The House That Shadows Built (1928)

22 THE HOUSE THAT SHADOWS BUILTj In a month, Ignatz Zukor sent the reply of Cousin Gustavus. America, it said, was a hard place for the new immigrant. Ignorant of the language, he always found difficulty in getting a job. Often he became a public charge; just as often he gave it up and wrote home for money. Gustavus would not wish a cousin of his to take such chances. “You see. . . .” wrote Uncle Ignatz Zukor. But America had become an obsession with Adolph. He renewed his importunities and his sinister hints. “Well,” wrote Uncle Ignatz at last, “come here and talk it over.” i So Adolph bade a confident farewell to the Blaus, and walked to Ricse with his few belongings on his back. To-day, he is a rather silent man except when he has something significant to say; then he can become most eloquent and persuasive. Perhaps he had these same traits even in his adolescence. At any rate, in two or three days he had won over Uncle Ignatz. ‘ Last and greatest obstacle was that town banker who, in matters concerning the little Zukor estate, acted as deputy for the Orphans’ Bureau. Uncle Zukor made an appointment for a hearing on the matter. Adolph lay awake nights composing his selling-talk. He was still undersized; as he delivered it, his head scarcely appeared above the banker’s high desk. This fervid oration was probably a charming mixture of tragic juvenile emotion and premature common sense. For the banker listened.