money that I borrowed. Thank you.” He took two golden ten franc coins out of his pocket and laid them on the table. However, I didn’t pick them up—instead, I said: “Before I accept the money, I have to know what it was for. Instead of loaning you the money, I gave it to you.”
In earnest, he said: “You’re mistaken! I don’t beg; I only borrow. Schamah and her mother are poor, very poor. At times, they don’t have enough to eat. Without asking anyone, I came to this conclusion. In contrast, I’m rich, and I’m her friend. Thus, without their knowing, I took care of their room and board at the Hospice. Today, the Donkey Driver is bringing them to Jerusalem—of course, on better animals than they rode yesterday. They still do not know that it was I who paid for these things. When they arrive here, they won’t go into the city. Instead, they’ll veer to the right, riding into the Valley of Hinnom, then up the Mount of Olives towards Bethany. At that point, they’ll meet my friend Abd en Nom.
“Who is Abd en Nom?”
“He is the father of both the greatest Whale in our club and the heaviest Hippo that ever was. He is a host to pilgrims. At the moment, his house is completely empty, so Schamah and her mother have more room than they really need. They’ll also have meals there. Of course, Schamah believes that all of this was because the Hospice recommended them. Abd en Nom likes me. I’ll be going with him as we make the preparations.”
“And you are paying for all of this?”
“Yes, but I ask you not to reveal this to anyone. Schamah and her mother must never know this secret.”
“Does your father know?
“No.”
“My dear boy, you know this will cost a lot of money!”
He happily laughed as he replied: “I have it.”