and on it goes for two more
months. On St. Sylvester Day
at the city casino there were
only twenty-eight couples
dancing the first quadrille.
However, there were lots of
guests at the Star and at the
Urban Society. They say our
Jews also had a good time
at their club. As always, they
elected Esther Funkelstein,
the doctor’s wife, queen
of the ball—and rightly so:
whenMrs. Funkelstein passes
down the street, imposing
and tall, nobody can prevent
themselves from turning,
stopping, and casting a
glance as she walks away;
and then she won’t leave
your thoughts, just like a sad
tune.
Adela likes partying in large
company, and she keeps
dragging me along. I wouldn’t
havegone, for I knowwell how
these young ladies in zephyr
dresses
whisper
behind
Adela’s back, “Adela Anger
comes to parties with her
maidservant, and shemarried