The courtships were called off. The guys all joked about it afterward, said Mr. Bloussé was a nigger-lover and a mud shark.

My mother told him to give over and let me alone, and said she was sure it would be a lovely suit, and that Aunt Jack would never buy poor material, but stuff that would last forever.

This worrisome tendency was on display in recent weeks as Israelis reacted with striking vehemence to remarks by UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, and US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro.

After the gown, we can go to the florist, then stop by the lingerie store.