Respite

In the Book of Jonah there’s a scene where the wayward prophet has finally discharged his divine mission in Nineveh. Now he’s in open land outside the city, sitting in the fierce sun. He’s been through a lot—a shipwreck, the belly of the fish. God summons up a plant which spreads with supernatural speed over Jonah’s head, giving him shade and bringing him “great happiness.” Maybe he’s finally figured it all out. In fact, God is about to send a worm to kill the plant and continue Jonah’s education, but the hero doesn’t know it yet.

Cohen and the band were given a respite:

Dakota took us back to Lod. We were driven into Tel Aviv. I felt very strong. I didn’t corner Aleece, I didn’t hunt for Rochel. I drank with the War Correspondents at the bar in the Dan Hotel. I was a serious fellow who had seen the war.