Nesah was still stuck in this miserable town and with her miserable brother. She had applied to several universities, but was still waiting to hear back from them whether she could take an entrance exam. Some had rejected her immediately. She had been schooled abroad and that worked to her disadvantage. Had she been one of her brothers, she could have mentioned a reputable school in Europe. But she had been schooled at home, and her finishing school was hardly an academic center of repute. No, she would have to prove her talents, unlike some of her family members, who had clearly gotten opportunities offered to them on a silver plate on the ground of having... male parts. 

She wasn't angry.

Mother had written to her that morning. Would she not come home? The Jacobsens son - did she remember him? - had grown up to be such a charming young man, with a successful business too! She really should meet him. Would she not come home? What was she doing there anyway, wasting valuable time on the barbaric English coast? Where there any successful Jewish gentlemen in Zech's circle of friends? There were plenty at home. Oh and were there any suitable ladies for Zech over there? Was there a synagoge there? And how was Uriel? How was university going for him? Any news from Menachem? He hadn't been up to any trouble again, had he?

It drove her mad. Nesah had left the house to clear her mind, but it did not leave her mind. One day, she knew, she was going to marry some impotent loser with money, just to be rid of the pressure. For now, perhaps she should make Zech answer. She could always threaten to inform mother of Uriel's little accident if he didn't. 

Her feet led her to the market. The smell of fish was appalling to her, but she was bored and wouldn't mind watching "normal" people, rather than her morose brother. She stopped at a stall, bought a little cake, and then moved to a corner of the square from which she could observe.