initial commit of ebook 12680HEADmain

4 files changed, 47250 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/old/12680-8.txt b/old/12680-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..670ef41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/12680-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,23625 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Children of the Ghetto, by I. Zangwill
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Children of the Ghetto
+
+Author: I. Zangwill
+
+Release Date: June 22, 2004  [eBook #12680]
+Last updated: April 1, 2012
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Charles Aldarondo and Project Gutenberg Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO
+
+A Study of a Peculiar People
+
+BY
+
+I. ZANGWILL
+
+Author of "The Master," "The King of Schnorrers" "Dreamers of the
+Ghetto," "Without Prejudice," etc.
+
+1914
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Preface to the Third Edition.
+
+
+The issue of a one-volume edition gives me the opportunity of thanking
+the public and the critics for their kindly reception of this chart of a
+_terra incognita_, and of restoring the original sub-title, which is a
+reply to some criticisms upon its artistic form. The book is intended as
+a study, through typical figures, of a race whose persistence is the
+most remarkable fact in the history of the world, the faith and morals
+of which it has so largely moulded. At the request of numerous readers I
+have reluctantly added a glossary of 'Yiddish' words and phrases, based
+on one supplied to the American edition by another hand. I have omitted
+only those words which occur but once and are then explained in the
+text; and to each word I have added an indication of the language from
+which it was drawn. This may please those who share Mr. Andrew Lang's
+and Miss Rosa Dartle's desire for information. It will be seen that most
+of these despised words are pure Hebrew; a language which never died off
+the lips of men, and which is the medium in which books are written all
+the world over even unto this day.
+
+I.Z.
+
+London, March, 1893.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+BOOK I. THE CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+Proem
+I.      The Bread of Affliction
+II.     The Sweater
+III.    Malka
+IV.     The Redemption of the Son and the Daughter
+V.      The Pauper Alien
+VI.     "Reb" Shemuel
+VII.    The Neo-Hebrew Poet
+VIII.   Esther and her Children
+IX.     Dutch Debby
+X.      A Silent Family
+XI.     The Purim Ball
+XII.    The Sons of the Covenant
+XIII.   Sugarman's Barmitzvah Party
+XIV.    The Hope of the Family
+XV.     The Holy Land League
+XVI.    The Courtship of Shosshi Shmendrik
+XVII.   The Hyams's Honeymoon
+XVIII.  The Hebrew's Friday Night
+XIX.    With the Strikers
+XX.     The Hope Extinct
+XXI.    The Jargon Players
+XXII.   "For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear"
+XXIII.  The Dead Monkey
+XXIV.   The Shadow of Religion
+XXV.    Seder Night
+
+BOOK II. THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+I.      The Christmas Dinner
+II.     Raphael Leon
+III.    "The Flag of Judah"
+IV.     The Troubles of an Editor
+V.      A Woman's Growth
+VI.     Comedy or Tragedy?
+VII.    What the Years brought
+VIII.   The Ends of a Generation
+IX.     The "Flag" flutters
+X.      Esther defies the Universe
+XI.     Going Home
+XII.    A Sheaf of Sequels
+XIII.   The Dead Monkey again
+XIV.    Sidney settles down
+XV.     From Soul to Soul
+XVI.    Love's Temptation
+XVII.   The Prodigal Son
+XVIII.  Hopes and Dreams
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PROEM.
+
+
+     Not here in our London Ghetto the gates and gaberdines of the olden
+     Ghetto of the Eternal City; yet no lack of signs external by which
+     one may know it, and those who dwell therein. Its narrow streets
+     have no specialty of architecture; its dirt is not picturesque. It
+     is no longer the stage for the high-buskined tragedy of massacre
+     and martyrdom; only for the obscurer, deeper tragedy that evolves
+     from the pressure of its own inward forces, and the long-drawn-out
+     tragi-comedy of sordid and shifty poverty. Natheless, this London
+     Ghetto of ours is a region where, amid uncleanness and squalor, the
+     rose of romance blows yet a little longer in the raw air of English
+     reality; a world which hides beneath its stony and unlovely surface
+     an inner world of dreams, fantastic and poetic as the mirage of the
+     Orient where they were woven, of superstitions grotesque as the
+     cathedral gargoyles of the Dark Ages in which they had birth. And
+     over all lie tenderly some streaks of celestial light shining from
+     the face of the great Lawgiver.
+
+     The folk who compose our pictures are children of the Ghetto; their
+     faults are bred of its hovering miasma of persecution, their
+     virtues straitened and intensified by the narrowness of its
+     horizon. And they who have won their way beyond its boundaries must
+     still play their parts in tragedies and comedies--tragedies of
+     spiritual struggle, comedies of material ambition--which are the
+     aftermath of its centuries of dominance, the sequel of that long
+     cruel night in Jewry which coincides with the Christian Era. If
+     they are not the Children, they are at least the Grandchildren of
+     the Ghetto.
+
+The particular Ghetto that is the dark background upon which our
+pictures will be cast, is of voluntary formation.
+
+People who have been living in a Ghetto for a couple of centuries, are
+not able to step outside merely because the gates are thrown down, nor
+to efface the brands on their souls by putting off the yellow badges.
+The isolation imposed from without will have come to seem the law of
+their being. But a minority will pass, by units, into the larger, freer,
+stranger life amid the execrations of an ever-dwindling majority. For
+better or for worse, or for both, the Ghetto will be gradually
+abandoned, till at last it becomes only a swarming place for the poor
+and the ignorant, huddling together for social warmth. Such people are
+their own Ghetto gates; when they migrate they carry them across the sea
+to lands where they are not. Into the heart of East London there poured
+from Russia, from Poland, from Germany, from Holland, streams of Jewish
+exiles, refugees, settlers, few as well-to-do as the Jew of the proverb,
+but all rich in their cheerfulness, their industry, and their
+cleverness. The majority bore with them nothing but their phylacteries
+and praying shawls, and a good-natured contempt for Christians and
+Christianity. For the Jew has rarely been embittered by persecution. He
+knows that he is in _Goluth_, in exile, and that the days of the Messiah
+are not yet, and he looks upon the persecutor merely as the stupid
+instrument of an all-wise Providence. So that these poor Jews were rich
+in all the virtues, devout yet tolerant, and strong in their reliance on
+Faith, Hope, and more especially Charity.
+
+In the early days of the nineteenth century, all Israel were brethren.
+Even the pioneer colony of wealthy Sephardim--descendants of the Spanish
+crypto-Jews who had reached England _via_ Holland--had modified its
+boycott of the poor Ashkenazic immigrants, now they were become an
+overwhelming majority. There was a superior stratum of Anglo-German Jews
+who had had time to get on, but all the Ashkenazic tribes lived very
+much like a happy family, the poor not stand-offish towards the rich,
+but anxious to afford them opportunities for well-doing. The _Schnorrer_
+felt no false shame in his begging. He knew it was the rich man's duty
+to give him unleavened bread at Passover, and coals in the winter, and
+odd half-crowns at all seasons; and he regarded himself as the Jacob's
+ladder by which the rich man mounted to Paradise. But, like all genuine
+philanthropists, he did not look for gratitude. He felt that virtue was
+its own reward, especially when he sat in Sabbath vesture at the head of
+his table on Friday nights, and thanked God in an operatic aria for the
+white cotton table-cloth and the fried sprats. He sought personal
+interviews with the most majestic magnates, and had humorous repartees
+for their lumbering censure.
+
+As for the rich, they gave charity unscrupulously--in the same Oriental,
+unscientific, informal spirit in which the _Dayanim_, those cadis of the
+East End, administered justice. The _Takif_, or man of substance, was as
+accustomed to the palm of the mendicant outside the Great Synagogue as
+to the rattling pyx within. They lived in Bury Street, and Prescott
+Street, and Finsbury--these aristocrats of the Ghetto--in mansions that
+are now but congeries of "apartments." Few relations had they with
+Belgravia, but many with Petticoat Lane and the Great _Shool_, the
+stately old synagogue which has always been illuminated by candles and
+still refuses all modern light. The Spanish Jews had a more ancient
+_snoga_, but it was within a stone's throw of the "Duke's Place"
+edifice. Decorum was not a feature of synagogue worship in those days,
+nor was the Almighty yet conceived as the holder of formal receptions
+once a week. Worshippers did not pray with bated breath, as if afraid
+that the deity would overhear them. They were at ease in Zion. They
+passed the snuff-boxes and remarks about the weather. The opportunities
+of skipping afforded by a too exuberant liturgy promoted conversation,
+and even stocks were discussed in the terrible _longueurs_ induced by
+the meaningless ministerial repetition of prayers already said by the
+congregation, or by the official recitations of catalogues of purchased
+benedictions. Sometimes, of course, this announcement of the offertory
+was interesting, especially when there was sensational competition. The
+great people bade in guineas for the privilege of rolling up the Scroll
+of the Law or drawing the Curtain of the Ark, or saying a particular
+_Kaddish_ if they were mourners, and then thrills of reverence went
+round the congregation. The social hierarchy was to some extent
+graduated by synagogal contributions, and whoever could afford only a
+little offering had it announced as a "gift"--a vague term which might
+equally be the covering of a reticent munificence.
+
+Very few persons, "called up" to the reading of the Law, escaped at the
+cost they had intended, for one is easily led on by an insinuative
+official incapable of taking low views of the donor's generosity and a
+little deaf. The moment prior to the declaration of the amount was quite
+exciting for the audience. On Sabbaths and festivals the authorities
+could not write down these sums, for writing is work and work is
+forbidden; even to write them in the book and volume of their brain
+would have been to charge their memories with an illegitimate if not an
+impossible burden. Parchment books on a peculiar system with holes in
+the pages and laces to go through the holes solved the problem of
+bookkeeping without pen and ink. It is possible that many of the
+worshippers were tempted to give beyond their means for fear of losing
+the esteem of the _Shammos_ or Beadle, a potent personage only next in
+influence to the President whose overcoat he obsequiously removed on the
+greater man's annual visit to the synagogue. The Beadle's eye was all
+over the _Shool_ at once, and he could settle an altercation about seats
+without missing a single response. His automatic amens resounded
+magnificently through the synagogue, at once a stimulus and a rebuke. It
+was probably as a concession to him that poor men, who were neither
+seat-holders nor wearers of chimney-pot hats, were penned within an iron
+enclosure near the door of the building and ranged on backless benches,
+and it says much for the authority of the _Shammos_ that not even the
+_Schnorrer_ contested it. Prayers were shouted rapidly by the
+congregation, and elaborately sung by the _Chazan_. The minister was
+_Vox et praeterea nihil_. He was the only musical instrument permitted,
+and on him devolved the whole onus of making the service attractive. He
+succeeded. He was helped by the sociability of the gathering--for the
+Synagogue was virtually a Jewish Club, the focus of the sectarian life.
+
+Hard times and bitter had some of the fathers of the Ghetto, but they
+ate their dry bread with the salt of humor, loved their wives, and
+praised God for His mercies. Unwitting of the genealogies that would be
+found for them by their prosperous grandchildren, old clo' men plied
+their trade in ambitious content. They were meek and timorous outside
+the Ghetto, walking warily for fear of the Christian. Sufferance was
+still the badge of all their tribe. Yet that there were Jews who held
+their heads high, let the following legend tell: Few men could shuffle
+along more inoffensively or cry "Old Clo'" with a meeker twitter than
+Sleepy Sol. The old man crawled one day, bowed with humility and
+clo'-bag, into a military mews and uttered his tremulous chirp. To him
+came one of the hostlers with insolent beetling brow.
+
+"Any gold lace?" faltered Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Get out!" roared the hostler.
+
+"I'll give you de best prices," pleaded Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Get out!" repeated the hostler and hustled the old man into the street.
+"If I catch you 'ere again, I'll break your neck." Sleepy Sol loved his
+neck, but the profit on gold lace torn from old uniforms was high. Next
+week he crept into the mews again, trusting to meet another hostler.
+
+"Clo'! Clo'!" he chirped faintly.
+
+Alas! the brawny bully was to the fore again and recognized him.
+
+"You dirty old Jew," he cried. "Take that, and that! The next time I
+sees you, you'll go 'ome on a shutter."
+
+The old man took that, and that, and went on his way. The next day he
+came again.
+
+"Clo'! Clo'!" he whimpered.
+
+"What!" said the ruffian, his coarse cheeks flooded with angry blood.
+"Ev yer forgotten what I promised yer?" He seized Sleepy Sol by the
+scruff of the neck.
+
+"I say, why can't you leave the old man alone?"
+
+The hostler stared at the protester, whose presence he had not noticed
+in the pleasurable excitement of the moment. It was a Jewish young man,
+indifferently attired in a pepper-and-salt suit. The muscular hostler
+measured him scornfully with his eye.
+
+"What's to do with you?" he said, with studied contempt.
+
+"Nothing," admitted the intruder. "And what harm is he doing you?"
+
+"That's my bizness," answered the hostler, and tightened his clutch of
+Sleepy Sol's nape.
+
+"Well, you'd better not mind it," answered the young man calmly. "Let
+go."'
+
+The hostler's thick lips emitted a disdainful laugh.
+
+"Let go, d'you hear?" repeated the young man.
+
+"I'll let go at your nose," said the hostler, clenching his knobby fist.
+
+"Very well," said the young man. "Then I'll pull yours."
+
+"Oho!" said the hostler, his scowl growing fiercer. "Yer means bizness,
+does yer?" With that he sent Sleepy Sol staggering along the road and
+rolled up his shirt-sleeves. His coat was already off.
+
+The young man did not remove his; he quietly assumed the defensive. The
+hostler sparred up to him with grim earnestness, and launched a terrible
+blow at his most characteristic feature. The young man blandly put it on
+one side, and planted a return blow on the hostler's ear. Enraged, his
+opponent sprang upon him. The young Jew paralyzed him by putting his
+left hand negligently into his pocket. With his remaining hand he closed
+the hostler's right eye, and sent the flesh about it into mourning. Then
+he carelessly tapped a little blood from the hostler's nose, gave him a
+few thumps on the chest as if to test the strength of his lungs, and
+laid him sprawling in the courtyard. A brother hostler ran out from the
+stables and gave a cry of astonishment.
+
+"You'd better wipe his face," said the young man curtly.
+
+The newcomer hurried back towards the stables.
+
+"Vait a moment," said Sleepy Sol "I can sell you a sponge sheap; I've
+got a beauty in my bag."
+
+There were plenty of sponges about, but the newcomer bought the
+second-hand sponge.
+
+"Do you want any more?" the young man affably inquired of his prostrate
+adversary.
+
+The hostler gave a groan. He was shamed before a friend whom he had
+early convinced of his fistic superiority.
+
+"No, I reckon he don't," said his friend, with a knowing grin at the
+conqueror.
+
+"Then I will wish you a good day," said the young man. "Come along,
+father."
+
+"Yes, ma son-in-law," said Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Do you know who that was, Joe?" said his friend, as he sponged away the
+blood.
+
+Joe shook his head.
+
+"That was Dutch Sam," said his friend in an awe-struck whisper.
+
+All Joe's body vibrated with surprise and respect. Dutch Sam was the
+champion bruiser of his time; in private life an eminent dandy and a
+prime favorite of His Majesty George IV., and Sleepy Sol had a beautiful
+daughter and was perhaps prepossessing himself when washed for the
+Sabbath.
+
+"Dutch Sam!" Joe repeated.
+
+"Dutch Sam! Why, we've got his picter hanging up inside, only he's naked
+to the waist."
+
+"Well, strike me lucky! What a fool I was not to rekkernize 'im!" His
+battered face brightened up. "No wonder he licked me!"
+
+Except for the comparative infrequency of the more bestial types of men
+and women, Judaea has always been a cosmos in little, and its
+prize-fighters and scientists, its philosophers and "fences," its
+gymnasts and money-lenders, its scholars and stockbrokers, its
+musicians, chess-players, poets, comic singers, lunatics, saints,
+publicans, politicians, warriors, poltroons, mathematicians, actors,
+foreign correspondents, have always been in the first rank. _Nihil
+alienum a se Judaeus putat_.
+
+Joe and his friend fell to recalling Dutch Sam's great feats. Each
+out-vied the other in admiration for the supreme pugilist.
+
+Next day Sleepy Sol came rampaging down the courtyard. He walked at the
+rate of five miles to the hour, and despite the weight of his bag his
+head pointed to the zenith.
+
+"Clo'!" he shrieked. "Clo'!"
+
+Joe the hostler came out. His head was bandaged, and in his hand was
+gold lace. It was something even to do business with a hero's
+father-in-law.
+
+But it is given to few men to marry their daughters to champion boxers:
+and as Dutch Sam was not a Don Quixote, the average peddler or huckster
+never enjoyed the luxury of prancing gait and cock-a-hoop business cry.
+The primitive fathers of the Ghetto might have borne themselves more
+jauntily had they foreseen that they were to be the ancestors of mayors
+and aldermen descended from Castilian hidalgos and Polish kings, and
+that an unborn historian would conclude that the Ghetto of their day was
+peopled by princes in disguise. They would have been as surprised to
+learn who they were as to be informed that they were orthodox. The great
+Reform split did not occur till well on towards the middle of the
+century, and the Jews of those days were unable to conceive that a man
+could be a Jew without eating _kosher_ meat, and they would have looked
+upon the modern distinctions between racial and religious Jews as the
+sophistries of the convert or the missionary. If their religious life
+converged to the Great _Shool_, their social life focussed on Petticoat
+Lane, a long, narrow thoroughfare which, as late as Strype's day, was
+lined with beautiful trees: vastly more pleasant they must have been
+than the faded barrows and beggars of after days. The Lane--such was its
+affectionate sobriquet--was the stronghold of hard-shell Judaism, the
+Alsatia of "infidelity" into which no missionary dared set foot,
+especially no apostate-apostle. Even in modern days the new-fangled
+Jewish minister of the fashionable suburb, rigged out, like the
+Christian clergyman, has been mistaken for such a _Meshumad_, and pelted
+with gratuitous vegetables and eleemosynary eggs. The Lane was always
+the great market-place, and every insalubrious street and alley abutting
+on it was covered with the overflowings of its commerce and its mud.
+Wentworth Street and Goulston Street were the chief branches, and in
+festival times the latter was a pandemonium of caged poultry, clucking
+and quacking and cackling and screaming. Fowls and geese and ducks were
+bought alive, and taken to have their throats cut for a fee by the
+official slaughterer. At Purim a gaiety, as of the Roman carnival,
+enlivened the swampy Wentworth Street, and brought a smile into the
+unwashed face of the pavement. The confectioners' shops, crammed with
+"stuffed monkeys" and "bolas," were besieged by hilarious crowds of
+handsome girls and their young men, fat women and their children, all
+washing down the luscious spicy compounds with cups of chocolate;
+temporarily erected swinging cradles bore a vociferous many-colored
+burden to the skies; cardboard noses, grotesque in their departure from
+truth, abounded. The Purim _Spiel_ or Purim play never took root in
+England, nor was Haman ever burnt in the streets, but _Shalachmonos_, or
+gifts of the season, passed between friend and friend, and masquerading
+parties burst into neighbors' houses. But the Lane was lively enough on
+the ordinary Friday and Sunday. The famous Sunday Fair was an event of
+metropolitan importance, and thither came buyers of every sect. The
+Friday Fair was more local, and confined mainly to edibles. The
+Ante-Festival Fairs combined something of the other two, for Jews
+desired to sport new hats and clothes for the holidays as well as to eat
+extra luxuries, and took the opportunity of a well-marked epoch to
+invest in new everythings from oil-cloth to cups and saucers. Especially
+was this so at Passover, when for a week the poorest Jew must use a
+supplementary set of crockery and kitchen utensils. A babel of sound,
+audible for several streets around, denoted Market Day in Petticoat
+Lane, and the pavements were blocked by serried crowds going both ways
+at once.
+
+It was only gradually that the community was Anglicized. Under the sway
+of centrifugal impulses, the wealthier members began to form new
+colonies, moulting their old feathers and replacing them by finer, and
+flying ever further from the centre. Men of organizing ability founded
+unrivalled philanthropic and educational institutions on British lines;
+millionaires fought for political emancipation; brokers brazenly foisted
+themselves on 'Change; ministers gave sermons in bad English; an English
+journal was started; very slowly, the conventional Anglican tradition
+was established; and on that human palimpsest which has borne the
+inscriptions of all languages and all epochs, was writ large the
+sign-manual of England. Judaea prostrated itself before the Dagon of its
+hereditary foe, the Philistine, and respectability crept on to freeze
+the blood of the Orient with its frigid finger, and to blur the vivid
+tints of the East into the uniform gray of English middle-class life. In
+the period within which our story moves, only vestiges of the old gaiety
+and brotherhood remained; the full _al fresco_ flavor was evaporated.
+
+And to-day they are alt dead--the _Takeefim_ with big hearts and bigger
+purses, and the humorous _Schnorrers_, who accepted their gold, and the
+cheerful pious peddlers who rose from one extreme to the other, building
+up fabulous fortunes in marvellous ways. The young mothers, who suckled
+their babes in the sun, have passed out of the sunshine; yea, and the
+babes, too, have gone down with gray heads to the dust. Dead are the
+fair fat women, with tender hearts, who waddled benignantly through
+life, ever ready to shed the sympathetic tear, best of wives, and cooks,
+and mothers; dead are the bald, ruddy old men, who ambled about in faded
+carpet slippers, and passed the snuff-box of peace: dead are the
+stout-hearted youths who sailed away to Tom Tiddler's ground; and dead
+are the buxom maidens they led under the wedding canopy when they
+returned. Even the great Dr. Sequira, pompous in white stockings,
+physician extraordinary to the Prince Regent of Portugal, lies
+vanquished by his life-long adversary and the Baal Shem himself, King of
+Cabalists, could command no countervailing miracle.
+
+Where are the little girls in white pinafores with pink sashes who
+brightened the Ghetto on high days and holidays? Where is the beauteous
+Betsy of the Victoria Ballet? and where the jocund synagogue dignitary
+who led off the cotillon with her at the annual Rejoicing of the Law?
+Worms have long since picked the great financier's brain, the
+embroidered waistcoats of the bucks have passed even beyond the stage of
+adorning sweeps on May Day, and Dutch Sam's fist is bonier than ever.
+The same mould covers them all--those who donated guineas and those who
+donated "gifts," the rogues and the hypocrites, and the wedding-drolls,
+the observant and the lax, the purse-proud and the lowly, the coarse and
+the genteel, the wonderful chapmen and the luckless _Schlemihls_, Rabbi
+and _Dayan_ and _Shochet_, the scribes who wrote the sacred scroll and
+the cantors who trolled it off mellifluous tongues, and the betting-men
+who never listened to it; the grimy Russians of the capotes and the
+earlocks, and the blue-blooded Dons, "the gentlemen of the Mahamad," who
+ruffled it with swords and knee-breeches in the best Christian society.
+Those who kneaded the toothsome "bolas" lie with those who ate them; and
+the marriage-brokers repose with those they mated. The olives and the
+cucumbers grow green and fat as of yore, but their lovers are mixed with
+a soil that is barren of them. The restless, bustling crowds that
+jostled laughingly in Rag Fair are at rest in the "House of Life;" the
+pageant of their strenuous generation is vanished as a dream. They died
+with the declaration of God's unity on their stiffening lips, and the
+certainty of resurrection in their pulseless hearts, and a faded Hebrew
+inscription on a tomb, or an unread entry on a synagogue brass is their
+only record. And yet, perhaps, their generation is not all dust.
+Perchance, here and there, some decrepit centenarian rubs his purblind
+eyes with the ointment of memory, and sees these pictures of the past,
+hallowed by the consecration of time, and finds his shrivelled cheek wet
+with the pathos sanctifying the joys that have been.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+
+CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE BREAD OF AFFLICTION.
+
+
+A dead and gone wag called the street "Fashion Street," and most of the
+people who live in it do not even see the joke. If it could exchange
+names with "Rotten Row," both places would be more appropriately
+designated. It is a dull, squalid, narrow thoroughfare in the East End
+of London, connecting Spitalfields with Whitechapel, and branching off
+in blind alleys. In the days when little Esther Ansell trudged its
+unclean pavements, its extremities were within earshot of the
+blasphemies from some of the vilest quarters and filthiest rookeries in
+the capital of the civilized world. Some of these clotted spiders'-webs
+have since been swept away by the besom of the social reformer, and the
+spiders have scurried off into darker crannies.
+
+There were the conventional touches about the London street-picture, as
+Esther Ansell sped through the freezing mist of the December evening,
+with a pitcher in her hand, looking in her oriental coloring like a
+miniature of Rebecca going to the well. A female street-singer, with a
+trail of infants of dubious maternity, troubled the air with a piercing
+melody; a pair of slatterns with arms a-kimbo reviled each other's
+relatives; a drunkard lurched along, babbling amiably; an organ-grinder,
+blue-nosed as his monkey, set some ragged children jigging under the
+watery rays of a street-lamp. Esther drew her little plaid shawl tightly
+around her, and ran on without heeding these familiar details, her
+chilled feet absorbing the damp of the murky pavement through the worn
+soles of her cumbrous boots. They were masculine boots, kicked off by
+some intoxicated tramp and picked up by Esther's father. Moses Ansell
+had a habit of lighting on windfalls, due, perhaps, to his meek manner
+of walking with bent head, as though literally bowed beneath the yoke of
+the Captivity. Providence rewarded him for his humility by occasional
+treasure-trove. Esther had received a pair of new boots from her school
+a week before, and the substitution, of the tramp's foot-gear for her
+own resulted in a net profit of half-a-crown, and kept Esther's little
+brothers and sisters in bread for a week. At school, under her teacher's
+eye, Esther was very unobtrusive about the feet for the next fortnight,
+but as the fear of being found out died away, even her rather morbid
+conscience condoned the deception in view of the stomachic gain.
+
+They gave away bread and milk at the school, too, but Esther and her
+brothers and sisters never took either, for fear of being thought in
+want of them. The superiority of a class-mate is hard to bear, and a
+high-spirited child will not easily acknowledge starvation in presence
+of a roomful of purse-proud urchins, some of them able to spend a
+farthing a day on pure luxuries. Moses Ansell would have been grieved
+had he known his children were refusing the bread he could not give
+them. Trade was slack in the sweating dens, and Moses, who had always
+lived from hand to mouth, had latterly held less than ever between the
+one and the other. He had applied for help to the Jewish Board of
+Guardians, but red-tape rarely unwinds as quickly as hunger coils
+itself; moreover, Moses was an old offender in poverty at the Court of
+Charity. But there was one species of alms which Moses could not be
+denied, and the existence of which Esther could not conceal from him as
+she concealed that of the eleemosynary breakfasts at the school. For it
+was known to all men that soup and bread were to be had for the asking
+thrice a week at the Institution in Fashion Street, and in the Ansell
+household the opening of the soup-kitchen was looked forward to as the
+dawn of a golden age, when it would be impossible to pass more than one
+day without bread. The vaguely-remembered smell of the soup threw a
+poetic fragrance over the coming winter. Every year since Esther's
+mother had died, the child had been sent to fetch home the provender,
+for Moses, who was the only other available member of the family, was
+always busy praying when he had nothing better to do. And so to-night
+Esther fared to the kitchen, with her red pitcher, passing in her
+childish eagerness numerous women shuffling along on the same errand,
+and bearing uncouth tin cans supplied by the institution. An
+individualistic instinct of cleanliness made Esther prefer the family
+pitcher. To-day this liberty of choice has been taken away, and the
+regulation can, numbered and stamped, serves as a soup-ticket. There was
+quite a crowd of applicants outside the stable-like doors of the kitchen
+when Esther arrived, a few with well-lined stomachs, perhaps, but the
+majority famished and shivering. The feminine element swamped the rest,
+but there were about a dozen men and a few children among the group,
+most of the men scarce taller than the children--strange, stunted,
+swarthy, hairy creatures, with muddy complexions illumined by black,
+twinkling eyes. A few were of imposing stature, wearing coarse, dusty
+felt hats or peaked caps, with shaggy beards or faded scarfs around
+their throats. Here and there, too, was a woman of comely face and
+figure, but for the most part it was a collection of crones, prematurely
+aged, with weird, wan, old-world features, slip-shod and draggle-tailed,
+their heads bare, or covered with dingy shawls in lieu of bonnets--red
+shawls, gray shawls, brick-dust shawls, mud-colored shawls. Yet there
+was an indefinable touch of romance and pathos about the tawdriness and
+witch-like ugliness, and an underlying identity about the crowd of
+Polish, Russian, German, Dutch Jewesses, mutually apathetic, and
+pressing forwards. Some of them had infants at their bare breasts, who
+drowsed quietly with intervals of ululation. The women devoid of shawls
+had nothing around their necks to protect them from the cold, the dusky
+throats were exposed, and sometimes even the first hooks and eyes of the
+bodice were unnecessarily undone. The majority wore cheap earrings and
+black wigs with preternaturally polished hair; where there was no wig,
+the hair was touzled.
+
+At half-past five the stable-doors were thrown open, and the crowd
+pressed through a long, narrow white-washed stone corridor into a
+barn-like compartment, with a white-washed ceiling traversed by wooden
+beams. Within this compartment, and leaving but a narrow, circumscribing
+border, was a sort of cattle-pen, into which the paupers crushed,
+awaiting amid discomfort and universal jabber the divine moment. The
+single jet of gas-light depending from the ceiling flared upon the
+strange simian faces, and touched them into a grotesque picturesqueness
+that would have delighted Doré.
+
+They felt hungry, these picturesque people; their near and dear ones
+were hungering at home. Voluptuously savoring in imagination the
+operation of the soup, they forgot its operation as a dole in aid of
+wages; were unconscious of the grave economical possibilities of
+pauperization and the rest, and quite willing to swallow their
+independence with the soup. Even Esther, who had read much, and was
+sensitive, accepted unquestioningly the theory of the universe that was
+held by most people about her, that human beings were distinguished from
+animals in having to toil terribly for a meagre crust, but that their
+lot was lightened by the existence of a small and semi-divine class
+called _Takeefim_, or rich people, who gave away what they didn't want.
+How these rich people came to be, Esther did not inquire; they were as
+much a part of the constitution of things as clouds and horses. The
+semi-celestial variety was rarely to be met with. It lived far away from
+the Ghetto, and a small family of it was said to occupy a whole house.
+Representatives of it, clad in rustling silks or impressive broad-cloth,
+and radiating an indefinable aroma of superhumanity, sometimes came to
+the school, preceded by the beaming Head Mistress; and then all the
+little girls rose and curtseyed, and the best of them, passing as
+average members of the class, astonished the semi-divine persons by
+their intimate acquaintance with the topography of the Pyrenees and the
+disagreements of Saul and David, the intercourse of the two species
+ending in effusive smiles and general satisfaction. But the dullest of
+the girls was alive to the comedy, and had a good-humored contempt for
+the unworldliness of the semi-divine persons who spoke to them as if
+they were not going to recommence squabbling, and pulling one another's
+hair, and copying one another's sums, and stealing one another's
+needles, the moment the semi-celestial backs were turned.
+
+To-night, semi-divine persons were to be seen in a galaxy of splendor,
+for in the reserved standing-places, behind the white deal counter, was
+gathered a group of philanthropists. The room was an odd-shaped polygon,
+partially lined with eight boilers, whose great wooden lids were raised
+by pulleys and balanced by red-painted iron balls. In the corner stood
+the cooking-engine. Cooks in white caps and blouses stirred the steaming
+soup with long wooden paddles. A tradesman besought the attention of the
+Jewish reporters to the improved boiler he had manufactured, and the
+superintendent adjured the newspaper men not to omit his name; while
+amid the soberly-clad clergymen flitted, like gorgeous humming-birds
+through a flock of crows, the marriageable daughters of an east-end
+minister.
+
+When a sufficient number of semi-divinities was gathered together, the
+President addressed the meeting at considerable length, striving to
+impress upon the clergymen and other philanthropists present that
+charity was a virtue, and appealing to the Bible, the Koran, and even
+the Vedas, for confirmation of his proposition. Early in his speech the
+sliding door that separated the cattle-pen from the kitchen proper had
+to be closed, because the jostling crowd jabbered so much and
+inconsiderate infants squalled, and there did not seem to be any general
+desire to hear the President's ethical views. They were a low material
+lot, who thought only of their bellies, and did but chatter the louder
+when the speech was shut out. They had overflowed their barriers by this
+time, and were surging cruelly to and fro, and Esther had to keep her
+elbows close to her sides lest her arms should be dislocated. Outside
+the stable doors a shifting array of boys and girls hovered hungrily and
+curiously. When the President had finished, the Rabbinate was invited to
+address the philanthropists, which it did at not less length, eloquently
+seconding the proposition that charity was a virtue. Then the door was
+slid back, and the first two paupers were admitted, the rest of the
+crowd being courageously kept at bay by the superintendent. The head
+cook filled a couple of plates with soup, dipping a great pewter pot
+into the cauldron. The Rabbinate then uplifted its eyes heavenwards, and
+said the grace:
+
+"Blessed art Thou, O Lord, King of the Universe, according to whose
+word all things exist."
+
+It then tasted a spoonful of the soup, as did also the President and
+several of the visitors, the passage of the fluid along the palate
+invariably evoking approving ecstatic smiles; and indeed, there was more
+body in it this opening night than there would be later, when, in due
+course, the bulk of the meat would take its legitimate place among the
+pickings of office. The sight of the delighted deglutition of the
+semi-divine persons made Esther's mouth water as she struggled for
+breathing space on the outskirts of Paradise. The impatience which
+fretted her was almost allayed by visions of stout-hearted Solomon and
+gentle Rachel and whimpering little Sarah and Ikey, all gulping down
+the delicious draught. Even the more stoical father and grandmother were
+a little in her thoughts. The Ansells had eaten nothing but a slice of
+dry bread each in the morning. Here before her, in the land of Goshen,
+flowing with soup, was piled up a heap of halves of loaves, while
+endless other loaves were ranged along the shelves as for a giant's
+table. Esther looked ravenously at the four-square tower built of edible
+bricks, shivering as the biting air sought out her back through a sudden
+interstice in the heaving mass. The draught reminded her more keenly of
+her little ones huddled together in the fireless garret at home. Ah!
+what a happy night was in store. She must not let them devour the two
+loaves to-night; that would be criminal extravagance. No, one would
+suffice for the banquet, the other must be carefully put by. "To-morrow
+is also a day," as the old grandmother used to say in her quaint jargon.
+But the banquet was not to be spread as fast as Esther's fancy could
+fly; the doors must be shut again, other semi-divine and wholly divine
+persons (in white ties) must move and second (with eloquence and length)
+votes of thanks to the President, the Rabbinate, and all other available
+recipients; a French visitor must express his admiration of English
+charity. But at last the turn of the gnawing stomachs came. The motley
+crowd, still babbling, made a slow, forward movement, squeezing
+painfully through the narrow aperture, and shivering a plate glass
+window pane at the side of the cattle-pen in the crush; the semi-divine
+persons rubbed their hands and smiled genially; ingenious paupers tried
+to dodge round to the cauldrons by the semi-divine entrance; the
+tropical humming-birds fluttered among the crows; there was a splashing
+of ladles and a gurgling of cascades of soup into the cans, and a hubbub
+of voices; a toothless, white-haired, blear-eyed hag lamented in
+excellent English that soup was refused her, owing to her case not
+having yet been investigated, and her tears moistened the one loaf she
+received. In like hard case a Russian threw himself on the stones and
+howled. But at last Esther was running through the mist, warmed by the
+pitcher which she hugged to her bosom, and suppressing the blind impulse
+to pinch the pair of loaves tied up in her pinafore. She almost flew up
+the dark flight of stairs to the attic in Royal Street. Little Sarah was
+sobbing querulously. Esther, conscious of being an angel of deliverance,
+tried to take the last two steps at once, tripped and tumbled
+ignominiously against the garret-door, which flew back and let her fall
+into the room with a crash. The pitcher shivered into fragments under
+her aching little bosom, the odorous soup spread itself in an irregular
+pool over the boards, and flowed under the two beds and dripped down the
+crevices into the room beneath. Esther burst into tears; her frock was
+wet and greased, her hands were cut and bleeding. Little Sarah checked
+her sobs at the disaster. Moses Ansell was not yet returned from evening
+service, but the withered old grandmother, whose wizened face loomed
+through the gloom of the cold, unlit garret, sat up on the bed and
+cursed her angrily for a _Schlemihl_. A sense of injustice made Esther
+cry more bitterly. She had never broken anything for years past. Ikey,
+an eerie-looking dot of four and a half years, tottered towards her (all
+the Ansells had learnt to see in the dark), and nestling his curly head
+against her wet bodice, murmured:
+
+"Neva mind, Estie, I lat oo teep in my new bed."
+
+The consolation of sleeping in that imaginary new bed to the possession
+of which Ikey was always looking forward was apparently adequate; for
+Esther got up from the floor and untied the loaves from her pinafore. A
+reckless spirit of defiance possessed her, as of a gambler who throws
+good money after bad. They should have a mad revelry to-night--the two
+loaves should be eaten at once. One (minus a hunk for father's supper)
+would hardly satisfy six voracious appetites. Solomon and Rachel,
+irrepressibly excited by the sight of the bread, rushed at it greedily,
+snatched a loaf from Esther's hand, and tore off a crust each with their
+fingers.
+
+"Heathen," cried the old grandmother. "Washing and benediction."
+
+Solomon was used to being called a "heathen" by the _Bube_. He put on
+his cap and went grudgingly to the bucket of water that stood in a
+corner of the room, and tipped a drop over his fingers. It is to be
+feared that neither the quantity of water nor the area of hand covered
+reached even the minimum enjoined by Rabbinical law. He murmured
+something intended for Hebrew during the operation, and was beginning to
+mutter the devout little sentence which precedes the eating of bread
+when Rachel, who as a female was less driven to the lavatory ceremony,
+and had thus got ahead of him, paused in her ravenous mastication and
+made a wry face. Solomon took a huge bite at his crust, then he uttered
+an inarticulate "pooh," and spat out his mouthful.
+
+There was no salt in the bread.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE SWEATER.
+
+
+The catastrophe was not complete. There were some long thin fibres of
+pale boiled meat, whose juices had gone to enrich the soup, lying about
+the floor or adhering to the fragments of the pitcher. Solomon, who was
+a curly-headed chap of infinite resource, discovered them, and it had
+just been decided to neutralize the insipidity of the bread by the
+far-away flavor of the meat, when a peremptory knocking was heard at the
+door, and a dazzling vision of beauty bounded into the room.
+
+"'Ere! What are you doin', leavin' things leak through our ceiling?"
+
+Becky Belcovitch was a buxom, bouncing girl, with cherry cheeks that
+looked exotic in a land of pale faces. She wore a mass of black crisp
+ringlets aggressively suggestive of singeing and curl-papers. She was
+the belle of Royal Street in her spare time, and womanly triumphs dogged
+even her working hours. She was sixteen years old, and devoted her youth
+and beauty to buttonholes. In the East End, where a spade is a spade, a
+buttonhole is a buttonhole, and not a primrose or a pansy. There are two
+kinds of buttonhole--the coarse for slop goods and the fine for
+gentlemanly wear. Becky concentrated herself on superior buttonholes,
+which are worked with fine twist. She stitched them in her father's
+workshop, which was more comfortable than a stranger's, and better
+fitted for evading the Factory Acts. To-night she was radiant in silk
+and jewelry, and her pert snub nose had the insolence of felicity which
+Agamemnon deprecated. Seeing her, you would have as soon connected her
+with Esoteric Buddhism as with buttonholes.
