CHAPTER xxxiv

THE astonishing advent of Anatole Kahn marked
a turning point in the Benedit's fortunes; it was
not very long before Christophe discovered that
Kahn was a thoroughly competent joiner. For awhile
he had seemed rather shy with his tools as though
uncertain of regaining their friendship, and the tools,
in their turn, had rubbed his soft skin until his palms
were covered with blisters; but a few weeks had set
all this to rights, so that now he gripped the chisel or
saw with the strength and complete assurance of an
expert — well grounded Kahn had been in his youth
before he deserted the carpenter's bench to seek a
more lucrative career in Paris.
At first people refused to believe the news. What,
Anatole Kahn employed by J6us&! Anatole Kahn
taking charge of affairs on behalf of the man he had
set out to ruin! Incredible, preposterous; Jouse would
not consent to such an arrangement; it must be a lie.
And yet there was Kahn in Jouse's own workshop as
large as life, and with Christophe beside him, so that
finally they accepted the fact that many strange
things can happen in war-time. Then quite soon it
was even being said that if Anatole Kahn really did
know his job, Jouse might well have made a good
bargain; Christophe was young to assume full control
and, as everyone knew, Anfos was a half-wit. Oh,
that Jouse! He was shrewd and no mistake; in losing
384