Perlefter by Joseph Roth Read Free Book Online Page A

the worn-out shoes found their way to this relative, the cobbler Kroj. It was Kroj’s lifelong dream to be able personally to make a pair of shoes for Herr Perlefter. Perlefter, however, covered his needs through the Karlsbad firm of Leiduck and Co.
    When I arrived at the cobbler’s I could smell vinegar, leather and sweat. Behind a partition lay a groaning Frau Kroj. I rang the shop bell, and Kroj came out in slippers.
    â€˜Well, see here,’ said Kroj. ‘A visitor.’
    â€˜How’s your wife?’ I asked.
    â€˜She’s already costing me more money than I’ve got. She’s been sick six weeks now!’
    â€˜I thought only two weeks? Didn’t you write to our cousin Herr Perlefter two weeks ago?’
    â€˜No, it’s been six weeks since I wrote to him. He hasn’t helped me.’
    â€˜He’s sent you this money!’
    â€˜Oh really? He’s a fine man!’
    Then I returned to Perlefter’s. He stood on the balcony of his house awaiting my return. He shouted to me, ‘Is she still alive?’
    â€˜Yes, she’s alive!’ I cried back.
    When I got inside Perlefter radiated joy. Now he was confident that nothing would happen to him, even if he flew over the ocean in a burning airship. He led me into the parlour. We drank wine, and Perlefter said, ‘That’s life!’
    But we had not spoken at all about life.
    The next morning I went to the airfield. Frau Perlefter was there with all the children along with Dr Nagl, the young man who had not become a pilot and the chauffeur, who placed a fur coat in the aeroplane. Frau Perlefter had red eyes. Herr Perlefter stood near the pilot and looked confusingly similar to the pilot. The other passengers arrived in ordinary clothes. They took Perlefter for the pilot and asked, ‘Is everything in order?’
    Herr Perlefter smiled because he recognized all ofthem. The gentlemen had met each other somewhere before. They were all honorary members. They wondered about Perlefter’s outfit and asked whether he had flown often previously.
    â€˜This is my sixth time,’ said Perlefter with conviction.
    At ten o’clock the propellers began to spin, and Perlefter’s children were thrown to the ground by the wind. The gentlemen climbed in, drew their handkerchiefs and waved. The propellers stopped spinning. Everyone climbed out again. It was embarrassing to both the travellers and their escorts that the aeroplane had not yet taken off. Herr Perlefter kissed his wife once more then gave the chauffeur his hand, for he believed that kindness to others kept one alive. The chauffeur was visibly surprised. Finally the propellers rattled again, and the gentlemen waved conclusively, Perlefter’s round face looking out from the window. I will never forget it.
    His wife began to sob. She wanted to catch another glimpse of her husband, but he had already ascended to an altitude of three hundred metres. The spectators all craned their necks towards the flying honorary members, but then the large bird vanished behind a red brick wall that restricted their view of the horizon.
    Perlefter was flying. Perlefter had flown away.
    His family returned home and invited me to lunch ‘so it won’t be that lonely’. So we sat and ate scrambled eggs, as the roast on this frightful day was burnt. The young Perlefter boy seemed unwilling to eat any scrambled eggs. He was given a chocolate bar, althougheveryone knew that he had a bad stomach through eating too many sweets. Nevertheless they let him, as I said, eat chocolate.
    Late in the night came a telegram:
Landed safely. Your father.
The postman received a tip, and we could hear his joyful footfalls upon the steps.
    Herr Perlefter stayed away from his loved ones for more than two months. Let us leave him living abroad for the time being while we dedicate ourselves to his house and family.

IV
    I have already mentioned that Perlefter controlled his