+
+The _Bube_ explained the situation in voluble Yiddish, and made Esther
+wince again under the impassioned invective on her clumsiness. The old
+beldame expended enough oriental metaphor on the accident to fit up a
+minor poet. If the family died of starvation, their blood would be upon
+their granddaughter's head.
+
+"Well, why don't you wipe it up, stupid?" said Becky. "'Ow would you
+like to pay for Pesach's new coat? It just dripped past his shoulder."
+
+"I'm so sorry, Becky," said Esther, striving hard to master the tremor
+in her voice. And drawing a house-cloth from a mysterious recess, she
+went on her knees in a practical prayer for pardon.
+
+Becky snorted and went back to her sister's engagement-party. For this
+was the secret of her gorgeous vesture, of her glittering earrings, and
+her massive brooch, as it was the secret of the transformation of the
+Belcovitch workshop (and living room) into a hall of dazzling light.
+Four separate gaunt bare arms of iron gas-pipe lifted hymeneal torches.
+The labels from reels of cotton, pasted above the mantelpiece as indexes
+of work done, alone betrayed the past and future of the room. At a long
+narrow table, covered with a white table-cloth spread with rum, gin,
+biscuits and fruit, and decorated with two wax candles in tall, brass
+candlesticks, stood or sat a group of swarthy, neatly-dressed Poles,
+most of them in high hats. A few women wearing wigs, silk dresses, and
+gold chains wound round half-washed necks, stood about outside the inner
+circle. A stooping black-bearded blear-eyed man in a long threadbare
+coat and a black skull cap, on either side of which hung a corkscrew
+curl, sat abstractedly eating the almonds and raisins, in the central
+place of honor which befits a _Maggid_. Before him were pens and ink and
+a roll of parchment. This was the engagement contract.
+
+The damages of breach of promise were assessed in advance and without
+respect of sex. Whichever side repented of the bargain undertook to pay
+ten pounds by way of compensation for the broken pledge. As a nation,
+Israel is practical and free from cant. Romance and moonshine are
+beautiful things, but behind the glittering veil are always the stern
+realities of things and the weaknesses of human nature. The high
+contracting parties were signing the document as Becky returned. The
+bridegroom, who halted a little on one leg, was a tall sallow man named
+Pesach Weingott. He was a boot-maker, who could expound the Talmud and
+play the fiddle, but was unable to earn a living. He was marrying Fanny
+Belcovitch because his parents-in-law would give him free board and
+lodging for a year, and because he liked her. Fanny was a plump, pulpy
+girl, not in the prime of youth. Her complexion was fair and her manner
+lymphatic, and if she was not so well-favored as her sister, she was
+more amiable and pleasant. She could sing sweetly in Yiddish and in
+English, and had once been a pantomime fairy at ten shillings a week,
+and had even flourished a cutlass as a midshipman. But she had long
+since given up the stage, to become her father's right hand woman in the
+workshop. She made coats from morning till midnight at a big machine
+with a massive treadle, and had pains in her chest even before she fell
+in love with Pesach Weingott.
+
+There was a hubbub of congratulation (_Mazzoltov, Mazzoltov_, good
+luck), and a palsy of handshaking, when the contract was signed.
+Remarks, grave and facetious, flew about in Yiddish, with phrases of
+Polish and Russian thrown in for auld lang syne, and cups and jugs were
+broken in reminder of the transiency of things mortal. The Belcovitches
+had been saving up their already broken crockery for the occasion. The
+hope was expressed that Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch would live to see
+"rejoicings" on their other daughter, and to see their daughters'
+daughters under the _Chuppah_, or wedding-canopy.
+
+Becky's hardened cheek blushed under the oppressive jocularity.
+Everybody spoke Yiddish habitually at No. 1 Royal Street, except the
+younger generation, and that spoke it to the elder.
+
+"I always said, no girl of mine should marry a Dutchman." It was a
+dominant thought of Mr. Belcovitch's, and it rose spontaneously to his
+lips at this joyful moment. Next to a Christian, a Dutch Jew stood
+lowest in the gradation of potential sons-in-law. Spanish Jews, earliest
+arrivals by way of Holland, after the Restoration, are a class apart,
+and look down on the later imported _Ashkenazim_, embracing both Poles
+and Dutchmen in their impartial contempt. But this does not prevent the
+Pole and the Dutchman from despising each other. To a Dutch or Russian
+Jew, the "Pullack," or Polish Jew, is a poor creature; and scarce
+anything can exceed the complacency with which the "Pullack" looks down
+upon the "Litvok" or Lithuanian, the degraded being whose Shibboleth is
+literally Sibboleth, and who says "ee" where rightly constituted persons
+say "oo." To mimic the mincing pronunciation of the "Litvok" affords the
+"Pullack" a sense of superiority almost equalling that possessed by the
+English Jew, whose mispronunciation of the Holy Tongue is his title to
+rank far above all foreign varieties. Yet a vein of brotherhood runs
+beneath all these feelings of mutual superiority; like the cliqueism
+which draws together old clo' dealers, though each gives fifty per cent,
+more than any other dealer in the trade. The Dutch foregather in a
+district called "The Dutch Tenters;" they eat voraciously, and almost
+monopolize the ice-cream, hot pea, diamond-cutting, cucumber, herring,
+and cigar trades. They are not so cute as the Russians. Their women are
+distinguished from other women by the flaccidity of their bodices; some
+wear small woollen caps and sabots. When Esther read in her school-books
+that the note of the Dutch character was cleanliness, she wondered. She
+looked in vain for the scrupulously scoured floors and the shining caps
+and faces. Only in the matter of tobacco-smoke did the Dutch people she
+knew live up to the geographical "Readers."
+
+German Jews gravitate to Polish and Russian; and French Jews mostly stay
+in France. _Ici on ne parle pas Français_, is the only lingual certainty
+in the London Ghetto, which is a cosmopolitan quarter.
+
+"I always said no girl of mine should marry a Dutchman." Mr. Belcovitch
+spoke as if at the close of a long career devoted to avoiding Dutch
+alliances, forgetting that not even one of his daughters was yet secure.
+
+"Nor any girl of mine," said Mrs. Belcovitch, as if starting a separate
+proposition. "I would not trust a Dutchman with my medicine-bottle, much
+less with my Alte or my Becky. Dutchmen were not behind the door when
+the Almighty gave out noses, and their deceitfulness is in proportion to
+their noses."
+
+The company murmured assent, and one gentleman, with a rather large
+organ, concealed it in a red cotton handkerchief, trumpeting uneasily.
+
+"The Holy One, blessed be He, has given them larger noses than us," said
+the _Maggid_, "because they have to talk through them so much."
+
+A guffaw greeted this sally. The _Maggid's_ wit was relished even when
+not coming from the pulpit. To the outsider this disparagement of the
+Dutch nose might have seemed a case of pot calling kettle black. The
+_Maggid_ poured himself out a glass of rum, under cover of the laughter,
+and murmuring "Life to you." in Hebrew, gulped it down, and added, "They
+oughtn't to call it the Dutch tongue, but the Dutch nose."
+
+"Yes, I always wonder how they can understand one another," said Mrs.
+Belcovitch, "with their _chatuchayacatigewesepoopa_." She laughed
+heartily over her onomatopoetic addition to the Yiddish vocabulary,
+screwing up her nose to give it due effect. She was a small
+sickly-looking woman, with black eyes, and shrivelled skin, and the wig
+without which no virtuous wife is complete. For a married woman must
+sacrifice her tresses on the altar of home, lest she snare other men
+with such sensuous baits. As a rule, she enters into the spirit of the
+self-denying ordinance so enthusiastically as to become hideous hastily
+in every other respect. It is forgotten that a husband is also a man.
+Mrs. Belcovitch's head was not completely shaven and shorn, for a lower
+stratum of an unmatched shade of brown peeped out in front of the
+_shaitel_, not even coinciding as to the route of the central parting.
+
+Meantime Pesach Weingott and Alte (Fanny) Belcovitch held each other's
+hand, guiltily conscious of Batavian corpuscles in the young man's
+blood. Pesach had a Dutch uncle, but as he had never talked like him
+Alte alone knew. Alte wasn't her real name, by the way, and Alte was the
+last person in the world to know what it was. She was the Belcovitches'
+first successful child; the others all died before she was born. Driven
+frantic by a fate crueller than barrenness, the Belcovitches consulted
+an old Polish Rabbi, who told them they displayed too much fond
+solicitude for their children, provoking Heaven thereby; in future, they
+were to let no one but themselves know their next child's name, and
+never to whisper it till the child was safely married. In such wise,
+Heaven would not be incessantly reminded of the existence of their dear
+one, and would not go out of its way to castigate them. The ruse
+succeeded, and Alte was anxiously waiting to change both her names under
+the _Chuppah_, and to gratify her life-long curiosity on the subject.
+Meantime, her mother had been calling her "Alte," or "old 'un," which
+sounded endearing to the child, but grated on the woman arriving ever
+nearer to the years of discretion. Occasionally, Mrs. Belcovitch
+succumbed to the prevailing tendency, and called her "Fanny," just as
+she sometimes thought of herself as Mrs. Belcovitch, though her name
+was Kosminski. When Alte first went to school in London, the Head
+Mistress said, "What's your name?" The little "old 'un" had not
+sufficient English to understand the question, but she remembered that
+the Head Mistress had made the same sounds to the preceding applicant,
+and, where some little girls would have put their pinafores to their
+eyes and cried, Fanny showed herself full of resource. As the last
+little girl, though patently awe-struck, had come off with flying
+colors, merely by whimpering "Fanny Belcovitch," Alte imitated these
+sounds as well as she was able.
+
+"Fanny Belcovitch, did you say?" said the Head Mistress, pausing with
+arrested pen.
+
+Alte nodded her flaxen poll vigorously.
+
+"Fanny Belcovitch," she repeated, getting the syllables better on a
+second hearing.
+
+The Head Mistress turned to an assistant.
+
+"Isn't it astonishing how names repeat themselves? Two girls, one after
+the other, both with exactly the same name."
+
+They were used to coincidences in the school, where, by reason of the
+tribal relationship of the pupils, there was a great run on some
+half-a-dozen names. Mr. Kosminski took several years to understand that
+Alte had disowned him. When it dawned upon him he was not angry, and
+acquiesced in his fate. It was the only domestic detail in which he had
+allowed himself to be led by his children. Like his wife, Chayah, he was
+gradually persuaded into the belief that he was a born Belcovitch, or at
+least that Belcovitch was Kosminski translated into English.
+
+Blissfully unconscious of the Dutch taint in Pesach Weingott, Bear
+Belcovitch bustled about in reckless hospitality. He felt that
+engagements were not every-day events, and that even if his whole
+half-sovereign's worth of festive provision was swallowed up, he would
+not mind much. He wore a high hat, a well-preserved black coat, with a
+cutaway waistcoat, showing a quantity of glazed shirtfront and a massive
+watch chain. They were his Sabbath clothes, and, like the Sabbath they
+honored, were of immemorial antiquity. The shirt served him for seven
+Sabbaths, or a week of Sabbaths, being carefully folded after each. His
+boots had the Sabbath polish. The hat was the one he bought when he
+first set up as a _Baal Habaas_ or respectable pillar of the synagogue;
+for even in the smallest _Chevra_ the high hat comes next in sanctity to
+the Scroll of the Law, and he who does not wear it may never hope to
+attain to congregational dignities. The gloss on that hat was wonderful,
+considering it had been out unprotected in all winds and weathers. Not
+that Mr. Belcovitch did not possess an umbrella. He had two,--one of
+fine new silk, the other a medley of broken ribs and cotton rags. Becky
+had given him the first to prevent the family disgrace of the spectacle
+of his promenades with the second. But he would not carry the new one on
+week-days because it was too good. And on Sabbaths it is a sin to carry
+any umbrella. So Becky's self-sacrifice was vain, and her umbrella stood
+in the corner, a standing gratification to the proud possessor.
+Kosminski had had a hard fight for his substance, and was not given to
+waste. He was a tall, harsh-looking man of fifty, with grizzled hair, to
+whom life meant work, and work meant money, and money meant savings. In
+Parliamentary Blue-Books, English newspapers, and the Berner Street
+Socialistic Club, he was called a "sweater," and the comic papers
+pictured him with a protuberant paunch and a greasy smile, but he had
+not the remotest idea that he was other than a God-fearing, industrious,
+and even philanthropic citizen. The measure that had been dealt to him
+he did but deal to others. He saw no reason why immigrant paupers should
+not live on a crown a week while he taught them how to handle a
+press-iron or work a sewing machine. They were much better off than in
+Poland. He would have been glad of such an income himself in those
+terrible first days of English life when he saw his wife and his two
+babes starving before his eyes, and was only precluded from investing a
+casual twopence in poison by ignorance of the English name for anything
+deadly. And what did he live on now? The fowl, the pint of haricot
+beans, and the haddocks which Chayah purchased for the Sabbath
+overlapped into the middle of next week, a quarter of a pound of coffee
+lasted the whole week, the grounds being decocted till every grain of
+virtue was extracted. Black bread and potatoes and pickled herrings
+made up the bulk of the every-day diet No, no one could accuse Bear
+Belcovitch of fattening on the entrails of his employees. The furniture
+was of the simplest and shabbiest,--no aesthetic instinct urged the
+Kosminskis to overpass the bare necessities of existence, except in
+dress. The only concessions to art were a crudely-colored _Mizrach_ on
+the east wall, to indicate the direction towards which the Jew should
+pray, and the mantelpiece mirror which was bordered with yellow
+scalloped paper (to save the gilt) and ornamented at each corner with
+paper roses that bloomed afresh every Passover. And yet Bear Belcovitch
+had lived in much better style in Poland, possessing a brass wash-hand
+basin, a copper saucepan, silver spoons, a silver consecration beaker,
+and a cupboard with glass doors, and he frequently adverted to their
+fond memories. But he brought nothing away except his bedding, and that
+was pawned in Germany on the route. When he arrived in London he had
+with him three groschen and a family.
+
+"What do you think, Pesach," said Becky, as soon as she could get at her
+prospective brother-in-law through the barriers of congratulatory
+countrymen. "The stuff that came through there"--she pointed to the
+discolored fragment of ceiling--"was soup. That silly little Esther
+spilt all she got from the kitchen."
+
+"_Achi-nebbich_, poor little thing," cried Mrs. Kosminski, who was in a
+tender mood, "very likely it hungers them sore upstairs. The father is
+out of work."
+
+"Knowest thou what, mother," put in Fanny. "Suppose we give them our
+soup. Aunt Leah has just fetched it for us. Have we not a special supper
+to-night?"
+
+"But father?" murmured the little woman dubiously.
+
+"Oh, he won't notice it. I don't think he knows the soup kitchen opens
+to-night. Let me, mother."
+
+And Fanny, letting Pesach's hand go, slipped out to the room that served
+as a kitchen, and bore the still-steaming pot upstairs. Pesach, who had
+pursued her, followed with some hunks of bread and a piece of lighted
+candle, which, while intended only to illumine the journey, came in
+handy at the terminus. And the festive company grinned and winked when
+the pair disappeared, and made jocular quotations from the Old Testament
+and the Rabbis. But the lovers did not kiss when they came out of the
+garret of the Ansells; their eyes were wet, and they went softly
+downstairs hand in hand, feeling linked by a deeper love than before.
+
+Thus did Providence hand over the soup the Belcovitches took from old
+habit to a more necessitous quarter, and demonstrate in double sense
+that Charity never faileth. Nor was this the only mulct which Providence
+exacted from the happy father, for later on a townsman of his appeared
+on the scene in a long capote, and with a grimy woe-begone expression.
+He was a "greener" of the greenest order, having landed at the docks
+only a few hours ago, bringing over with him a great deal of luggage in
+the shape of faith in God, and in the auriferous character of London
+pavements. On arriving in England, he gave a casual glance at the
+metropolis and demanded to be directed to a synagogue wherein to shake
+himself after the journey. His devotions over, he tracked out Mr.
+Kosminski, whose address on a much-creased bit of paper had been his
+talisman of hope during the voyage. In his native town, where the Jews
+groaned beneath divers and sore oppressions, the fame of Kosminski, the
+pioneer, the Croesus, was a legend. Mr. Kosminski was prepared for these
+contingencies. He went to his bedroom, dragged out a heavy wooden chest
+from under the bed, unlocked it and plunged his hand into a large dirty
+linen bag, full of coins. The instinct of generosity which was upon him
+made him count out forty-eight of them. He bore them to the "greener" in
+over-brimming palms and the foreigner, unconscious how much he owed to
+the felicitous coincidence of his visit with Fanny's betrothal, saw
+fortune visibly within his grasp. He went out, his heart bursting with
+gratitude, his pocket with four dozen farthings. They took him in and
+gave him hot soup at a Poor Jews' Shelter, whither his townsman had
+directed him. Kosminski returned to the banqueting room, thrilling from
+head to foot with the approval of his conscience. He patted Becky's
+curly head and said:
+
+"Well, Becky, when shall we be dancing at your wedding?"
+
+Becky shook her curls. Her young men could not have a poorer opinion of
+one another than Becky had of them all. Their homage pleased her, though
+it did not raise them in her esteem. Lovers grew like blackberries--only
+more so; for they were an evergreen stock. Or, as her mother put it in
+her coarse, peasant manner. _Chasanim_ were as plentiful as the
+street-dogs. Becky's beaux sat on the stairs before she was up and
+became early risers in their love for her, each anxious to be the first
+to bid their Penelope of the buttonholes good morrow. It was said that
+Kosminski's success as a "sweater" was due to his beauteous Becky, the
+flower of sartorial youth gravitating to the work-room of this East
+London Laban. What they admired in Becky was that there was so much of
+her. Still it was not enough to go round, and though Becky might keep
+nine lovers in hand without fear of being set down as a flirt, a larger
+number of tailors would have been less consistent with prospective
+monogamy.
+
+"I'm not going to throw myself away like Fanny," said she confidentially
+to Pesach Weingott in the course of the evening. He smiled
+apologetically. "Fanny always had low views," continued Becky. "But I
+always said I would marry a gentleman."
+
+"And I dare say," answered Pesach, stung into the retort, "Fanny could
+marry a gentlemen, too, if she wanted."
+
+Becky's idea of a gentleman was a clerk or a school-master, who had no
+manual labor except scribbling or flogging. In her matrimonial views
+Becky was typical. She despised the status of her parents and looked to
+marry out of it. They for their part could not understand the desire to
+be other than themselves.
+
+"I don't say Fanny couldn't," she admitted. "All I say is, nobody could
+call this a luck-match."
+
+"Ah, thou hast me too many flies in thy nose," reprovingly interposed
+Mrs. Belcovitch, who had just crawled up. "Thou art too high-class."
+
+Becky tossed her head. "I've got a new dolman," she said, turning to one
+of her young men who was present by special grace. "You should see me in
+it. I look noble."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Belcovitch proudly. "It shines in the sun."
+
+"Is it like the one Bessie Sugarman's got?" inquired the young man.
+
+"Bessie Sugarman!" echoed Becky scornfully. "She gets all her things
+from the tallyman. She pretends to be so grand, but all her jewelry is
+paid for at so much a week."
+
+"So long as it is paid for," said Fanny, catching the words and turning
+a happy face on her sister.
+
+"Not so jealous, Alte," said her mother. "When I shall win on the
+lottery, I will buy thee also a dolman."
+
+Almost all the company speculated on the Hamburg lottery, which, whether
+they were speaking Yiddish or English, they invariably accentuated on
+the last syllable. When an inhabitant of the Ghetto won even his money
+back, the news circulated like wild-fire, and there was a rush to the
+agents for tickets. The chances of sudden wealth floated like dazzling
+Will o' the Wisps on the horizon, illumining the gray perspectives of
+the future. The lottery took the poor ticket-holders out of themselves,
+and gave them an interest in life apart from machine-cotton, lasts or
+tobacco-leaf. The English laborer, who has been forbidden State
+Lotteries, relieves the monotony of existence by an extremely indirect
+interest in the achievements of a special breed of horses.
+
+"_Nu_, Pesach, another glass of rum," said Mr. Belcovitch genially to
+his future son-in-law and boarder.
+
+"Yes, I will," said Pesach. "After all, this is the first time I've got
+engaged."
+
+The rum was of Mr. Belcovitch's own manufacture; its ingredients were
+unknown, but the fame of it travelled on currents of air to the remotest
+parts of the house. Even the inhabitants of the garrets sniffed and
+thought of turpentine. Pesach swallowed the concoction, murmuring "To
+life" afresh. His throat felt like the funnel of a steamer, and there
+were tears in his eyes when he put down the glass.
+
+"Ah, that was good," he murmured.
+
+"Not like thy English drinks, eh?" said Mr. Belcovitch.
+
+"England!" snorted Pesach in royal disdain. "What a country! Daddle-doo
+is a language and ginger-beer a liquor."
+
+"Daddle doo" was Pesach's way of saying "That'll do." It was one of the
+first English idioms he picked up, and its puerility made him facetious.
+It seemed to smack of the nursery; when a nation expressed its soul
+thus, the existence of a beverage like ginger-beer could occasion no
+further surprise.
+
+"You shan't have anything stronger than ginger-beer when we're married,"
+said Fanny laughingly. "I am not going to have any drinking.'"
+
+"But I'll get drunk on ginger-beer," Pesach laughed back.
+
+"You can't," Fanny said, shaking her large fond smile to and fro. "By my
+health, not."
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ha! Can't even get _shikkur_ on it. What a liquor!"
+
+In the first Anglo-Jewish circles with which Pesach had scraped
+acquaintance, ginger-beer was the prevalent drink; and, generalizing
+almost as hastily as if he were going to write a book on the country, he
+concluded that it was the national beverage. He had long since
+discovered his mistake, but the drift of the discussion reminded Becky
+of a chance for an arrow.
+
+"On the day when you sit for joy, Pesach," she said slily. "I shall send
+you a valentine."
+
+Pesach colored up and those in the secret laughed; the reference was to
+another of Pesach's early ideas. Some mischievous gossip had heard him
+arguing with another Greener outside a stationer's shop blazing with
+comic valentines. The two foreigners were extremely puzzled to
+understand what these monstrosities portended; Pesach, however, laid it
+down that the microcephalous gentlemen with tremendous legs, and the
+ladies five-sixths head and one-sixth skirt, were representations of the
+English peasants who lived in the little villages up country.
+
+"When I sit for joy," retorted Pesach, "it will not be the season for
+valentines."
+
+"Won't it though!" cried Becky, shaking her frizzly black curls. "You'll
+be a pair of comic 'uns."
+
+"All right, Becky," said Alte good-humoredly. "Your turn'll come, and
+then we shall have the laugh of you."
+
+"Never," said Becky. "What do I want with a man?"
+
+The arm of the specially invited young man was round her as she spoke.
+
+"Don't make _schnecks_," said Fanny.
+
+"It's not affectation. I mean it. What's the good of the men who visit
+father? There isn't a gentleman among them."
+
+"Ah, wait till I win on the lottery," said the special young man.
+
+"Then, vy not take another eighth of a ticket?" inquired Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_, who seemed to spring from the other end of the room. He was
+one of the greatest Talmudists in London--a lean, hungry-looking man,
+sharp of feature and acute of intellect. "Look at Mrs. Robinson--I've
+just won her over twenty pounds, and she only gave me two pounds for
+myself. I call it a _cherpah_--a shame."
+
+"Yes, but you stole another two pounds," said Becky.
+
+"How do you know?" said Sugarman startled.
+
+Becky winked and shook her head sapiently. "Never _you_ mind."
+
+The published list of the winning numbers was so complex in construction
+that Sugarman had ample opportunities of bewildering his clients.
+
+"I von't sell you no more tickets," said Sugarman with righteous
+indignation.
+
+"A fat lot I care," said Becky, tossing her curls.
+
+"Thou carest for nothing," said Mrs. Belcovitch, seizing the opportunity
+for maternal admonition. "Thou hast not even brought me my medicine
+to-night. Thou wilt find, it on the chest of drawers in the bedroom."
+
+Becky shook herself impatiently.
+
+"I will go," said the special young man.
+
+"No, it is not beautiful that a young man shall go into my bedroom in my
+absence," said Mrs. Belcovitch blushing.
+
+Becky left the room.
+
+"Thou knowest," said Mrs. Belcovitch, addressing herself to the special
+young man, "I suffer greatly from my legs. One is a thick one, and one a
+thin one."
+
+The young man sighed sympathetically.
+
+"Whence comes it?" he asked.
+
+"Do I know? I was born so. My poor lambkin (this was the way Mrs.
+Belcovitch always referred to her dead mother) had well-matched legs. If
+I had Aristotle's head I might be able to find out why my legs are
+inferior. And so one goes about."
+
+The reverence for Aristotle enshrined in Yiddish idiom is probably due
+to his being taken by the vulgar for a Jew. At any rate the theory that
+Aristotle's philosophy was Jewish was advanced by the mediaeval poet,
+Jehuda Halevi, and sustained by Maimonides. The legend runs that when
+Alexander went to Palestine, Aristotle was in his train. At Jerusalem
+the philosopher had sight of King Solomon's manuscripts, and he
+forthwith edited them and put his name to them. But it is noteworthy
+that the story was only accepted by those Jewish scholars who adopted
+the Aristotelian philosophy, those who rejected it declaring that
+Aristotle in his last testament had admitted the inferiority of his
+writings to the Mosaic, and had asked that his works should be
+destroyed.
+
+When Becky returned with the medicine, Mrs. Belcovitch mentioned that it
+was extremely nasty, and offered the young man a taste, whereat he
+rejoiced inwardly, knowing he had found favor in the sight of the
+parent. Mrs. Belcovitch paid a penny a week to her doctor, in sickness
+or health, so that there was a loss on being well. Becky used to fill up
+the bottles with water to save herself the trouble of going to fetch the
+medicine, but as Mrs. Belcovitch did not know this it made no
+difference.
+
+"Thou livest too much indoors," said Mr. Sugarman, in Yiddish.
+
+"Shall I march about in this weather? Black and slippery, and the Angel
+going a-hunting?"
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Sugarman, relapsing proudly into the vernacular, "Ve
+English valk about in all vedders."
+
+Meanwhile Moses Ansell had returned from evening service and sat down,
+unquestioningly, by the light of an unexpected candle to his expected
+supper of bread and soup, blessing God for both gifts. The rest of the
+family had supped. Esther had put the two youngest children to bed
+(Rachel had arrived at years of independent undressing), and she and
+Solomon were doing home-lessons in copy-books, the candle saving them
+from a caning on the morrow. She held her pen clumsily, for several of
+her fingers were swathed in bloody rags tied with cobweb. The
+grandmother dozed in her chair. Everything was quiet and peaceful,
+though the atmosphere was chilly. Moses ate his supper with a great
+smacking of the lips and an equivalent enjoyment. When it was over he
+sighed deeply, and thanked God in a prayer lasting ten minutes, and
+delivered in a rapid, sing-song manner. He then inquired of Solomon
+whether he had said his evening prayer. Solomon looked out of the corner
+of his eyes at his _Bube_, and, seeing she was asleep on the bed, said
+he had, and kicked Esther significantly but hurtfully under the table.
+
+"Then you had better say your night-prayer."
+
+There was no getting out of that; so Solomon finished his sum, writing
+the figures of the answer rather faint, in case he should discover from
+another boy next morning that they were wrong; then producing a Hebrew
+prayer-book from his inky cotton satchel, he made a mumbling sound, with
+occasional enthusiastic bursts of audible coherence, for a length of
+time proportioned to the number of pages. Then he went to bed. After
+that, Esther put her grandmother to bed and curled herself up at her
+side. She lay awake a long time, listening to the quaint sounds emitted
+by her father in his study of Rashi's commentary on the Book of Job, the
+measured drone blending not disagreeably with the far-away sounds of
+Pesach Weingott's fiddle.
+
+Pesach's fiddle played the accompaniment to many other people's
+thoughts. The respectable master-tailor sat behind his glazed
+shirt-front beating time with his foot. His little sickly-looking wife
+stood by his side, nodding her bewigged head joyously. To both the music
+brought the same recollection--a Polish market-place.
+
+Belcovitch, or rather Kosminski, was the only surviving son of a widow.
+It was curious, and suggestive of some grim law of heredity, that his
+parents' elder children had died off as rapidly as his own, and that his
+life had been preserved by some such expedient as Alte's. Only, in his
+case the Rabbi consulted had advised his father to go into the woods and
+call his new-born son by the name of the first animal that he saw. This
+was why the future sweater was named Bear. To the death of his brothers
+and sisters, Bear owed his exemption from military service. He grew up
+to be a stalwart, well-set-up young baker, a loss to the Russian army.
+
+Bear went out in the market-place one fine day and saw Chayah in maiden
+ringlets. She was a slim, graceful little thing, with nothing obviously
+odd about the legs, and was buying onions. Her back was towards him, but
+in another moment she turned her head and Bear's. As he caught the
+sparkle of her eye, he felt that without her life were worse than the
+conscription. Without delay, he made inquiries about the fair young
+vision, and finding its respectability unimpeachable, he sent a
+_Shadchan_ to propose to her, and they were affianced: Chayah's father
+undertaking to give a dowry of two hundred gulden. Unfortunately, he
+died suddenly in the attempt to amass them, and Chayah was left an
+orphan. The two hundred gulden were nowhere to be found. Tears rained
+down both Chayah's cheeks, on the one side for the loss of her father,
+on the other for the prospective loss of a husband. The Rabbi was full
+of tender sympathy. He bade Bear come to the dead man's chamber. The
+venerable white-bearded corpse lay on the bed, swathed in shroud, and
+_Talith_ or praying-shawl.
+
+"Bear," he said, "thou knowest that I saved thy life."
+
+"Nay," said Bear, "indeed, I know not that."
+
+"Yea, of a surety," said the Rabbi. "Thy mother hath not told thee, but
+all thy brothers and sisters perished, and, lo! thou alone art
+preserved! It was I that called thee a beast."
+
+Bear bowed his head in grateful silence.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "thou didst contract to wed this dead man's
+daughter, and he did contract to pay over to thee two hundred gulden.''
+
+"Truth." replied Bear.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "there are no two hundred gulden."
+
+A shadow flitted across Bear's face, but he said nothing.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi again, "there are not two gulden."
+
+Bear did not move.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "leave thou my side, and go over to the other
+side of the bed, facing me."
+
+So Bear left his side and went over to the other side of the bed facing
+him.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "give me thy right hand."
+
+The Rabbi stretched his own right hand across the bed, but Bear kept his
+obstinately behind his back.
+
+"Bear," repeated the Rabbi, in tones of more penetrating solemnity,
+"give me thy right hand."
+
+"Nay," replied Bear, sullenly. "Wherefore should I give thee my right
+hand?"
+
+"Because," said the Rabbi, and his tones trembled, and it seemed to him
+that the dead man's face grew sterner. "Because I wish thee to swear
+across the body of Chayah's father that thou wilt marry her."
+
+"Nay, that I will not," said Bear.
+
+"Will not?" repeated the Rabbi, his lips growing white with pity.
+
+"Nay, I will not take any oaths," said Bear, hotly. "I love the maiden,
+and I will keep what I have promised. But, by my father's soul, I will
+take no oaths!"
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi in a choking voice, "give me thy hand. Nay, not
+to swear by, but to grip. Long shalt thou live, and the Most High shall
+prepare thy seat in Gan Iden."
+
+So the old man and the young clasped hands across the corpse, and the
+simple old Rabbi perceived a smile flickering over the face of Chayah's
+father. Perhaps it was only a sudden glint of sunshine.
+
+The wedding-day drew nigh, but lo! Chayah was again dissolved in tears.
+
+"What ails thee?" said her brother Naphtali.
+
+"I cannot follow the custom of the maidens," wept Chayah. "Thou knowest
+we are blood-poor, and I have not the wherewithal to buy my Bear a
+_Talith_ for his wedding-day; nay, not even to make him a _Talith_-bag.
+And when our father (the memory of the righteous for a blessing) was
+alive, I had dreamed of making my _chosan_ a beautiful velvet satchel
+lined with silk, and I would have embroidered his initials thereon in
+gold, and sewn him beautiful white corpse-clothes. Perchance he will
+rely upon me for his wedding _Talith_, and we shall be shamed in the
+sight of the congregation."
+
+"Nay, dry thine eyes, my sister," said Naphtali. "Thou knowest that my
+Leah presented me with a costly _Talith_ when I led her under the
+canopy. Wherefore, do thou take my praying-shawl and lend it to Bear for
+the wedding-day, so that decency may be preserved in the sight of the
+congregation. The young man has a great heart, and he will understand."
+
+So Chayah, blushing prettily, lent Bear Naphtali's delicate _Talith_,
+and Beauty and the Beast made a rare couple under the wedding canopy.
+Chayah wore the gold medallion and the three rows of pearls which her
+lover had sent her the day before. And when the Rabbi had finished
+blessing husband and wife, Naphtali spake the bridegroom privily, and
+said:
+
+"Pass me my _Talith_ back."
+
+But Bear answered: "Nay, nay; the _Talith_ is in my keeping, and there
+it shall remain."
+
+"But it is my _Talith_," protested Naphtali in an angry whisper. "I only
+lent it to Chayah to lend it thee."
+
+"It concerns me not." Bear returned in a decisive whisper. "The _Talith_
+is my due and I shall keep it. What! Have I not lost enough by marrying
+thy sister? Did not thy father, peace be upon him, promise me two
+hundred gulden with her?"
+
+Naphtali retired discomfited. But he made up his mind not to go without
+some compensation. He resolved that during the progress of the wedding
+procession conducting the bridegroom to the chamber of the bride, he
+would be the man to snatch off Bear's new hat. Let the rest of the
+riotous escort essay to snatch whatever other article of the
+bridegroom's attire they would, the hat was the easiest to dislodge, and
+he, Naphtali, would straightway reimburse himself partially with that.
+But the instant the procession formed itself, behold the shifty
+bridegroom forthwith removed his hat, and held it tightly under his arm.
+
+A storm of protestations burst forth at his daring departure from
+hymeneal tradition.
+
+"Nay, nay, put it on," arose from every mouth.
+
+But Bear closed his and marched mutely on.
+
+"Heathen," cried the Rabbi. "Put on your hat."
+
+The attempt to enforce the religious sanction failed too. Bear had spent
+several gulden upon his head-gear, and could not see the joke. He
+plodded towards his blushing Chayah through a tempest of disapprobation.
+
+Throughout life Bear Belcovitch retained the contrariety of character
+that marked his matrimonial beginnings. He hated to part with money; he
+put off paying bills to the last moment, and he would even beseech his
+"hands" to wait a day or two longer for their wages. He liked to feel
+that he had all that money in his possession. Yet "at home," in Poland,
+he had always lent money to the officers and gentry, when they ran
+temporarily short at cards. They would knock him up in the middle of the
+night to obtain the means of going on with the game. And in England he
+never refused to become surety for a loan when any of his poor friends
+begged the favor of him. These loans ran from three to five pounds, but
+whatever the amount, they were very rarely paid. The loan offices came
+down upon him for the money. He paid it without a murmur, shaking his
+head compassionately over the poor ne'er do wells, and perhaps not
+without a compensating consciousness of superior practicality.
+
+Only, if the borrower had neglected to treat him to a glass of rum to
+clench his signing as surety, the shake of Bear's head would become more
+reproachful than sympathetic, and he would mutter bitterly: "Five pounds
+and not even a drink for the money." The jewelry he generously lavished
+on his womankind was in essence a mere channel of investment for his
+savings, avoiding the risks of a banking-account and aggregating his
+wealth in a portable shape, in obedience to an instinct generated by
+centuries of insecurity. The interest on the sums thus invested was the
+gratification of the other oriental instinct for gaudiness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+MALKA.
+
+
+The Sunday Fair, so long associated with Petticoat Lane, is dying hard,
+and is still vigorous; its glories were in full swing on the dull, gray
+morning when Moses Ansell took his way through the Ghetto. It was near
+eleven o'clock, and the throng was thickening momently. The vendors
+cried their wares in stentorian tones, and the babble of the buyers was
+like the confused roar of a stormy sea. The dead walls and hoardings
+were placarded with bills from which the life of the inhabitants could
+be constructed. Many were in Yiddish, the most hopelessly corrupt and
+hybrid jargon ever evolved. Even when the language was English the
+letters were Hebrew. Whitechapel, Public Meeting, Board School, Sermon,
+Police, and other modern banalities, glared at the passer-by in the
+sacred guise of the Tongue associated with miracles and prophecies,
+palm-trees and cedars and seraphs, lions and shepherds and harpists.
+
+Moses stopped to read these hybrid posters--he had nothing better to
+do--as he slouched along. He did not care to remember that dinner was
+due in two hours. He turned aimlessly into Wentworth Street, and studied
+a placard that hung in a bootmaker's window. This was the announcement
+it made in jargon:
+
+    Riveters, Clickers, Lasters, Finishers,
+      Wanted.
+
+    BARUCH EMANUEL,
+      Cobbler.
+
+    Makes and Repairs Boots.
+    Every Bit as Cheaply
+      as
+
+    MORDECAI SCHWARTZ,
+      of 12 Goulston Street.
+
+Mordecai Schwartz was written in the biggest and blackest of Hebrew
+letters, and quite dominated the little shop-window. Baruch Emanuel was
+visibly conscious of his inferiority, to his powerful rival, though
+Moses had never heard of Mordecai Schwartz before. He entered the shop
+and said in Hebrew "Peace be to you." Baruch Emanuel, hammering a sole,
+answered in Hebrew:
+
+"Peace be to you."
+
+Moses dropped into Yiddish.
+
+"I am looking for work. Peradventure have you something for me?"
+
+"What can you do?"
+
+"I have been a riveter."
+
+"I cannot engage any more riveters."
+
+Moses looked disappointed.
+
+"I have also been a clicker," he said.
+
+"I have all the clickers I can afford," Baruch answered.
+
+Moses's gloom deepened. "Two years ago I worked as a finisher."
+
+Baruch shook his head silently. He was annoyed at the man's persistence.
+There was only the laster resource left.
+
+"And before that I was a laster for a week," Moses answered.
+
+"I don't want any!" cried Baruch, losing his temper.
+
+"But in your window it stands that you do," protested Moses feebly.
+
+"I don't care what stands in my window," said Baruch hotly. "Have you
+not head enough to see that that is all bunkum? Unfortunately I work
+single-handed, but it looks good and it isn't lies. Naturally I want
+Riveters and Clickers and Lasters and Finishers. Then I could set up a
+big establishment and gouge out Mordecai Schwartz's eyes. But the Most
+High denies me assistants, and I am content to want."
