Free Vienna Secrets by Frank Tallis

clothing,” said Anna. “Which again should be simple, but not ugly or disfiguring. All women—in whatever circumstance they find themselves—like to look their best.” She smiled coyly at Gabriel before continuing. “And there will be a schoolroom, where those residents who do not speak good German will be coached by volunteers from the Women’s Association.”
    Olga interjected, “We would prefer our refuge to be staffed entirely by women. It is our view that men—however well-intentioned—and young girls from the street are not a good combination. Further, the majority of our staff should be married, because they will then know about sexual relations and be neither excessively strict nor permissive.”
    This bold, direct, and unflinching mention of “sexual relations” signaled that Olga and Anna considered themselves “new women.” They had both, no doubt, read Mantegazza’s popular book The Physiology of Love .
    Gabriel stopped chewing his biscuit and waited.
    “Hallgarten has already promised five thousand kronen,” Olga added, maintaining a steady gaze.
    “It is a splendid idea,” said Asher, clapping his hands together. “And very modern. I like that.”
    “Yes,” said Gabriel. “Much good could be accomplished. Five thousand, you say?”
    “Indeed,” said Olga. “A very generous donation, but—as I’m sure you will appreciate—such an ambitious project will require funding from other sources.”
    Anna offered Gabriel another biscuit.
    “Should you happen to meet in the course of your work any potential benefactors,” Olga continued, “who might consider our scheme worthy of their patronage, I trust that you will remember us.”
    Olga straightened her back, which had the effect of pushing her bosom forward.
    “Of course,” said Asher. “If the opportunity arises, you can be assured of our cooperation.”
    “Thank you,” said Olga. “You are most kind.”
    Now that the main purpose of inviting the Kusevitsky brothers had been accomplished, Anna and Olga were free to steer the conversation toward lighter topics—mutual acquaintances, some royal gossip, and an operetta that they had both found amusing. Having mentioned the stage, the women were then obliged to ask Asher Kusevitsky about his new play. He took their interest seriously—perhaps too seriously—and spoke for some time about his principal themes of mental illness, creativity, and mysticism. The action of the play concerned a man’s decline after possession by a dybbuk (an evil spirit and a staple character of old Jewish folktales).
    In due course, Anna and Olga politely turned their attention to Gabriel, who in response to their inquiries explained that he was conducting research into the meaning of dreams. Anna began to recount one of her own dreams, but Gabriel stopped her, saying that he would be unable to interpret it without asking her questions of a personal nature and that she would probably be embarrassed to answer them in the company of guests.
    “Then some other time, perhaps,” said Anna.
    When tea was finished and the Kusevitskys had been shown to the door by one of the servants, Anna and Olga retired to the drawing room, where they sat on a couch, heads together, conferring.
    “Are you sure they’ll be useful?” asked Anna.
    “I hope so,” said Olga. “They know Professor Priel, who is Rothenstein’s brother-in-law. That’s how Gabriel Kusevitsky got his scholarship; the professor put in a good word.”
    “If Rothenstein took an interest in our project…”
    “We would be able to do everything—and very soon too.”
    “Where do the Kusevitsky brothers come from?”
    Olga paused and looked off into space. A single straight line transected her forehead.
    “I don’t know. I was introduced to Gabriel by my cousin Martin. They studied medicine together.”
    “Do they have family in Vienna?”
    “I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”
    Anna caught sight of herself in a silver decorative plate