The Assistant Chapter 9, Section 5 Summary

  • Morris is dead in the hospital.
  • His family and Frank are at his funeral.
  • Customers and acquaintances join the mourners.
  • Ida cries out reproachfully to Morris because he left her alone and broke.
  • The rabbi speaks vaguely about Morris and why he doesn't ask whether a Jew is a Jew.
  • Helen feels that the rabbi is embellishing the description of Morris she gave him in preparation.
  • Ida weeps. She loves Morris but is still harsh with him. She wants a professional for Helen.
  • Helen tosses a rose on the coffin.
  • Frank leans over to see where it fell and falls into the grave, landing on the coffin.
  • Nat Pearl yells at him.
  • Helen looks away.
  • Ida wails.
  • Frank figures he's spoiled the funeral.
  • Helen leaves with Nat.