Emerence Szeredás

Emerence Szeredás is the central character in this novel. She is portrayed as a Christ-like figure who is able to work harder than others, get more done with less sleep, and love without prejudice. During the war and political unrest, she takes in people who need refuge. Later, she takes in cats who need refuge.

Most mysterious about Emerence is that she will not allow anyone besides Viola, a dog, into her apartment. Emerence at first tells the narrator it is because she has had cats killed in the past. She has one who lives in the apartment with her whom she does not want to get loose and be killed as well. Rumors abound about Emerence and her closed door. Some people believe she is hoarding treasure she stole from the Jews in World War II. There are rumors about a man who died...