Chapter One

The sun beamed down, warming the fragrant grass of Finsbury Circus. Gabriel played with his wooden animals, queuing them up across his blanket. Papa bent down, his thin, brown hand plucking one from the queue. "Gabe, what is this one called?"

Gabriel moved his tiger into the empty space. "Frederick," he said simply.

His father laughed. "No, what kind of animal is it?"

Gabriel though it a silly question. "Frederick is an elephant. You sent him to me from India."

"Yes, that's right," said Papa.

His mother laughed lightly. "Gabriel had memorized the entire animal kingdom, I think, by the time he was three, Charles. I rather doubt there is much you can teach him now."

With a sigh, Papa leaned back on the bench. "I have missed so much, Ruth," he said, taking her hand in his. "Too much -- and I am to miss a great deal more, I fear."

Mamma's face fell. "Oh, Charles, I did not mean -- " Abruptly, she drew a handkerchief from her pocket and delicately coughed into it. "Oh! I beg your pardon. I sound frightful, do I not?"

Papa frowned. "You must see to that cough as soon as I am gone, my love," he chided. "Gabriel, can you help Mamma to remember? She is to see Dr. Cohen tomorrow -- and not a moment later."

"Yes, sir." Gabriel plucked one of the monkeys from his queue and handed it to his father.

Papa balanced the monkey in his palm. "This is for me?"

"It's Henry," said Gabriel. "He will go back to India with you. For company."

Papa tucked the monkey into his regimental jacket, then ruffled Gabriel's hair. "Thank you, Gabe," he said. "I shall miss you terribly. Are you all right here, you and Mamma, with Zayde and Bubbe?"

Gabriel nodded. H