“You were wonderful!” she said.
“Daddy, Daddy!” Jennie said, and she squeezed his hand.
“I’ve got to go back to see Abe,” he told them. “Will you wait for me? We’ll have lunch together.”
“Hank, will there be trouble?”
“Maybe. I may lose my job, Karin.”
“There are other jobs,” she said.
“Yes. There are other jobs.” He paused. “I was scared stiff, Karin. Did it show? Could you tell my knees were trembling?”
“No, darling. You looked very brave — and very magnificent.”
“I was scared,” he said again. He paused. “But I’m not scared any more.” He laughed suddenly. “Damnit, all I am is hungry.”
“Hurry,” she said. “You mustn’t keep Abe waiting.”
“No.” He hesitated, clinging to her hand. “Karin?” he said.
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be all right.”
“I’m not worried,” she said.
“Good. Listen, wait for me, will you? I’ll be right back.” He paused again. “I love you both. Very much.”
And then he turned and walked toward the paneled door to the left of the judge’s bench. The sunlight covered his back for a moment, touched the erectly held head. He hesitated at the door. And then he pushed the door open purposefully and strode out of the courtroom.