+
+Moses understood that attitude towards the nature of things. He went out
+and wandered down another narrow dirty street in search of Mordecai
+Schwartz, whose address Baruch Emanuel had so obligingly given him. He
+thought of the _Maggid's_ sermon on the day before. The _Maggid_ had
+explained a verse of Habakkuk in quite an original way which gave an
+entirely new color to a passage in Deuteronomy. Moses experienced acute
+pleasure in musing upon it, and went past Mordecai's shop without going
+in, and was only awakened from his day-dream by the brazen clanging of a
+bell It was the bell of the great Ghetto school, summoning its pupils
+from the reeking courts and alleys, from the garrets and the cellars,
+calling them to come and be Anglicized. And they came in a great
+straggling procession recruited from every lane and by-way, big children
+and little children, boys in blackening corduroy, and girls in
+washed-out cotton; tidy children and ragged children; children in great
+shapeless boots gaping at the toes; sickly children, and sturdy
+children, and diseased children; bright-eyed children and hollow-eyed
+children; quaint sallow foreign-looking children, and fresh-colored
+English-looking children; with great pumpkin heads, with oval heads,
+with pear-shaped heads; with old men's faces, with cherubs' faces, with
+monkeys' faces; cold and famished children, and warm and well-fed
+children; children conning their lessons and children romping
+carelessly; the demure and the anaemic; the boisterous and the
+blackguardly, the insolent, the idiotic, the vicious, the intelligent,
+the exemplary, the dull--spawn of all countries--all hastening at the
+inexorable clang of the big school-bell to be ground in the same great,
+blind, inexorable Governmental machine. Here, too, was a miniature fair,
+the path being lined by itinerant temptations. There was brisk traffic
+in toffy, and gray peas and monkey-nuts, and the crowd was swollen by
+anxious parents seeing tiny or truant offspring safe within the
+school-gates. The women were bare-headed or be-shawled, with infants at
+their breasts and little ones toddling at their sides, the men were
+greasy, and musty, and squalid. Here a bright earnest little girl held
+her vagrant big brother by the hand, not to let go till she had seen him
+in the bosom of his class-mates. There a sullen wild-eyed mite in
+petticoats was being dragged along, screaming, towards distasteful
+durance. It was a drab picture--the bleak, leaden sky above, the sloppy,
+miry stones below, the frowsy mothers and fathers, the motley children.
+
+"Monkey-nuts! Monkey-nuts!" croaked a wizened old woman.
+
+"Oppea! Oppea!" droned a doddering old Dutchman. He bore a great can of
+hot peas in one hand and a lighthouse-looking pepper-pot in the other.
+Some of the children swallowed the dainties hastily out of miniature
+basins, others carried them within in paper packets for surreptitious
+munching.
+
+"Call that a ay-puth?" a small boy would say.
+
+"Not enough!" the old man would exclaim in surprise. "Here you are,
+then!" And he would give the peas another sprinkling from the
+pepper-pot.
+
+Moses Ansell's progeny were not in the picture. The younger children
+were at home, the elder had gone to school an hour before to run about
+and get warm in the spacious playgrounds. A slice of bread each and the
+wish-wash of a thrice-brewed pennyworth of tea had been their morning
+meal, and there was no prospect of dinner. The thought of them made
+Moses's heart heavy again; he forgot the _Maggid's_ explanation of the
+verse in Habakkuk, and he retraced his steps towards Mordecai Schwartz's
+shop. But like his humbler rival, Mordecai had no use for the many-sided
+Moses; he was "full up" with swarthy "hands," though, as there were
+rumors of strikes in the air, he prudently took note of Moses's address.
+After this rebuff, Moses shuffled hopelessly about for more than an
+hour; the dinner-hour was getting desperately near; already children
+passed him, carrying the Sunday dinners from the bakeries, and there
+were wafts of vague poetry in the atmosphere. Moses felt he could not
+face his own children.
+
+At last he nerved himself to an audacious resolution, and elbowed his
+way blusterously towards the Ruins, lest he might break down if his
+courage had time to cool.
+
+"The Ruins" was a great stony square, partly bordered by houses, and
+only picturesque on Sundays when it became a branch of the all-ramifying
+Fair. Moses could have bought anything there from elastic braces to
+green parrots in gilt cages. That is to say if he had had money. At
+present he had nothing in his pocket except holes.
+
+What he might be able to do on his way back was another matter; for it
+was Malka that Moses Ansell was going to see. She was the cousin of his
+deceased wife, and lived in Zachariah Square. Moses had not been there
+for a month, for Malka was a wealthy twig of the family tree, to be
+approached with awe and trembling. She kept a second-hand clothes store
+in Houndsditch, a supplementary stall in the Halfpenny Exchange, and a
+barrow on the "Ruins" of a Sunday; and she had set up Ephraim, her
+newly-acquired son-in-law, in the same line of business in the same
+district. Like most things she dealt in, her son-in-law was second-hand,
+having lost his first wife four years ago in Poland. But he was only
+twenty-two, and a second-hand son-in-law of twenty-two is superior to
+many brand new ones. The two domestic establishments were a few minutes
+away from the shops, facing each other diagonally across the square.
+They were small, three-roomed houses, without basements, the ground
+floor window in each being filled up with a black gauze blind (an
+invariable index of gentility) which allowed the occupants to see all
+that was passing outside, but confronted gazers with their own
+rejections. Passers-by postured at these mirrors, twisting moustaches
+perkily, or giving coquettish pats to bonnets, unwitting of the grinning
+inhabitants. Most of the doors were ajar, wintry as the air was: for the
+Zachariah Squareites lived a good deal on the door-step. In the summer,
+the housewives sat outside on chairs and gossiped and knitted, as if the
+sea foamed at their feel, and wrinkled good-humored old men played nap
+on tea-trays. Some of the doors were blocked below with sliding barriers
+of wood, a sure token of infants inside given to straying. More obvious
+tokens of child-life were the swings nailed to the lintels of a few
+doors, in which, despite the cold, toothless babes swayed like monkeys
+on a branch. But the Square, with its broad area of quadrangular
+pavement, was an ideal playing-ground for children, since other animals
+came not within its precincts, except an inquisitive dog or a local cat.
+Solomon Ansell knew no greater privilege than to accompany his father to
+these fashionable quarters and whip his humming-top across the ample
+spaces, the while Moses transacted his business with Malka. Last time
+the business was psalm-saying. Milly had been brought to bed of a son,
+but it was doubtful if she would survive, despite the charms hung upon
+the bedpost to counteract the nefarious designs of Lilith, the wicked
+first wife of Adam, and of the Not-Good Ones who hover about women in
+childbirth. So Moses was sent for, post-haste, to intercede with the
+Almighty. His piety, it was felt, would command attention. For an
+average of three hundred and sixty-two days a year Moses was a miserable
+worm, a nonentity, but on the other three, when death threatened to
+visit Malka or her little clan, Moses became a personage of prime
+importance, and was summoned at all hours of the day and night to
+wrestle with the angel Azrael. When the angel had retired, worsted,
+after a match sometimes protracted into days, Moses relapsed into his
+primitive insignificance, and was dismissed with a mouthful of rum and a
+shilling. It never seemed to him an unfair equivalent, for nobody could
+make less demand on the universe than Moses. Give him two solid meals
+and three solid services a day, and he was satisfied, and he craved more
+for spiritual snacks between meals than for physical.
+
+The last crisis had been brief, and there was so little danger that,
+when Milly's child was circumcised, Moses had not even been bidden to
+the feast, though his piety would have made him the ideal _sandek_ or
+god-father. He did not resent this, knowing himself dust--and that
+anything but gold-dust.
+
+Moses had hardly emerged from the little arched passage which led to the
+Square, when sounds of strife fell upon his ears. Two stout women
+chatting amicably at their doors, had suddenly developed a dispute. In
+Zachariah Square, when you wanted to get to the bottom of a quarrel, the
+cue was not "find the woman," but find the child. The high-spirited
+bantlings had a way of pummelling one another in fistic duels, and of
+calling in their respective mothers when they got the worse of it--which
+is cowardly, but human. The mother of the beaten belligerent would then
+threaten to wring the "year," or to twist the nose of the victorious
+party--sometimes she did it. In either case, the other mother would
+intervene, and then the two bantlings would retire into the background
+and leave their mothers to take up the duel while they resumed their
+interrupted game.
+
+Of such sort was the squabble betwixt Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs. Mrs.
+Isaacs pointed out with superfluous vehemence that her poor lamb had
+been mangled beyond recognition. Mrs. Jacobs, _per contra_, asseverated
+with superfluous gesture that it was _her_ poor lamb who had received
+irreparable injury. These statements were not in mutual contradiction,
+but Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs were, and so the point at issue was
+gradually absorbed in more personal recriminations.
+
+"By my life, and by my Fanny's life, I'll leave my seal on the first
+child of yours that comes across my way! There!" Thus Mrs. Isaacs.
+
+"Lay a linger on a hair of a child of mine, and, by my husband's life,
+I'll summons you; I'll have the law on you." Thus Mrs. Jacobs; to the
+gratification of the resident populace.
+
+Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs rarely quarrelled with each other, uniting
+rather in opposition to the rest of the Square. They were English, quite
+English, their grandfather having been born in Dresden; and they gave
+themselves airs in consequence, and called their _kinder_ "children,"
+which annoyed those neighbors who found a larger admixture of Yiddish
+necessary for conversation. These very _kinder_, again, attained
+considerable importance among their school-fellows by refusing to
+pronounce the guttural "ch" of the Hebrew otherwise than as an English
+"k."
+
+"Summons me, indeed," laughed back Mrs. Isaacs. "A fat lot I'd care for
+that. You'd jolly soon expose your character to the magistrate.
+Everybody knows what _you_ are."
+
+"Your mother!" retorted Mrs. Jacobs mechanically; the elliptical method
+of expression being greatly in vogue for conversation of a loud
+character. Quick as lightning came the parrying stroke.
+
+"Yah! And what was your father, I should like to know?"
+
+Mrs. Isaacs had no sooner made this inquiry than she became conscious of
+an environment of suppressed laughter; Mrs. Jacobs awoke to the
+situation a second later, and the two women stood suddenly dumbfounded,
+petrified, with arms akimbo, staring at each other.
+
+The wise, if apocryphal, Ecclesiasticus, sagely and pithily remarked,
+many centuries before modern civilization was invented: Jest not with a
+rude man lest thy ancestors be disgraced. To this day the oriental
+methods of insult have survived in the Ghetto. The dead past is never
+allowed to bury its dead; the genealogical dust-heap is always liable to
+be raked up, and even innocuous ancestors may be traduced to the third
+and fourth generation.
+
+Now it so happened that Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs were sisters. And
+when it dawned upon them into what dilemma their automatic methods of
+carte and tierce had inveigled them, they were frozen with confusion.
+They retired crestfallen to their respective parlors, and sported their
+oaks. The resources of repartee were dried up for the moment. Relatives
+are unduly handicapped in these verbal duels; especially relatives with
+the same mother and father.
+
+Presently Mrs. Isaacs reappeared. She had thought of something she ought
+to have said. She went up to her sister's closed door, and shouted into
+the key-hole: "None of my children ever had bandy-legs!"
+
+Almost immediately the window of the front bedroom was flung up, and
+Mrs. Jacobs leant out of it waving what looked like an immense streamer.
+
+"Aha," she observed, dangling it tantalizingly up and down. "Morry
+antique!"
+
+The dress fluttered in the breeze. Mrs. Jacobs caressed the stuff
+between her thumb and forefinger.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk," she announced with a long ecstatic quaver.
+
+Mrs. Isaacs stood paralyzed by the brilliancy of the repartee.
+
+Mrs. Jacobs withdrew the moiré antique and exhibited a mauve gown.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk."
+
+The mauve fluttered for a triumphant instant, the next a puce and amber
+dress floated on the breeze.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk." Mrs. Jacobs's fingers smoothed it lovingly,
+then it was drawn within to be instantly replaced by a green dress.
+Mrs. Jacobs passed the skirt slowly through her fingers.
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk!" she quavered mockingly.
+
+By this time Mrs. Isaacs's face was the color of the latest flag of
+victory.
+
+"The tallyman!" she tried to retort, but the words stuck in her throat.
+Fortunately just then she caught sight of her poor lamb playing with the
+other poor lamb. She dashed at her offspring, boxed its ears and crying,
+"You little blackguard, if I ever catch you playing with blackguards
+again, I'll wring your neck for you," she hustled the infant into the
+house and slammed the door viciously behind her.
+
+Moses had welcomed this every-day scene, for it put off a few moments
+his encounter with the formidable Malka. As she had not appeared at door
+or window, he concluded she was in a bad temper or out of London;
+neither alternative was pleasant.
+
+He knocked at the door of Milly's house where her mother was generally
+to be found, and an elderly char-woman opened it. There were some
+bottles of spirit, standing on a wooden side-table covered with a
+colored cloth, and some unopened biscuit bags. At these familiar
+premonitory signs of a festival, Moses felt tempted to beat a retreat.
+He could not think for the moment what was up, but whatever it was he
+had no doubt the well-to-do persons would supply him with ice. The
+char-woman, with brow darkened by soot and gloom, told him that Milly
+was upstairs, but that her mother had gone across to her own house with
+the clothes-brush.
+
+Moses's face fell. When his wife was alive, she had been a link of
+connection between "The Family" and himself, her cousin having
+generously employed her as a char-woman. So Moses knew the import of the
+clothes-brush. Malka was very particular about her appearance and loved
+to be externally speckless, but somehow or other she had no
+clothes-brush at home. This deficiency did not matter ordinarily, for
+she practically lived at Milly's. But when she had words with Milly or
+her husband, she retired to her own house to sulk or _schmull_, as they
+called it. The carrying away of the clothes-brush was, thus, a sign that
+she considered the breach serious and hostilities likely to be
+protracted. Sometimes a whole week would go by without the two houses
+ceasing to stare sullenly across at each other, the situation in Milly's
+camp being aggravated by the lack of a clothes-brush. In such moments of
+irritation, Milly's husband was apt to declare that his mother-in-law
+had abundance of clothes-brushes, for, he pertinently asked, how did she
+manage during her frequent business tours in the country? He gave it as
+his conviction that Malka merely took the clothes-brush away to afford
+herself a handle for returning. But then Ephraim Phillips was a
+graceless young fellow, the death of whose first wife was probably a
+judgment on his levity, and everybody except his second mother-in-law
+knew that he had a book of tickets for the Oxbridge Music Hall, and went
+there on Friday nights. Still, in spite of these facts, experience did
+show that whenever Milly's camp had outsulked Malka's, the old woman's
+surrender was always veiled under the formula of: "Oh Milly, I've
+brought you over your clothes-brush. I just noticed it, and thought you
+might be wanting it." After this, conversation was comparatively easy.
+
+Moses hardly cared to face Malka in such a crisis of the clothes-brush.
+He turned away despairingly, and was going back through the small
+archway which led to the Ruins and the outside world, when a grating
+voice startled his ear.
+
+"Well, Méshe, whither fliest thou? Has my Milly forbidden thee to see
+me?"
+
+He looked back. Malka was standing at her house-door. He retraced his
+steps.
+
+"N-n-o," he murmured. "I thought you still out with your stall."
+
+That was where she should have been, at any rate, till half an hour ago.
+She did not care to tell herself, much less Moses, that she had been
+waiting at home for the envoy of peace from the filial camp summoning
+her to the ceremony of the Redemption of her grandson.
+
+"Well, now thou seest me," she said, speaking Yiddish for his behoof,
+"thou lookest not outwardly anxious to know how it goes with me."
+
+"How goes it with you?"
+
+"As well as an old woman has a right to expect. The Most High is good!"
+Malka was in her most amiable mood, to emphasize to outsiders the
+injustice of her kin in quarrelling with her. She was a tall woman of
+fifty, with a tanned equine gypsy face surmounted by a black wig, and
+decorated laterally by great gold earrings. Great black eyes blazed
+beneath great black eyebrows, and the skin between them was capable of
+wrinkling itself black with wrath. A gold chain was wound thrice round
+her neck, and looped up within her black silk bodice. There were
+numerous rings on her fingers, and she perpetually smelt of peppermint.
+
+"_Nu_, stand not chattering there," she went on. "Come in. Dost thou
+wish me to catch my death of cold?"
+
+Moses slouched timidly within, his head bowed as if in dread of knocking
+against the top of the door. The room was a perfect fac-simile of
+Milly's parlor at the other end of the diagonal, save that instead of
+the festive bottles and paper bags on the small side-table, there was a
+cheerless clothes-brush. Like Milly's, the room contained a round table,
+a chest of drawers with decanters on the top, and a high mantelpiece
+decorated with pendant green fringes, fastened by big-headed brass
+nails. Here cheap china dogs, that had had more than their day squatted
+amid lustres with crystal drops. Before the fire was a lofty steel
+guard, which, useful enough in Milly's household, had survived its
+function in Malka's, where no one was ever likely to tumble into the
+grate. In a corner of the room a little staircase began to go upstairs.
+There was oilcloth on the floor. In Zachariah Square anybody could go
+into anybody else's house and feel at home. There was no visible
+difference between one and another. Moses sat down awkwardly on a chair
+and refused a peppermint. In the end he accepted an apple, blessed God
+for creating the fruit of the tree, and made a ravenous bite at it.
+
+"I must take peppermints," Malka explained. "It's for the spasms."
+
+"But you said you were well," murmured Moses.
+
+"And suppose? If I did not take peppermint I should have the spasms. My
+poor sister Rosina, peace be upon him, who died of typhoid, suffered
+greatly from the spasms. It's in the family. She would have died of
+asthma if she had lived long enough. _Nu_, how goes it with thee?" she
+went on, suddenly remembering that Moses, too, had a right to be ill. At
+bottom, Malka felt a real respect for Moses, though he did not know it.
+It dated from the day he cut a chip of mahogany out of her best round
+table. He had finished cutting his nails, and wanted a morsel of wood to
+burn with them in witness of his fulfilment of the pious custom. Malka
+raged, but in her inmost heart there was admiration for such
+unscrupulous sanctity.
+
+"I have been out of work for three weeks," Moses answered, omitting to
+expound the state of his health in view of more urgent matters.
+
+"Unlucky fool! What my silly cousin Gittel, peace be upon him, could see
+to marry in thee, I know not."
+
+Moses could not enlighten her. He might have informed her that _olov
+hasholom_, "peace be upon him," was an absurdity when applied to a
+woman, but then he used the pious phrase himself, although aware of its
+grammatical shortcomings.
+
+"I told her thou wouldst never be able to keep her, poor lamb," Malka
+went on. "But she was always an obstinate pig. And she kept her head
+high up, too, as if she had five pounds a week! Never would let her
+children earn money like other people's children. But thou oughtest not
+to be so obstinate. Thou shouldst have more sense, Méshe; _thou_
+belongest not to my family. Why can't Solomon go out with matches?"
+
+"Gittel's soul would not like it."
+
+"But the living have bodies! Thou rather seest thy children starve than
+work. There's Esther,--an idle, lazy brat, always reading story-books;
+why doesn't she sell flowers or pull out bastings in the evening?"
+
+"Esther and Solomon have their lessons to do."
+
+"Lessons!" snorted Malka. "What's the good of lessons? It's English, not
+Judaism, they teach them in that godless school. _I_ could never read or
+write anything but Hebrew in all my life; but God be thanked, I have
+thriven without it. All they teach them in the school is English
+nonsense. The teachers are a pack of heathens, who eat forbidden things,
+but the good Yiddishkeit goes to the wall. I'm ashamed of thee, Méshe:
+thou dost not even send thy boys to a Hebrew class in the evening."
+
+"I have no money, and they must do their English lessons. Else, perhaps,
+their clothes will be stopped. Besides, I teach them myself every
+_Shabbos_ afternoon and Sunday. Solomon translates into Yiddish the
+whole Pentateuch with Rashi."
+
+"Yes, he may know _Térah_" said Malka, not to be baffled. "But he'll
+never know _Gemorah_ or _Mishnayis_." Malka herself knew very little of
+these abstruse subjects beyond their names, and the fact that they were
+studied out of minutely-printed folios by men of extreme sanctity.
+
+"He knows a little _Gemorah_, too," said Moses. "I can't teach him at
+home because I haven't got a _Gemorah_,--it's so expensive, as you know.
+But he went with me to the _Beth-Medrash_, when the _Maggid_ was
+studying it with a class free of charge, and we learnt the whole of the
+_Tractate Niddah_. Solomon understands very well all about the Divorce
+Laws, and he could adjudicate on the duties of women to their husbands."
+
+"Ah, but he'll never know _Cabbulah_," said Malka, driven to her last
+citadel. "But then no one in England can study _Cabbulah_ since the days
+of Rabbi Falk (the memory of the righteous for a blessing) any more than
+a born Englishman can learn Talmud. There's something in the air that
+prevents it. In my town there was a Rabbi who could do _Cabbulah_; he
+could call Abraham our father from the grave. But in this pig-eating
+country no one can be holy enough for the Name, blessed be It, to grant
+him the privilege. I don't believe the _Shochetim_ kill the animals
+properly; the statutes are violated; even pious people eat _tripha_
+cheese and butter. I don't say thou dost, Méshe, but thou lettest thy
+children."
+
+"Well, your own butter is not _kosher_," said Moses, nettled.
+
+"My butter? What does it matter about my butter? I never set up for a
+purist. I don't come of a family of Rabbonim. I'm only a business woman.
+It's the _froom_ people that I complain of; the people who ought to set
+an example, and are lowering the standard of _Froomkeit_. I caught a
+beadle's wife the other day washing her meat and butter plates in the
+same bowl of water. In time they will be frying steaks in butter, and
+they will end by eating _tripha_ meat out of butter plates, and the
+judgment of God will come. But what is become of thine apple? Thou hast
+not gorged it already?" Moses nervously pointed to his trousers pocket,
+bulged out by the mutilated globe. After his first ravenous bite Moses
+had bethought himself of his responsibilities.
+
+"It's for the _kinder_," he explained.
+
+"_Nu_, the _kinder_!" snorted Malka disdainfully. "And what will they
+give thee for it? Verily, not a thank you. In my young days we trembled
+before the father and the mother, and my mother, peace be upon him,
+_potched_ my face after I was a married woman. I shall never forget that
+slap--it nearly made me adhere to the wall. But now-a-days our children
+sit on our heads. I gave my Milly all she has in the world--a house, a
+shop, a husband, and my best bed-linen. And now when I want her to call
+the child Yosef, after my first husband, peace be on him, her own
+father, she would out of sheer vexatiousness, call it Yechezkel."
+Malka's voice became more strident than ever. She had been anxious to
+make a species of vicarious reparation to her first husband, and the
+failure of Milly to acquiesce in the arrangement was a source of real
+vexation.
+
+Moses could think of nothing better to say than to inquire how her
+present husband was.
+
+"He overworks himself," Malka replied, shaking her head. "The misfortune
+is that he thinks himself a good man of business, and he is always
+starting new enterprises without consulting me. If he would only take my
+advice more!"
+
+Moses shook his head in sympathetic deprecation of Michael Birnbaum's
+wilfulness.
+
+"Is he at home?" he asked.
+
+"No, but I expect him back from the country every minute. I believe they
+have invited him for the _Pidyun Haben_ to-day."
+
+"Oh, is that to-day?"
+
+"Of course. Didst thou not know?"
+
+"No, no one told me."
+
+"Thine own sense should have told thee. Is it not the thirty-first day
+since the birth? But of course he won't accept when he knows that my own
+daughter has driven me out of her house."
+
+"You say not!" exclaimed Moses in horror.
+
+"I do say," said Malka, unconsciously taking up the clothes-brush and
+thumping with it on the table to emphasize the outrage. "I told her that
+when Yechezkel cried so much, it would be better to look for the pin
+than to dose the child for gripes. 'I dressed it myself, Mother,' says
+she. 'Thou art an obstinate cat's head. Milly,' says I. 'I say there
+_is_ a pin.' 'And I know better,' says she. 'How canst thou know better
+than I?' says I. 'Why, I was a mother before thou wast born.' So I
+unrolled the child's flannel, and sure enough underneath it just over
+the stomach I found--"
+
+"The pin," concluded Moses, shaking his head gravely.
+
+"No, not exactly. But a red mark where the pin had been pricking the
+poor little thing."
+
+"And what did Milly say then?" said Moses in sympathetic triumph.
+
+"Milly said it was a flea-bite! and I said, 'Gott in Himmel, Milly, dost
+thou want to swear my eyes away? My enemies shall have such a
+flea-bite.' And because Red Rivkah was in the room, Milly said I was
+shedding her blood in public, and she began to cry as if I had committed
+a crime against her in looking after her child. And I rushed out,
+leaving the two babies howling together. That was a week ago."
+
+"And how is the child?"
+
+"How should I know? I am only the grandmother, I only supplied the
+bed-linen it was born on."
+
+"But is it recovered from the circumcision?"
+
+"Oh, yes, all our family have good healing flesh. It's a fine, child,
+_imbeshreer_. It's got my eyes and nose. It's a rare handsome baby,
+_imbeshreer_. Only it won't be its mother's fault if the Almighty takes
+it not back again. Milly has picked up so many ignorant Lane women who
+come in and blight the child, by admiring it aloud, not even saying
+_imbeshreer_. And then there's an old witch, a beggar-woman that
+Ephraim, my son-in-law, used to give a shilling a week to. Now he only
+gives her ninepence. She asked him 'why?' and he said, 'I'm married now.
+I can't afford more.' 'What!' she shrieked, 'you got married on my
+money!' And one Friday when the nurse had baby downstairs, the old
+beggar-woman knocked for her weekly allowance, and she opened the door,
+and she saw the child, and she looked at it with her Evil Eye! I hope to
+Heaven nothing will come of it."
+
+"I will pray for Yechezkel," said Moses.
+
+"Pray for Milly also, while thou art about it, that she may remember
+what is owing to a mother before the earth covers me. I don't know
+what's coming over children. Look at my Leah. She _will_ marry that Sam
+Levine, though he belongs to a lax English family, and I suspect his
+mother was a proselyte. She can't fry fish any way. I don't say anything
+against Sam, but still I do think my Leah might have told me before
+falling in love with him. And yet see how I treat them! My Michael made
+a _Missheberach_ for them in synagogue the Sabbath after the engagement;
+not a common eighteen-penny benediction, but a guinea one, with
+half-crown blessings thrown in for his parents and the congregation, and
+a gift of five shillings to the minister. That was of course in our own
+_Chevrah_, not reckoning the guinea my Michael _shnodared_ at Duke's
+Plaizer _Shool_. You know we always keep two seats at Duke's Plaizer as
+well." Duke's Plaizer was the current distortion of Duke's Place.
+
+"What magnanimity," said Moses overawed.
+
+"I like to do everything with decorum," said Malka. "No one can say I
+have ever acted otherwise than as a fine person. I dare say thou couldst
+do with a few shillings thyself now."
+
+Moses hung his head still lower. "You see my mother is so poorly," he
+stammered. "She is a very old woman, and without anything to eat she may
+not live long."
+
+"They ought to take her into the Aged Widows' Home. I'm sure I gave her
+_my_ votes."
+
+"God shall bless you for it. But people say I was lucky enough to get
+my Benjamin into the Orphan Asylum, and that I ought not to have brought
+her from Poland. They say we grow enough poor old widows here."
+
+"People say quite right--at least she would have starved in, a Yiddishë
+country, not in a land of heathens."
+
+"But she was lonely and miserable out there, exposed to all the malice
+of the Christians. And I was earning a pound a week. Tailoring was a
+good trade then. The few roubles I used to send her did not always reach
+her."
+
+"Thou hadst no right to send her anything, nor to send for her. Mothers
+are not everything. Thou didst marry my cousin Gittel, peace be upon
+him, and it was thy duty to support _her_ and her children. Thy mother
+took the bread out of the mouth of Gittel, and but for her my poor
+cousin might have been alive to-day. Believe me it was no _Mitzvah_."
+
+_Mitzvah_ is a "portmanteau-word." It means a commandment and a good
+deed, the two conceptions being regarded as interchangeable.
+
+"Nay, thou errest there," answered Moses. "'Gittel was not a phoenix
+which alone ate not of the Tree of Knowledge and lives for ever. Women
+have no need to live as long as men, for they have not so many
+_Mitzvahs_ to perform as men; and inasmuch as"--here his tones
+involuntarily assumed the argumentative sing-song--"their souls profit
+by all the _Mitzvahs_ performed by their husbands and children, Gittel
+will profit by the _Mitzvah_ I did in bringing over my mother, so that
+even if she did die through it, she will not be the loser thereby. It
+stands in the Verse that _man_ shall do the _Mitzvahs_ and live by them.
+To live is a _Mitzvah_, but it is plainly one of those _Mitzvahs_ that
+have to be done at a definite time, from which species women, by reason
+of their household duties, are exempt; wherefore I would deduce by
+another circuit that it is not so incumbent upon women to live as upon
+men. Nevertheless, if God had willed it, she would have been still
+alive. The Holy One, blessed be He, will provide for the little ones He
+has sent into the world. He fed Elijah the prophet by ravens, and He
+will never send me a black Sabbath."
+
+"Oh, you are a saint, Méshe," said Malka, so impressed that she
+admitted him to the equality of the second person plural. "If everybody
+knew as much _Térah_ as you, the Messiah would soon be here. Here are
+five shillings. For five shillings you can get a basket of lemons in the
+Orange Market in Duke's Place, and if you sell them in the Lane at a
+halfpenny each, you will make a good profit. Put aside five shillings of
+your takings and get another basket, and so you will be able to live
+till the tailoring picks up a bit." Moses listened as if he had never
+heard of the elementary principles of barter.
+
+"May the Name, blessed be It, bless you, and may you see rejoicings on
+your children's children."
+
+So Moses went away and bought dinner, treating his family to some
+_beuglich_, or circular twisted rolls, in his joy. But on the morrow he
+repaired to the Market, thinking on the way of the ethical distinction
+between "duties of the heart" and "duties of the limbs," as expounded in
+choice Hebrew by Rabbenu Bachja, and he laid out the remnant in lemons.
+Then he stationed himself in Petticoat Lane, crying, in his imperfect
+English, "Lemans, verra good lemans, two a penny each, two a penny
+each!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE REDEMPTION OF THE SON AND THE DAUGHTER.
+
+
+Malka did not have long to wait for her liege lord. He was a
+fresh-colored young man of thirty, rather good-looking, with side
+whiskers, keen, eager glance, and an air of perpetually doing business.
+Though a native of Germany, he spoke English as well as many Lane Jews,
+whose comparative impiety was a certificate of British birth. Michael
+Birnbaum was a great man in the local little synagogue if only one of
+the crowd at "Duke's Plaizer." He had been successively _Gabbai_ and
+_Parnass_, or treasurer and president, and had presented the plush
+curtain, with its mystical decoration of intersecting triangles, woven
+in silk, that hung before the Ark in which the scrolls of the Law were
+kept. He was the very antithesis of Moses Ansell. His energy was
+restless. From hawking he had risen to a profitable traffic in gold lace
+and Brummagem jewelry, with a large _clientčle_ all over the country,
+before he was twenty. He touched nothing which he did not profit by; and
+when he married, at twenty-three, a woman nearly twice his age, the
+transaction was not without the usual percentage. Very soon his line was
+diamonds,--real diamonds. He carried, a pocket-knife which was a
+combination of a corkscrew, a pair of scissors, a file, a pair of
+tweezers, a toothpick, and half a dozen other things, and which seemed
+an epitome of his character. His temperament was lively, and, like
+Ephraim Phillips, he liked music-halls. Fortunately, Malka was too
+conscious of her charms to dream of jealousy.
+
+Michael smacked her soundly on the mouth with his lips and said: "Well,
+mother!"
+
+He called her mother, not because he had any children, but because she
+had, and it seemed a pity to multiply domestic nomenclature.
+
+"Well, my little one," said Malka, hugging him fondly. "Have you made a
+good journey this time?"
+
+"No, trade is so dull. People won't put their hands in their pockets.
+And here?"
+
+"People won't take their hands out of their pockets, lazy dogs!
+Everybody is striking,--Jews with them. Unheard-of things! The
+bootmakers, the capmakers, the furriers! And now they say the tailors
+are going to strike; more fools, too, when the trade is so slack. What
+with one thing and another (let me put your cravat straight, my little
+love), it's just the people who can't afford to buy new clothes that are
+hard up, so that they can't afford to buy second-hand clothes either. If
+the Almighty is not good to us, we shall come to the Board of Guardians
+ourselves."
+
+"Not quite so bad as that, mother," laughed Michael, twirling the
+massive diamond ring on his finger. "How's baby? Is it ready to be
+redeemed?"
+
+"Which baby?" said Malka, with well-affected agnosticism.
+
+"Phew!" whistled Michael. "What's up now, mother?"
+
+"Nothing, my pet, nothing."
+
+"Well, I'm going across. Come along, mother. Oh, wait a minute. I want
+to brush this mud off my trousers. Is the clothes-brush here?"
+
+"Yes, dearest one," said the unsuspecting Malka.
+
+Michael winked imperceptibly, flicked his trousers, and without further
+parley ran across the diagonal to Milly's house. Five minutes afterwards
+a deputation, consisting of a char-woman, waited upon Malka and said:
+
+"Missus says will you please come over, as baby is a-cryin' for its
+grandma."
+
+"Ah, that must be another pin," said Malka, with a gleam of triumph at
+her victory. But she did not budge. At the end of five minutes she rose
+solemnly, adjusted her wig and her dress in the mirror, put on her
+bonnet, brushed away a non-existent speck of dust from her left sleeve,
+put a peppermint in her mouth, and crossed the Square, carrying the
+clothes-brush in her hand. Milly's door was half open, but she knocked
+at it and said to the char-woman:
+
+"Is Mrs. Phillips in?"
+
+"Yes, mum, the company's all upstairs."
+
+"Oh, then I will go up and return her this myself."
+
+Malka went straight through the little crowd of guests to Milly, who was
+sitting on a sofa with Ezekiel, quiet as a lamb and as good as gold, in
+her arms.
+
+"Milly, my dear," she said. "I have come to bring you back your
+clothes-brush. Thank you so much for the loan of it."
+
+"You know you're welcome, mother," said Milly, with unintentionally dual
+significance. The two ladies embraced. Ephraim Phillips, a
+sallow-looking, close-cropped Pole, also kissed his mother-in-law, and
+the gold chain that rested on Malka's bosom heaved with the expansion of
+domestic pride. Malka thanked God she was not a mother of barren or
+celibate children, which is only one degree better than personal
+unfruitfulness, and testifies scarce less to the celestial curse.
+
+"Is that pin-mark gone away yet, Milly, from the precious little
+thing?" said Malka, taking Ezekiel in her arms and disregarding the
+transformation of face which in babies precedes a storm.
+
+"Yes, it was a mere flea-bite," said Milly incautiously, adding
+hurriedly, "I always go through his flannels and things most carefully
+to see there are no more pins lurking about."
+
+"That is right! Pins are like fleas--you never know where they get to,"
+said Malka in an insidious spirit of compromise. "Where is Leah?"
+
+"She is in the back yard frying the last of the fish. Don't you smell
+it?"
+
+"It will hardly have time to get cold."
+
+"Well, but I did a dishful myself last night. She is only preparing a
+reserve in case the attack be too deadly."
+
+"And where is the _Cohen_?"
+
+"Oh, we have asked old Hyams across the Ruins. We expect him round every
+minute."
+
+At this point the indications of Ezekiel's facial barometer were
+fulfilled, and a tempest of weeping shook him.
+
+"_Na_! Go then! Go to the mother," said Malka angrily. "All my children
+are alike. It's getting late. Hadn't you better send across again for
+old Hyams?"
+
+"There's no hurry, mother," said Michael Birnbaum soothingly. "We must
+wait for Sam."
+
+"And who's Sam?" cried Malka unappeased.
+
+"Sam is Leah's _Chosan_," replied Michael ingenuously.
+
+"Clever!" sneered Malka. "But my grandson is not going to wait for the
+son of a proselyte. Why doesn't he come?"
+
+"He'll be here in one minute."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"We came up in the same train. He got in at Middlesborough. He's just
+gone home to see his folks, and get a wash and a brush-up. Considering
+he's coming up to town merely for the sake of the family ceremony, I
+think it would be very rude to commence without him. It's no joke, a
+long railway journey this weather. My feet were nearly frozen despite
+the foot-warmer."
+
+"My poor lambkin," said Malka, melting. And she patted his side
+whiskers.
+
+Sam Levine arrived almost immediately, and Leah, fishfork in hand, flew
+out of the back-yard kitchen to greet him. Though a member of the tribe
+of Levi, he was anything but ecclesiastical in appearance, rather a
+representative of muscular Judaism. He had a pink and white complexion,
+and a tawny moustache, and bubbled over with energy and animal spirits.
+He could give most men thirty in a hundred in billiards, and fifty in
+anecdote. He was an advanced Radical in politics, and had a high opinion
+of the intelligence of his party. He paid Leah lip-fealty on his entry.
+
+"What a pity it's Sunday!" was Leah's first remark when the kissing was
+done.
+
+"No going to the play," said Sam ruefully, catching her meaning.
+
+They always celebrated his return from a commercial round by going to
+the theatre--the-etter they pronounced it. They went to the pit of the
+West End houses rather than patronize the local dress circles for the
+same money. There were two strata of Ghetto girls, those who strolled in
+the Strand on Sabbath, and those who strolled in the Whitechapel Road.
+Leah was of the upper stratum. She was a tall lovely brunette, exuberant
+of voice and figure, with coarse red hands. She doted on ice-cream in
+the summer, and hot chocolate in the winter, but her love of the theatre
+was a perennial passion. Both Sam and she had good ears, and were always
+first in the field with the latest comic opera tunes. Leah's healthy
+vitality was prodigious. There was a legend in the Lane of such a maiden
+having been chosen by a coronet; Leah was satisfied with Sam, who was
+just her match. On the heels of Sam came several other guests, notably
+Mrs. Jacobs (wife of "Reb" Shemuel), with her pretty daughter, Hannah.
+Mr. Hyams, the _Cohen_, came last--the Priest whose functions had so
+curiously dwindled since the times of the Temples. To be called first to
+the reading of the Law, to bless his brethren with symbolic spreadings
+of palms and fingers in a mystic incantation delivered, standing
+shoeless before the Ark of the Covenant at festival seasons, to redeem
+the mother's first-born son when neither parent was of priestly
+lineage--these privileges combined with a disability to be with or near
+the dead, differentiated his religious position from that of the Levite
+or the Israelite. Mendel Hyams was not puffed up about his tribal
+superiority, though if tradition were to be trusted, his direct descent
+from Aaron, the High Priest, gave him a longer genealogy than Queen
+Victoria's. He was a meek sexagenarian, with a threadbare black coat and
+a child-like smile. All the pride of the family seemed to be monopolized
+by his daughter Miriam, a girl whose very nose Heaven had fashioned
+scornful. Miriam had accompanied him out of contemptuous curiosity. She
+wore a stylish feather in her hat, and a boa round her throat, and
+earned thirty shillings a week, all told, as a school teacher. (Esther
+Ansell was in her class just now.) Probably her toilette had made old
+Hyams unpunctual. His arrival was the signal for the commencement of the
+proceedings, and the men hastened to assume their head-gear.
+
+Ephraim Phillips cautiously took the swaddled-up infant from the bosom
+of Milly where it was suckling and presented it to old Hyams.
+Fortunately Ezekiel had already had a repletion of milk, and was drowsy
+and manifested very little interest in the whole transaction.
+
+"This my first-born son," said Ephraim in Hebrew as he handed Ezekiel
+over--"is the first-born of his mother, and the Holy One, blessed be He,
+hath given command to redeem him, as it is said, and those that are to
+be redeemed of them from a month old, shalt thou redeem according to
+thine estimation for the money of five shekels after the shekel of the
+sanctuary, the shekel being twenty gerahs; and it is said, 'Sanctify
+unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the
+children of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine.'"
+
+Ephraim Phillips then placed fifteen shillings in silver before old
+Hyams, who thereupon inquired in Chaldaic: "Which wouldst thou
+rather--give me thy first-born son, the first-born of his mother, or
+redeem him for five selaim, which thou art bound to give according to
+the Law?"
