The priest frowned. “You paid back the money already, eh? But what if the boy doesn’t want to go back to you?”

Tzvi arrived breathless and sweaty at Jan’s house. He banged on the door and waited a few agonizing moments until the poritz slowly and lazily drew the door open.

“Yes?”

“I-I have the money!” Tzvi held out the bag filled with Yankel and his wife’s entire life savings.

Jan looked at the bag, a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth. Drawing a deep, theatrical breath of air he reached for the bag and took it from Tzvi’s trembling fingers. Then, he walked over to his table, emptied the bag and began counting the coins. His lips moved as he silently counted.

“You want your son back?” Jan toyed with one of the coins. “I bet you’d like to see him now...”

“Yes! Very much so!” Tears sprang into Tzvi’s eyes. “Please, can I go get him now?

“Yes, of course.”

Jan grabbed his thick winter coat and swung it on as they stepped out of the house and made their way to the church. A bell clanged as they approached and the priest emerged with a group of boys, Tzvi’s son, Heshy, trudging along despondently at the back.

“That was quick.” The priest frowned. “You paid back the money already, eh? But what if the boy doesn’t want to go back to you?”

“Of course I want to go back!” Heshy yelled.

“Silence!” The priest hissed. “Silence, or I’ll have you punished severely for talking out of place, boy! You haven’t been here long enough to be able to make a sound, logical decision. You need more time to consider things, to weigh the benefits of joining us...”