How does it look for me to go around with a
son who not only can't walk, but has a beard that makes him look like
Father Abraham himself?'"
"And what does Pitzela's son say?"
"What can he say? Nothing. The doctor comes and tells him: 'You got to
stay in the house. You are going out too much. How old are you?' And
Pitzela's son shakes his tired head and says: 'Eighty-seven years old,
doctor.' And the doctor gives strict orders. But Pitzela comes in and
laughs. Imagine."
"Yes, it's a good story, Feodor."
"A good story! How do you know? I ain't come to the point yet. But never
mind, if you like it so much you don't need any point."
"The point, Feodor. Excuse me."
"Well, the point is that Pitzela and the way he treats his son is a
scandal. You know why? Because he uses his son as an advertisement.
Pitzela's son, mind you, is so weak and old that he can hardly walk and he
carries a heavy cane and his hands shake like leaves. And Pitzela drags
him around all over. To banquets. To political meetings. To the Yiddish
theater. All over. He holds him by the arm and brings him into the hall
and sits him down in a chair. And Pitzela's son sits so tired and almost
dead he can't move. And then Pitzela jumps up and gets excited and says:
'Look at him.
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