+
+Ephraim replied in Chaldaic: "I am desirous rather to redeem my son,
+and here thou hast the value of his redemption, which I am bound to give
+according to the Law."
+
+Thereupon Hyams took the money tendered, and gave back the child to his
+father, who blessed God for His sanctifying commandments, and thanked
+Him for His mercies; after which the old _Cohen_ held the fifteen
+shillings over the head of the infant, saying: "This instead of that,
+this in exchange for that, this in remission of that. May this child
+enter into life, into the Law, and into the fear of Heaven. May it be
+God's will that even as he has been admitted to redemption, so may he
+enter into the Law, the nuptial canopy and into good deeds. Amen." Then,
+placing his hand in benediction upon the child's head, the priestly
+layman added: "God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh. The Lord bless
+thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be
+gracious unto thee. The Lord turn His face to thee and grant thee peace.
+The Lord is thy guardian; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. For
+length of days and years of life and peace shall they add to thee. The
+Lord shall guard thee from all evil. He shall guard thy soul."
+
+"Amen," answered the company, and then there was a buzz of secular talk,
+general rapture being expressed at the stolidness of Ezekiel's demeanor.
+Cups of tea were passed round by the lovely Leah, and the secrets of the
+paper bags were brought to light. Ephraim Phillips talked horses with
+Sam Levine, and old Hyams quarrelled with Malka over the disposal of the
+fifteen shillings. Knowing that Hyams was poor, Malka refused to take
+back the money retendered by him under pretence of a gift to the child.
+The _Cohen_, however, was a proud man, and under the eye of Miriam a
+firm one. Ultimately it was agreed the money should be expended on a
+_Missheberach_, for the infant's welfare and the synagogue's. Birds of a
+feather flock together, and Miriam forgathered with Hannah Jacobs, who
+also had a stylish feather in her hat, and was the most congenial of the
+company. Mrs. Jacobs was left to discourse of the ailments of childhood
+and the iniquities of servants with Mrs. Phillips. Reb Shemuel's wife,
+commonly known as the Rebbitzin, was a tall woman with a bony nose and
+shrivelled cheeks, whereon the paths of the blood-vessels were scrawled
+in red. The same bones were visible beneath the plumper padding of
+Hannah's face. Mrs. Jacobs had escaped the temptation to fatness, which
+is the besetting peril of the Jewish matron. If Hannah could escape her
+mother's inclination to angularity she would be a pretty woman. She
+dressed with taste, which is half the battle, and for the present she
+was only nineteen.
+
+"Do you think it's a good match?" said Miriam Hyams, indicating Sam
+Levine with a movement of the eyebrow.
+
+A swift, scornful look flitted across Hannah's face. "Among the Jews,"
+she said, "every match is a grand _Shidduch_ before the marriage; after,
+we hear another tale."
+
+"There is a good deal in that," admitted Miriam, thoughtfully. "The
+girl's family cries up the capture shamelessly. I remember when Clara
+Emanuel was engaged, her brother Jack told me it was a splendid
+_Shidduch_. Afterwards I found he was a widower of fifty-five with three
+children."
+
+"But that engagement went off," said Hannah.
+
+"I know," said Miriam. "I'm only saying I can't fancy myself doing
+anything of the kind."
+
+"What! breaking off an engagement?" said Hannah, with a cynical little
+twinkle about her eye.
+
+"No, taking a man like that," replied Miriam. "I wouldn't look at a man
+over thirty-five, or with less than two hundred and fifty a year."
+
+"You'll never marry a teacher, then," Hannah remarked.
+
+"Teacher!" Miriam Hyams repeated, with a look of disgust. "How can one
+be respectable on three pounds a week? I must have a man in a good
+position." She tossed her piquant nose and looked almost handsome. She
+was five years older than Hannah, and it seemed an enigma why men did
+not rush to lay five pounds a week at her daintily shod feet.
+
+"I'd rather marry a man with two pounds a week if I loved him," said
+Hannah in a low tone.
+
+"Not in this century," said Miriam, shaking her head incredulously. "We
+don't believe in that nonsense now-a-days. There was Alice Green,--she
+used to talk like that,--now look at her, riding about in a gig side by
+side with a bald monkey."
+
+"Alice Green's mother," interrupted Malka, pricking up her ears,
+"married a son of Mendel Weinstein by his third wife, Dinah, who had ten
+pounds left her by her uncle Shloumi."
+
+"No, Dinah was Mendel's second wife," corrected Mrs. Jacobs, cutting
+short a remark of Mrs. Phillips's in favor of the new interest.
+
+"Dinah was Mendel's third wife," repeated Malka, her tanned cheeks
+reddening. "I know it because my Simon, God bless him, was breeched the
+same month."
+
+Simon was Malka's eldest, now a magistrate in Melbourne.
+
+"His third wife was Kitty Green, daughter of the yellow Melammed,"
+persisted the Rebbitzin. "I know it for a fact, because Kitty's sister
+Annie was engaged for a week to my brother-in-law Nathaniel."
+
+"His first wife," put in Malka's husband, with the air of arbitrating
+between the two, "was Shmool the publican's eldest daughter."
+
+"Shmool the publican's daughter," said Malka, stirred to fresh
+indignation, "married Hyam Robins, the grandson of old Benjamin, who
+kept the cutlery shop at the corner of Little Eden Alley, there where
+the pickled cucumber store stands now."
+
+"It was Shmool's sister that married Hyam Robins, wasn't it, mother?"
+asked Milly, incautiously.
+
+"Certainly not," thundered Malka. "I knew old Benjamin well, and he sent
+me a pair of chintz curtains when I married your father."
+
+"Poor old Benjamin! How long has he been dead?" mused Reb Shemuel's
+wife.
+
+"He died the year I was confined with my Leah----"
+
+"Stop! stop!" interrupted Sam Levine boisterously. "There's Leah getting
+as red as fire for fear you'll blab out her age."
+
+"Don't be a fool, Sam," said Leah, blushing violently, and looking the
+lovelier for it.
+
+The attention of the entire company was now concentrated upon the
+question at issue, whatever it might be. Malka fixed her audience with
+her piercing eye, and said in a tone that scarce brooked contradiction:
+"Hyam Robins couldn't have married Shmool's sister because Shmool's
+sister was already the wife of Abraham the fishmonger."
+
+"Yes, but Shmool had two sisters," said Mrs. Jacobs, audaciously
+asserting her position as the rival genealogist.
+
+"Nothing of the kind," replied Malka warmly.
+
+"I'm quite sure," persisted Mrs. Jacobs. "There was Phoeby and there was
+Harriet."
+
+"Nothing of the kind," repeated Malka. "Shmool had three sisters. Only
+two were in the deaf and dumb home."
+
+"Why, that, wasn't Shmool at all," Milly forgot herself so far as to
+say, "that was Block the Baker."
+
+"Of course!" said Malka in her most acid tone. "My _kinder_ always know
+better than me."
+
+There was a moment of painful silence. Malka's eye mechanically sought
+the clothes-brush. Then Ezekiel sneezed. It was a convulsive "atichoo,"
+and agitated the infant to its most intimate flannel-roll.
+
+"For thy Salvation do I hope, O Lord," murmured Malka, piously, adding
+triumphantly aloud, "There! the _kind_ has sneezed to the truth of it. I
+knew I was right."
+
+The sneeze of an innocent child silences everybody who is not a
+blasphemer. In the general satisfaction at the unexpected solution of
+the situation, no one even pointed out that the actual statement to
+which Ezekiel had borne testimony, was an assertion of the superior
+knowledge of Malka's children. Shortly afterwards the company trooped
+downstairs to partake of high tea, which in the Ghetto need not include
+anything more fleshly than fish. Fish was, indeed, the staple of the
+meal. Fried fish, and such fried fish! Only a great poet could sing the
+praises of the national dish, and the golden age of Hebrew poetry is
+over. Strange that Gebirol should have lived and died without the
+opportunity of the theme, and that the great Jehuda Halevi himself
+should have had to devote his genius merely to singing the glories of
+Jerusalem. "Israel is among the other nations," he sang, "as the heart
+among the limbs." Even so is the fried fish of Judaea to the fried fish
+of Christendom and Heathendom. With the audacity of true culinary
+genius, Jewish fried fish is always served cold. The skin is a beautiful
+brown, the substance firm and succulent. The very bones thereof are full
+of marrow, yea and charged with memories of the happy past. Fried fish
+binds Anglo-Judaea more than all the lip-professions of unity. Its savor
+is early known of youth, and the divine flavor, endeared by a thousand
+childish recollections, entwined with the most sacred associations,
+draws back the hoary sinner into the paths of piety. It is on fried
+fish, mayhap, that the Jewish matron grows fat. In the days of the
+Messiah, when the saints shall feed off the Leviathan; and the Sea
+Serpent shall be dished up for the last time, and the world and the
+silly season shall come to an end, in those days it is probable that the
+saints will prefer their Leviathan fried. Not that any physical frying
+will be necessary, for in those happy times (for whose coming every
+faithful Israelite prays three times a day), the Leviathan will have
+what taste the eater will. Possibly a few highly respectable saints, who
+were fashionable in their day and contrived to live in Kensington
+without infection of paganism, will take their Leviathan in conventional
+courses, and beginning with _hors d'oeuvres_ may _will_ him everything
+by turns and nothing long; making him soup and sweets, joint and
+_entrée_, and even ices and coffee, for in the millennium the harassing
+prohibition which bars cream after meat will fall through. But, however
+this be, it is beyond question that the bulk of the faithful will
+mentally fry him, and though the Christian saints, who shall be
+privileged to wait at table, hand them plate after plate, fried fish
+shall be all the fare. One suspects that Hebrews gained the taste in the
+Desert of Sinai, for the manna that fell there was not monotonous to the
+palate as the sciolist supposes, but likewise mutable under volition. It
+were incredible that Moses, who gave so many imperishable things to his
+people, did not also give them the knowledge of fried fish, so that they
+might obey his behest, and rejoice, before the Lord. Nay, was it not
+because, while the manna fell, there could be no lack of fish to fry,
+that they lingered forty years in a dreary wilderness? Other delicious
+things there are in Jewish cookery--_Lockschen_, which are the
+apotheosis of vermicelli, _Ferfel_, which are _Lockschen_ in an atomic
+state, and _Creplich_, which are triangular meat-pasties, and _Kuggol_,
+to which pudding has a far-away resemblance; and there is even _gefüllte
+Fisch_, which is stuffed fish without bones--but fried fish reigns above
+all in cold, unquestioned sovereignty. No other people possesses the
+recipe. As a poet of the commencement of the century sings:
+
+    The Christians are ninnies, they can't fry Dutch plaice,
+    Believe me, they can't tell a carp from a dace.
+
+It was while discussing a deliciously brown oblong of the Dutch plaice
+of the ballad that Samuel Levine appeared to be struck by an idea. He
+threw down his knife and fork and exclaimed in Hebrew. "_Shemah beni_!"
+
+Every one looked at him.
+
+"Hear, my son!" he repeated in comic horror. Then relapsing into
+English, he explained. "I've forgotten to give Leah a present from her
+_chosan_."
+
+"A-h-h!" Everybody gave a sigh of deep interest; Leah, whom the
+exigencies of service had removed from his side to the head of the
+table, half-rose from her seat in excitement.
+
+Now, whether Samuel Levine had really forgotten, or whether he had
+chosen the most effective moment will never be known; certain it is that
+the Semitic instinct for drama was gratified within him as he drew a
+little folded white paper out of his waistcoat pocket, amid the keen
+expectation of the company.
+
+"This," said he, tapping the paper as if he were a conjurer, "was
+purchased by me yesterday morning for my little girl. I said to myself,
+says I, look here, old man, you've got to go up to town for a day in
+honor of Ezekiel Phillips, and your poor girl, who had looked forward to
+your staying away till Passover, will want some compensation for her
+disappointment at seeing you earlier. So I thinks to myself, thinks I,
+now what is there that Leah would like? It must be something
+appropriate, of course, and it mustn't be of any value, because I can't
+afford it. It's a ruinous business getting engaged; the worst bit of
+business I ever did in all my born days." Here Sam winked facetiously at
+the company. "And I thought and thought of what was the cheapest thing I
+could get out of it with, and lo and behold I suddenly thought of a
+ring."
+
+So saying, Sam, still with the same dramatic air, unwrapped the thick
+gold ring and held it up so that the huge diamond in it sparkled in the
+sight of all. A long "O--h--h" went round the company, the majority
+instantaneously pricing it mentally, and wondering at what reduction Sam
+had acquired it from a brother commercial. For that no Jew ever pays
+full retail price for jewelry is regarded as axiomatic. Even the
+engagement ring is not required to be first-hand--or should it be
+first-finger?--so long as it is solid; which perhaps accounts for the
+superiority of the Jewish marriage-rate. Leah rose entirely to her feet,
+the light of the diamond reflected in her eager eyes. She leant across
+the table, stretching out a finger to receive her lover's gift. Sam put
+the ring near her finger, then drew it away teasingly.
+
+"Them as asks shan't have," he said, in high good humor. "You're too
+greedy. Look at the number of rings you've got already." The fun of the
+situation diffused itself along the table.
+
+"Give it me," laughed Miriam Hyams, stretching out her finger. "I'll say
+'ta' so nicely."
+
+"No," he said, "you've been naughty; I'm going to give it to the little
+girl who has sat quiet all the time. Miss Hannah Jacobs, rise to receive
+your prize."
+
+Hannah, who was sitting two places to the left of him, smiled quietly,
+but went on carving her fish. Sam, growing quite boisterous under the
+appreciation of a visibly amused audience, leaned towards her, captured
+her right hand, and forcibly adjusted the ring on the second finger,
+exclaiming in Hebrew, with mock solemnity, "Behold, thou art consecrated
+unto me by this ring according to the Law of Moses and Israel."
+
+It was the formal marriage speech he had learnt up for his approaching
+marriage. The company roared with laughter, and pleasure and enjoyment
+of the fun made Leah's lovely, smiling cheeks flush to a livelier
+crimson. Badinage flew about from one end of the table to the other:
+burlesque congratulations were showered on the couple, flowing over even
+unto Mrs. Jacobs, who appeared to enjoy the episode as much as if her
+daughter were really off her hands. The little incident added the last
+touch of high spirits to the company and extorted all their latent
+humor. Samuel excelled himself in vivacious repartee, and responded
+comically to the toast of his health as drunk in coffee. Suddenly, amid
+the hubbub of chaff and laughter and the clatter of cutlery, a still
+small voice made itself heard. It same from old Hyams, who had been
+sitting quietly with brow corrugated under his black velvet _koppel_.
+
+"Mr. Levine," he said, in low grave tones, "I have been thinking, and I
+am afraid that what you have done is serious."
+
+The earnestness of his tones arrested the attention of the company. The
+laughter ceased.
+
+"What do you mean?" said Samuel. He understood the Yiddish which old
+Hyams almost invariably used, though he did not speak it himself.
+Contrariwise, old Hyams understood much more English than he spoke.
+
+"You have married Hannah Jacobs."
+
+There was a painful silence, dim recollections surging in everybody's
+brain.
+
+"Married Hannah Jacobs!" repeated Samuel incredulously.
+
+"Yes," affirmed old Hyams. "What you have done constitutes a marriage
+according to Jewish law. You have pledged yourself to her in the
+presence of two witnesses."
+
+There was another tense silence. Samuel broke it with a boisterous
+laugh.
+
+"No, no, old fellow," he said; "you don't have me like that!"
+
+The tension was relaxed. Everybody joined in the laugh with a feeling of
+indescribable relief. Facetious old Hyams had gone near scoring one.
+Hannah smilingly plucked off the glittering bauble from her finger and
+slid it on to Leah's. Hyams alone remained grave. "Laugh away!" he
+said. "You will soon find I am right. Such is our law."
+
+"May be," said Samuel, constrained to seriousness despite himself. "But
+you forget that I am already engaged to Leah."
+
+"I do not forget it," replied Hyams, "but it has nothing to do with the
+case. You are both single, or rather you _were_ both single, for now you
+are man and wife."
+
+Leah, who had been sitting pale and agitated, burst into tears. Hannah's
+face was drawn and white. Her mother looked the least alarmed of the
+company.
+
+"Droll person!" cried Malka, addressing Sam angrily in jargon. "What
+hast thou done?"
+
+"Don't let us all go mad," said Samuel, bewildered. "How can a piece of
+fun, a joke, be a valid marriage?"
+
+"The law takes no account of jokes," said old Hyams solemnly.
+
+"Then why didn't you stop me?" asked Sam, exasperated.
+
+"It was all done in a moment. I laughed myself; I had no time to think."
+
+Sam brought his fist down on the table with a bang.
+
+"Well, I'll never believe this! If this is Judaism----!"
+
+"Hush!" said Malka angrily. "These are your English Jews, who make mock
+of holy things. I always said the son of a proselyte was----"
+
+"Look here, mother," put in Michael soothingly. "Don't let us make a
+fuss before we know the truth. Send for some one who is likely to know."
+He played agitatedly with his complex pocket-knife.
+
+"Yes, Hannah's father, Reb Shemuel is just the man," cried Milly
+Phillips.
+
+"I told you my husband was gone to Manchester for a day or two," Mrs.
+Jacobs reminded her.
+
+"There's the _Maggid_ of the Sons of the Covenant," said one of the
+company. "I'll go and fetch him."
+
+The stooping, black-bearded _Maggid_ was brought. When he arrived, it
+was evident from his look that he knew all and brought confirmation of
+their worst fears. He explained the law at great length, and cited
+precedent upon precedent. When he ceased, Leah's sobs alone broke the
+silence. Samuel's face was white. The merry gathering had been turned to
+a wedding party.
+
+"You rogue!" burst forth Malka at last. "You planned all this--you
+thought my Leah didn't have enough money, and that Reb Shemuel will heap
+you up gold in the hands. But you don't take me in like this."
+
+"May this piece of bread choke me if I had the slightest iota of
+intention!" cried Samuel passionately, for the thought of what Leah
+might think was like fire in his veins. He turned appealingly to the
+_Maggid_; "but there must be some way out of this, surely there must be
+some way out. I know you _Maggidim_ can split hairs. Can't you make one
+of your clever distinctions even when there's more than a trifle
+concerned?" There was a savage impatience about the bridegroom which
+boded ill for the Law.
+
+"Of course there's a way out," said the _Maggid_ calmly. "Only one way,
+but a very broad and simple one."
+
+"What's that?" everybody asked breathlessly.
+
+"He must give her _Gett_!"
+
+"Of course!" shouted Sam in a voice of thunder. "I divorce her at once."
+He guffawed hysterically: "What a pack of fools we are! Good old Jewish
+law!"
+
+Leah's sobs ceased. Everybody except Mrs. Jacobs was smiling once more.
+Half a dozen, hands grasped the _Maggid's_; half a dozen others thumped
+him on the back. He was pushed into a chair. They gave him a glass of
+brandy, they heaped a plate with fried fish. Verily the _Maggid_, who
+was in truth sore ahungered, was in luck's way. He blessed Providence
+and the Jewish Marriage Law.
+
+"But you had better not reckon that a divorce," he warned them between
+two mouthfuls. "You had better go to Reb Shemuel, the maiden's father,
+and let him arrange the _Gett_ beyond reach of cavil."
+
+"But Reb Shemuel is away," said Mrs. Jacobs.
+
+"And I must go away, too, by the first train to-morrow," said Sam.
+"However, there's no hurry. I'll arrange to run up to town again in a
+fortnight or so, and then Reb Shemuel shall see that we are properly
+untied. You don't mind being my wife for a fortnight, I hope, Miss
+Jacobs?" asked Sam, winking gleefully at Leah. She smiled back at him
+and they laughed together over the danger they had just escaped. Hannah
+laughed too, in contemptuous amusement at the rigidity of Jewish Law.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Sam, can't you come back for next Saturday week?"
+said Leah.
+
+"Why?" asked Sam. "What's on?"
+
+"The Purim Ball at the Club. As you've got to come back to give Hannah
+_Gett_, you might as well come in time to take me to the ball."
+
+"Right you are," said Sam cheerfully.
+
+Leah clapped her hands. "Oh that will be jolly," she said. "And we'll
+take Hannah with us," she added as an afterthought.
+
+"Is that by way of compensation for losing my husband?" Hannah asked
+with a smile.
+
+Leah gave a happy laugh, and turned the new ring on her finger in
+delighted contemplation.
+
+"All's well that ends well," said Sam. "Through this joke Leah will be
+the belle of the Purim Ball. I think I deserve another piece of plaice,
+Leah, for that compliment. As for you, Mr. Maggid, you're a saint and a
+Talmud sage!"
+
+The _Maggid's_ face was brightened by a smile. He intoned the grace with
+unction when the meal ended, and everybody joined in heartily at the
+specifically vocal portions. Then the _Maggid_ left, and the cards were
+brought out.
+
+It is inadvisable to play cards _before_ fried fish, because it is well
+known that you may lose, and losing may ruffle your temper, and you may
+call your partner an ass, or your partner may call you an ass. To-night
+the greatest good humor prevailed, though several pounds changed hands.
+They played Loo, "Klobbiyos," Napoleon, Vingt-et-un, and especially
+Brag. Solo whist had not yet come in to drive everything else out. Old
+Hyams did not _spiel_, because he could not afford to, and Hannah Jacobs
+because she did not care to. These and a few other guests left early.
+But the family party stayed late. On a warm green table, under a
+cheerful gas light, with brandy and whiskey and sweets and fruit to
+hand, with no trains or busses to catch, what wonder if the
+light-hearted assembly played far into the new day?
+
+Meanwhile the Redeemed Son slept peacefully in his crib with his legs
+curled up, and his little fists clenched beneath the coverlet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PAUPER ALIEN.
+
+
+Moses Ansell married mainly because all men are mortal. He knew he would
+die and he wanted an heir. Not to inherit anything, but to say _Kaddish_
+for him. _Kaddish_ is the most beautiful and wonderful mourning prayer
+ever written. Rigidly excluding all references to death and grief, it
+exhausts itself in supreme glorification of the Eternal and in
+supplication for peace upon the House of Israel. But its significance
+has been gradually transformed; human nature, driven away with a
+pitchfork, has avenged itself by regarding the prayer as a mass, not
+without purgatorial efficacy, and so the Jew is reluctant to die without
+leaving some one qualified to say _Kaddish_ after him every day for a
+year, and then one day a year. That is one reason why sons are of such
+domestic importance.
+
+Moses had only a mother in the world when he married Gittel Silverstein,
+and he hoped to restore the balance of male relatives by this reckless
+measure. The result was six children, three girls and three _Kaddishim_.
+In Gittel, Moses found a tireless helpmate. During her lifetime the
+family always lived in two rooms, for she had various ways of
+supplementing the household income. When in London she chared for her
+cousin Malka at a shilling a day. Likewise she sewed underlinen and
+stitched slips of fur into caps in the privacy of home and midnight. For
+all Mrs. Ansell's industry, the family had been a typical group of
+wandering Jews, straying from town to town in search of better things.
+The congregation they left (every town which could muster the minimum
+of ten men for worship boasted its _Kehillah_) invariably paid their
+fare to the next congregation, glad to get rid of them so cheaply, and
+the new _Kehillah_ jumped at the opportunity of gratifying their
+restless migratory instinct and sent them to a newer. Thus were they
+tossed about on the battledores of philanthropy, often reverting to
+their starting-point, to the disgust of the charitable committees. Yet
+Moses always made loyal efforts to find work. His versatility was
+marvellous. There was nothing he could not do badly. He had been
+glazier, synagogue beadle, picture-frame manufacturer, cantor, peddler,
+shoemaker in all branches, coat-seller, official executioner of fowls
+and cattle, Hebrew teacher, fruiterer, circumciser, professional
+corpse-watcher, and now he was a tailor out of work.
+
+Unquestionably Malka was right in considering Moses a _Schlemihl_ in
+comparison with many a fellow-immigrant, who brought indefatigable hand
+and subtle brain to the struggle for existence, and discarded the prop
+of charity as soon as he could, and sometimes earlier.
+
+It was as a hawker that he believed himself most gifted, and he never
+lost the conviction that if he could only get a fair start, he had in
+him the makings of a millionaire. Yet there was scarcely anything cheap
+with which he had not tramped the country, so that when poor Benjamin,
+who profited by his mother's death to get into the Orphan Asylum, was
+asked to write a piece of composition on "The Methods of Travelling," he
+excited the hilarity of the class-room by writing that there were
+numerous ways of travelling, for you could travel with sponge, lemons,
+rhubarb, old clothes, jewelry, and so on, for a page of a copy book.
+Benjamin was a brilliant boy, yet he never shook off some of the
+misleading associations engendered by the parental jargon. For Mrs.
+Ansell had diversified her corrupt German by streaks of incorrect
+English, being of a much more energetic and ambitious temperament than
+the conservative Moses, who dropped nearly all his burden of English
+into her grave. For Benjamin, "to travel" meant to wander about selling
+goods, and when in his books he read of African travellers, he took it
+for granted that they were but exploiting the Dark Continent for small
+profits and quick returns.
+
+And who knows? Perhaps of the two species, it was the old Jewish
+peddlers who suffered the more and made the less profit on the average.
+For the despised three-hatted scarecrow of Christian caricature, who
+shambled along snuffling "Old clo'," had a strenuous inner life, which
+might possibly have vied in intensity, elevation, and even sense of
+humor, with that of the best of the jeerers on the highway. To Moses,
+"travelling" meant straying forlornly in strange towns and villages,
+given over to the worship of an alien deity and ever ready to avenge his
+crucifixion; in a land of whose tongue he knew scarce more than the
+Saracen damsel married by legend to ŕ Becket's father. It meant praying
+brazenly in crowded railway trains, winding the phylacteries sevenfold
+round his left arm and crowning his forehead with a huge leather bump of
+righteousness, to the bewilderment or irritation of unsympathetic
+fellow-passengers. It meant living chiefly on dry bread and drinking
+black tea out of his own cup, with meat and fish and the good things of
+life utterly banned by the traditional law, even if he were flush. It
+meant carrying the red rag of an obnoxious personality through a land of
+bulls. It meant passing months away from wife and children, in a
+solitude only occasionally alleviated by a Sabbath spent in a synagogue
+town. It meant putting up at low public houses and common lodging
+houses, where rowdy disciples of the Prince of Peace often sent him
+bleeding to bed, or shamelessly despoiled him of his merchandise, or
+bullied and blustered him out of his fair price, knowing he dared not
+resent. It meant being chaffed and gibed at in language of which he
+only understood that it was cruel, though certain trite facetiae grew
+intelligible to him by repetition. Thus once, when he had been
+interrogated as to the locality of Moses when the light went out, he
+replied in Yiddish that the light could not go out, for "it stands in
+the verse, that round the head of Moses, our teacher, the great
+law-giver, was a perpetual halo." An old German happened to be smoking
+at the bar of the public house when the peddler gave his acute answer;
+he laughed heartily, slapped the Jew on the back and translated the
+repartee to the Convivial crew. For once intellect told, and the rough
+drinkers, with a pang of shame, vied with one another in pressing bitter
+beer upon the temperate Semite. But, as a rule, Moses Ansell drank the
+cup of affliction instead of hospitality and bore his share to the full,
+without the remotest intention of being heroic, in the long agony of his
+race, doomed to be a byword and a mockery amongst the heathen.
+Assuredly, to die for a religion is easier than to live for it. Yet
+Moses never complained nor lost faith. To be spat upon was the very
+condition of existence of the modern Jew, deprived of Palestine and his
+Temple, a footsore mendicant, buffeted and reviled, yet the dearer to
+the Lord God who had chosen him from the nations. Bullies might break
+Moses's head in this world, but in the next he would sit on a gold chair
+in Paradise among the saints and sing exegetical acrostics to all
+eternity. It was some dim perception of these things that made Esther
+forgive her father when the Ansells waited weeks and weeks for a postal
+order and landlords were threatening to bundle them out neck and crop,
+and her mother's hands were worn to the bone slaving for her little
+ones.
+
+Things improved a little just before the mother died, for they had
+settled down in London and Moses earned eighteen shillings a week as a
+machinist and presser, and no longer roamed the country. But the
+interval of happiness was brief. The grandmother, imported from Poland,
+did not take kindly to her son's wife, whom she found wanting in the
+minutiae of ceremonial piety and godless enough to wear her own hair.
+There had been, indeed, a note of scepticism, of defiance, in Esther's
+mother, a hankering after the customs of the heathen, which her
+grandmother divined instinctively and resented for the sake of her son
+and the post-mundane existence of her grandchildren. Mrs. Ansell's
+scepticism based itself upon the uncleanliness which was so generally
+next to godliness in the pious circles round them, and she had been
+heard to express contempt for the learned and venerable Israelite, who,
+being accosted by an acquaintance when the shadows of eve were beginning
+to usher in the Day of Atonement, exclaimed:
+
+"For heaven's sake, don't stop me--I missed my bath last year."
+
+Mrs. Ansell bathed her children from head to foot once a month, and even
+profanely washed them on the Sabbath, and had other strange, uncanny
+notions. She professed not to see the value to God, man or beast of the
+learned Rabbonim, who sat shaking themselves all day in the _Beth
+Hamidrash_, and said they would be better occupied in supporting their
+families, a view which, though mere surface blasphemy on the part of the
+good woman and primarily intended as a hint to Moses to study less and
+work longer, did not fail to excite lively passages of arms between the
+two women. But death ended these bickerings and the _Bube_, who had
+frequently reproached her son for bringing her into such an atheistic
+country, was left a drag the more upon the family deprived at once of a
+mother and a bread-winner. Old Mrs. Ansell was unfit: for anything save
+grumbling, and so the headship naturally devolved upon Esther, whom her
+mother's death left a woman getting on for eight. The commencement of
+her reign coincided with a sad bisection of territory. Shocking as it
+may be to better regulated minds, these seven people lived in one room.
+Moses and the two boys slept in one bed and the grandmother and the
+three girls in another. Esther had to sleep with her head on a
+supplementary pillow at the foot of the bed. But there can be much love
+in a little room.
+
+The room was not, however, so very little, for it was of ungainly
+sprawling structure, pushing out an odd limb that might have been cut
+off with a curtain. The walls nodded fixedly to one another so that the
+ceiling was only half the size of the floor. The furniture comprised but
+the commonest necessities. This attic of the Ansells was nearer heaven
+than most earthly dwelling places, for there were four tall flights of
+stairs to mount before you got to it. No. 1 Royal Street had been in its
+time one of the great mansions of the Ghetto; pillars of the synagogue
+had quaffed _kosher_ wine in its spacious reception rooms and its
+corridors had echoed with the gossip of portly dames in stiff brocades.
+It was stoutly built and its balusters were of carved oak. But now the
+threshold of the great street door, which was never closed, was
+encrusted with black mud, and a musty odor permanently clung to the wide
+staircase and blent subtly with far-away reminiscences of Mr.
+Belcovitch's festive turpentine. The Ansells had numerous housemates,
+for No. 1 Royal Street was a Jewish colony in itself and the resident
+population was periodically swollen by the "hands" of the Belcovitches
+and by the "Sons of the Covenant," who came to worship at their
+synagogue on the ground floor. What with Sugarman the _Shadchan_, on the
+first floor, Mrs. Simons and Dutch Debby on the second, the Belcovitches
+on the third, and the Ansells and Gabriel Hamburg, the great scholar, on
+the fourth, the door-posts twinkled with _Mezuzahs_--cases or cylinders
+containing sacred script with the word _Shaddai_ (Almighty) peering out
+of a little glass eye at the centre. Even Dutch Debby, abandoned wretch
+as she was, had this protection against evil spirits (so it has come to
+be regarded) on her lintel, though she probably never touched the eye
+with her finger to kiss the place of contact after the manner of the
+faithful.
+
+Thus was No. 1 Royal Street close packed with the stuff of human life,
+homespun and drab enough, but not altogether profitless, may be, to turn
+over and examine. So close packed was it that there was scarce breathing
+space. It was only at immemorial intervals that our pauper alien made a
+pun, but one day he flashed upon the world the pregnant remark that
+England was well named, for to the Jew it was verily the Enge-Land,
+which in German signifies the country without elbow room. Moses Ansell
+chuckled softly and beatifically when he emitted the remark that
+surprised all who knew him. But then it was the Rejoicing of the Law and
+the Sons of the Covenant had treated him to rum and currant cake. He
+often thought of his witticism afterwards, and it always lightened his
+unwashed face with a happy smile. The recollection usually caught him
+when he was praying.
+
+For four years after Mrs. Ansell's charity funeral the Ansells, though
+far from happy, had no history to speak of.
+
+Benjamin accompanied Solomon to _Shool_ morning and evening to say
+_Kaddish_ for their mother till he passed into the Orphan Asylum and
+out of the lives of his relatives. Solomon and Rachel and Esther went to
+the great school and Isaac to the infant school, while the tiny Sarah,
+whose birth had cost Mrs. Ansell's life, crawled and climbed about in
+the garret, the grandmother coming in negatively useful as a safeguard
+against fire on the days when the grate was not empty. The _Rube's_ own
+conception of her function as a safeguard against fire was quite other.
+
+Moses was out all day working or looking for work, or praying or
+listening to _Drashes_, by the _Maggid_ or other great preachers. Such
+charities as brightened and warmed the Ghetto Moses usually came in for.
+Bread, meat and coal tickets, god-sends from the Society for Restoring
+the Soul, made odd days memorable. Blankets were not so easy to get as
+in the days of poor Gittel's confinements.
+
+What little cooking there was to do was done by Esther before or after
+school; she and her children usually took their mid-day meal with them
+in the shape of bread, occasionally made ambrosial by treacle The
+Ansells had more fast days than the Jewish calendar, which is saying a
+good deal. Providence, however, generally stepped in before the larder
+had been bare twenty-four hours.
+
+As the fast days of the Jewish calendar did not necessarily fall upon
+the Ansell fast days, they were an additional tax on Moses and his
+mother. Yet neither ever wavered in the scrupulous observance of them,
+not a crumb of bread nor a drop of water passing their lips. In the keen
+search for facts detrimental to the Ghetto it is surprising that no
+political economist has hitherto exposed the abundant fasts with which
+Israel has been endowed, and which obviously operate as a dole in aid of
+wages. So does the Lenten period of the "Three Weeks," when meat is
+prohibited in memory of the shattered Temples. The Ansells kept the
+"Three Weeks" pretty well all the year round. On rare occasions they
+purchased pickled Dutch herrings or brought home pennyworths of pea soup
+or of baked potatoes and rice from a neighboring cook shop. For Festival
+days, if Malka had subsidized them with a half-sovereign, Esther
+sometimes compounded _Tzimmus_, a dainty blend of carrots, pudding and
+potatoes. She was prepared to write an essay on _Tzimmus_ as a
+gastronomic ideal. There were other pleasing Polish combinations which
+were baked for twopence by the local bakers. _Tabechas_, or stuffed
+entrails, and liver, lights or milt were good substitutes for meat. A
+favorite soup was _Borsch_, which was made with beet-root, fat taking
+the place of the more fashionable cream.
+
+The national dish was seldom their lot; when fried fish came it was
+usually from the larder of Mrs. Simons, a motherly old widow, who lived
+in the second floor front, and presided over the confinements of all the
+women and the sicknesses of all the children in the neighborhood. Her
+married daughter Dinah was providentially suckling a black-eyed boy when
+Mrs. Ansell died, so Mrs. Simons converted her into a foster mother of
+little Sarah, regarding herself ever afterwards as under special
+responsibilities toward the infant, whom she occasionally took to live
+with her for a week, and for whom she saw heaven encouraging a future
+alliance with the black-eyed foster brother. Life would have been
+gloomier still in the Ansell garret if Mrs. Simons had not been created
+to bless and sustain. Even old garments somehow arrived from Mrs. Simons
+to eke out the corduroys and the print gowns which were the gift of the
+school. There were few pleasanter events in the Ansell household than
+the falling ill of one of the children, for not only did this mean a
+supply of broth, port wine and other incredible luxuries from the
+Charity doctor (of which all could taste), but it brought in its train
+the assiduous attendance of Mrs. Simons. To see the kindly brown face
+bending over it with smiling eyes of jet, to feel the soft, cool hand
+pressed to its forehead, was worth a fever to a motherless infant. Mrs.
+Simons was a busy woman and a poor withal, and the Ansells were a
+reticent pack, not given to expressing either their love or their hunger
+to outsiders; so altogether the children did not see so much of Mrs.
+Simons or her bounties as they would have liked. Nevertheless, in a
+grave crisis she was always to be counted upon.
+
+"I tell thee what, Méshe," said old Mrs. Ansell often, "that woman wants
+to marry thee. A blind man could see it."
+
+"She cannot want it, mother," Moses would reply with infinite respect.
+
+"What art thou saying? A wholly fine young man like thee," said his
+mother, fondling his side ringlets, "and one so _froom_ too, and with
+such worldly wisdom. But thou must not have her, Méshe."
+
+"What kind of idea thou stuffest into my head! I tell thee she would not
+have me if I sent to ask."
+
+"Talk not thyself thereinto. Who wouldn't like to catch hold of thy
+cloak to go to heaven by? But Mrs. Simons is too much of an Englishwoman
+for me. Your last wife had English ideas and made mock of pious men and
+God's judgment took her. What says the Prayer-book? For three things a
+woman dies in childbirth, for not separating the dough, for not lighting
+the Sabbath lamps and for not--"
+
+"How often have I told thee she did do all these things!" interrupted
+Moses.
+
+"Dost thou contradict the Prayer-book?" said the _Bube_ angrily. "It
+would have been different if thou hadst let me pick a woman for thee.
+But this time thou wilt honor thy mother more. It must be a respectable,
+virtuous maiden, with the fear of heaven--not an old woman like Mrs.
+Simons, but one who can bear me robust grandchildren. The grandchildren
+thou hast given me are sickly, and they fear not the Most High. Ah! why
+did'st thou drag me to this impious country? Could'st thou not let me
+die in peace? Thy girls think more of English story books and lessons
+than of _Yiddishkeit_, and the boys run out under the naked sky with
+bare heads and are loth to wash their hands before meals, and they do
+not come home in the dinner hour for fear they should have to say the
+afternoon prayer. Laugh at me, Moses, as thou wilt, but, old as I am, I
+have eyes, and not two blotches of clay, in my sockets. Thou seest not
+how thy family is going to destruction. Oh, the abominations!"
+
+Thus warned and put on his mettle, Moses would keep a keen look-out on
+his hopeful family for the next day, and the seed which the grandmother
+had sown came up in black and blue bruises or, the family anatomy,
+especially on that portion of it which belonged to Solomon. For Moses's
+crumbling trousers were buckled with a stout strap, and Solomon was a
+young rogue who did his best to dodge the Almighty, and had never heard
+of Lowell's warning,
+
+    You've gut to git up airly,
+    Ef you want to take in God.
+
+Even if he had heard of it, he would probably have retorted that he
+usually got up early enough to take in his father, who was the more
+immediately terrible of the two. Nevertheless, Solomon learned many
+lessons at his father's knee, or rather, across it. In earlier days
+Solomon had had a number of confidential transactions with his father's
+God, making bargains with Him according to his childish sense of equity.
+If, for instance, God would ensure his doing his sums correctly, so that
+he should be neither caned nor "kept in," he would say his morning
+prayers without skipping the aggravating _Longë Verachum_, which bulked
+so largely on Mondays and Thursdays; otherwise he could not be bothered.
