Bidak was becoming poor, and he was certainly no rich man compared with Perlefter. Neither banks nor professional money lenders, who pay lower taxes than banks and have less obvious signs, could help Leo Bidak. It was at this time that he went to see Perlefter with a little hope in his heart.
When he arrived they had just held a little family gathering to celebrate Fredy’s birthday. From what I have already recounted thus far about Perlefter, one already knows that on days which cost him money, even if they brought him joy, he was not especially in the mood to spend still more money on something that would not bring him any pleasure.
…
TRANSLATOR’S AFTERWORD
And thus ends the Perlefter manuscript, rather abruptly, although at least not mid-sentence. As we begin Chapter X Bidak, in serious need of money, goes to visit his wealthy relative Perlefter. Kroj foreshadows what is about to happen with the last words of that chapter. It is not looking good for Bidak’s chances of getting anything out of his indifferent (and tightwad) relative.
Let us assume for a moment that, had the book continued, the following paragraphs would have included a dialogue between Bidak and Perlefter. Now, given that Bidak still needs to leave Europe for America in order for the narrative to catch up with the beginning of Chapter VIII, could this rejection by Perlefter be the plot device that Roth might have used to get Bidak to leave, in frustration and desperation? Who knows, perhaps Perlefter himself suggests that Bidak go to the United States. We know that Bidak has no money, so how does he get to America? Let us imagine the following scenario unfolding at Perlefter’s house that day of Fredy’s birthday party. Strictly speculation, of course, but perhaps it might have gone something like this:
After Bidak exchanged pleasantries with the rest of the family and offered birthday wishes to Fredy, Perlefter led him into the parlour and gestured for me to follow. We sat and had some schnapps to drink. There was silence for a few moments. At last Perlefter spoke, asking what brought Bidak, although he already knew the answer. As Bidak was alone on this visit it was a serious matter, most likely concerning money.
‘I only require a small sum’, said Bidak, putting down his glass, ‘to keep me from sinking into despair. To prevent me from losing what is left of my half of the house entirely.’
Perlefter told Bidak that there was, of course, no such thing as a small sum. ‘This much I have learned being a businessman. Everything adds up!’ said Perlefter.
‘We are, after all, family!’ Bidak said.
‘Family indeed,’ said Perlefter. ‘A large one, at that. And just think if I were to give money to each member of my unwieldy family! Would there be anything left for me? I helped Kroj out years ago, and I’m still not rid of him!’ Perlefter gestured at me with his elbow. I knew that he was joking, but I wasn’t sure if Bidak took it that way. No, Perlefter did not mind me at all, of that much I was certain. One could say that he tolerated me quite well, considering that overall he had a low tolerance for people. This was certainly true for Bidak. The very fact that Bidak was sitting before him, in his house, was troubling to him. One social visit had already been tolerated, but this, it was most certainly not a social visit. Yes, distance from someone such as Bidak would be quite welcomed.
‘You know, I have heard that great opportunities for an enterprising sort of fellow such as yourself lie across the ocean in America. Those who are down on their luck have seen a great reversal in fortunes over there.’ Perlefter forced a grin on to his round face even as he realized the consequences of what he had said. And then the thought struck him. If he gave Bidak money for the here and now, if he helped keep Bidak from losing his part of the house, it was highly likely that he would be back again in no time with some excuse or other to ask for additional funds. This much was certain. A man like this was ill able to hold on to money for more than a few moments. Although it might seemingly cost more to purchase ocean passage for the entire family Perlefter realized that, in the long run, it would result in great savings. He would be rid of Bidak for good, so he thought. A relatively small price to pay.
‘But I can’t leave,’ said Bidak. ‘For if I leave I won’t inherit the other half of the house when Tante Sammet dies.’
‘We are a long-lived family,’ Perlefter sighed mightily. ‘My father was ninety-two. You will wait in vain. She will not die.’ And from the expression on his face it was clear that this confirmed what Bidak was already thinking, what he already knew from experience thus far — that his wicked ghost of an aunt would torment him for many years more.
So, we have thus imagined one possible way that Chapter X might have continued to get Leo Bidak on his way to the United States. I don’t expect that Roth would have laid out details of Bidak’s years living in San Francisco to the same extent as he already laid out details of his early life, for that would have taken up too much additional space.
Let us assume that Chapter X would have also provided a short summary of Bidak’s failed life in the United States, and then presumably in Chapter XI we would have been back to the ‘present’ of the early 1920s with Bidak’s return to Europe at the age of forty-two. He has not arrived at the most opportune time, as Perlefter is in the sanatorium recovering from various ‘calamities’. The mere fact that Bidak has returned indicates that he has failed at making a proper life for himself and his family. We must assume that Perlefter and Bidak will meet again. What will their interplay be? Is Tante Sammet still alive? Will Bidak be looking for money once again? Will Perlefter hire him?
And what becomes of Julie? The last we hear of her the dentist is about to become engaged to her. These are questions that are more difficult to answer. Perhaps Roth abandoned this novel when he realized that bringing in Bidak, however interesting a character, had seemed like a good idea but was now limiting how he could handle the remainder of the book. Roth was clearly intrigued by him, having devoted two full chapters and the start of a third to Bidak.
Ultimately, speculation aside, we must take Perlefter at face value, just as it was discovered, just as Roth left it in 1929. We can be thankful that we have Perlefter and at the same time not too displeased or disappointed that Roth ceased work on it, because even unfinished it stands as a fine addition to the Roth oeuvre.
Besides, while he may not have finished Perlefter, he started immediately on another project, a masterpiece called Job.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR
Richard Panchyk is the author, editor or translator of twenty-three books, including World War II for Kids, German New York City, Forgotten Tales of Long Island and Keys to American History, as well as a study on Jewish assimilation and name change in the Austrian Empire during the nineteenth century. He produced new translations of The Antichrist and The Hundred Days by Joseph Roth — to whom he is distantly related — both of which were published by Peter Owen.