This is what I saved for your ticket: forty-eight American dollars. Of course, you can change your mind and use it to come to New York. I would be so happy to see you.I apologize for being slow to send the money. I almost lost it all! I was keeping it in a bank because I thought this was the modern thing to do. A person I know told me to get the money out last October. The day I went, the bank president himself was standing in the lobby in his top hat, begging everyone not to withdraw. Can you imagine? He was trying to act like a friendly uncle, joking about how saving is better than spending, but his face was pale and sweaty, like a garment worker with consumption. Two days later he locked the doors of his bank. I heard he died last month and the people who still had their money by him will never get it back. It’s a big tragedy for hundreds and I feel lucky to be able to send this to you.Because many of the Petrovskys were out of work last year I waited to send this—I was sure you’d understand.