+
+By the terms of the contract Solomon threw all the initiative on the
+Deity, and whenever the Deity undertook his share of the contract,
+Solomon honorably fulfilled his. Thus was his faith in Providence never
+shaken like that of some boys, who expect the Deity to follow their
+lead. Still, by declining to praise his Maker at extraordinary length,
+except in acknowledgment of services rendered, Solomon gave early
+evidence of his failure to inherit his father's business incapacity.
+
+On days when things at the school went well, no one gabbled through the
+weary Prayer-book more conscientiously than he; he said all the things
+in large type and all the funny little bits in small type, and even some
+passages without vowels. Nay, he included the very preface, and was
+lured on and coaxed on and enticed by his father to recite the
+appendices, which shot up one after the other on the devotional horizon
+like the endless-seeming terraces of a deceptive ascent; just another
+little bit, and now that little bit, and just that last bit, and one
+more very last little bit. It was like the infinite inclusiveness of a
+Chinese sphere, or the farewell performances of a distinguished singer.
+
+For the rest, Solomon was a _Chine-ponim_, or droll, having that
+inextinguishable sense of humor which has made the saints of the Jewish
+Church human, has lit up dry technical Talmudic, discussions with
+flashes of freakish fun, with pun and jest and merry quibble, and has
+helped the race to survive (_pace_ Dr. Wallace) by dint of a humorous
+acquiescence in the inevitable.
+
+His _Chine_ helped Solomon to survive synagogue, where the only drop of
+sweetness was in the beaker of wine for the sanctification service.
+Solomon was always in the van of the brave boys who volunteered to take
+part in the ceremonial quaffing of it. Decidedly. Solomon was not
+spiritual, he would not even kiss a Hebrew Pentateuch that he had
+dropped, unless his father was looking, and but for the personal
+supervision of the _Bube_ the dirty white fringes of his "four-corners"
+might have got tangled and irredeemably invalidated for all he cared.
+
+In the direst need of the Ansells Solomon held his curly head high among
+his school-fellows, and never lacked personal possessions, though they
+were not negotiable at the pawnbroker's. He had a peep-show, made out of
+an old cocoa box, and representing the sortie from Plevna, a permit to
+view being obtainable for a fragment of slate pencil. For two pins he
+would let you look a whole minute. He also had bags of brass buttons,
+marbles, both commoners and alleys; nibs, beer bottle labels and cherry
+"hogs," besides bottles of liquorice water, vendible either by the sip
+or the teaspoonful, and he dealt in "assy-tassy," which consisted of
+little packets of acetic acid blent with brown sugar. The character of
+his stock varied according to the time of year, for nature and Belgravia
+are less stable in their seasons than the Jewish schoolboy, to whom
+buttons in March are as inconceivable as snow-balling in July.
+
+On Purim Solomon always had nuts to gamble with, just as if he had been
+a banker's son, and on the Day of Atonement he was never without a
+little tin fusee box filled with savings of snuff. This, when the fast
+racked them most sorely, he would pass round among the old men with a
+grand manner. They would take a pinch and say, "May thy strength
+increase," and blow their delighted noses with great colored
+handkerchiefs, and Solomon would feel about fifty and sniff a few
+grains himself with the air of an aged connoisseur.
+
+He took little interest in the subtle disquisitions of the Rabbis, which
+added their burden to his cross of secular learning. He wrestled but
+perfunctorily with the theses of the Bible commentators, for Moses
+Ansell was so absorbed in translating and enjoying the intellectual
+tangles, that Solomon had scarce more to do than to play the part of
+chorus. He was fortunate in that his father could not afford to send him
+to a _Chedar_, an insanitary institution that made Jacob a dull boy by
+cutting off his play-time and his oxygen, and delivering him over to the
+leathery mercies of an unintelligently learned zealot, scrupulously
+unclean.
+
+The literature and history Solomon really cared for was not of the Jews.
+It was the history of Daredevil Dick and his congeners whose surprising
+adventures, second-hand, in ink-stained sheets, were bartered to him for
+buttons, which shows the advantages of not having a soul above such.
+These deeds of derring-do (usually starting in a __school-room period in
+which teachers were thankfully accepted as created by Providence for the
+sport of schoolboys) Solomon conned at all hours, concealing them under
+his locker when he was supposed to be studying the Irish question from
+an atlas, and even hiding them between the leaves of his dog-eared
+Prayer-book for use during the morning service. The only harm they did
+him was that inflicted through the medium of the educational rod, when
+his surreptitious readings were discovered and his treasures thrown to
+the flames amid tears copious enough to extinguish them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"REB" SHEMUEL.
+
+
+     "The Torah is greater than the priesthood and than royalty, seeing
+     that royalty demands thirty qualifications, the priesthood
+     twenty-four, while the Torah is acquired by forty-eight. And these
+     are they: By audible study; by distinct pronunciation; by
+     understanding and discernment of the heart; by awe, reverence,
+     meekness, cheerfulness; by ministering to the sages; by attaching
+     oneself to colleagues; by discussion with disciples; _by_
+     sedateness; by knowledge of the Scripture and of the Mishnah; by
+     moderation in business, in intercourse with the world, in pleasure,
+     in sleep, in conversation, in laughter; by long suffering; by a
+     good heart; by faith in the wise; by resignation under
+     chastisement; by recognizing one's place, rejoicing in one's
+     portion, putting a fence to one's words, claiming no merit for
+     oneself; by being beloved, loving the All-present, loving mankind,
+     loving just courses, rectitude and reproof; by keeping oneself far
+     from honors, not boasting of one's learning, nor delighting in
+     giving decisions; by bearing the yoke with one's fellow, judging
+     him favorably and leading him to truth and peace; by being composed
+     in one's study; by asking and answering, hearing and adding thereto
+     (by one's own reflection), by learning with the object of teaching
+     and learning with the object of practising, by making one's master
+     wiser, fixing attention upon his discourse, and reporting a thing
+     in the name of him who said it. So thou hast learnt. Whosoever
+     reports a thing in the name of him that said it brings deliverance
+     into the world, as it is said--And Esther told the King in the name
+     of Mordecai."--(_Ethics of the Fathers_, Singer's translation.)
+
+Moses Ansell only occasionally worshipped at the synagogue of "The Sons
+of the Covenant," for it was too near to make attendance a _Mitzvah_,
+pleasing in the sight of Heaven. It was like having the prayer-quorum
+brought to you, instead of your going to it. The pious Jew must speed to
+_Shool_ to show his eagerness and return slowly, as with reluctant feet,
+lest Satan draw the attention of the Holy One to the laches of His
+chosen people. It was not easy to express these varying emotions on a
+few nights of stairs, and so Moses went farther afield, in subtle
+minutiae like this Moses was _facile princeps_, being as Wellhausen puts
+it of the _virtuosi_ of religion. If he put on his right stocking (or
+rather foot lappet, for he did not wear stockings) first, he made amends
+by putting on the left boot first, and if he had lace-up boots, then the
+boot put on second would have a compensatory precedence in the lacing.
+Thus was the divine principle of justice symbolized even in these small
+matters.
+
+Moses was a great man in several of the more distant _Chevras_, among
+which he distributed the privilege of his presence. It was only when by
+accident the times of service did not coincide that Moses favored the
+"Sons of the Covenant," putting in an appearance either at the
+commencement or the fag end, for he was not above praying odd bits of
+the service twice over, and even sometimes prefaced or supplemented his
+synagogal performances by solo renditions of the entire ritual of a
+hundred pages at home. The morning services began at six in summer and
+seven in winter, so that the workingman might start his long day's work
+fortified.
+
+At the close of the service at the Beth Hamidrash a few mornings after
+the Redemption of Ezekiel, Solomon went up to Reb Shemuel, who in return
+for the privilege of blessing the boy gave him a halfpenny. Solomon
+passed it on to his father, whom he accompanied.
+
+"Well, how goes it, Reb Méshe?" said Reb Shemuel with his cheery smile,
+noticing Moses loitering. He called him "Reb" out of courtesy and in
+acknowledgment of his piety. The real "Reb" was a fine figure of a man,
+with matter, if not piety, enough for two Moses Ansells. Reb was a
+popular corruption of "Rav" or Rabbi.
+
+"Bad," replied Moses. "I haven't had any machining to do for a month.
+Work is very slack at this time of year. But God is good."
+
+"Can't you sell something?" said Reb Shemuel, thoughtfully caressing his
+long, gray-streaked black beard.
+
+"I have sold lemons, but the four or five shillings I made went in bread
+for the children and in rent. Money runs through the fingers somehow,
+with a family of five and a frosty winter. When the lemons were gone I
+stood where I started."
+
+The Rabbi sighed sympathetically and slipped half-a-crown into Moses's
+palm. Then he hurried out. His boy, Levi, stayed behind a moment to
+finish a transaction involving the barter of a pea-shooter for some of
+Solomon's buttons. Levi was two years older than Solomon, and was
+further removed from him by going to a "middle class school." His manner
+towards Solomon was of a corresponding condescension. But it took a
+great deal to overawe Solomon, who, with the national humor, possessed
+the national _Chutzpah_, which is variously translated enterprise,
+audacity, brazen impudence and cheek.
+
+"I say, Levi," he said, "we've got no school to-day. Won't you come
+round this morning and play I-spy-I in our street? There are some
+splendid corners for hiding, and they are putting up new buildings all
+round with lovely hoardings, and they're knocking down a pickle
+warehouse, and while you are hiding in the rubbish you sometimes pick up
+scrumptious bits of pickled walnut. Oh, golly, ain't they prime!'"
+
+Levi turned up his nose.
+
+"We've got plenty of whole walnuts at home," he said.
+
+Solomon felt snubbed. He became aware that this tall boy had smart black
+clothes, which would not be improved by rubbing against his own greasy
+corduroys.
+
+"Oh, well," he said, "I can get lots of boys, and girls, too."
+
+"Say," said Levi, turning back a little. "That little girl your father
+brought upstairs here on the Rejoicing of the Law, that was your sister,
+wasn't it?"
+
+"Esther, d'ye mean?"
+
+"How should I know? A little, dark girl, with a print dress, rather
+pretty--not a bit like you."
+
+"Yes, that's our Esther--she's in the sixth standard and only eleven."
+
+"We don't have standards in our school!" said Levi contemptuously. "Will
+your sister join in the I-spy-I?"
+
+"No, she can't run," replied Solomon, half apologetically. "She only
+likes to read. She reads all my 'Boys of England' and things, and now
+she's got hold of a little brown book she keeps all to herself. I like
+reading, too, but I do it in school or in _Shool_, where there's nothing
+better to do."
+
+"Has she got a holiday to-day, too?"
+
+"Yes," said Solomon.
+
+"But my school's open," said Levi enviously, and Solomon lost the
+feeling of inferiority, and felt avenged.
+
+"Come, then, Solomon," said his father, who had reached the door. The
+two converted part of the half-crown into French loaves and carried them
+home to form an unexpected breakfast.
+
+Meantime Reb Shemuel, whose full name was the Reverend Samuel Jacobs,
+also proceeded to breakfast. His house lay near the _Shool_, and was
+approached by an avenue of mendicants. He arrived in his shirt-sleeves.
+
+"Quick, Simcha, give me my new coat. It is very cold this morning."
+
+"You've given away your coat again!" shrieked his wife, who, though her
+name meant "Rejoicing," was more often upbraiding.
+
+"Yes, it was only an old one, Simcha," said the Rabbi deprecatingly. He
+took off his high hat and replaced it by a little black cap which he
+carried in his tail pocket.
+
+"You'll ruin me, Shemuel!" moaned Simcha, wringing her hands. "You'd
+give away the shirt off your skin to a pack of good-for-nothing
+_Schnorrers_."
+
+"Yes, if they had only their skin in the world. Why not?" said the old
+Rabbi, a pacific gleam in his large gazelle-like eyes. "Perhaps my coat
+may have the honor to cover Elijah the prophet."
+
+"Elijah the prophet!" snorted Simcha. "Elijah has sense enough to stay
+in heaven and not go wandering about shivering in the fog and frost of
+this God-accursed country."
+
+The old Rabbi answered, "Atschew!"
+
+"For thy salvation do I hope, O Lord," murmured Simcha piously in
+Hebrew, adding excitedly in English, "Ah, you'll kill yourself,
+Shemuel." She rushed upstairs and returned with another coat and a new
+terror.
+
+"Here, you fool, you've been and done a fine thing this time! All your
+silver was in the coat you've given away!"
+
+"Was it?" said Reb Shemuel, startled. Then the tranquil look returned to
+his brown eyes. "No, I took it all out before I gave away the coat."
+
+"God be thanked!" said Simcha fervently in Yiddish. "Where is it? I want
+a few shillings for grocery."
+
+"I gave it away before, I tell you!"
+
+Simcha groaned and fell into her chair with a crash that rattled the
+tray and shook the cups.
+
+"Here's the end of the week coming," she sobbed, "and I shall have no
+fish for _Shabbos_."
+
+"Do not blaspheme!" said Reb Shemuel, tugging a little angrily at his
+venerable beard. "The Holy One, blessed be He, will provide for our
+_Shabbos_"
+
+Simcha made a sceptical mouth, knowing that it was she and nobody else
+whose economies would provide for the due celebration of the Sabbath.
+Only by a constant course of vigilance, mendacity and petty peculation
+at her husband's expense could she manage to support the family of four
+comfortably on his pretty considerable salary. Reb Shemuel went and
+kissed her on the sceptical mouth, because in another instant she would
+have him at her mercy. He washed his hands and durst not speak between
+that and the first bite.
+
+He was an official of heterogeneous duties--he preached and taught and
+lectured. He married people and divorced them. He released bachelors
+from the duty of marrying their deceased brothers' wives. He
+superintended a slaughtering department, licensed men as competent
+killers, examined the sharpness of their knives that the victims might
+be put to as little pain as possible, and inspected dead cattle in the
+shambles to see if they were perfectly sound and free from pulmonary
+disease. But his greatest function was _paskening_, or answering
+inquiries ranging from the simplest to the most complicated problems of
+ceremonial ethics and civil law. He had added a volume of
+_Shaaloth-u-Tshuvoth_, or "Questions and Answers" to the colossal
+casuistic literature of his race. His aid was also invoked as a
+_Shadchan_, though he forgot to take his commissions and lacked the
+restless zeal for the mating of mankind which animated Sugarman, the
+professional match-maker. In fine, he was a witty old fellow and
+everybody loved him. He and his wife spoke English with a strong foreign
+accent; in their more intimate causeries they dropped into Yiddish.
+
+The Rebbitzin poured out the Rabbi's coffee and whitened it with milk
+drawn direct from the cow into her own jug. The butter and cheese were
+equally _kosher_, coming straight from Hebrew Hollanders and having
+passed through none but Jewish vessels. As the Reb sat himself down at
+the head of the table Hannah entered the room.
+
+"Good morning, father," she said, kissing him. "What have you got your
+new coat on for? Any weddings to-day?"
+
+"No, my dear," said Reb Shemuel, "marriages are falling off. There
+hasn't even been an engagement since Belcovitch's eldest daughter
+betrothed herself to Pesach Weingott."
+
+"Oh, these Jewish young men!" said the Rebbitzin. "Look at my Hannah--as
+pretty a girl as you could meet in the whole Lane--and yet here she is
+wasting her youth."
+
+Hannah bit her lip, instead of her bread and butter, for she felt she
+had brought the talk on herself. She had heard the same grumblings from
+her mother for two years. Mrs. Jacobs's maternal anxiety had begun when
+her daughter was seventeen. "When _I_ was seventeen," she went on, "I
+was a married woman. Now-a-days the girls don't begin to get a _Chosan_
+till they're twenty."
+
+"We are not living in Poland," the Reb reminded her.
+
+"What's that to do with it? It's the Jewish young men who want to marry
+gold."
+
+"Why blame them? A Jewish young man can marry several pieces of gold,
+but since Rabbenu Gershom he can only marry one woman," said the Reb,
+laughing feebly and forcing his humor for his daughter's sake.
+
+"One woman is more than thou canst support," said the Rebbitzin,
+irritated into Yiddish, "giving away the flesh from off thy children's
+bones. If thou hadst been a proper father thou wouldst have saved thy
+money for Hannah's dowry, instead of wasting it on a parcel of vagabond
+_Schnorrers_. Even so I can give her a good stock of bedding and
+under-linen. It's a reproach and a shame that thou hast not yet found
+her a husband. Thou canst find husbands quick enough for other men's
+daughters!"
+
+"I found a husband for thy father's daughter," said the Reb, with a
+roguish gleam in his brown eyes.
+
+"Don't throw that up to me! I could have got plenty better. And my
+daughter wouldn't have known the shame of finding nobody to marry her.
+In Poland at least the youths would have flocked to marry her because
+she was a Rabbi's daughter, and they'd think It an honor to be a
+son-in-law of a Son of the Law. But in this godless country! Why in my
+village the Chief Rabbi's daughter, who was so ugly as to make one spit
+out, carried off the finest man in the district."
+
+"But thou, my Simcha, hadst no need to be connected with Rabbonim!"
+
+"Oh, yes; make mockery of me."
+
+"I mean it. Thou art as a lily of Sharon."
+
+"Wilt thou have another cup of coffee, Shemuel?"
+
+"Yes, my life. Wait but a little and thou shalt see our Hannah under the
+_Chuppah_."
+
+"Hast thou any one in thine eye?"
+
+The Reb nodded his head mysteriously and winked the eye, as if nudging
+the person in it.
+
+"Who is it, father?" said Levi. "I do hope it's a real swell who talks
+English properly."
+
+"And mind you make yourself agreeable to him, Hannah," said the
+Rebbitzin. "You spoil all the matches I've tried to make for you by your
+stupid, stiff manner."
+
+"Look here, mother!" cried Hannah, pushing aside her cup violently. "Am
+I going to have my breakfast in peace? I don't want to be married at
+all. I don't want any of your Jewish men coming round to examine me as
+if! were a horse, and wanting to know how much money you'll give them as
+a set-off. Let me be! Let me be single! It's my business, not yours."
+
+The Rebbitzin bent eyes of angry reproach on the Reb.
+
+"What did I tell thee, Shemuel? She's _meshugga_--quite mad! Healthy and
+fresh and mad!"
+
+"Yes, you'll drive me mad," said Hannah savagely. "Let me be! I'm too
+old now to get a _Chosan_, so let me be as I am. I can always earn my
+own living."
+
+"Thou seest, Shemuel?" said Simcha. "Thou seest my sorrows? Thou seest
+how impious our children wax in this godless country."
+
+"Let her be, Simcha, let her be," said the Reb. "She is young yet. If
+she hasn't any inclination thereto--!"
+
+"And what is _her_ inclination? A pretty thing, forsooth! Is she going
+to make her mother a laughing-stock! Are Mrs. Jewell and Mrs. Abrahams
+to dandle grandchildren in my face, to gouge out my eyes with them! It
+isn't that she can't get young men. Only she is so high-blown. One would
+think she had a father who earned five hundred a year, instead of a man
+who scrambles half his salary among dirty _Schnorrers_."
+
+"Talk not like an _Epicurean_," said the Reb. "What are we all but
+_Schnorrers_, dependent on the charity of the Holy One, blessed be He?
+What! Have we made ourselves? Rather fall prostrate and thank Him that
+His bounties to us are so great that they include the privilege of
+giving charity to others."
+
+"But we work for our living!" said the Rebbitzin. "I wear my knees away
+scrubbing." External evidence pointed rather to the defrication of the
+nose.
+
+"But, mother," said Hannah. "You know we have a servant to do the rough
+work."
+
+"Yes, servants!" said the Rebbitzin, contemptuously. "If you don't stand
+over them as the Egyptian taskmasters over our forefathers, they don't
+do a stroke of work except breaking the crockery. I'd much rather sweep
+a room myself than see a _Shiksah_ pottering about for an hour and end
+by leaving all the dust on the window-ledges and the corners of the
+mantelpiece. As for beds, I don't believe _Shiksahs_ ever shake them! If
+I had my way I'd wring all their necks."
+
+"What's the use of always complaining?" said Hannah, impatiently. "You
+know we must keep a _Shiksah_ to attend to the _Shabbos_ fire. The women
+or the little boys you pick up in the street are so unsatisfactory. When
+you call in a little barefoot street Arab and ask him to poke the fire,
+he looks at you as if you must be an imbecile not to be able to do it
+yourself. And then you can't always get hold of one."
+
+The Sabbath fire was one of the great difficulties of the Ghetto. The
+Rabbis had modified the Biblical prohibition against having any fire
+whatever, and allowed it to be kindled by non-Jews. Poor women,
+frequently Irish, and known as _Shabbos-goyahs_ or _fire-goyahs_, acted
+as stokers to the Ghetto at twopence a hearth. No Jew ever touched a
+match or a candle or burnt a piece of paper, or even opened a letter.
+The _Goyah_, which is literally heathen female, did everything required
+on the Sabbath. His grandmother once called Solomon Ansell a
+Sabbath-female merely for fingering the shovel when there was nothing in
+the grate.
+
+The Reb liked his fire. When it sank on the Sabbath he could not give
+orders to the _Shiksah_ to replenish it, but he would rub his hands and
+remark casually (in her hearing), "Ah, how cold it is!"
+
+"Yes," he said now, "I always freeze on _Shabbos_ when thou hast
+dismissed thy _Shiksah_. Thou makest me catch one cold a month."
+
+"_I_ make thee catch cold!" said the Rebbitzin. "When thou comest
+through the air of winter in thy shirt-sleeves! Thou'lt fall back upon
+me for poultices and mustard plasters. And then thou expectest me to
+have enough money to pay a _Shiksah_ into the bargain! If I have any
+more of thy _Schnorrers_ coming here I shall bundle them out neck and
+crop."
+
+This was the moment selected by Fate and Melchitsedek Pinchas for the
+latter's entry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE NEO-HEBREW POET.
+
+
+He came through the open street door, knocked perfunctorily at the door
+of the room, opened it and then kissed the _Mezuzah_ outside the door.
+Then he advanced, snatched the Rebbitzin's hand away from the handle of
+the coffee-pot and kissed it with equal devotion. He then seized upon
+Hannah's hand and pressed his grimy lips to that, murmuring in German:
+
+"Thou lookest so charming this morning, like the roses of Carmel." Next
+he bent down and pressed his lips to the Reb's coat-tail. Finally he
+said: "Good morning, sir," to Levi, who replied very affably, "Good
+morning, Mr. Pinchas," "Peace be unto you, Pinchas," said the Reb. "I
+did not see you in _Shool_ this morning, though it was the New Moon."
+
+"No, I went to the Great _Shool_," said Pinchas in German. "If you do
+not see me at your place you may be sure I'm somewhere else. Any one who
+has lived so long as I in the Land of Israel cannot bear to pray without
+a quorum. In the Holy Land I used to learn for an hour in the _Shool_
+every morning before the service began. But I am not here to talk about
+myself. I come to ask you to do me the honor to accept a copy of my new
+volume of poems: _Metatoron's Flames_. Is it not a beautiful title? When
+Enoch was taken up to heaven while yet alive, he was converted to flames
+of fire and became Metatoron, the great spirit of the Cabalah. So am I
+rapt up into the heaven of lyrical poetry and I become all fire and
+flame and light."
+
+The poet was a slim, dark little man, with long, matted black hair. His
+face was hatchet-shaped and not unlike an Aztec's. The eyes were
+informed by an eager brilliance. He had a heap of little paper-covered
+books in one hand and an extinct cigar in the other. He placed the books
+upon the breakfast table.
+
+"At last," he said. "See, I have got it printed--the great work which
+this ignorant English Judaism has left to moulder while it pays its
+stupid reverends thousands a year for wearing white ties."
+
+"And who paid for it now, Mr. Pinchas?" said the Rebbitzin.
+
+"Who? Wh-o-o?" stammered Melchitsedek. "Who but myself?"
+
+"But you say you are blood-poor."
+
+"True as the Law of Moses! But I have written articles for the jargon
+papers. They jump at me--there is not a man on the staff of them all who
+has the pen of a ready writer. I can't get any money out of them, my
+dear Rebbitzin, else I shouldn't be without breakfast this morning, but
+the proprietor of the largest of them is also a printer, and he has
+printed my little book in return. But I don't think I shall fill my
+stomach with the sales. Oh! the Holy One, blessed be He, bless you,
+Rebbitzin, of course I'll take a cup of coffee; I don't know any one
+else who makes coffee with such a sweet savor; it would do for a spice
+offering when the Almighty restores us our Temple. You are a happy
+mortal, Rabbi. You will permit that I seat myself at the table?"
+
+Without awaiting permission he pushed a chair between Levi and Hannah
+and sat down; then he got up again and washed his hands and helped
+himself to a spare egg.
+
+"Here is your copy, Reb Shemuel," he went on after an interval. "You see
+it is dedicated generally:
+
+    "'To the Pillars of English Judaism.'
+
+"They are a set of donkey-heads, but one must give them a chance of
+rising to higher things. It is true that not one of them understands
+Hebrew, not even the Chief Rabbi, to whom courtesy made me send a copy.
+Perhaps he will be able to read my poems with a dictionary; he certainly
+can't write Hebrew without two grammatical blunders to every word. No,
+no, don't defend him, Reb Shemuel, because you're under him. He ought to
+be under you--only he expresses his ignorance in English and the fools
+think to talk nonsense in good English is to be qualified for the
+Rabbinate."
+
+The remark touched the Rabbi in a tender place. It was the one worry of
+his life, the consciousness that persons in high quarters disapproved of
+him as a force impeding the Anglicization of the Ghetto. He knew his
+shortcomings, but could never quite comprehend the importance of
+becoming English. He had a latent feeling that Judaism had flourished
+before England was invented, and so the poet's remark was secretly
+pleasing to him.
+
+"You know very well," went on Pinchas, "that I and you are the only two
+persons in London who can write correct Holy Language."
+
+"No, no." said the Rabbi, deprecatingly.
+
+"Yes, yes," said Pinchas, emphatically. "You can write quite as well as
+I. But just cast your eye now on the especial dedication which I have
+written to you in my own autograph. 'To the light of his generation, the
+great Gaon, whose excellency reaches to the ends of the earth, from
+whose lips all the people of the Lord seek knowledge, the never-failing
+well, the mighty eagle soars to heaven on the wings of understanding, to
+Rav Shemuel, may whose light never be dimmed, and in whose day may the
+Redeemer come unto Zion.' There, take it, honor me by taking it. It is
+the homage of the man of genius to the man of learning, the humble
+offering of the one Hebrew scholar in England to the other."
+
+"Thank you," said the old Rabbi, much moved. "It is too handsome of you,
+and I shall read it at once and treasure it amongst my dearest books,
+for you know well that I consider that you have the truest poetic gift
+of any son of Israel since Jehuda Halevi."
+
+"I have! I know it! I feel it! It burns me. The sorrow of our race keeps
+me awake at night--the national hopes tingle like electricity through
+me--I bedew my couch with tears in the darkness"--Pinchas paused to take
+another slice of bread and butter. "It is then that my poems are born.
+The words burst into music in my head and I sing like Isaiah the
+restoration of our land, and become the poet patriot of my people. But
+these English! They care only to make money and to stuff it down the
+throats of gorging reverends. My scholarship, my poetry, my divine
+dreams--what are these to a besotted, brutal congregation of
+Men-of-the-Earth? I sent Buckledorf, the rich banker, a copy of my
+little book, with a special dedication written in my own autograph in
+German, so that he might understand it. And what did he send me? A
+beggarly five shillings? Five shillings to the one poet in whom the
+heavenly fire lives! How can the heavenly fire live on five shillings? I
+had almost a mind to send it back. And then there was Gideon, the member
+of Parliament. I made one of the poems an acrostic on his name, so that
+he might be handed down to posterity. There, that's the one. No, the one
+on the page you were just looking at. Yes, that's it, beginning:
+
+    "'Great leader of our Israel's host,
+    I sing thy high heroic deeds,
+    Divinely gifted learned man.'
+
+"I wrote his dedication in English, for he understands neither Hebrew
+nor German, the miserable, purse-proud, vanity-eaten Man-of-the-Earth."
+
+"Why, didn't he give you anything at all?" said the Reb.
+
+"Worse! He sent me back the book. But I'll be revenged on him. I'll take
+the acrostic out of the next edition and let him rot in oblivion. I have
+been all over the world to every great city where Jews congregate. In
+Russia, in Turkey, in Germany, in Roumania, in Greece, in Morocco, in
+Palestine. Everywhere the greatest Rabbis have leaped like harts on the
+mountains with joy at my coming. They have fed and clothed me like a
+prince. I have preached at the synagogues, and everywhere people have
+said it was like the Wilna Gaon come again. From the neighboring
+villages for miles and miles the pious have come to be blessed by me.
+Look at my testimonials from all the greatest saints and savants. But in
+England--in England alone--what is my welcome? Do they say: 'Welcome,
+Melchitsedek Pinchas, welcome as the bridegroom to the bride when the
+long day is done and the feast is o'er; welcome to you, with the torch
+of your genius, with the burden of your learning that is rich with the
+whole wealth of Hebrew literature in all ages and countries. Here we
+have no great and wise men. Our Chief Rabbi is an idiot. Come thou and
+be our Chief Rabbi?' Do they say this? No! They greet me with scorn,
+coldness, slander. As for the Rev. Elkan Benjamin, who makes such a fuss
+of himself because he sends a wealthy congregation to sleep with his
+sermons, I'll expose him as sure as there's a Guardian of Israel. I'll
+let the world know about his four mistresses."
+
+"Nonsense! Guard yourself against the evil tongue," said the Reb. "How
+do you know he has?"
+
+"It's the Law of Moses," said the little poet. "True as I stand here.
+You ask Jacob Hermann. It was he who told me about it. Jacob Hermann
+said to me one day: 'That Benjamin has a mistress for every fringe of
+his four-corners.' And how many is that, eh? I do not know why he should
+be allowed to slander me and I not be allowed to tell the truth about
+him. One day I will shoot him. You know he said that when I first came
+to London I joined the _Meshumadim_ in Palestine Place."
+
+"Well, he had at least some foundation for that," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Foundation! Do you call that foundation--because I lived there for a
+week, hunting out their customs and their ways of ensnaring the souls of
+our brethren, so that I might write about them one day? Have I not
+already told you not a morsel of their food passed my lips and that the
+money which I had to take so as not to excite suspicion I distributed in
+charity among the poor Jews? Why not? From pigs we take bristles."
+
+"Still, you must remember that if you had not been such a saint and such
+a great poet, I might myself have believed that you sold your soul for
+money to escape starvation. I know how these devils set their baits for
+the helpless immigrant, offering bread in return for a lip-conversion.
+They are grown so cunning now--they print their hellish appeals in
+Hebrew, knowing we reverence the Holy Tongue."
+
+"Yes, the ordinary Man-of-the-Earth believes everything that's in
+Hebrew. That was the mistake of the Apostles--to write in Greek. But
+then they, too, were such Men-of-the Earth."
+
+"I wonder who writes such good Hebrew for the missionaries," said Reb
+Shemuel.
+
+"I wonder," gurgled Pinchas, deep in his coffee.
+
+"But, father," asked Hannah, "don't you believe any Jew ever really
+believes in Christianity?"
+
+"How is it possible?" answered Reb Shemuel. "A Jew who has the Law from
+Sinai, the Law that will never be changed, to whom God has given a
+sensible religion and common-sense, how can such a person believe in the
+farrago of nonsense that makes up the worship of the Christians! No Jew
+has ever apostatized except to fill his purse or his stomach or to avoid
+persecution. 'Getting grace' they call it in English; but with poor Jews
+it is always grace after meals. Look at the Crypto-Jews, the Marranos,
+who for centuries lived a double life, outwardly Christians, but handing
+down secretly from generation to generation the faith, the traditions,
+the observances of Judaism."
+
+"Yes, no Jew was ever fool enough to turn Christian unless he was a
+clever man," said the poet paradoxically. "Have you not, my sweet,
+innocent young lady, heard the story of the two Jews in Burgos
+Cathedral?"
+
+"No, what is it?" said Levi, eagerly.
+
+"Well, pass my cup up to your highly superior mother who is waiting to
+fill it with coffee. Your eminent father knows the story--I can see by
+the twinkle in his learned eye."
+
+"Yes, that story has a beard," said the Reb.
+
+"Two Spanish Jews," said the poet, addressing himself deferentially to
+Levi, "who had got grace were waiting to be baptized at Burgos
+Cathedral. There was a great throng of Catholics and a special Cardinal
+was coming to conduct the ceremony, for their conversion was a great
+triumph. But the Cardinal was late and the Jews fumed and fretted at the
+delay. The shadows of evening were falling on vault and transept. At
+last one turned to the other and said, 'Knowest them what, Moses? If the
+Holy Father does not arrive soon, we shall be too late to say _mincha_."
+
+Levi laughed heartily; the reference to the Jewish afternoon prayer went
+home to him.
+
+"That story sums up in a nutshell the whole history of the great
+movement for the conversion of the Jews. We dip ourselves in baptismal
+water and wipe ourselves with a _Talith_. We are not a race to be lured
+out of the fixed feelings of countless centuries by the empty
+spirituality of a religion in which, as I soon found out when I lived
+among the soul-dealers, its very professors no longer believe. We are
+too fond of solid things," said the poet, upon whom a good breakfast was
+beginning to produce a soothing materialistic effect. "Do you know that
+anecdote about the two Jews in the Transvaal?" Pinchas went on. "That's
+a real _Chine_."
+
+"I don't think I know that _Maaseh_," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Oh, the two Jews had made a _trek_ and were travelling onwards
+exploring unknown country. One night they were sitting by their
+campfire playing cards when suddenly one threw up his cards, tore his
+hair and beat his breast in terrible agony. 'What's the matter?' cried
+the other. 'Woe, woe,' said the first. 'To-day was the Day of Atonement!
+and we have eaten and gone on as usual.' 'Oh, don't take on so,' said
+his friend. 'After all, Heaven will take into consideration that we lost
+count of the Jewish calendar and didn't mean to be so wicked. And we can
+make up for it by fasting to-morrow.'
+
+"'Oh, no! Not for me,' said the first. 'To-day was the Day of
+Atonement.'"
+
+All laughed, the Reb appreciating most keenly the sly dig at his race.
+He had a kindly sense of human frailty. Jews are very fond of telling
+stories against themselves--for their sense of humor is too strong not
+to be aware of their own foibles--but they tell them with closed doors,
+and resent them from the outside. They chastise themselves because they
+love themselves, as members of the same family insult one another. The
+secret is, that insiders understand the limitations of the criticism,
+which outsiders are apt to take in bulk. No race in the world possesses
+a richer anecdotal lore than the Jews--such pawky, even blasphemous
+humor, not understandable of the heathen, and to a suspicious mind
+Pinchas's overflowing cornucopia of such would have suggested a prior
+period of Continental wandering from town to town, like the
+_Minnesingers_ of the middle ages, repaying the hospitality of his
+Jewish entertainers with a budget of good stories and gossip from the
+scenes of his pilgrimages.
+
+"Do you know the story?" he went on, encouraged by Simcha's smiling
+face, "of the old Reb and the _Havdolah_? His wife left town for a few
+days and when she returned the Reb took out a bottle of wine, poured
+some into the consecration cup and began to recite the blessing. 'What
+art thou doing?' demanded his wife in amaze.' I am making _Havdolah_,'
+replied the Reb. 'But it is not the conclusion of a festival to-night,'
+she said. 'Oh, yes, it is,' he answered. 'My Festival's over. You've
+come back.'"
+
+The Reb laughed so much over this story that Simcha's brow grew as the
+solid Egyptian darkness, and Pinchas perceived he had made a mistake.
+
+"But listen to the end," he said with a creditable impromptu. "The wife
+said--'No, you're mistaken. Your Festival's only beginning. You get no
+supper. It's the commencement of the Day of Atonement.'"
+
+Simcha's brow cleared and the Reb laughed heartily.
+
+"But I don't seethe point, father," said Levi.
+
+"Point! Listen, my son. First of all he was to have a Day of Atonement,
+beginning with no supper, for his sin of rudeness to his faithful wife.
+Secondly, dost thou not know that with us the Day of Atonement is called
+a festival, because we rejoice at the Creator's goodness in giving us
+the privilege of fasting? That's it, Pinchas, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, that's the point of the story, and I think the Rebbitzin had the
+best of it, eh?"
+
+"Rebbitzins always have the last word," said the Reb. "But did I tell
+you the story of the woman who asked me a question the other day? She
+brought me a fowl in the morning and said that in cutting open the
+gizzard she had found a rusty pin which the fowl must have swallowed.
+She wanted to know whether the fowl might be eaten. It was a very
+difficult point, for how could you tell whether the pin had in any way
+contributed to the fowl's death? I searched the _Shass_ and a heap of
+_Shaalotku-Tshuvos_. I went and consulted the _Maggid_ and Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_ and Mr. Karlkammer, and at last we decided that the fowl was
+_tripha_ and could not be eaten. So the same evening I sent for the
+woman, and when I told her of our decision she burst into tears and
+wrung her hands. 'Do not grieve so,' I said, taking compassion upon her,
+'I will buy thee another fowl.' But she wept on, uncomforted. 'O woe!
+woe!' she cried. 'We ate it all up yesterday.'"
+
+Pinchas was convulsed with laughter. Recovering himself, he lit his
+half-smoked cigar without asking leave.
+
+"I thought it would turn out differently," he said. "Like that story of
+the peacock. A man had one presented to him, and as this is such rare
+diet he went to the Reb to ask if it was _kosher_. The Rabbi said 'no'
+and confiscated the peacock. Later on the man heard that the Rabbi had
+given a banquet at which his peacock was the crowning dish. He went to
+his Rabbi and reproached him. '_I_ may eat it,' replied the Rabbi,
+'because my father considers it permitted and we may always go by what
+some eminent Son of the Law decides. But you unfortunately came to _me_
+for an opinion, and the permissibility of peacock is a point on which I
+have always disagreed with my father.'"
+
+Hannah seemed to find peculiar enjoyment in the story.
+
+"Anyhow," concluded Pinchas, "you have a more pious flock than the Rabbi
+of my native place, who, one day, announced to his congregation that he
+was going to resign. Startled, they sent to him a delegate, who asked,
+in the name of the congregation, why he was leaving them. 'Because,'
+answered the Rabbi, 'this is the first question any one has ever asked
+me!'"
+
+"Tell Mr. Pinchas your repartee about the donkey," said Hannah, smiling.
+
+"Oh, no, it's not worth while," said the Reb.
+
+"Thou art always so backward with thine own," cried the Rebbitzin
+warmly. "Last Purim an impudent of face sent my husband a donkey made of
+sugar. My husband had a Rabbi baked in gingerbread and sent it in
+exchange to the donor, with the inscription 'A Rabbi sends a Rabbi.'"
+
+Reb Shemuel laughed heartily, hearing this afresh at the lips of his
+wife. But Pinchas was bent double like a convulsive note of
+interrogation.
+
+The clock on the mantelshelf began to strike nine. Levi jumped to his
+feet.
+
+"I shall be late for school!" he cried, making for the door.
+
+"Stop! stop!" shouted his father. "Thou hast not yet said grace."
+
+"Oh, yes, I have, father. While you were all telling stories I was
+_benshing_ quietly to myself."
+
+"Is Saul also among the prophets, is Levi also among the story-tellers?"
