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Jacob approached.
    “Yes, Sollie. 
It’s me.”
    Solomon sat up on
the mattress.  “Will Levi be okay, Papa?”
    Jacob sat down
next to him. “We pray so, Sollie.  His fever was very high, but hopefully it
will come down.”
    “And I’ll go with
you to see him tomorrow, Papa?”
    “Not tomorrow,
Sollie.  You have to stay and take care of the girls and Joshua.  You are the
oldest.  Maybe the next day.”
    “You told Mama you
would bring me, Papa,” he answered, his voice cracking.  “Please, Papa, you
never break your promises.”
    Jacob thought a
minute.  While technically he hadn’t really promised, he had intentionally said
he would bring Solomon loud enough for him to hear.  “You’re right, Sollie. I
said I would bring you.  Aunt Ruth will look out for the others.  I will take
you with me.  Now say your Shema , a daily prayer said each morning and
evening expressing faith and the love of God, and go to sleep.”
    Solomon reached up
and hugged Jacob. “Thank you, Papa.”
    Jacob reached over
and kissed Joshua on the forehead and then did the same to Solomon. As he left
the room he heard Solomon reciting the Shema.
    Jacob headed
toward the kitchen.  As he entered, David was at the counter pouring two
glasses of schnapps.  He handed one to Jacob.  “To you, Jacob, and your new
life in America,” he toasted.  They touched the glasses and drank.
    David motioned
Jacob to the kitchen table.  They sat quietly for a few minutes. “So, David,” Jacob
finally asked. “What will my new life be?”
    “Just like you
started, Jacob.  Only instead of traveling from town to town, you’ll be in one
place.  And instead of a lot of things to sell, you will start with piece
goods.  After we go to see Rachael and Levi in the morning, I’ll take you to
get your pushcart.  I’ve already made contacts to get you some bolts of piece
goods and we’ll find a place for you to sell from.  We will get you a license
so you will be legitimate.  Sometimes people don’t get one, but I know how you
are.  You will want to do it right.” 
    “But where will we
live, David? How will I make a home for my family? Your letter said I’ll be
able to get a business.”
    “The pushcart is a
business, Jacob.  One thing at a time.  First earn a living.  Then, we’ll look
for a place for your family to live.  Meanwhile, you’ll stay with us.  Ruth is
glad for the company.  It is good to see her busy with your family.  You know
she longs for a sister or brother for Sarah, but I’m afraid it isn’t going to be
God’s will.  Sarah is five already.”
    Jacob just
nodded.  What could he say? He and Rachael were so blessed with their five
children.  He rose and patted David on the shoulder.  “Tell Ruth how much we
appreciate all she is doing for us.  The children are lucky to have such an
aunt!”

 
    CHAPTER 7
     
     
    Rachael was never
separated from Levi and for that she was thankful.  The quarantine center was a
separate building on Ellis Island.  It consisted of separate rooms with three
solid walls and a grated front.  There was a bed and a chair and a small basin for
washing.  In the hall, Rachael saw people coming and going, mothers trying to
find a nurse or doctor for a loved one, a doctor hurrying to tend to a
patient.  It was a busy place.  A doctor came and examined Levi.  He didn’t
know what exactly was wrong with him.
    On the third day
when the doctor came, he determined that Levi was not improving, but finding
nothing to indicate a contagious disease; he had him moved to the hospital on
the island.  In his opinion, Levi seemed to be suffering from a respiratory
infection. 
    While there were
mainly large wards at the hospital, there were also single rooms and Rachael
and Levi were put into one of them.  Rachael acknowledged that everyone there
was trying to help.  The nurses brought different liquids to get Levi to
drink.  Medicines were administered, poultices applied ¾ but