Chapter 14, Herbert Truczinski's Back Summary

After his mother's death, Oskar lives a dismal existence without anyone to take him to the toy store for a new drum, or to take him to church on Saturday. Because of increasing political tensions, Jan Bronski visits less often. One day while walking through the city streets, Oskar encounters Bebra, the aristocratic midget from the circus. Bebra and his companion, the diminutive Neapolitan somnambulist, Signora Roswitha, invite Oskar to tea at the Four Seasons cafy. The two invite Oskar to join their troupe of circus performers, but he declines. Instead, Oskar asks the waiter for a stemmed glass and sings a heart-shaped hole in it. Underneath, he inscribes "Oskar for Roswitha" using only his voice.

Finally, Oskar seeks companionship with an elderly woman, Mother Truczinski, who lives under the eaves in his building. Her children are...