+murmured Pinchas to himself. Aloud he said: "The child speaks truth; I
+saw his lips moving."
+
+Levi gave the poet a grateful look, snatched up his satchel and ran off
+to No. 1 Royal Street. Pinchas followed him soon, inwardly upbraiding
+Reb Shemuel for meanness. He had only as yet had his breakfast for his
+book. Perhaps it was Simcha's presence that was to blame. She was the
+Reb's right hand and he did not care to let her know what his left was
+doing.
+
+He retired to his study when Pinchas departed, and the Rebbitzin
+clattered about with a besom.
+
+The study was a large square room lined with book-shelves and hung with
+portraits of the great continental Rabbis. The books were bibliographical
+monsters to which the Family Bibles of the Christian are mere pocket-books.
+They were all printed purely with the consonants, the vowels being
+divined grammatically or known by heart. In each there was an island of
+text in a sea of commentary, itself lost in an ocean of super-commentary
+that was bordered by a continent of super-super-commentary. Reb Shemuel
+knew many of these immense folios--with all their tortuous windings of
+argument and anecdote--much as the child knows the village it was born
+in, the crooked by-ways and the field paths. Such and such a Rabbi gave
+such and such an opinion on such and such a line from the bottom of such
+and such a page--his memory of it was a visual picture. And just as the
+child does not connect its native village with the broader world
+without, does not trace its streets and turnings till they lead to the
+great towns, does not inquire as to its origins and its history, does
+not view it in relation to other villages, to the country, to the
+continent, to the world, but loves it for itself and in itself, so Reb
+Shemuel regarded and reverenced and loved these gigantic pages with
+their serried battalions of varied type. They were facts--absolute as
+the globe itself--regions of wisdom, perfect and self-sufficing. A
+little obscure here and there, perhaps, and in need of amplification or
+explication for inferior intellects--a half-finished manuscript
+commentary on one of the super-commentaries, to be called "The Garden of
+Lilies," was lying open on Reb Shemuel's own desk--but yet the only true
+encyclopaedia of things terrestrial and divine. And, indeed, they were
+wonderful books. It was as difficult to say what was not in them as what
+was. Through them the old Rabbi held communion with his God whom he
+loved with all his heart and soul and thought of as a genial Father,
+watching tenderly over His froward children and chastising them because
+He loved them. Generations of saints and scholars linked Reb Shemuel
+with the marvels of Sinai. The infinite network of ceremonial never
+hampered his soul; it was his joyous privilege to obey his Father in all
+things and like the king who offered to reward the man who invented a
+new pleasure, he was ready to embrace the sage who could deduce a new
+commandment. He rose at four every morning to study, and snatched every
+odd moment he could during the day. Rabbi Meir, that ancient ethical
+teacher, wrote: "Whosoever labors in the Torah for its own sake, the
+whole world is indebted to him; he is called friend, beloved, a lover of
+the All-present, a lover of mankind; it clothes him in meekness and
+reverence; it fits him to become just, pious, upright and faithful; he
+becomes modest, long-suffering and forgiving of insult."
+
+Reb Shemuel would have been scandalized if any one had applied these
+words to him.
+
+At about eleven o'clock Hannah came into the room, an open letter in her
+hand.
+
+"Father," she said, "I have just had a letter from Samuel Levine."
+
+"Your husband?" he said, looking up with a smile.
+
+"My husband," she replied, with a fainter smile.
+
+"And what does he say?"
+
+"It isn't a very serious letter; he only wants to reassure me that he is
+coming back by Sunday week to be divorced."
+
+"All right; tell him it shall be done at cost price," he said, with the
+foreign accent that made him somehow seem more lovable to his daughter
+when he spoke English. "He shall only be charged for the scribe."
+
+"He'll take that for granted," Hannah replied. "Fathers are expected to
+do these little things for their own children. But how much nicer it
+would be if you could give me the _Gett_ yourself."
+
+"I would marry you with pleasure," said Reb Shemuel, "but divorce is
+another matter. The _Din_ has too much regard for a father's feelings to
+allow that."
+
+"And you really think I am Sam Levine's wife?"
+
+"How many times shall I tell you? Some authorities do take the
+_intention_ into account, but the letter of the law is clearly against
+you. It is far safer to be formally divorced."
+
+"Then if he were to die--"
+
+"Save us and grant us peace," interrupted the Reb in horror.
+
+"I should be his widow."
+
+"Yes, I suppose you would. But what _Narrischkeit_! Why should he die?
+It isn't as if you were really married to him," said the Reb, his eye
+twinkling.
+
+"But isn't it all absurd, father?"
+
+"Do not talk so," said Reb Shemuel, resuming his gravity. "Is it absurd
+that you should be scorched if you play with fire?"
+
+Hannah did not reply to the question.
+
+"You never told me how you got on at Manchester," she said. "Did you
+settle the dispute satisfactorily?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said the Reb; "but it was very difficult. Both parties were
+so envenomed, and it seems that the feud has been going on in the
+congregation ever since the Day of Atonement, when the minister refused
+to blow the _Shofar_ three minutes too early, as the President
+requested. The Treasurer sided with the minister, and there has almost
+been a split."
+
+"The sounding of the New Year trumpet seems often to be the signal for
+war," said Hannah, sarcastically.
+
+"It is so," said the Reb, sadly.
+
+"And how did you repair the breach?"
+
+"Just by laughing at both sides. They would have turned a deaf ear to
+reasoning. I told them that Midrash about Jacob's journey to Laban."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Oh, it's an amplification of the Biblical narrative. The verse in
+Genesis says that he lighted on the place, and he put up there for the
+night because the sun had set, and he took of the stones of the place
+and he made them into pillows. But later on it says that he rose up in
+the morning and he took _the_ stone which he had put as his pillows.
+Now what is the explanation?" Reb Shemuel's tone became momently more
+sing-song: "In the night the stones quarrelled for the honor of
+supporting the Patriarch's head, and so by a miracle they were turned
+into one stone to satisfy them all. 'Now you remember that when Jacob
+arose in the morning he said: 'How fearful is this place; this is none
+other than the House of God.' So I said to the wranglers: 'Why did Jacob
+say that? He said it because his rest had been so disturbed by the
+quarrelling stones that it reminded him of the House of God--the
+Synagogue.' I pointed out how much better it would be if they ceased
+their quarrellings and became one stone. And so I made peace again in
+the _Kehillah_."
+
+"Till next year," said Hannah, laughing. "But, father, I have often
+wondered why they allow the ram's horn in the service. I thought all
+musical instruments were forbidden."
+
+"It is not a musical instrument--in practice," said the Reb, with
+evasive facetiousness. And, indeed, the performers were nearly always
+incompetent, marring the solemnity of great moments by asthmatic
+wheezings and thin far-away tootlings.
+
+"But it would be if we had trained trumpeters," persisted Hannah,
+smiling.
+
+"If you really want the explanation, it is that since the fall of the
+second Temple we have dropped out of our worship all musical instruments
+connected with the old Temple worship, especially such as have become
+associated with Christianity. But the ram's horn on the New Year is an
+institution older than the Temple, and specially enjoined in the Bible."
+
+"But surely there is something spiritualizing about an organ."
+
+For reply the Reb pinched her ear. "Ah, you are a sad _Epikouros_" he
+said, half seriously. "If you loved God you would not want an organ to
+take your thoughts to heaven."
+
+He released her ear and took up his pen, humming with unction a
+synagogue air full of joyous flourishes.
+
+Hannah turned to go, then turned back.
+
+"Father," she said nervously, blushing a little, "who was that you said
+you had in your eye?"
+
+"Oh, nobody in particular," said the Reb, equally embarrassed and
+avoiding meeting her eye, as if to conceal the person in his.
+
+"But you must have meant something by it," she said gravely. "You know
+I'm not going to be married off to please other people."
+
+The Reb wriggled uncomfortably in his chair. "It was only a thought--an
+idea. If it does not come to you, too, it shall be nothing. I didn't
+mean anything serious--really, my dear, I didn't. To tell you the
+truth," he finished suddenly with a frank, heavenly smile, "the person I
+had mainly in my eye when I spoke was your mother."
+
+This time his eye met hers, and they smiled at each other with the
+consciousness of the humors of the situation. The Rebbitzin's broom was
+heard banging viciously in the passage. Hannah bent down and kissed the
+ample forehead beneath the black skull-cap.
+
+"Mr. Levine also writes insisting that I must go to the Purim ball with
+him and Leah," she said, glancing at the letter.
+
+"A husband's wishes must be obeyed," answered the Reb.
+
+"No, I will treat him as if he were really my husband," retorted Hannah.
+"I will have my own way: I shan't go."
+
+The door was thrown open suddenly.
+
+"Oh yes thou wilt," said the Rebbitzin. "Thou art not going to bury
+thyself alive."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ESTHER AND HER CHILDREN.
+
+
+Esther Ansell did not welcome Levi Jacobs warmly. She had just cleared
+away the breakfast things and was looking forward to a glorious day's
+reading, and the advent of a visitor did not gratify her. And yet Levi
+Jacobs was a good-looking boy with brown hair and eyes, a dark glowing
+complexion and ruddy lips--a sort of reduced masculine edition of
+Hannah.
+
+"I've come to play I-spy-I, Solomon," he said when he entered "My,
+don't you live high up!"
+
+"I thought you had to go to school," Solomon observed with a stare.
+
+"Ours isn't a board school," Levi explained. "You might introduce a
+fellow to your sister."
+
+"Garn! You know Esther right enough," said Solomon and began to whistle
+carelessly.
+
+"How are you, Esther?" said Levi awkwardly.
+
+"I'm very well, thank you," said Esther, looking up from a little
+brown-covered book and looking down at it again.
+
+She was crouching on the fender trying to get some warmth at the little
+fire extracted from Reb Shemuel's half-crown. December continued gray;
+the room was dim and a spurt of flame played on her pale earnest face.
+It was a face that never lost a certain ardency of color even at its
+palest: the hair was dark and abundant, the eyes were large and
+thoughtful, the nose slightly aquiline and the whole cast of the
+features betrayed the Polish origin. The forehead was rather low. Esther
+had nice teeth which accident had preserved white. It was an arrestive
+rather than a beautiful face, though charming enough when she smiled. If
+the grace and candor of childhood could have been disengaged from the
+face, it would have been easier to say whether it was absolutely pretty.
+It came nearer being so on Sabbaths and holidays when scholastic
+supervision was removed and the hair was free to fall loosely about the
+shoulders instead of being screwed up into the pendulous plait so dear
+to the educational eye. Esther could have earned a penny quite easily by
+sacrificing her tresses and going about with close-cropped head like a
+boy, for her teacher never failed thus to reward the shorn, but in the
+darkest hours of hunger she held on to her hair as her mother had done
+before her. The prospects of Esther's post-nuptial wig were not
+brilliant. She was not tall for a girl who is getting on for twelve; but
+some little girls shoot up suddenly and there was considerable room for
+hope.
+
+Sarah and Isaac were romping noisily about and under the beds; Rachel
+was at the table, knitting a scarf for Solomon; the grandmother pored
+over a bulky enchiridion for pious women, written in jargon. Moses was
+out in search of work. No one took any notice of the visitor.
+
+"What's that you're reading?" he asked Esther politely.
+
+"Oh nothing," said Esther with a start, closing the book as if fearful
+he might want to look over her shoulder.
+
+"I don't see the fun of reading books out of school," said Levi.
+
+"Oh, but we don't read school books," said Solomon defensively.
+
+"I don't care. It's stupid."
+
+"At that rate you could never read books when you're grown up," said
+Esther contemptuously.
+
+"No, of course not," admitted Levi. "Otherwise where would be the fun of
+being grown up? After I leave school I don't intend to open a book."
+
+"No? Perhaps you'll open a shop," said Solomon.
+
+"What will you do when it rains?" asked Esther crushingly.
+
+"I shall smoke," replied Levi loftily.
+
+"Yes, but suppose it's _Shabbos_," swiftly rejoined Esther.
+
+Levi was nonplussed. "Well, it can't rain all day and there are only
+fifty-two _Shabbosim_ in the year," he said lamely. "A man can always do
+something."
+
+"I think there's more pleasure in reading than in doing something,"
+remarked Esther.
+
+"Yes, you're a girl," Levi reminded her, "and girls are expected to stay
+indoors. Look at my sister Hannah. She reads, too. But a man can be out
+doing what he pleases, eh, Solomon?"
+
+"Yes, of course we've got the best of it," said Solomon. "The
+Prayer-book shows that. Don't I say every morning 'Blessed art Thou, O
+Lord our God, who hast not made me a woman'?"
+
+"I don't know whether you do say it. You certainly have got to," said
+Esther witheringly.
+
+"'Sh," said Solomon, winking in the direction of the grandmother.
+
+"It doesn't matter," said Esther calmly. "She can't understand what I'm
+saying."
+
+"I don't know," said Solomon dubiously. "She sometimes catches more than
+you bargain for."
+
+"And then, _you_ catch more than you bargain for," said Rachel, looking
+up roguishly from her knitting.
+
+Solomon stuck his tongue in his cheek and grimaced.
+
+Isaac came behind Levi and gave his coat a pull and toddled off with a
+yell of delight.
+
+"Be quiet, Ikey!" cried Esther. "If you don't behave better I shan't
+sleep in your new bed."
+
+"Oh yeth, you mutht, Ethty," lisped Ikey, his elfish face growing grave.
+He went about depressed for some seconds.
+
+"Kids are a beastly nuisance," said Levi, "don't you think so, Esther?"
+
+"Oh no, not always," said the little girl. "Besides we were all kids
+once."
+
+"That's what I complain of," said Levi. "We ought to be all born
+grown-up."
+
+"But that's impossible!" put in Rachel.
+
+"It isn't impossible at all," said Esther. "Look at Adam and Eve!"
+
+Levi looked at Esther gratefully instead. He felt nearer to her and
+thought of persuading her into playing Kiss-in-the-Ring. But he found it
+difficult to back out of his undertaking to play I-spy-I with Solomon;
+and in the end he had to leave Esther to her book.
+
+She had little in common with her brother Solomon, least of all humor
+and animal spirits. Even before the responsibilities of headship had
+come upon her she was a preternaturally thoughtful little girl who had
+strange intuitions about things and was doomed to work out her own
+salvation as a metaphysician. When she asked her mother who made God, a
+slap in the face demonstrated to her the limits of human inquiry. The
+natural instinct of the child over-rode the long travail of the race to
+conceive an abstract Deity, and Esther pictured God as a mammoth cloud.
+In early years Esther imagined that the "body" that was buried when a
+person died was the corpse decapitated and she often puzzled herself to
+think what was done with the isolated head. When her mother was being
+tied up in grave-clothes, Esther hovered about with a real thirst for
+knowledge while the thoughts of all the other children were sensuously
+concentrated on the funeral and the glory of seeing a vehicle drive away
+from their own door. Esther was also disappointed at not seeing her
+mother's soul fly up to heaven though she watched vigilantly at the
+death-bed for the ascent of the long yellow hook-shaped thing. The
+genesis of this conception of the soul was probably to be sought in the
+pictorial representations of ghosts in the story-papers brought home by
+her eldest brother Benjamin. Strange shadowy conceptions of things more
+corporeal floated up from her solitary reading. Theatres she came across
+often, and a theatre was a kind of Babel plain or Vanity Fair in which
+performers and spectators were promiscuously mingled and wherein the
+richer folk clad in evening dress sat in thin deal boxes--the cases in
+Spitalfields market being Esther's main association with boxes. One of
+her day-dreams of the future was going to the theatre in a night-gown
+and being accommodated with an orange-box. Little rectification of such
+distorted views of life was to be expected from Moses Ansell, who went
+down to his grave without seeing even a circus, and had no interest in
+art apart from the "Police News" and his "Mizrach" and the synagogue
+decorations. Even when Esther's sceptical instinct drove her to inquire
+of her father how people knew that Moses got the Law on Mount Sinai, he
+could only repeat in horror that the Books of Moses said so, and could
+never be brought to see that his arguments travelled on roundabouts. She
+sometimes regretted that her brilliant brother Benjamin had been
+swallowed up by the orphan asylum, for she imagined she could have
+discussed many a knotty point with him. Solomon was both flippant and
+incompetent. But in spite of her theoretical latitudinarianism, in
+practice she was pious to the point of fanaticism and could scarce
+conceive the depths of degradation of which she heard vague
+horror-struck talk. There were Jews about--grown-up men and women, not
+insane--who struck lucifer matches on the Sabbath and housewives who
+carelessly mixed their butter-plates with their meat-plates even when
+they did not actually eat butter with meat. Esther promised herself
+that, please God, she would never do anything so wicked when she grew
+up. She at least would never fail to light the Sabbath candles nor to
+_kasher_ the meat. Never was child more alive to the beauty of duty,
+more open to the appeal of virtue, self-control, abnegation. She fasted
+till two o'clock on the Great White Fast when she was seven years old
+and accomplished the perfect feat at nine. When she read a simple little
+story in a prize-book, inculcating the homely moralities at which the
+cynic sneers, her eyes filled with tears and her breast with unselfish
+and dutiful determinations. She had something of the temperament of the
+stoic, fortified by that spiritual pride which does not look for equal
+goodness in others; and though she disapproved of Solomon's dodgings of
+duty, she did not sneak or preach, even gave him surreptitious crusts of
+bread before he had said his prayers, especially on Saturdays and
+Festivals when the praying took place in _Shool_ and was liable to be
+prolonged till mid-day.
+
+Esther often went to synagogue and sat in the ladies' compartment. The
+drone of the "Sons of the Covenant" downstairs was part of her
+consciousness of home, like the musty smell of the stairs, or Becky's
+young men through whom she had to plough her way when she went for the
+morning milk, or the odors of Mr. Belcovitch's rum or the whirr of his
+machines, or the bent, snuffy personality of the Hebrew scholar in the
+adjoining garret, or the dread of Dutch Debby's dog that was ultimately
+transformed to friendly expectation. Esther led a double life, just as
+she spoke two tongues. The knowledge that she was a Jewish child, whose
+people had had a special history, was always at the back of her
+consciousness; sometimes it was brought to the front by the scoffing
+rhymes of Christian children, who informed her that they had stuck a
+piece of pork upon a fork and given it to a member of her race.
+
+But far more vividly did she realize that she was an English girl; far
+keener than her pride in Judas Maccabaeus was her pride in Nelson and
+Wellington; she rejoiced to find that her ancestors had always beaten
+the French from the days of Cressy and Poictiers to the days of
+Waterloo, that Alfred the Great was the wisest of kings, and that
+Englishmen dominated the world and had planted colonies in every corner
+of it, that the English language was the noblest in the world and men
+speaking it had invented railway trains, steamships, telegraphs, and
+everything worth inventing. Esther absorbed these ideas from the school
+reading books. The experience of a month will overlay the hereditary
+bequest of a century. And yet, beneath all, the prepared plate remains
+most sensitive to the old impressions.
+
+Sarah and Isaac had developed as distinct individualities as was
+possible in the time at their disposal. Isaac was just five and
+Sarah--who had never known her mother--just four. The thoughts of both
+ran strongly in the direction of sensuous enjoyment, and they preferred
+baked potatoes, especially potatoes touched with gravy, to all the joys
+of the kindergarten. Isaac's ambition ran in the direction of eider-down
+beds such as he had once felt at Malka's and Moses soothed him by the
+horizon-like prospect of such a new bed. Places of honor had already
+been conceded by the generous little chap to his father and brother.
+Heaven alone knows how he had come to conceive their common bed as his
+own peculiar property in which the other three resided at night on
+sufferance. He could not even plead it was his by right of birth in it.
+But Isaac was not after all wholly given over to worldly thoughts, for
+an intellectual problem often occupied his thoughts and led him to slap
+little Sarah's arms. He had been born on the 4th of December while Sarah
+had been born a year later on the 3d.
+
+"It ain't, it can't be," he would say. "Your birfday can't be afore
+mine."
+
+"'Tis, Esty thays so," Sarah would reply.
+
+"Esty's a liar," Isaac responded imperturbably.
+
+"Ask _Tatah_."
+
+"_Tatah_ dunno. Ain't I five?"
+
+"Yeth."
+
+"And ain't you four?"
+
+"Yeth."
+
+"And ain't I older than you?"
+
+"Courth."
+
+"And wasn't I born afore you?"
+
+"Yeth, Ikey."
+
+"Then 'ow can your birfday come afore mine?"
+
+"'Cos it doth."
+
+"Stoopid!"
+
+"It doth, arx Esty," Sarah would insist.
+
+"Than't teep in my new bed," Ikey would threaten.
+
+"Thall if I like."
+
+"Than't!"
+
+Here Sarah would generally break down in tears and Isaac with premature
+economic instinct, feeling it wicked to waste a cry, would proceed to
+justify it by hitting her. Thereupon little Sarah would hit him back and
+develop a terrible howl.
+
+"Hi, woe is unto me," she would wail in jargon, throwing herself on the
+ground in a corner and rocking herself to and fro like her far-away
+ancestresses remembering Zion by the waters of Babylon.
+
+Little Sarah's lamentations never ceased till she had been avenged by a
+higher hand. There were several great powers but Esther was the most
+trusty instrument of reprisal. If Esther was out little Sarah's sobs
+ceased speedily, for she, too, felt the folly of fruitless tears. Though
+she nursed in her breast the sense of injury, she would even resume her
+amicable romps with Isaac. But the moment the step of the avenger was
+heard on the stairs, little Sarah would betake herself to the corner and
+howl with the pain of Isaac's pummellings. She had a strong love of
+abstract justice and felt that if the wrongdoer were to go unpunished,
+there was no security for the constitution of things.
+
+To-day's holiday did not pass without an outbreak of this sort. It
+occurred about tea-time. Perhaps the infants were fractious because
+there was no tea. Esther had to economize her resources and a repast at
+seven would serve for both tea and supper. Among the poor, combination
+meals are as common as combination beds and chests. Esther had quieted
+Sarah by slapping Isaac, but as this made Isaac howl the gain was
+dubious. She had to put a fresh piece of coal on the fire and sing to
+them while their shadows contorted themselves grotesquely on the beds
+and then upwards along the sloping walls, terminating with twisted necks
+on the ceiling.
+
+Esther usually sang melancholy things in minor keys. They seemed most
+attuned to the dim straggling room. There was a song her mother used to
+sing. It was taken from a _Purim-Spiel_, itself based upon a Midrash,
+one of the endless legends with which the People of One Book have
+broidered it, amplifying every minute detail with all the exuberance of
+oriental imagination and justifying their fancies with all the ingenuity
+of a race of lawyers. After his brethren sold Joseph to the Midianite
+merchants, the lad escaped from the caravan and wandered foot-sore and
+hungry to Bethlehem, to the grave of his mother, Rachel. And he threw
+himself upon the ground and wept aloud and sang to a heart-breaking
+melody in Yiddish.
+
+    Und hei weh ist mir,
+    Wie schlecht ist doch mir,
+    Ich bin vertrieben geworen
+    Junger held voon dir.
+
+Whereof the English runs:
+
+    Alas! woe is me!
+    How wretched to be
+    Driven away and banished,
+    Yet so young, from thee.
+
+Thereupon the voice of his beloved mother Rachel was heard from the
+grave, comforting him and bidding him be of good cheer, for that his
+future should be great and glorious.
+
+Esther could not sing this without the tears trickling down her cheeks.
+Was it that she thought of her own dead mother and applied the lines to
+herself? Isaac's ill-humor scarcely ever survived the anodyne of these
+mournful cadences. There was another melodious wail which Alte
+Belcovitch had brought from Poland. The chorus ran:
+
+    Man nemt awek die chasanim voon die callohs
+    Hi, hi, did-a-rid-a-ree!
+
+    They tear away their lovers from the maidens,
+    Hi, hi, did-a-rid-a-ree!
+
+The air mingled the melancholy of Polish music with the sadness of
+Jewish and the words hinted of God knew what.
+
+    "Old unhappy far-off things
+      And battles long ago."
+
+And so over all the songs and stories was the trail of tragedy, under
+all the heart-ache of a hunted race. There are few more plaintive chants
+in the world than the recitation of the Psalms by the "Sons of the
+Covenant" on Sabbath afternoons amid the gathering shadows of twilight.
+Esther often stood in the passage to hear it, morbidly fascinated, tears
+of pensive pleasure in her eyes. Even the little jargon story-book which
+Moses Ansell read out that night to his _Kinder_, after tea-supper, by
+the light of the one candle, was prefaced with a note of pathos. "These
+stories have we gathered together from the Gemorah and the Midrash,
+wonderful stories, and we have translated the beautiful stories, using
+the Hebrew alphabet so that every one, little or big, shall be able to
+read them, and shall know that there is a God in the world who forsaketh
+not His people Israel and who even for us will likewise work miracles
+and wonders and will send us the righteous Redeemer speedily in our
+days, Amen." Of this same Messiah the children heard endless tales.
+Oriental fancy had been exhausted in picturing him for the consolation
+of exiled and suffering Israel. Before his days there would be a wicked
+Messiah of the House of Joseph; later, a king with one ear deaf to hear
+good but acute to hear evil; there would be a scar on his forehead, one
+of his hands would be an inch long and the other three miles, apparently
+a subtle symbol of the persecutor. The jargon story-book among its
+"stories, wonderful stories," had also extracts from the famous
+romance, or diary, of Eldad the Danite, who professed to have
+discovered the lost Ten Tribes. Eldad's book appeared towards the end of
+the ninth century and became the Arabian Nights of the Jews, and it had
+filtered down through the ages into the Ansell garret, in common with
+many other tales from the rich storehouse of mediaeval folk-lore in the
+diffusion of which the wandering few has played so great a part.
+
+Sometimes Moses read to his charmed hearers the description of Heaven
+and Hell by Immanuel, the friend and contemporary of Dante, sometimes a
+jargon version of Robinson Crusoe. To-night he chose Eldad's account of
+the tribe of Moses dwelling beyond the wonderful river, Sambatyon, which
+never flows on the Sabbath.
+
+"There is also the tribe of Moses, our just master, which is called the
+tribe that flees, because it fled from idol worship and clung to the
+fear of God. A river flows round their land for a distance of four days'
+journey on every side. They dwell in beautiful houses provided with
+handsome towers, which they have built themselves. There is nothing
+unclean among them, neither in the case of birds, venison nor
+domesticated animals; there are no wild animals, no flies, no foxes, no
+vermin, no serpents, no dogs, and in general, nothing which does harm;
+they have only sheep and cattle, which bear twice a year. They sow and
+reap; there are all sorts of gardens, with all kinds of fruits and
+cereals, viz.: beans, melons, gourds, onions, garlic, wheat and barley,
+and the seed grows a hundred fold. They have faith; they know the Law,
+the Mishnah, the Talmud and the Agadah; but their Talmud is in Hebrew.
+They introduce their sayings in the name of the fathers, the wise men,
+who heard them from the mouth of Joshua, who himself heard them from the
+mouth of God. They have no knowledge of the Tanaim (doctors of the
+Mishnah) and Amoraim (doctors of the Talmud), who flourished during the
+time of the second Temple, which was, of course, not known to these
+tribes. They speak only Hebrew, and are very strict as regards the use
+of wine made by others than themselves, as well as the rules of
+slaughtering animals; in this respect the Law of Moses is much more
+rigorous than that of the Tribes. They do not swear by the name of God,
+for fear that their breath may leave them, and they become angry with
+those who swear; they reprimand them, saying, 'Woe, ye poor, why do you
+swear with the mention of the name of God upon your lips? Use your mouth
+for eating bread and drinking water. Do you not know that for the sin of
+swearing your children die young?' And in this way they exhort every one
+to serve God with fear and integrity of heart. Therefore, the children
+of Moses, the servant of God, live long, to the age of 100 or 120 years.
+No child, be it son or daughter, dies during the lifetime of its parent,
+but they reach a third and a fourth generation, and see grandchildren
+and great-grandchildren with their offspring. They do all field work
+themselves, having no male or female servants; there are also merchants
+among them. They do not close their houses at night, for there is no
+thief nor any wicked man among them. Thus a little lad might go for days
+with his flock without fear of robbers, demons or danger of any other
+kind; they are, indeed, all holy and clean. These Levites busy
+themselves with the Law and with the commandments, and they still live
+in the holiness of our master, Moses; therefore, God has given them all
+this good. Moreover, they see nobody and nobody sees them, except the
+four tribes who dwell on the other side of the rivers of Cush; they see
+them, and speak to them, but the river Sambatyon is between them, as it
+is said: 'That thou mayest say to prisoners, Go forth' (Isaiah xlix.,
+9). They have plenty of gold and silver; they sow flax and cultivate the
+crimson worm, and make beautiful garments. Their number is double or
+four times the number that went out from Egypt.
+
+"The river Sambatyon is 200 yards broad--'about as far as a bowshot'
+(Gen. xxi., 16), full of sand and stones, but without water; the stones
+make a great noise like the waves of the sea and a stormy wind, so that
+in the night the noise is heard at a distance of half a day's journey.
+There are sources of water which collect themselves in one pool, out of
+which they water the fields. There are fish in it, and all kinds of
+clean birds fly round it. And this river of stone and sand rolls during
+the six working days and rests on the Sabbath day. As soon as the
+Sabbath begins fire surrounds the river and the flames remain till the
+next evening, when the Sabbath ends. Thus no human being can reach the
+river for a distance of half a mile on either side; the fire consumes
+all that grows there. The four tribes, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher,
+stand on the borders of the river. When shearing their flocks here, for
+the land is flat and clean without any thorns, if the children of Moses
+see them gathered together on the border they shout, saying, 'Brethren,
+tribes of Jeshurun, show us your camels, dogs and asses,' and they make
+their remarks about the length of the camel's neck and the shortness of
+the tail. Then they greet one another and go their way."
+
+When this was done, Solomon called for Hell. He liked to hear about the
+punishment of the sinners; it gave a zest to life. Moses hardly needed a
+book to tell them about Hell. It had no secrets for him. The Old
+Testament has no reference to a future existence, but the poor Jew has
+no more been able to live without the hope of Hell than the poor
+Christian. When the wicked man has waxed fat and kicked the righteous
+skinny man, shall the two lie down in the same dust and the game be
+over? Perish the thought! One of the Hells was that in which the sinner
+was condemned to do over and over again the sins he had done in life.
+
+"Why, that must be jolly!" said Solomon.
+
+"No, that is frightful," maintained Moses Ansell. He spoke Yiddish, the
+children English.
+
+"Of course, it is," said Esther. "Just fancy, Solomon, having to eat
+toffy all day."
+
+"It's better than eating nothing all day," replied Solomon.
+
+"But to eat it every day for ever and ever!" said Moses. "There's no
+rest for the wicked."
+
+"What! Not even on the Sabbath?" said Esther.
+
+"Oh, yes: of course, then. Like the river Sambatyon, even the flames of
+Hell rest on _Shabbos_."
+
+"Haven't they got no fire-_goyas_?"; inquired Ikey, and everybody
+laughed.
+
+"_Shabbos_ is a holiday in Hell," Moses explained to the little one.
+"So thou seest the result of thy making out Sabbath too early on
+Saturday night, thou sendest the poor souls back to their tortures
+before the proper time."
+
+Moses never lost an opportunity of enforcing the claims of the
+ceremonial law. Esther had a vivid picture flashed upon her of poor,
+yellow hook-shaped souls floating sullenly back towards the flames.
+
+Solomon's chief respect for his father sprang from the halo of military
+service encircling Moses ever since it leaked out through the lips of
+the _Bube_, that he had been a conscript in Russia and been brutally
+treated by the sergeant. But Moses could not be got to speak of his
+exploits. Solomon pressed him to do so, especially when his father gave
+symptoms of inviting him to the study of Rashi's Commentary. To-night
+Moses brought out a Hebrew tome, and said, "Come, Solomon. Enough of
+stories. We must learn a little."
+
+"To-day is a holiday," grumbled Solomon.
+
+"It is never a holiday for the study of the Law."
+
+"Only this once, father; let's play draughts."
+
+Moses weakly yielded. Draughts was his sole relaxation and when Solomon
+acquired a draught board by barter his father taught him the game. Moses
+played the Polish variety, in which the men are like English kings that
+leap backwards and forwards and the kings shoot diagonally across like
+bishops at chess. Solomon could not withstand these gigantic
+grasshoppers, whose stopping places he could never anticipate. Moses won
+every game to-night and was full of glee and told the _Kinder_ another
+story. It was about the Emperor Nicholas and is not to be found in the
+official histories of Russia.
+
+"Nicholas, was a wicked king, who oppressed the Jews and made their
+lives sore and bitter. And one day he made it known to the Jews that if
+a million roubles were not raised for him in a month's time they should
+be driven from their homes. Then the Jews prayed unto God and besought
+him to help them for the merits of the forefathers, but no help came.
+Then they tried to bribe the officials, but the officials pocketed their
+gold and the Emperor still demanded his tax. Then they went to the
+great Masters of Cabalah, who, by pondering day and night on the name
+and its transmutations, had won the control of all things, and they
+said, 'Can ye do naught for us?' Then the Masters of Cabalah took
+counsel together and at midnight they called up the spirits of Abraham
+our father, and Isaac and Jacob, and Elijah the prophet, who wept to
+hear of their children's sorrows. And Abraham our father, and Isaac and
+Jacob, and Elijah the prophet took the bed whereon Nicholas the Emperor
+slept and transported it to a wild place. And they took Nicholas the
+Emperor out of his warm bed and whipped him soundly so that he yelled
+for mercy. Then they asked: 'Wilt thou rescind the edict against the
+Jews?' And he said 'I will.' But in the morning Nicholas the Emperor
+woke up and called for the chief of the bed-chamber and said, 'How
+darest thou allow my bed to be carried out in the middle of the night
+into the forest?' And the chief of the bed-chamber grew pale and said
+that the Emperor's guards had watched all night outside the door,
+neither was there space for the bed to pass out. And Nicholas the
+Emperor, thinking he had dreamed, let the man go unhung. But the next
+night lo! the bed was transported again to the wild place and Abraham
+our father, and Isaac and Jacob, and Elijah the prophet drubbed him
+doubly and again he promised to remit the tax. So in the morning the
+chief of the bed-chamber was hanged and at night the guards were
+doubled. But the bed sailed away to the wild place and Nicholas the
+Emperor was trebly whipped. Then Nicholas the Emperor annulled the edict
+and the Jews rejoiced and fell at the knees of the Masters of Cabalah."
+
+"But why can't they save the Jews altogether?" queried Esther.
+
+"Oh," said Moses mysteriously. "Cabalah is a great force and must not be
+abused. The Holy Name must not be made common. Moreover one might lose
+one's life."
+
+"Could the Masters make men?" inquired Esther, who had recently come
+across Frankenstein.
+
+"Certainly," said Moses. "And what is more, it stands written that Reb
+Chanina and Reb Osheya fashioned a fine fat calf on Friday and enjoyed
+it on the Sabbath."
+
+"Oh, father!" said Solomon, piteously, "don't you know Cabalah?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+DUTCH DEBBY.
+
+
+A year before we got to know Esther Ansell she got to know Dutch Debby
+and it changed her life. Dutch Debby was a tall sallow ungainly girl who
+lived in the wee back room on the second floor behind Mrs. Simons and
+supported herself and her dog by needle-work. Nobody ever came to see
+her, for it was whispered that her parents had cast her out when she
+presented them with an illegitimate grandchild. The baby was fortunate
+enough to die, but she still continued to incur suspicion by keeping a
+dog, which is an un-Jewish trait. Bobby often squatted on the stairs
+guarding her door and, as it was very dark on the staircase, Esther
+suffered great agonies lest she should tread on his tail and provoke
+reprisals. Her anxiety led her to do so one afternoon and Bobby's teeth
+just penetrated through her stocking. The clamor brought out Dutch
+Debby, who took the girl into her room and soothed her. Esther had often
+wondered what uncanny mysteries lay behind that dark dog-guarded door
+and she was rather more afraid of Debby than of Bobby.
+
+But that afternoon saw the beginning of a friendship which added one to
+the many factors which were moulding the future woman. For Debby turned
+out a very mild bogie, indeed, with a good English vocabulary and a
+stock of old _London Journals_, more precious to Esther than mines of
+Ind. Debby kept them under the bed, which, as the size of the bed all
+but coincided with the area of the room, was a wise arrangement. And on
+the long summer evenings and the Sunday afternoons when her little ones
+needed no looking after and were traipsing about playing "whoop!" and
+pussy-cat in the street downstairs, Esther slipped into the wee back
+room, where the treasures lay, and there, by the open window,
+overlooking the dingy back yard and the slanting perspectives of
+sun-decked red tiles where cats prowled and dingy sparrows hopped, in an
+atmosphere laden with whiffs from a neighboring dairyman's stables,
+Esther lost herself in wild tales of passion and romance. She frequently
+read them aloud for the benefit of the sallow-faced needle-woman, who
+had found romance square so sadly with the realities of her own
+existence. And so all a summer afternoon, Dutch Debby and Esther would
+be rapt away to a world of brave men and fair women, a world of fine
+linen and purple, of champagne and wickedness and cigarettes, a world
+where nobody worked or washed shirts or was hungry or had holes in
+boots, a world utterly ignorant of Judaism and the heinousness of eating
+meat with butter. Not that Esther for her part correlated her conception
+of this world with facts. She never realized that it was an actually
+possible world--never indeed asked herself whether it existed outside
+print or not. She never thought of it in that way at all, any more than
+it ever occurred to her that people once spoke the Hebrew she learned to
+read and translate. "Bobby" was often present at these readings, but he
+kept his thoughts to himself, sitting on his hind legs with his
+delightfully ugly nose tilted up inquiringly at Esther. For the best of
+all this new friendship was that Bobby was not jealous. He was only a
+sorry dun-colored mongrel to outsiders, but Esther learned to see him
+almost through Dutch Debby's eyes. And she could run up the stairs
+freely, knowing that if she trod on his tail now, he would take it as a
+mark of _camaraderie_.
+
+"I used to pay a penny a week for the _London Journal_," said Debby
+early in their acquaintanceship, "till one day I discovered I had a
+dreadful bad memory."
+
+"And what was the good of that?" said Esther.
+
+"Why, it was worth shillings and shillings to me. You see I used to save
+up all the back numbers of the _London Journal_ because of the answers
+to correspondents, telling you how to do your hair and trim your nails
+and give yourself a nice complexion. I used to bother my head about that
+sort of thing in those days, dear; and one day I happened to get reading
+a story in a back number only about a year old and I found I was just
+as interested as if I had never read it before and I hadn't the
+slightest remembrance of it. After that I left off buying the _Journal_
+and took to reading my big heap of back numbers. I get through them once
+every two years." Debby interrupted herself with a fit of coughing, for
+lengthy monologue is inadvisable for persons who bend over needle-work
+in dark back rooms. Recovering herself, she added, "And then I start
+afresh. You couldn't do that, could you?"
+
+"No," admitted Esther, with a painful feeling of inferiority. "I
+remember all I've ever read."
+
+"Ah, you will grow up a clever woman!" said Debby, patting her hair.
+
+"Oh, do you think so?" said Esther, her dark eyes lighting up with
+pleasure.
+
+"Oh yes, you're always first in your class, ain't you?"
+
+"Is that what you judge by, Debby?" said Esther, disappointed. "The
+other girls are so stupid and take no thought for anything but their
+hats and their frocks. They would rather play gobs or shuttlecock or
+hopscotch than read about the 'Forty Thieves.' They don't mind being
+kept a whole year in one class but I--oh, I feel so mad at getting on so
+slow. I could easily learn the standard work in three months. I want to
+know everything--so that I can grow up to be a teacher at our school."
