were hard and she had not bought anything new for years. This morning, she looked slim and elegant in a navy-blue cashmere dress that was probably as old as Carla. ‘ “Signora Cerruti, who is Jewish, is a passionate Fascist, and they talked for many minutes. Did she beg Hitler to stop whipping up hatred of Jews?” ’ Father put the magazine down on the table with a slap. Here it comes, Carla thought. ‘You realize that will infuriate the Nazis,’ he said. ‘I hope so,’ Mother said coolly. ‘The day they’re pleased with what I write , I shall give it up.’ ‘They’re dangerous when riled.’ Mother’s eyes flashed anger. ‘Don’t you dare condescend to me, Walter. I know they’re dangerous – that’s why I oppose them.’ ‘I just don’t see the point of making them irate.’ ‘You attack them in the Reichstag.’ Father was an elected parliamentary representative for the Social Democratic Party. ‘I take part in a reasoned debate.’ This was typical, Carla thought. Father was logical, c
