Chapter 19, The Card House Summary

A man named Victor helps Jan Bronski carry the janitor to the storeroom. Just as Mama becomes "poor Mama" after her death, Victor becomes "poor Victor" after the war, due largely to losing his eyeglasses. Jan Bronski, seized with terror, exaggerates his flesh wound and remains in the makeshift infirmary. Jan and Oskar play skat with Kobyella, although the janitor is increasing weak and they have to prop the cards up in his hands. Jan becomes disoriented, calling Oskar "Agnes" and Kobyella "Matzerath."

Finally there is a lull in the fighting outside and Kobyella expires in the middle of the hand, depriving Jan of a sure-thing grand slam. Oskar urges Jan to leave the dead janitor in peace, suggesting they can play a two-handed game called Sixty-six instead. For the first time, Oskar calls Jan Bronski "Papa...