+
+"And does your teacher know everything?"
+
+"Oh yes! She knows the meaning of every word and all about foreign
+countries."
+
+"And would you like to be a teacher?"
+
+"If I could only be clever enough!" sighed Esther. "But then you see the
+teachers at our school are real ladies and they dress, oh, so
+beautifully! With fur tippets and six-button gloves. I could never
+afford it, for even when I was earning five shillings a week I should
+have to give most of it to father and the children."
+
+"But if you're very good--I dare say some of the great ladies like the
+Rothschilds will buy you nice clothes. I have heard they are very good
+to clever children."
+
+"No, then the other teachers would know I was getting charity! And they
+would mock at me. I heard Miss Hyams make fun of a teacher because she
+wore the same dress as last winter. I don't think I should like to be a
+teacher after all, though it is nice to be able to stand with your back
+to the fire in the winter. The girls would know--'" Esther stopped and
+blushed.
+
+"Would know what, dear?"
+
+"Well, they would know father," said Esther in low tones. "They would
+see him selling things in the Lane and they wouldn't do what I told
+them."
+
+"Nonsense, Esther. I believe most of the teachers' fathers are just as
+bad--I mean as poor. Look at Miss Hyams's own father."
+
+"Oh Debby! I do hope that's true. Besides when I was earning five
+shillings a week, I could buy father a new coat, couldn't I? And then
+there would be no need for him to stand in the Lane with lemons or
+'four-corner fringes,' would there?"
+
+"No, dear. You shall be a teacher, I prophesy, and who knows? Some day
+you may be Head Mistress!"
+
+Esther laughed a startled little laugh of delight, with a suspicion of a
+sob in it. "What! Me! Me go round and make all the teachers do their
+work. Oh, wouldn't I catch them gossiping! I know their tricks!"
+
+"You seem to look after your teacher well. Do you ever call her over the
+coals for gossiping?" inquired Dutch Debby, amused.
+
+"No, no," protested Esther quite seriously. "I like to hear them
+gossiping. When my teacher and Miss Davis, who's in the next room, and a
+few other teachers get together, I learn--Oh such a lot!--from their
+conversation."
+
+"Then they do teach you after all," laughed Debby.
+
+"Yes, but it's not on the Time Table," said Esther, shaking her little
+head sapiently. "It's mostly about young men. Did you ever have a young
+man, Debby?"
+
+"Don't--don't ask such questions, child!" Debby bent over her
+needle-work.
+
+"Why not?" persisted Esther. "If I only had a young man when I grew up,
+I should be proud of him. Yes, you're trying to turn your head away. I'm
+sure you had. Was he nice like Lord Eversmonde or Captain Andrew
+Sinclair? Why you're crying, Debby!"
+
+"Don't be a little fool, Esther! A tiny fly has just flown into my
+eye--poor little thing! He hurts me and does himself no good."
+
+"Let me see, Debby," said Esther. "Perhaps I shall be in time to save
+him."
+
+"No, don't trouble."
+
+"Don't be so cruel, Debby. You're as bad as Solomon, who pulls off
+flies' wings to see if they can fly without them."
+
+"He's dead now. Go on with 'Lady Ann's Rival;' we've been wasting the
+whole afternoon talking. Take my advice, Esther, and don't stuff your
+head with ideas about young men. You're too young. Now, dear, I'm ready.
+Go on."
+
+"Where was I? Oh yes. 'Lord Eversmonde folded the fair young form to his
+manly bosom and pressed kiss after kiss upon her ripe young lips, which
+responded passionately to his own. At last she recovered herself and
+cried reproachfully, Oh Sigismund, why do you persist in coming here,
+when the Duke forbids it?' Oh, do you know, Debby, father said the other
+day I oughtn't to come here?"
+
+"Oh no, you must," cried Debby impulsively. "I couldn't part with you
+now."
+
+"Father says people say you are not good," said Esther candidly.
+
+Debby breathed painfully. "Well!" she whispered.
+
+"But I said people were liars. You _are_ good!"
+
+"Oh, Esther, Esther!" sobbed Debby, kissing the earnest little face with
+a vehemence that surprised the child.
+
+"I think father only said that," Esther went on, "because he fancies I
+neglect Sarah and Isaac when he's at _Shool_ and they quarrel so about
+their birthdays when they're together. But they don't slap one another
+hard. I'll tell you what! Suppose I bring Sarah down here!"
+
+"Well, but won't she cry and be miserable here, if you read, and with
+no Isaac to play with?"
+
+"Oh no," said Esther confidently. "She'll keep Bobby company."
+
+Bobby took kindly to little Sarah also. He knew no other dogs and in
+such circumstances a sensible animal falls back on human beings. He had
+first met Debby herself quite casually and the two lonely beings took to
+each other. Before that meeting Dutch Debby was subject to wild
+temptations. Once she half starved herself and put aside ninepence a
+week for almost three months and purchased one-eighth of a lottery
+ticket from Sugarman the _Shadchan_, who recognized her existence for
+the occasion. The fortune did not come off.
+
+Debby saw less and less of Esther as the months crept on again towards
+winter, for the little girl feared her hostess might feel constrained to
+offer her food, and the children required more soothing. Esther would
+say very little about her home life, though Debby got to know a great
+deal about her school-mates and her teacher.
+
+One summer evening after Esther had passed into the hands of Miss Miriam
+Hyams she came to Dutch Debby with a grave face and said: "Oh, Debby.
+Miss Hyams is not a heroine."
+
+"No?" said Debby, amused. "You were so charmed with her at first."
+
+"Yes, she is very pretty and her hats are lovely. But she is not a
+heroine."
+
+"Why, what's happened?"
+
+"You know what lovely weather it's been all day?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, this morning all in the middle of the Scripture lesson, she said
+to us, 'What a pity, girls, we've got to stay cooped up here this bright
+weather'--you know she chats to us so nicely--'in some schools they have
+half-holidays on Wednesday afternoons in the summer. Wouldn't it be nice
+if we could have them and be out in the sunshine in Victoria Park?'
+'Hoo, yes, teacher, wouldn't that be jolly?' we all cried. Then teacher
+said: 'Well, why not ask the Head Mistress for a holiday this
+afternoon? You're the highest standard in the school--I dare say if you
+ask for it, the whole school will get a holiday. Who will be
+spokes-woman?' Then all the girls said I must be because I was the first
+girl in the class and sounded all my h's, and when the Head Mistress
+came into the room I up and curtseyed and asked her if we could have a
+holiday this afternoon on account of the beautiful sunshine. Then the
+Head Mistress put on her eye-glasses and her face grew black and the
+sunshine seemed to go out of the room. And she said 'What! After all the
+holidays we have here, a month at New Year and a fortnight at Passover,
+and all the fast-days! I am surprised that you girls should be so lazy
+and idle and ask for more. Why don't you take example by your teacher?
+Look at Miss Hyams." We all looked at Miss Hyams, but she was looking
+for some papers in her desk. 'Look how Miss Hyams works!' said the Head
+Mistress. '_She_ never grumbles, _she_ never asks for a holiday!' We all
+looked again at Miss Hyams, but she hadn't yet found the papers. There
+was an awful silence; you could have heard a pin drop. There wasn't a
+single cough or rustle of a dress. Then the Head Mistress turned to me
+and she said: 'And you, Esther Ansell, whom I always thought so highly
+of, I'm surprised at your being the ringleader in such a disgraceful
+request. You ought to know better. I shall bear it in mind, Esther
+Ansell.' With that she sailed out, stiff and straight as a poker, and
+the door closed behind her with a bang."
+
+"Well, and what did Miss Hyams say then?" asked Debby, deeply
+interested.
+
+"She said: 'Selina Green, and what did Moses do when the Children of
+Israel grumbled for water?' She just went on with the Scripture lesson,
+as if nothing had happened."
+
+"I should tell the Head Mistress who sent me on," cried Debby
+indignantly.
+
+"Oh, no," said Esther shaking her head. "That would be mean. It's a
+matter for her own conscience. Oh, but I do wish," she concluded, "we
+had had a holiday. It would have been so lovely out in the Park."
+
+Victoria Park was _the_ Park to the Ghetto. A couple of miles off, far
+enough to make a visit to it an excursion, it was a perpetual blessing
+to the Ghetto. On rare Sunday afternoons the Ansell family minus the
+_Bube_ toiled there and back _en masse_, Moses carrying Isaac and Sarah
+by turns upon his shoulder. Esther loved the Park in all weathers, but
+best of all in the summer, when the great lake was bright and busy with
+boats, and the birds twittered in the leafy trees and the lobelias and
+calceolarias were woven into wonderful patterns by the gardeners. Then
+she would throw herself down on the thick grass and look up in mystic
+rapture at the brooding blue sky and forget to read the book she had
+brought with her, while the other children chased one another about in
+savage delight. Only once on a Saturday afternoon when her father was
+not with them, did she get Dutch Debby to break through her retired
+habits and accompany them, and then it was not summer but late autumn.
+There was an indefinable melancholy about the sere landscape. Russet
+refuse strewed the paths and the gaunt trees waved fleshless arms in the
+breeze. The November haze rose from the moist ground and dulled the blue
+of heaven with smoky clouds amid which the sun, a red sailless boat,
+floated at anchor among golden and crimson furrows and glimmering
+far-dotted fleeces. The small lake was slimy, reflecting the trees on
+its borders as a network of dirty branches. A solitary swan ruffled its
+plumes and elongated its throat, doubled in quivering outlines beneath
+the muddy surface. All at once the splash of oars was heard and the
+sluggish waters were stirred by the passage of a boat in which a heroic
+young man was rowing a no less heroic young woman.
+
+Dutch Debby burst into tears and went home. After that she fell back
+entirely on Bobby and Esther and the _London Journal_ and never even
+saved up nine shillings again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A SILENT FAMILY.
+
+
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ arrived one evening a few days before Purim at
+the tiny two-storied house in which Esther's teacher lived, with little
+Nehemiah tucked under his arm. Nehemiah wore shoes and short red socks.
+The rest of his legs was bare. Sugarman always carried him so as to
+demonstrate this fact. Sugarman himself was rigged out in a handsome
+manner, and the day not being holy, his blue bandanna peeped out from
+his left coat-tail, instead of being tied round his trouser band.
+
+"Good morning, marm," he said cheerfully.
+
+"Good morning, Sugarman," said Mrs. Hyams.
+
+She was a little careworn old woman of sixty with white hair. Had she
+been more pious her hair would never have turned gray. But Miriam had
+long since put her veto on her mother's black wig. Mrs. Hyams was a
+meek, weak person and submitted in silence to the outrage on her deepest
+instincts. Old Hyams was stronger, but not strong enough. He, too, was a
+silent person.
+
+"P'raps you're surprised," said Sugarman, "to get a call from me in my
+sealskin vest-coat. But de fact is, marm, I put it on to call on a lady.
+I only dropped in here on my vay."
+
+"Won't you take a chair?" said Mrs. Hyams. She spoke English painfully
+and slowly, having been schooled by Miriam.
+
+"No, I'm not tired. But I vill put Nechemyah down on one, if you permit.
+Dere! Sit still or I _potch_ you! P'raps you could lend me your
+corkscrew."
+
+"With pleasure," said Mrs. Hyams.
+
+"I dank you. You see my boy, Ebenezer, is _Barmitzvah_ next _Shabbos_ a
+veek, and I may not be passing again. You vill come?"
+
+"I don't know," said Mrs. Hyams hesitatingly. She was not certain
+whether Miriam considered Sugarman on their visiting list.
+
+"Don't say dat, I expect to open dirteen bottles of lemonade! You must
+come, you and Mr. Hyams and the whole family."
+
+"Thank you. I will tell Miriam and Daniel and my husband."
+
+"Dat's right. Nechemyah, don't dance on de good lady's chair. Did you
+hear, Mrs. Hyams, of Mrs. Jonas's luck?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I won her eleven pounds on the lotter_ee_."
+
+"How nice," said Mrs. Hyams, a little fluttered.
+
+"I would let you have half a ticket for two pounds."
+
+"I haven't the money."
+
+"Vell, dirty-six shillings! Dere! I have to pay dat myself."
+
+"I would if I could, but I can't."
+
+"But you can have an eighth for nine shillings."
+
+Mrs. Hyams shook her head hopelessly.
+
+"How is your son Daniel?" Sugarman asked.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you. How is your wife?"
+
+"Tank Gawd!"
+
+"And your Bessie?"
+
+"Tank Gawd! Is your Daniel in?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Tank Gawd! I mean, can I see him?"
+
+"It won't do any good."
+
+"No, not dat," said Sugarman. "I should like to ask him to de
+Confirmation myself."
+
+"Daniel!" called Mrs. Hyams.
+
+He came from the back yard in rolled-up shirt-sleeves, soap-suds drying
+on his arms. He was a pleasant-faced, flaxen-haired young fellow, the
+junior of Miriam by eighteen months. There was will in the lower part of
+the face and tenderness in the eyes.
+
+"Good morning, sir," said Sugarman. "My Ebenezer is _Barmitzvah_ next
+_Shabbos_ week; vill you do me the honor to drop in wid your moder and
+fader after _Shool_?"
+
+Daniel crimsoned suddenly. He had "No" on his lips, but suppressed it
+and ultimately articulated it in some polite periphrasis. His mother
+noticed the crimson. On a blonde face it tells.
+
+"Don't say dat," said Sugarman. "I expect to open dirteen bottles of
+lemonade. I have lent your good moder's corkscrew."
+
+"I shall be pleased to send Ebenezer a little present, but I can't come,
+I really can't. You must excuse me." Daniel turned away.
+
+"Vell," said Sugarman, anxious to assure him he bore no malice. "If you
+send a present I reckon it de same as if you come."
+
+"That's all right," said Daniel with strained heartiness.
+
+Sugarman tucked Nehemiah under his arm but lingered on the threshold. He
+did not know how to broach the subject. But the inspiration came.
+
+"Do you know I have summonsed Morris Kerlinski?"
+
+"No," said Daniel. "What for?"
+
+"He owes me dirty shillings. I found him a very fine maiden, but, now he
+is married, he says it was only worth a suvran. He offered it me but I
+vouldn't take it. A poor man he vas, too, and got ten pun from a
+marriage portion society."
+
+"Is it worth while bringing a scandal on the community for the sake of
+ten shillings? It will be in all the papers, and _Shadchan_ will be
+spelt shatcan, shodkin, shatkin, chodcan, shotgun, and goodness knows
+what else."
+
+"Yes, but it isn't ten shillings," said Sugarman. "It's dirty
+shillings."
+
+"But you say he offered you a sovereign."
+
+"So he did. He arranged for two pun ten. I took the suvran--but not in
+full payment."
+
+"You ought to settle it before the Beth-din," said Daniel vehemently,
+"or get some Jew to arbitrate. You make the Jews a laughing-stock. It is
+true all marriages depend on money," he added bitterly, "only it is the
+fashion of police court reporters to pretend the custom is limited to
+the Jews."
+
+"Vell, I did go to Reb Shemuel," said Sugarman "I dought he'd be the
+very man to arbitrate."
+
+"Why?" asked Daniel.
+
+"Vy? Hasn't he been a _Shadchan_ himself? From who else shall we look
+for sympaty?"
+
+"I see," said Daniel smiling a little. "And apparently you got none."
+
+"No," said Sugarman, growing wroth at the recollection. "He said ve are
+not in Poland."
+
+"Quite true."
+
+"Yes, but I gave him an answer he didn't like," said Sugarman. "I said,
+and ven ve are not in Poland mustn't ve keep _none_ of our religion?"
+
+His tone changed from indignation to insinuation.
+
+"Vy vill you not let me get _you_ a vife, Mr. Hyams? I have several
+extra fine maidens in my eye. Come now, don't look so angry. How much
+commission vill you give me if I find you a maiden vid a hundred pound?"
+
+"The maiden!" thundered Daniel. Then it dawned upon him that he had said
+a humorous thing and he laughed. There was merriment as well as
+mysticism in Daniel's blue eyes.
+
+But Sugarman went away, down-hearted. Love is blind, and even
+marriage-brokers may be myopic. Most people not concerned knew that
+Daniel Hyams was "sweet on" Sugarman's Bessie. And it was so. Daniel
+loved Bessie, and Bessie loved Daniel. Only Bessie did not speak because
+she was a woman and Daniel did not speak because he was a man. They were
+a quiet family--the Hyamses. They all bore their crosses in a silence
+unbroken even at home. Miriam herself, the least reticent, did not give
+the impression that she could not have husbands for the winking. Her
+demands were so high--that was all. Daniel was proud of her and her
+position and her cleverness and was confident she would marry as well as
+she dressed. He did not expect her to contribute towards the expenses of
+the household--though she did--for he felt he had broad shoulders. He
+bore his father and mother on those shoulders, semi-invalids both. In
+the bold bad years of shameless poverty, Hyams had been a wandering
+metropolitan glazier, but this open degradation became intolerable as
+Miriam's prospects improved. It was partly for her sake that Daniel
+ultimately supported his parents in idleness and refrained from
+speaking to Bessie. For he was only an employé in a fancy-goods
+warehouse, and on forty-five shillings a week you cannot keep up two
+respectable establishments.
+
+Bessie was a bonnie girl and could not in the nature of things be long
+uncaught. There was a certain night on which Daniel did not
+sleep--hardly a white night as our French neighbors say; a tear-stained
+night rather. In the morning he was resolved to deny himself Bessie.
+Peace would be his instead. If it did not come immediately he knew it
+was on the way. For once before he had struggled and been so rewarded.
+That was in his eighteenth year when he awoke to the glories of free
+thought, and knew himself a victim to the Moloch of the Sabbath, to
+which fathers sacrifice their children. The proprietor of the fancy
+goods was a Jew, and moreover closed on Saturdays. But for this
+anachronism of keeping Saturday holy when you had Sunday also to laze
+on, Daniel felt a hundred higher careers would have been open to him.
+Later, when free thought waned (it was after Daniel had met Bessie),
+although he never returned to his father's narrowness, he found the
+abhorred Sabbath sanctifying his life. It made life a conscious
+voluntary sacrifice to an ideal, and the reward was a touch of
+consecration once a week. Daniel could not have described these things,
+nor did he speak of them, which was a pity. Once and once only in the
+ferment of free thought he had uncorked his soul, and it had run over
+with much froth, and thenceforward old Mendel Hyams and Beenah, his
+wife, opposed more furrowed foreheads to a world too strong for them. If
+Daniel had taken back his words and told them he was happier for the
+ruin they had made of his prospects, their gait might not have been so
+listless. But he was a silent man.
+
+"You will go to Sugarman's, mother," he said now. "You and father. Don't
+mind that I'm not going. I have another appointment for the afternoon."
+
+It was a superfluous lie for so silent a man.
+
+"He doesn't like to be seen with us," Beenah Hyams thought. But she was
+silent.
+
+"He has never forgiven my putting him to the fancy goods," thought
+Mendel Hyams when told. But he was silent.
+
+It was of no good discussing it with his wife. Those two had rather
+halved their joys than their sorrows. They had been married forty years
+and had never had an intimate moment. Their marriage had been a matter
+of contract. Forty years ago, in Poland, Mendel Hyams had awoke one
+morning to find a face he had never seen before on the pillow beside
+his. Not even on the wedding-day had he been allowed a glimpse of his
+bride's countenance. That was the custom of the country and the time.
+Beenah bore her husband four children, of whom the elder two died; but
+the marriage did not beget affection, often the inverse offspring of
+such unions. Beenah was a dutiful housewife and Mendel Hyams supported
+her faithfully so long as his children would let him. Love never flew
+out of the window for he was never in the house. They did not talk to
+each other much. Beenah did the housework unaided by the sprig of a
+servant who was engaged to satisfy the neighbors. In his enforced
+idleness Mendel fell back on his religion, almost a profession in
+itself. They were a silent couple.
+
+At sixty there is not much chance of a forty year old silence being
+broken on this side of the grave. So far as his personal happiness was
+concerned, Mendel had only one hope left in the world--to die in
+Jerusalem. His feeling for Jerusalem was unique. All the hunted Jew in
+him combined with all the battered man to transfigure Zion with the
+splendor of sacred dreams and girdle it with the rainbows that are
+builded of bitter tears. And with it all a dread that if he were buried
+elsewhere, when the last trump sounded he would have to roll under the
+earth and under the sea to Jerusalem, the rendezvous of resurrection.
+
+Every year at the Passover table he gave his hope voice: "Next year in
+Jerusalem." In her deepest soul Miriam echoed this wish of his. She felt
+she could like him better at a distance. Beenah Hyams had only one hope
+left in the world--to die.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE PURIM BALL.
+
+
+Sam Levine duly returned for the Purim ball. Malka was away and so it
+was safe to arrive on the Sabbath. Sam and Leah called for Hannah in a
+cab, for the pavements were unfavorable to dancing shoes, and the three
+drove to the "Club," which was not a sixth of a mile off.
+
+"The Club" was the People's Palace of the Ghetto; but that it did not
+reach the bed-rock of the inhabitants was sufficiently evident from the
+fact that its language was English. The very lowest stratum was of
+secondary formation--the children of immigrants--while the highest
+touched the lower middle-class, on the mere fringes of the Ghetto. It
+was a happy place where young men and maidens met on equal terms and
+similar subscriptions, where billiards and flirtations and concerts and
+laughter and gay gossip were always on, and lemonade and cakes never
+off; a heaven where marriages were made, books borrowed and newspapers
+read. Muscular Judaism was well to the fore at "the Club," and
+entertainments were frequent. The middle classes of the community,
+overflowing with artistic instinct, supplied a phenomenal number of
+reciters, vocalists and instrumentalists ready to oblige, and the
+greatest favorites of the London footlights were pleased to come down,
+partly because they found such keenly appreciative audiences, and partly
+because they were so much mixed up with the race, both professionally
+and socially. There were serious lectures now and again, but few of the
+members took them seriously; they came to the Club not to improve their
+minds but to relax them. The Club was a blessing without disguise to the
+daughters of Judah, and certainly kept their brothers from harm. The
+ball-room, with its decorations of evergreens and winter blossoms, was a
+gay sight. Most of the dancers were in evening dress, and it would have
+been impossible to tell the ball from a Belgravian gathering, except by
+the preponderance of youth and beauty. Where could you match such a
+bevy of brunettes, where find such blondes? They were anything but
+lymphatic, these oriental blondes, if their eyes did not sparkle so
+intoxicatingly as those of the darker majority. The young men had
+carefully curled moustaches and ringlets oiled like the Assyrian bull,
+and figure-six noses, and studs glittering on their creamy shirt-fronts.
+How they did it on their wages was one of the many miracles of Jewish
+history. For socially and even in most cases financially they were only
+on the level of the Christian artisan. These young men in dress-coats
+were epitomes of one aspect of Jewish history. Not in every respect
+improvements on the "Sons of the Covenant," though; replacing the
+primitive manners and the piety of the foreign Jew by a veneer of cheap
+culture and a laxity of ceremonial observance. It was a merry party,
+almost like a family gathering, not merely because most of the dancers
+knew one another, but because "all Israel are brothers"--and sisters.
+They danced very buoyantly, not boisterously; the square dances
+symmetrically executed, every performer knowing his part; the waltzing
+full of rhythmic grace. When the music was popular they accompanied it
+on their voices. After supper their heels grew lighter, and the laughter
+and gossip louder, but never beyond the bounds of decorum. A few Dutch
+dancers tried to introduce the more gymnastic methods in vogue in their
+own clubs, where the kangaroo is dancing master, but the sentiment of
+the floor was against them. Hannah danced little, a voluntary
+wallflower, for she looked radiant in tussore silk, and there was an air
+of refinement about the slight, pretty girl that attracted the beaux of
+the Club. But she only gave a duty dance to Sam, and a waltz to Daniel
+Hyams, who had been brought by his sister, though he did not boast a
+swallow-tail to match her flowing draperies. Hannah caught a rather
+unamiable glance from pretty Bessie Sugarman, whom poor Daniel was
+trying hard not to see in the crush.
+
+"Is your sister engaged yet?" Hannah asked, for want of something to
+say.
+
+"You would know it if she was," said Daniel, looking so troubled that
+Hannah reproached herself for the meaningless remark.
+
+"How well she dances!" she made haste to say.
+
+"Not better than you," said Daniel, gallantly.
+
+"I see compliments are among the fancy goods you deal in. Do you
+reverse?" she added, as they came to an awkward corner.
+
+"Yes--but not my compliments," he said smiling. "Miriam taught me."
+
+"She makes me think of Miriam dancing by the Red Sea," she said,
+laughing at the incongruous idea.
+
+"She played a timbrel, though, didn't she?" he asked. "I confess I don't
+quite know what a timbrel is."
+
+"A sort of tambourine, I suppose," said Hannah merrily, "and she sang
+because the children of Israel were saved."
+
+They both laughed heartily, but when the waltz was over they returned to
+their individual gloom. Towards supper-time, in the middle of a square
+dance, Sam suddenly noticing Hannah's solitude, brought her a tall
+bronzed gentlemanly young man in a frock coat, mumbled an introduction
+and rushed back to the arms of the exacting Leah.
+
+"Excuse me, I am not dancing to-night," Hannah said coldly in reply to
+the stranger's demand for her programme.
+
+"Well, I'm not half sorry," he said, with a frank smile. "I had to ask
+you, you know. But I should feel quite out of place bumping such a lot
+of swells."
+
+There was something unusual about the words and the manner which
+impressed Hannah agreeably, in spite of herself. Her face relaxed a
+little as she said:
+
+"Why, haven't you been to one of these affairs before?"
+
+"Oh yes, six or seven years ago, but the place seems quite altered.
+They've rebuilt it, haven't they? Very few of us sported dress-coats
+here in the days before I went to the Cape. I only came back the other
+day and somebody gave me a ticket and so I've looked in for auld lang
+syne."
+
+An unsympathetic hearer would have detected a note of condescension in
+the last sentence. Hannah detected it, for the announcement that the
+young man had returned from the Cape froze all her nascent sympathy. She
+was turned to ice again. Hannah knew him well--the young man from the
+Cape. He was a higher and more disagreeable development of the young man
+in the dress-coat. He had put South African money in his purse--whether
+honestly or not, no one inquired--the fact remained he had put it in his
+purse. Sometimes the law confiscated it, pretending he had purchased
+diamonds illegally, or what not, but then the young man did _not_ return
+from the Cape. But, to do him justice, the secret of his success was
+less dishonesty than the opportunities for initiative energy in
+unexploited districts. Besides, not having to keep up appearances, he
+descended to menial occupations and toiled so long and terribly that he
+would probably have made just as much money at home, if he had had the
+courage. Be this as it may, there the money was, and, armed with it, the
+young man set sail literally for England, home and beauty, resuming his
+cast-off gentility with several extra layers of superciliousness. Pretty
+Jewesses, pranked in their prettiest clothes, hastened, metaphorically
+speaking, to the port to welcome the wanderer; for they knew it was from
+among them he would make his pick. There were several varieties of
+him--marked by financial ciphers--but whether he married in his old
+station or higher up the scale, he was always faithful to the sectarian
+tradition of the race, and this less from religious motives than from
+hereditary instinct. Like the young man in the dress-coat, he held the
+Christian girl to be cold of heart, and unsprightly of temperament. He
+laid it down that all Yiddishë girls possessed that warmth and _chic_
+which, among Christians, were the birthright of a few actresses and
+music-hall artistes--themselves, probably, Jewesses! And on things
+theatrical this young man spoke as one having authority. Perhaps, though
+he was scarce conscious of it, at the bottom of his repulsion was the
+certainty that the Christian girl could not fry fish. She might be
+delightful for flirtation of all degrees, but had not been formed to
+make him permanently happy. Such was the conception which Hannah had
+formed for herself of the young man from the Cape. This latest specimen
+of the genus was prepossessing into the bargain. There was no denying
+he was well built, with a shapely head and a lovely moustache. Good
+looks alone were vouchers for insolence and conceit, but, backed by the
+aforesaid purse--! She turned her head away and stared at the evolutions
+of the "Lancers" with much interest.
+
+"They've got some pretty girls in that set," he observed admiringly.
+Evidently the young man did not intend to go away.
+
+Hannah felt very annoyed. "Yes," she said, sharply, "which would you
+like?"
+
+"I shouldn't care to make invidious distinctions," he replied with a
+little laugh.
+
+"Odious prig!" thought Hannah. "He actually doesn't see I'm sitting on
+him!" Aloud she said, "No? But you can't marry them all."
+
+"Why should I marry any?" he asked in the same light tone, though there
+was a shade of surprise in it.
+
+"Haven't you come back to England to get a wife? Most young men do, when
+they don't have one exported to them in Africa."
+
+He laughed with genuine enjoyment and strove to catch the answering
+gleam in her eyes, but she kept them averted. They were standing with
+their backs to the wall and he could only see the profile and note the
+graceful poise of the head upon the warm-colored neck that stood out
+against the white bodice. The frank ring of his laughter mixed with the
+merry jingle of the fifth figure--
+
+"Well, I'm afraid I'm going to be an exception," he said.
+
+"You think nobody good enough, perhaps," she could not help saying.
+
+"Oh! Why should you think that?"
+
+"Perhaps you're married already."
+
+"Oh no, I'm not," he said earnestly. "You're not, either, are you?"
+
+"Me?" she asked; then, with a barely perceptible pause, she said, "Of
+course I am."
+
+The thought of posing as the married woman she theoretically was,
+flashed upon her suddenly and appealed irresistibly to her sense of fun.
+The recollection that the nature of the ring on her finger was concealed
+by her glove afforded her supplementary amusement.
+
+"Oh!" was all he said. "I didn't catch your name exactly."
+
+"I didn't catch yours," she replied evasively.
+
+"David Brandon," he said readily.
+
+"It's a pretty name," she said, turning smilingly to him. The infinite
+possibilities of making fun of him latent in the joke quite warmed her
+towards him. "How unfortunate for me I have destroyed my chance of
+getting it."
+
+It was the first time she had smiled, and he liked the play of light
+round the curves of her mouth, amid the shadows of the soft dark skin,
+in the black depths of the eyes.
+
+"How unfortunate for me!" he said, smiling in return.
+
+"Oh yes, of course!" she said with a little toss of her head. "There is
+no danger in saying that now."
+
+"I wouldn't care if there was."
+
+"It is easy to smooth down the serpent when the fangs are drawn," she
+laughed back.
+
+"What an extraordinary comparison!" he exclaimed. "But where are all the
+people going? It isn't all over, I hope."
+
+"Why, what do you want to stay for? You're not dancing."
+
+"That is the reason. Unless I dance with you."
+
+"And then you would want to go?" she flashed with mock resentment.
+
+"I see you're too sharp for me," he said lugubriously. "Roughing it
+among the Boers makes a fellow a bit dull in compliments."
+
+"Dull indeed!" said Hannah, drawing herself up with great seriousness.
+"I think you're more complimentary than you have a right to be to a
+married woman."
+
+His face fell. "Oh, I didn't mean anything," he said apologetically.
+
+"So I thought," retorted Hannah.
+
+The poor fellow grew more red and confused than ever. Hannah felt quite
+sympathetic with him now, so pleased was she at the humiliated condition
+to which she had brought the young man from the Cape.
+
+"Well, I'll say good-bye," he said awkwardly. "I suppose I mustn't ask
+to take you down to supper. I dare say your husband will want that
+privilege."
+
+"I dare say," replied Hannah smiling. "Although husbands do not always
+appreciate their privileges."
+
+"I shall be glad if yours doesn't," he burst forth.
+
+"Thank you for your good wishes for my domestic happiness," she said
+severely.
+
+"Oh, why will you misconstrue everything I say?" he pleaded. "You must
+think me an awful _Schlemihl_, putting my foot into it so often. Anyhow
+I hope I shall meet you again somewhere."
+
+"The world is very small," she reminded him.
+
+"I wish I knew your husband," he said ruefully.
+
+"Why?" said Hannah, innocently.
+
+"Because I could call on him," he replied, smiling.
+
+"Well, you do know him," she could not help saying.
+
+"Do I? Who is it? I don't think I do," he exclaimed.
+
+"Well, considering he introduced you to me!"
+
+"Sam!" cried David startled.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But--" said David, half incredulously, half in surprise. He certainly
+had never credited Sam with the wisdom to select or the merit to deserve
+a wife like this.
+
+"But what?" asked Hannah with charming _naďveté_.
+
+"He said--I--I--at least I think he said--I--I--understood that he
+introduced me to Miss Solomon, as his intended wife."
+
+Solomon was the name of Malka's first husband, and so of Leah.
+
+"Quite right," said Hannah simply.
+
+"Then--what--how?" he stammered.
+
+"She _was_ his intended wife," explained Hannah as if she were telling
+the most natural thing in the world. "Before he married me, you know."
+
+"I--I beg your pardon if I seemed to doubt you. I really thought you
+were joking."
+
+"Why, what made you think so?"
+
+"Well," he blurted out. "He didn't mention he was married, and seeing
+him dancing with her the whole time--"
+
+"I suppose he thinks he owes her some attention," said Hannah
+indifferently. "By way of compensation probably. I shouldn't be at all
+surprised if he takes her down to supper instead of me."
+
+"There he is, struggling towards the buffet. Yes, he has her on his
+arm."
+
+"You speak as if she were his phylacteries," said Hannah, smiling. "It
+would be a pity to disturb them. So, if you like, you can have me on
+your arm, as you put it."
+
+The young man's face lit up with pleasure, the keener that it was
+unexpected.
+
+"I am very glad to have such phylacteries on my arm, as you put it," he
+responded. "I fancy I should be a good deal _froomer_ if my phylacteries
+were like that."
+
+"What, aren't you _frooms_?" she said, as they joined the hungry
+procession in which she noted Bessie Sugarman on the arm of Daniel
+Hyams.
+
+"No, I'm a regular wrong'un," he replied. "As for phylacteries, I almost
+forget how to lay them."
+
+"That _is_ bad," she admitted, though he could not ascertain her own
+point of view from the tone.
+
+"Well, everybody else is just as bad," he said cheerfully. "All the old
+piety seems to be breaking down. It's Purim, but how many of us have
+been to hear the--the what do you call it?--the _Megillah_ read? There
+is actually a minister here to-night bare-headed. And how many of us are
+going to wash our hands before supper or _bensh_ afterwards, I should
+like to know. Why, it's as much as can be expected if the food's
+_kosher_, and there's no ham sandwiches on the dishes. Lord! how my old
+dad, God rest his soul, would have been horrified by such a party as
+this!"
+
+"Yes, it's wonderful how ashamed Jews are of their religion outside a
+synagogue!" said Hannah musingly. "_My_ father, if he were here, would
+put on his hat after supper and _bensh_, though there wasn't another man
+in the room to follow his example."
+
+"And I should admire him for it," said David, earnestly, "though I admit
+I shouldn't follow his example myself. I suppose he's one of the old
+school."
+
+"He is Reb Shemuel," said Hannah, with dignity.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" he exclaimed, not without surprise, "I know him well. He
+used to bless me when I was a boy, and it used to cost him a halfpenny a
+time. Such a jolly fellow!"
+
+"I'm so glad you think so," said Hannah flushing with pleasure.
+
+"Of course I do. Does he still have all those _Greeners_ coming to ask
+him questions?"
+
+"Oh, yes. Their piety is just the same as ever."
+
+"They're poor," observed David. "It's always those poorest in worldly
+goods who are richest in religion."
+
+"Well, isn't that a compensation?" returned Hannah, with a little sigh.
+"But from my father's point of view, the truth is rather that those who
+have most pecuniary difficulties have most religious difficulties."
+
+"Ah, I suppose they come to your father as much to solve the first as
+the second."
+
+"Father is very good," she said simply.
+
+They had by this time obtained something to eat, and for a minute or so
+the dialogue became merely dietary.
+
+"Do you know," he said in the course of the meal, "I feel I ought not to
+have told you what a wicked person I am? I put my foot into it there,
+too."
+
+"No, why?"
+
+"Because you are Reb Shemuel's daughter."
+
+"Oh, what nonsense! I like to hear people speak their minds. Besides,
+you mustn't fancy I'm as _froom_ as my father."
+
+"I don't fancy that. Not quite," he laughed. "I know there's some
+blessed old law or other by which women haven't got the same chance of
+distinguishing themselves that way as men. I have a vague recollection
+of saying a prayer thanking God for not having made me a woman."
+
+"Ah, that must have been a long time ago," she said slyly.
+
+"Yes, when I was a boy," he admitted. Then the oddity of the premature
+thanksgiving struck them both and they laughed.
+
+"You've got a different form provided for you, haven't you?" he said.
+
+"Yes, I have to thank God for having made me according to His will."
+
+"You don't seem satisfied for all that," he said, struck by something in
+the way she said it.
+
+"How can a woman be satisfied?" she asked, looking up frankly. "She has
+no voice in her destinies. She must shut her eyes and open her mouth and
+swallow what it pleases God to send her."
+
+"All right, shut your eyes," he said, and putting his hand over them he
+gave her a titbit and restored the conversation to a more flippant
+level.
+
+"You mustn't do that," she said. "Suppose my husband were to see you."
+
+"Oh, bother!" he said. "I don't know why it is, but I don't seem to
+realize you're a married woman."
+
+"Am I playing the part so badly as all that?"
+
+"Is it a part?" he cried eagerly.
+
+She shook her head. His face fell again. She could hardly fail to note
+the change.
+
+"No, it's a stern reality," she said. "I wish it wasn't."
+
+It seemed a bold confession, but it was easy to understand. Sam had been
+an old school-fellow of his, and David had not thought highly of him. He
+was silent a moment.
+
+"Are you not happy?" he said gently.
+
+"Not in my marriage."
+
+"Sam must be a regular brute!" he cried indignantly. "He doesn't know
+how to treat you. He ought to have his head punched the way he's going
+on with that fat thing in red."
+
+"Oh, don't run her down," said Hannah, struggling to repress her
+emotions, which were not purely of laughter. "She's my dearest friend."
+
+"They always are," said David oracularly. "But how came you to marry
+him?"
+
+"Accident," she said indifferently.
+
+"Accident!" he repeated, open-eyed.
+
+"Ah, well, it doesn't matter," said Hannah, meditatively conveying a
+spoonful of trifle to her mouth. "I shall be divorced from him
+to-morrow. Be careful! You nearly broke that plate."
+
+David stared at her, open-mouthed.
+
+"Going to be divorced from him to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, is there anything odd about it?"
+
+"Oh," he said, after staring at her impassive face for a full minute.
+"Now I'm sure you've been making fun of me all along."
+
+"My dear Mr. Brandon, why will you persist in making me out a liar?"
+
+He was forced to apologize again and became such a model of perplexity
+and embarrassment that Hannah's gravity broke down at last and her merry
+peal of laughter mingled with the clatter of plates and the hubbub of
+voices.
+
+"I must take pity on you and enlighten you," she said, "but promise me
+it shall go no further. It's only our own little circle that knows about
+it and I don't want to be the laughing-stock of the Lane."
+
+"Of course I will promise," he said eagerly.
+
+She kept his curiosity on the _qui vive_ to amuse herself a little
+longer, but ended by telling him all, amid frequent exclamations of
+surprise.
