Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Kerry Greenwood
She nodded and said slowly, ‘Difficult, yes, but it is possible
that Phryne could handle him. I don’t think he’s met anyone
like her before, Bennie. Neither have I, hmm?’
‘His name is Rabbi Elijah,’ said Benjamin. ‘He lives near you,
in St. Kilda. He is a very holy man, very learned, but…’
‘Difficult?’ finished Phryne.
Mr. Abrahams nodded ponderously. ‘Difficult.’
‘I’ll go and see him tomorrow. Can you give me a letter of
introduction?’
‘I don’t think that would help. He is…’
‘Difficult,’ conceded Simon. ‘I can take you to him, but the
only one of us Godless almost-gentiles he would speak to is
Yossi Liebermann, and you had such a startling effect on him,
Phryne…’
‘What happened to Yossi?’ asked his father, and Simon
described Yossi’s abrupt exit from Mrs. Grossman’s house.
‘Too much study, it turns the brain in the end, especially
studying the Kabala, that is not meant for humans to understand,’
commented Benjamin. ‘Also of course he would not be
comfortable in the presence of so beautiful and stylish a gentile
lady, lest his purity be smirched, I beg your pardon, Phryne.’
‘Not at all—a compliment, to have such an effect.’
‘Poor Yossi,’ sighed Julia. ‘His mother had such hopes for him.
He’s a good shoemaker, a craftsman. Then he started reading all the
ancient writings, the old Rabbis and now—’ She sighed again.
Mr. Abrahams objected mildly. ‘He is still a good shoemaker
and he is working well, even though he stays up all night, Lily
Grossman says, making experiments and stenches and burning
her table. Did I tell you that young Saul is almost bar mitzvah?
We will need to arrange the reception.’
‘He is a good boy, Saul,’ said Julia, brightening. ‘The reception
will be in the house in Faraday Street?’
‘Yes, if it can be managed,’ said Mr. Abrahams, smiling at
his wife.
‘Of course it can be managed,’ she said sharply. Phryne saw
a ghost of the same expression of slightly irritated efficiency