+
+"Well, I never!" he said when it was over. "Fancy a religion in which
+only two per cent. of the people who profess it have ever heard of its
+laws. I suppose we're so mixed up with the English, that it never occurs
+to us we've got marriage laws of our own--like the Scotch. Anyhow I'm
+real glad and I congratulate you."
+
+"On what?"
+
+"On not being really married to Sam."
+
+"Well, you're a nice friend of his, I must say. I don't congratulate
+myself, I can tell you."
+
+"You don't?" he said in a disappointed tone.
+
+She shook her head silently.
+
+"Why not?" he inquired anxiously.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, this forced marriage was my only chance of
+getting a husband who wasn't pious. Don't look so puzzled. I wasn't
+shocked at your wickedness--you mustn't be at mine. You know there's
+such a lot of religion in our house that I thought if I ever did get
+married I'd like a change."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha! So you're as the rest of us. Well, it's plucky of you to
+admit it."
+
+"Don't see it. My living doesn't depend on religion, thank Heaven.
+Father's a saint, I know, but he swallows everything he sees in his
+books just as he swallows everything mother and I put before him in his
+plate--and in spite of it all--" She was about to mention Levi's
+shortcomings but checked herself in time. She had no right to unveil
+anybody's soul but her own and she didn't know why she was doing that.
+
+"But you don't mean to say your father would forbid you to marry a man
+you cared for, just because he wasn't _froom_?"
+
+"I'm sure he would."
+
+"But that would be cruel."
+
+"He wouldn't think so. He'd think he was saving my soul, and you must
+remember he can't imagine any one who has been taught to see its beauty
+not loving the yoke of the Law. He's the best father in the world--but
+when religion's concerned, the best-hearted of mankind are liable to
+become hard as stone. You don't know my father as I do. But apart from
+that, I wouldn't marry a man, myself, who might hurt my father's
+position. I should have to keep a _kosher_ house or look how people
+would talk!"
+
+"And wouldn't you if you had your own way?"
+
+"I don't know what I would do. It's so impossible, the idea of my having
+my own way. I think I should probably go in for a change, I'm so
+tired--so tired of this eternal ceremony. Always washing up plates and
+dishes. I dare say it's all for our good, but I _am_ so tired."
+
+"Oh, I don't see much difficulty about _Koshers_. I always eat _kosher_
+meat myself when I can get it, providing it's not so beastly tough as it
+has a knack of being. Of course it's absurd to expect a man to go
+without meat when he's travelling up country, just because it hasn't
+been killed with a knife instead of a pole-axe. Besides, don't we know
+well enough that the folks who are most particular about those sort of
+things don't mind swindling and setting their houses on fire and all
+manner of abominations? I wouldn't be a Christian for the world, but I
+should like to see a little more common-sense introduced into our
+religion; it ought to be more up to date. If ever I marry, I should like
+my wife to be a girl who wouldn't want to keep anything but the higher
+parts of Judaism. Not out of laziness, mind you, but out of conviction."
+
+David stopped suddenly, surprised at his own sentiments, which he
+learned for the first time. However vaguely they might have been
+simmering in his brain, he could not honestly accuse himself of having
+ever bestowed any reflection on "the higher parts of Judaism" or even on
+the religious convictions apart from the racial aspects of his future
+wife. Could it be that Hannah's earnestness was infecting him?
+
+"Oh, then you _would_ marry a Jewess!" said Hannah.
+
+"Oh, of course," he said in astonishment. Then as he looked at her
+pretty, earnest face the amusing recollection that she _was_ married
+already came over him with a sort of shock, not wholly comical. There
+was a minute of silence, each pursuing a separate train of thought. Then
+David wound up, as if there had been no break, with an elliptical,
+"wouldn't you?"
+
+Hannah shrugged her shoulders and elevated her eyebrows in a gesture
+that lacked her usual grace.
+
+"Not if I had only to please myself," she added.
+
+"Oh, come! Don't say that," he said anxiously. "I don't believe mixed
+marriages are a success. Really, I don't. Besides, look at the scandal!"
+
+Again she shrugged her shoulders, defiantly this time.
+
+"I don't suppose I shall ever get married," she said. "I never could
+marry a man father would approve of, so that a Christian would be no
+worse than an educated Jew."
+
+David did not quite grasp the sentence; he was trying to, when Sam and
+Leah passed them. Sam winked in a friendly if not very refined manner.
+
+"I see you two are getting on all right." he said.
+
+"Good gracious!" said Hannah, starting up with a blush. "Everybody's
+going back. They _will_ think us greedy. What a pair of fools we are to
+have got into such serious conversation at a ball."
+
+"Was it serious?" said David with a retrospective air. "Well, I never
+enjoyed a conversation so much in my life."
+
+"You mean the supper," Hannah said lightly.
+
+"Well, both. It's your fault that we don't behave more appropriately."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"You won't dance."
+
+"Do you want to?"
+
+"Rather."
+
+"I thought you were afraid of all the swells."
+
+"Supper has given me courage."
+
+"Oh, very well if you want to, that's to say if you really can waltz."
+
+"Try me, only you must allow for my being out of practice. I didn't get
+many dances at the Cape, I can tell you."
+
+"The Cape!" Hannah heard the words without making her usual grimace. She
+put her hand lightly on his shoulder, he encircled her waist with his
+arm and they surrendered themselves to the intoxication of the slow,
+voluptuous music.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE SONS OF THE COVENANT.
+
+
+The "Sons of the Covenant" sent no representatives to the club balls,
+wotting neither of waltzes nor of dress-coats, and preferring death to
+the embrace of a strange dancing woman. They were the congregation of
+which Mr. Belcovitch was President and their synagogue was the ground
+floor of No. 1 Royal Street--two large rooms knocked into one, and the
+rear partitioned off for the use of the bewigged, heavy-jawed women who
+might not sit with the men lest they should fascinate their thoughts
+away from things spiritual. Its furniture was bare benches, a raised
+platform with a reading desk in the centre and a wooden curtained ark at
+the end containing two parchment scrolls of the Law, each with a silver
+pointer and silver bells and pomegranates. The scrolls were in
+manuscript, for the printing-press has never yet sullied the sanctity of
+the synagogue editions of the Pentateuch. The room was badly ventilated
+and what little air there was was generally sucked up by a greedy
+company of wax candles, big and little, struck in brass holders. The
+back window gave on the yard and the contiguous cow-sheds, and "moos"
+mingled with the impassioned supplications of the worshippers, who came
+hither two and three times a day to batter the gates of heaven and to
+listen to sermons more exegetical than ethical. They dropped in, mostly
+in their work-a-day garments and grime, and rumbled and roared and
+chorused prayers with a zeal that shook the window-panes, and there was
+never lack of _minyan_--the congregational quorum of ten. In the West
+End, synagogues are built to eke out the income of poor _minyan-men_ or
+professional congregants; in the East End rooms are tricked up for
+prayer. This synagogue was all of luxury many of its Sons could boast.
+It was their _salon_ and their lecture-hall. It supplied them not only
+with their religion but their art and letters, their politics and their
+public amusements. It was their home as well as the Almighty's, and on
+occasion they were familiar and even a little vulgar with Him. It was a
+place in which they could sit in their slippers, metaphorically that is;
+for though they frequently did so literally, it was by way of reverence,
+not ease. They enjoyed themselves in this _Shool_ of theirs; they
+shouted and skipped and shook and sang, they wailed and moaned; they
+clenched their fists and thumped their breasts and they were not least
+happy when they were crying. There is an apocryphal anecdote of one of
+them being in the act of taking a pinch of snuff when the "Confession"
+caught him unexpectedly.
+
+"We have trespassed," he wailed mechanically, as he spasmodically put
+the snuff in his bosom and beat his nose with his clenched fist.
+
+They prayed metaphysics, acrostics, angelology, Cabalah, history,
+exegetics, Talmudical controversies, _menus_, recipes, priestly
+prescriptions, the canonical books, psalms, love-poems, an undigested
+hotch-potch of exalted and questionable sentiments, of communal and
+egoistic aspirations of the highest order. It was a wonderful liturgy,
+as grotesque as it was beautiful--like an old cathedral in all styles of
+architecture, stored with shabby antiquities and side-shows and
+overgrown with moss and lichen--a heterogeneous blend of historical
+strata of all periods, in which gems of poetry and pathos and spiritual
+fervor glittered and pitiful records of ancient persecution lay
+petrified. And the method of praying these things was equally complex
+and uncouth, equally the bond-slave of tradition; here a rising and
+there a bow, now three steps backwards and now a beating of the breast,
+this bit for the congregation and that for the minister, variants of a
+page, a word, a syllable, even a vowel, ready for every possible
+contingency. Their religious consciousness was largely a musical
+box--the thrill of the ram's horn, the cadenza of psalmic phrase, the
+jubilance of a festival "Amen" and the sobriety of a work-a-day "Amen,"
+the Passover melodies and the Pentecost, the minor keys of Atonement and
+the hilarious rhapsodies of Rejoicing, the plain chant of the Law and
+the more ornate intonation of the Prophets--all this was known and
+loved and was far more important than the meaning of it all or its
+relation to their real lives; for page upon page was gabbled off at
+rates that could not be excelled by automata. But if they did not always
+know what they were saying they always meant it. If the service had been
+more intelligible it would have been less emotional and edifying. There
+was not a sentiment, however incomprehensible, for which they were not
+ready to die or to damn.
+
+"All Israel are brethren," and indeed there was a strange antique
+clannishness about these "Sons of the Covenant" which in the modern
+world, where the ends of the ages meet, is Socialism. They prayed for
+one another while alive, visited one another's bedsides when sick,
+buried one another when dead. No mercenary hands poured the yolks of
+eggs over their dead faces and arrayed their corpses in their
+praying-shawls. No hired masses were said for the sick or the troubled,
+for the psalm-singing services of the "Sons of the Covenant" were always
+available for petitioning the Heavens, even though their brother had
+been arrested for buying stolen goods, and the service might be an
+invitation to Providence to compound a felony. Little charities of their
+own they had, too--a Sabbath Meal Society, and a Marriage Portion
+Society to buy the sticks for poor couples--and when a pauper countryman
+arrived from Poland, one of them boarded him and another lodged him and
+a third taught him a trade. Strange exotics in a land of prose carrying
+with them through the paven highways of London the odor of Continental
+Ghettos and bearing in their eyes through all the shrewdness of their
+glances the eternal mysticism of the Orient, where God was born! Hawkers
+and peddlers, tailors and cigar-makers, cobblers and furriers, glaziers
+and cap-makers--this was in sum their life. To pray much and to work
+long, to beg a little and to cheat a little, to eat not over-much and to
+"drink" scarce at all, to beget annual children by chaste wives
+(disallowed them half the year), and to rear them not over-well, to
+study the Law and the Prophets and to reverence the Rabbinical tradition
+and the chaos of commentaries expounding it, to abase themselves before
+the "Life of Man" and Joseph Cam's "Prepared Table" as though the
+authors had presided at the foundation of the earth, to wear
+phylacteries and fringes, to keep the beard unshaven, and the corners of
+the hair uncut, to know no work on Sabbath and no rest on week-day. It
+was a series of recurrent landmarks, ritual and historical, of intimacy
+with God so continuous that they were in danger of forgetting His
+existence as of the air they breathed. They ate unleavened bread in
+Passover and blessed the moon and counted the days of the _Omer_ till
+Pentecost saw the synagogue dressed with flowers in celebration of an
+Asiatic fruit harvest by a European people divorced from agriculture;
+they passed to the terrors and triumphs of the New Year (with its
+domestic symbolism of apple and honey and its procession to the river)
+and the revelry of repentance on the Great White Fast, when they burned
+long candles and whirled fowls round their heads and attired themselves
+in grave-clothes and saw from their seats in synagogue the long fast-day
+darken slowly into dusk, while God was sealing the decrees of life and
+death; they passed to Tabernacles when they ran up rough booths in back
+yards draped with their bed-sheets and covered with greenery, and bore
+through the streets citrons in boxes and a waving combination of myrtle,
+and palm and willow branches, wherewith they made a pleasant rustling in
+the synagogue; and thence to the Rejoicing of the Law when they danced
+and drank rum in the House of the Lord and scrambled sweets for the
+little ones, and made a sevenfold circuit with the two scrolls,
+supplemented by toy flags and children's candles stuck in hollow
+carrots; and then on again to Dedication with its celebration of the
+Maccabaean deliverance and the miracle of the unwaning oil in the
+Temple, and to Purim with its masquerading and its execration of Haman's
+name by the banging of little hammers; and so back to Passover. And with
+these larger cycles, epicycles of minor fasts and feasts, multiplex, not
+to be overlooked, from the fast of the ninth of Ab--fatal day for the
+race--when they sat on the ground in shrouds, and wailed for the
+destruction of Jerusalem, to the feast of the Great Hosannah when they
+whipped away willow-leaves on the _Shool_ benches in symbolism of
+forgiven sins, sitting up the whole of the night before in a long
+paroxysm of prayer mitigated by coffee and cakes; from the period in
+which nuts were prohibited to the period in which marriages were
+commended.
+
+And each day, too, had its cycles of religious duty, its comprehensive
+and cumbrous ritual with accretions of commentary and tradition.
+
+And every contingency of the individual life was equally provided for,
+and the writings that regulated all this complex ritual are a marvellous
+monument of the patience, piety and juristic genius of the race--and of
+the persecution which threw it back upon its sole treasure, the Law.
+
+Thus they lived and died, these Sons of the Covenant, half-automata,
+sternly disciplined by voluntary and involuntary privation, hemmed and
+mewed in by iron walls of form and poverty, joyfully ground under the
+perpetual rotary wheel of ritualism, good-humored withal and casuistic
+like all people whose religion stands much upon ceremony; inasmuch as a
+ritual law comes to count one equally with a moral, and a man is not
+half bad who does three-fourths of his duty.
+
+And so the stuffy room with its guttering candles and its
+Chameleon-colored ark-curtain was the pivot of their barren lives. Joy
+came to bear to it the offering of its thanksgiving and to vow sixpenny
+bits to the Lord, prosperity came in a high hat to chaffer for the holy
+privileges, and grief came with rent garments to lament the beloved dead
+and glorify the name of the Eternal.
+
+The poorest life is to itself the universe and all that therein is, and
+these humble products of a great and terrible past, strange fruits of a
+motley-flowering secular tree whose roots are in Canaan and whose boughs
+overshadow the earth, were all the happier for not knowing that the
+fulness of life was not theirs.
+
+And the years went rolling on, and the children grew up and here and
+there a parent.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The elders of the synagogue were met in council.
+
+"He is greater than a Prince," said the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+"If all the Princes of the Earth were put in one scale," said Mr.
+Belcovitch, "and our _Maggid_, Moses, in the other, he would outweigh
+them all. He is worth a hundred of the Chief Rabbi of England, who has
+been seen bareheaded."
+
+"From Moses to Moses there has been none like Moses," said old Mendel
+Hyams, interrupting the Yiddish with a Hebrew quotation.
+
+"Oh no," said the Shalotten _Shammos_, who was a great stickler for
+precision, being, as his nickname implied, a master of ceremonies. "I
+can't admit that. Look at my brother Nachmann."
+
+There was a general laugh at the Shalotten _Shammos's_ bull; the proverb
+dealing only with Moseses.
+
+"He has the true gift," observed _Froom_ Karlkammer, shaking the flames
+of his hair pensively. "For the letters of his name have the same
+numerical value as those of the great Moses da Leon."
+
+_Froom_ Karlkammer was listened to with respect, for he was an honorary
+member of the committee, who paid for two seats in a larger congregation
+and only worshipped with the Sons of the Covenant on special occasions.
+The Shalotten _Shammos_, however, was of contradictory temperament--a
+born dissentient, upheld by a steady consciousness of highly superior
+English, the drop of bitter in Belcovitch's presidential cup. He was a
+long thin man, who towered above the congregation, and was as tall as
+the bulk of them even when he was bowing his acknowledgments to his
+Maker.
+
+"How do you make that out?" he asked Karlkammer. "Moses of course adds
+up the same as Moses--but while the other part of the _Maggid's_ name
+makes seventy-three, da Leon's makes ninety-one."
+
+"Ah, that's because you're ignorant of _Gematriyah_," said little
+Karlkammer, looking up contemptuously at the cantankerous giant. "You
+reckon all the letters on the same system, and you omit to give yourself
+the license of deleting the ciphers."
+
+In philology it is well known that all consonants are interchangeable
+and vowels don't count; in _Gematriyah_ any letter may count for
+anything, and the total may be summed up anyhow.
+
+Karlkammer was one of the curiosities of the Ghetto. In a land of
+_froom_ men he was the _froomest_. He had the very genius of fanaticism.
+On the Sabbath he spoke nothing but Hebrew whatever the inconvenience
+and however numerous the misunderstandings, and if he perchance paid a
+visit he would not perform the "work" of lifting the knocker. Of course
+he had his handkerchief girt round his waist to save him from carrying
+it, but this compromise being general was not characteristic of
+Karlkammer any more than his habit of wearing two gigantic sets of
+phylacteries where average piety was content with one of moderate size.
+
+One of the walls of his room had an unpapered and unpainted scrap in
+mourning for the fall of Jerusalem. He walked through the streets to
+synagogue attired in his praying-shawl and phylacteries, and knocked
+three times at the door of God's house when he arrived. On the Day of
+Atonement he walked in his socks, though the heavens fell, wearing his
+grave-clothes. On this day he remained standing in synagogue from 6 A.M.
+to 7 P.M. with his body bent at an angle of ninety degrees; it was to
+give him bending space that he hired two seats. On Tabernacles, not
+having any ground whereon to erect a booth, by reason of living in an
+attic, he knocked a square hole in the ceiling, covered it with branches
+through which the free air of heaven played, and hung a quadrangle of
+sheets from roof to floor; he bore to synagogue the tallest _Lulav_ of
+palm-branches that could be procured and quarrelled with a rival pietist
+for the last place in the floral procession, as being the lowliest and
+meekest man in Israel--an ethical pedestal equally claimed by his rival.
+He insisted on bearing a corner of the biers of all the righteous dead.
+Almost every other day was a fast-day for Karlkammer, and he had a host
+of supplementary ceremonial observances which are not for the vulgar.
+Compared with him Moses Ansell and the ordinary "Sons of the Covenant"
+were mere heathens. He was a man of prodigious distorted mental
+activity. He had read omnivorously amid the vast stores of Hebrew
+literature, was a great authority on Cabalah, understood astronomy, and,
+still more, astrology, was strong on finance, and could argue coherently
+on any subject outside religion. His letters to the press on
+specifically Jewish subjects were the most hopeless, involved,
+incomprehensible and protracted puzzles ever penned, bristling with
+Hebrew quotations from the most varying, the most irrelevant and the
+most mutually incongruous sources and peppered with the dates of birth
+and death of every Rabbi mentioned.
+
+No one had ever been known to follow one of these argumentations to the
+bitter end. They were written in good English modified by a few peculiar
+terms used in senses unsuspected by dictionary-makers; in a beautiful
+hand, with the t's uncrossed, but crowned with the side-stroke, so as to
+avoid the appearance of the symbol of Christianity, and with the dates
+expressed according to the Hebrew Calendar, for Karlkammer refused to
+recognize the chronology of the Christian. He made three copies of every
+letter, and each was exactly like the others in every word and every
+line. His bill for midnight oil must have been extraordinary, for he was
+a business man and had to earn his living by day. Kept within the limits
+of sanity by a religion without apocalyptic visions, he was saved from
+predicting the end of the world by mystic calculations, but he used them
+to prove everything else and fervently believed that endless meanings
+were deducible from the numerical value of Biblical words, that not a
+curl at the tail of a letter of any word in any sentence but had its
+supersubtle significance. The elaborate cipher with which Bacon is
+alleged to have written Shakspeare's plays was mere child's play
+compared with the infinite revelations which in Karlkammer's belief the
+Deity left latent in writing the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi,
+and in inspiring the Talmud and the holier treasures of Hebrew
+literature. Nor were these ideas of his own origination. His was an
+eclectic philosophy and religionism, of which all the elements were
+discoverable in old Hebrew books: scraps of Alexandrian philosophy
+inextricably blent with Aristotelian, Platonic, mystic.
+
+He kept up a copious correspondence with scholars in other countries and
+was universally esteemed and pitied.
+
+"We haven't come to discuss the figures of the _Maggid's_ name, but of
+his salary." said Mr. Belcovitch, who prided himself on his capacity for
+conducting public business.
+
+"I have examined the finances," said Karlkammer, "and I don't see how
+we can possibly put aside more for our preacher than the pound a week."
+
+"But he is not satisfied," said Mr. Belcovitch.
+
+"I don't see why he shouldn't be," said the Shalotten _Shammos_. "A
+pound a week is luxury for a single man."
+
+The Sons of the Covenant did not know that the poor consumptive _Maggid_
+sent half his salary to his sisters in Poland to enable them to buy back
+their husbands from military service; also they had vague unexpressed
+ideas that he was not mortal, that Heaven would look after his larder,
+that if the worst came to the worst he could fall back on Cabalah and
+engage himself with the mysteries of food-creation.
+
+"I have a wife and family to keep on a pound a week," grumbled Greenberg
+the _Chazan_.
+
+Besides being Reader, Greenberg blew the horn and killed cattle and
+circumcised male infants and educated children and discharged the
+functions of beadle and collector. He spent a great deal of his time in
+avoiding being drawn into the contending factions of the congregation
+and in steering equally between Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+The Sons only gave him fifty a year for all his trouble, but they eked
+it out by allowing him to be on the Committee, where on the question of
+a rise in the Reader's salary he was always an ineffective minority of
+one. His other grievance was that for the High Festivals the Sons
+temporarily engaged a finer voiced Reader and advertised him at raised
+prices to repay themselves out of the surplus congregation. Not only had
+Greenberg to play second fiddle on these grand occasions, but he had to
+iterate "Pom" as a sort of musical accompaniment in the pauses of his
+rival's vocalization.
+
+"You can't compare yourself with the _Maggid_" the Shalotten _Shammos_
+reminded him consolingly. "There are hundreds of you in the market.
+There are several _morceaux_ of the service which you do not sing half
+so well as your predecessor; your horn-blowing cannot compete with
+Freedman's of the Fashion Street _Chevrah_, nor can you read the Law as
+quickly and accurately as Prochintski. I have told you over and over
+again you confound the air of the Passover _Yigdal_ with the New Year
+ditto. And then your preliminary flourish to the Confession of Sin--it
+goes 'Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei'" (he mimicked Greenberg's melody)
+"whereas it should be 'Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi.'"
+
+"Oh no," interrupted Belcovitch. "All the _Chazanim_ I've ever heard do
+it 'Ei, Ei, Ei.'"
+
+"You are not entitled to speak on this subject, Belcovitch," said the
+Shalotten _Shammos_ warmly. "You are a Man-of-the-Earth. I have heard
+every great _Chazan_ in Europe."
+
+"What was good enough for my father is good enough for me," retorted
+Belcovitch. "The _Shool_ he took me to at home had a beautiful _Chazan_,
+and he always sang it 'Ei, Ei, Ei.'"
+
+"I don't care what you heard at home. In England every _Chazan_ sings
+'Oi, Oi, Oi.'"
+
+"We can't take our tune from England," said Karlkammer reprovingly.
+"England is a polluted country by reason of the Reformers whom we were
+compelled to excommunicate."
+
+"Do you mean to say that my father was an Epicurean?" asked Belcovitch
+indignantly. "The tune was as Greenberg sings it. That there are impious
+Jews who pray bareheaded and sit in the synagogue side by side with the
+women has nothing to do with it."
+
+The Reformers did neither of these things, but the Ghetto to a man
+believed they did, and it would have been countenancing their
+blasphemies to pay a visit to their synagogues and see. It was an
+extraordinary example of a myth flourishing in the teeth of the facts,
+and as such should be useful to historians sifting "the evidence of
+contemporary writers."
+
+The dispute thickened; the synagogue hummed with "Eis" and "Ois" not in
+concord.
+
+"Shah!" said the President at last. "Make an end, make an end!"
+
+"You see he knows I'm right," murmured the Shalotten _Shammos_ to his
+circle.
+
+"And if you are!" burst forth the impeached Greenberg, who had by this
+time thought of a retort. "And if I do sing the Passover _Yigdal_
+instead of the New Year, have I not reason, seeing I have _no bread in
+the house_? With my salary I have Passover all the year round."
+
+The _Chazan's_ sally made a good impression on his audience if not on
+his salary. It was felt that he had a just grievance, and the
+conversation was hastily shifted to the original topic.
+
+"We mustn't forget the _Maggid_ draws crowds here every Saturday and
+Sunday afternoon," said Mendel Hyams. "Suppose he goes over to a
+_Chevrah_ that will pay him more!"
+
+"No, he won't do that," said another of the Committee. "He will remember
+that we brought him out of Poland."
+
+"Yes, but we shan't have room for the audiences soon," said Belcovitch.
+"There are so many outsiders turned away every time that I think we
+ought to let half the applicants enjoy the first two hours of the sermon
+and the other half the second two hours."
+
+"No, no, that would be cruel," said Karlkammer. "He will have to give
+the Sunday sermons at least in a larger synagogue. My own _Shool_, the
+German, will be glad to give him facilities."
+
+"But what if they want to take him altogether at a higher salary?" said
+Mendel.
+
+"No, I'm on the Committee, I'll see to that," said Karlkammer
+reassuringly.
+
+"Then do you think we shall tell him we can't afford to give him more?"
+asked Belcovitch.
+
+There was a murmur of assent with a fainter mingling of dissent. The
+motion that the _Maggid's_ application be refused was put to the vote
+and carried by a large majority.
+
+It was the fate of the _Maggid_ to be the one subject on which
+Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_ agreed. They agreed as to his
+transcendent merits and they agreed as to the adequacy of his salary.
+
+"But he's so weakly," protested Mendel Hyams, who was in the minority.
+"He coughs blood."
+
+"He ought to go to a sunny place for a week," said Belcovitch
+compassionately.
+
+"Yes, he must certainly have that," said Karlkammer. "Let us add as a
+rider that although we cannot pay him more per week, he must have a
+week's holiday in the country. The Shalotten _Shammos_ shall write the
+letter to Rothschild."
+
+Rothschild was a magic name in the Ghetto; it stood next to the
+Almighty's as a redresser of grievances and a friend of the poor, and
+the Shalotten _Shammos_ made a large part of his income by writing
+letters to it. He charged twopence halfpenny per letter, for his English
+vocabulary was larger than any other scribe's in the Ghetto, and his
+words were as much longer than theirs as his body. He also filled up
+printed application forms for Soup or Passover cakes, and had a most
+artistic sense of the proportion of orphans permissible to widows and a
+correct instinct for the plausible duration of sicknesses.
+
+The Committee agreed _nem. con._ to the grant of a seaside holiday, and
+the Shalotten _Shammos_ with a gratified feeling of importance waived
+his twopence halfpenny. He drew up a letter forthwith, not of course in
+the name of the Sons of the Covenant, but in the _Maggid's_ own.
+
+He took the magniloquent sentences to the _Maggid_ for signature. He
+found the _Maggid_ walking up and down Royal Street waiting for the
+verdict. The _Maggid_ walked with a stoop that was almost a permanent
+bow, so that his long black beard reached well towards his baggy knees.
+His curved eagle nose was grown thinner, his long coat shinier, his look
+more haggard, his corkscrew earlocks were more matted, and when he spoke
+his voice was a tone more raucous. He wore his high hat--a tall cylinder
+that reminded one of a weather-beaten turret.
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ explained briefly what he had done.
+
+"May thy strength increase!" said the _Maggid_ in the Hebrew formula of
+gratitude.
+
+"Nay, thine is more important," replied the Shalotten _Shammos_ with
+hilarious heartiness, and he proceeded to read the letter as they walked
+along together, giant and doubled-up wizard.
+
+"But I haven't got a wife and six children," said the _Maggid_, for whom
+one or two phrases stood out intelligible. "My wife is dead and I never
+was blessed with a _Kaddish_."
+
+"It sounds better so," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ authoritatively.
+"Preachers are expected to have heavy families dependent upon them. It
+would sound lies if I told the truth."
+
+This was an argument after the _Maggid's_ own heart, but it did not
+quite convince him.
+
+"But they will send and make inquiries," he murmured.
+
+"Then your family are in Poland; you send your money over there."
+
+"That is true," said the _Maggid_ feebly. "But still it likes me not."
+
+"You leave it to me," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ impressively. "A
+shamefaced man cannot learn, and a passionate man cannot teach. So said
+Hillel. When you are in the pulpit I listen to you; when I have my pen
+in hand, do you listen to me. As the proverb says, if I were a Rabbi the
+town would burn. But if you were a scribe the letter would burn. I don't
+pretend to be a _Maggid_, don't you set up to be a letter writer."
+
+"Well, but do you think it's honorable?"
+
+"Hear, O Israel!" cried the Shalotten _Shammos_, spreading out his palms
+impatiently. "Haven't I written letters for twenty years?"
+
+The _Maggid_ was silenced. He walked on brooding. "And what is this
+place, Burnmud, I ask to go to?" he inquired.
+
+"Bournemouth," corrected the other. "It is a place on the South coast
+where all the most aristocratic consumptives go."
+
+"But it must be very dear," said the poor _Maggid_, affrighted.
+
+"Dear? Of course it's dear," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ pompously.
+"But shall we consider expense where your health is concerned?"
+
+The _Maggid_ felt so grateful he was almost ashamed to ask whether he
+could eat _kosher_ there, but the Shalotten _Shammos_, who had the air
+of a tall encyclopaedia, set his soul at rest on all points.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+SUGARMAN'S BAR-MITZVAH PARTY.
+
+
+The day of Ebenezer Sugarman's _Bar-mitzvah_ duly arrived. All his sins
+would henceforth be on his own head and everybody rejoiced. By the
+Friday evening so many presents had arrived--four breastpins, two rings,
+six pocket-knives, three sets of _Machzorim_ or Festival Prayer-books,
+and the like--that his father barred up the door very carefully and in
+the middle of the night, hearing a mouse scampering across the floor,
+woke up in a cold sweat and threw open the bedroom window and cried "Ho!
+Buglers!" But the "Buglers" made no sign of being scared, everything was
+still and nothing purloined, so Jonathan took a reprimand from his
+disturbed wife and curled himself up again in bed.
+
+Sugarman did things in style and through the influence of a client the
+confirmation ceremony was celebrated in "Duke's Plaizer Shool."
+Ebenezer, who was tall and weak-eyed, with lank black hair, had a fine
+new black cloth suit and a beautiful silk praying-shawl with blue
+stripes, and a glittering watch-chain and a gold ring and a nice new
+Prayer-book with gilt edges, and all the boys under thirteen made up
+their minds to grow up and be responsible for their sins as quick as
+possible. Ebenezer walked up to the Reading Desk with a dauntless stride
+and intoned his Portion of the Law with no more tremor than was
+necessitated by the musical roulades, and then marched upstairs, as bold
+as brass, to his mother, who was sitting up in the gallery, and who gave
+him a loud smacking kiss that could be heard in the four corners of the
+synagogue, just as if she were a real lady.
+
+Then there was the _Bar-mitzvah_ breakfast, at which Ebenezer delivered
+an English sermon and a speech, both openly written by the Shalotten
+_Shammos_, and everybody commended the boy's beautiful sentiments and
+the beautiful language in which they were couched. Mrs. Sugarman forgot
+all the trouble Ebenezer had given her in the face of his assurances of
+respect and affection and she wept copiously. Having only one eye she
+could not see what her Jonathan saw, and what was spoiling his enjoyment
+of Ebenezer's effusive gratitude to his dear parents for having trained
+him up in lofty principles.
+
+It was chiefly male cronies who had been invited to breakfast, and the
+table had been decorated with biscuits and fruit and sweets not
+appertaining to the meal, but provided for the refreshment of the
+less-favored visitors--such as Mr. and Mrs. Hyams--who would be dropping
+in during the day. Now, nearly every one of the guests had brought a
+little boy with him, each of whom stood like a page behind his father's
+chair.
+
+Before starting on their prandial fried fish, these trencher-men took
+from the dainties wherewith the ornamental plates were laden and gave
+thereof to their offspring. Now this was only right and proper, because
+it is the prerogative of children to "_nash_" on these occasions. But as
+the meal progressed, each father from time to time, while talking
+briskly to his neighbor, allowed his hand to stray mechanically into the
+plates and thence negligently backwards into the hand of his infant, who
+stuffed the treasure into his pockets. Sugarman fidgeted about uneasily;
+not one surreptitious seizure escaped him, and every one pricked him
+like a needle. Soon his soul grew punctured like a pin-cushion. The
+Shalotten _Shammos_ was among the worst offenders, and he covered his
+back-handed proceedings with a ceaseless flow of complimentary
+conversation.
+
+"Excellent fish, Mrs. Sugarman," he said, dexterously slipping some
+almonds behind his chair.
+
+"What?" said Mrs. Sugarman, who was hard of hearing.
+
+"First-class plaice!" shouted the Shalotten _Shammos_, negligently
+conveying a bunch of raisins.
+
+"So they ought to be," said Mrs. Sugarman in her thin tinkling accents,
+"they were all alive in the pan."
+
+"Ah, did they twitter?" said Mr. Belcovitch, pricking up his ears.
+
+"No," Bessie interposed. "What do you mean?"
+
+"At home in my town," said Mr. Belcovitch impressively, "a fish made a
+noise in the pan one Friday."
+
+"Well? and suppose?" said the Shalotten _Shammos_, passing a fig to the
+rear, "the oil frizzles."
+
+"Nothing of the kind," said Belcovitch angrily, "A real living noise.
+The woman snatched it out of the pan and ran with it to the Rabbi. But
+he did not know what to do. Fortunately there was staying with him for
+the Sabbath a travelling Saint from the far city of Ridnik, a _Chasid_,
+very skilful in plagues and purifications, and able to make clean a
+creeping thing by a hundred and fifty reasons. He directed the woman to
+wrap the fish in a shroud and give it honorable burial as quickly as
+possible. The funeral took place the same afternoon and a lot of people
+went in solemn procession to the woman's back garden and buried it with
+all seemly rites, and the knife with which it had been cut was buried in
+the same grave, having been defiled by contact with the demon. One man
+said it should be burned, but that was absurd because the demon would be
+only too glad to find itself in its native element, but to prevent Satan
+from rebuking the woman any more its mouth was stopped with furnace
+ashes. There was no time to obtain Palestine earth, which would have
+completely crushed the demon."
+
+"The woman must have committed some _Avirah_" said Karlkammer.
+
+"A true story!" said the Shalotten _Shammos_, ironically. "That tale has
+been over Warsaw this twelvemonth."
+
+"It occurred when I was a boy," affirmed Belcovitch indignantly. "I
+remember it quite well. Some people explained it favorably. Others were
+of opinion that the soul of the fishmonger had transmigrated into the
+fish, an opinion borne out by the death of the fishmonger a few days
+before. And the Rabbi is still alive to prove it--may his light continue
+to shine--though they write that he has lost his memory."
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ sceptically passed a pear to his son. Old
+Gabriel Hamburg, the scholar, came compassionately to the raconteur's
+assistance.
+
+"Rabbi Solomon Maimon," he said, "has left it on record that he
+witnessed a similar funeral in Posen."
+
+"It was well she buried it," said Karlkammer. "It was an atonement for a
+child, and saved its life."
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ laughed outright.
+
+"Ah, laugh not," said Mrs. Belcovitch. "Or you might laugh with blood.
+It isn't for my own sins that I was born with ill-matched legs."
+
+"I must laugh when I hear of God's fools burying fish anywhere but in
+their stomach," said the Shalotten _Shammos_, transporting a Brazil nut
+to the rear, where it was quickly annexed by Solomon Ansell, who had
+sneaked in uninvited and ousted the other boy from his coign of vantage.
+
+The conversation was becoming heated; Breckeloff turned the topic.
+
+"My sister has married a man who can't play cards," he said
+lugubriously.
+
+"How lucky for her," answered several voices.
+
+"No, it's just her black luck," he rejoined. "For he _will_ play."
+
+There was a burst of laughter and then the company remembered that
+Breckeloff was a _Badchan_ or jester.
+
+"Why, your sister's husband is a splendid player," said Sugarman with a
+flash of memory, and the company laughed afresh.
+
+"Yes," said Breckeloff. "But he doesn't give me the chance of losing to
+him now, he's got such a stuck-up _Kotzon_. He belongs to Duke's Plaizer
+_Shool_ and comes there very late, and when you ask him his birthplace
+he forgets he was a _Pullack_ and says becomes from 'behind Berlin.'"
+
+These strokes of true satire occasioned more merriment and were worth a
+biscuit to Solomon Ansell _vice_ the son of the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+Among the inoffensive guests were old Gabriel Hamburg, the scholar, and
+young Joseph Strelitski, the student, who sat together. On the left of
+the somewhat seedy Strelitski pretty Bessie in blue silk presided over
+the coffee-pot. Nobody knew whence Bessie had stolen her good looks:
+probably some remote ancestress! Bessie was in every way the most
+agreeable member of the family, inheriting some of her father's brains,
+but wisely going for the rest of herself to that remote ancestress.
+
+Gabriel Hamburg and Joseph Strelitski had both had relations with No. 1
+Royal Street for some time, yet they had hardly exchanged a word and
+their meeting at this breakfast table found them as great strangers as
+though they had never seen each other. Strelitski came because he
+boarded with the Sugarmans, and Hamburg came because he sometimes
+consulted Jonathan Sugarman about a Talmudical passage. Sugarman was
+charged with the oral traditions of a chain of Rabbis, like an actor who
+knows all the "business" elaborated by his predecessors, and even a
+scientific scholar like Hamburg found him occasionally and fortuitously
+illuminating. Even so Karlkammer's red hair was a pillar of fire in the
+trackless wilderness of Hebrew literature. Gabriel Hamburg was a mighty
+savant who endured all things for the love of knowledge and the sake of
+six men in Europe who followed his work and profited by its results.
+Verily, fit audience though few. But such is the fate of great scholars
+whose readers are sown throughout the lands more sparsely than monarchs.
+One by one Hamburg grappled with the countless problems of Jewish
+literary history, settling dates and authors, disintegrating the Books
+of the Bible into their constituent parts, now inserting a gap of
+centuries between two halves of the same chapter, now flashing the light
+of new theories upon the development of Jewish theology. He lived at
+Royal Street and the British Museum, for he spent most of his time
+groping among the folios and manuscripts, and had no need for more than
+the little back bedroom, behind the Ansells, stuffed with mouldy books.
+Nobody (who was anybody) had heard of him in England, and he worked on,
+unencumbered by patronage or a full stomach. The Ghetto, itself, knew
+little of him, for there were but few with whom he found intercourse
+satisfying. He was not "orthodox" in belief though eminently so in
+practice--which is all the Ghetto demands--not from hypocrisy but from
+ancient prejudice. Scholarship had not shrivelled up his humanity, for
+he had a genial fund of humor and a gentle play of satire and loved his
+neighbors for their folly and narrowmindedness. Unlike Spinoza, too, he
+did not go out of his way to inform them of his heterodox views, content
+to comprehend the crowd rather than be misunderstood by it. He knew that
+the bigger soul includes the smaller and that the smaller can never
+circumscribe the bigger. Such money as was indispensable for the
+endowment of research he earned by copying texts and hunting out
+references for the numerous scholars and clergymen who infest the Museum
+and prevent the general reader from having elbow room. In person he was
+small and bent and snuffy. Superficially more intelligible, Joseph
+Strelitski was really a deeper mystery than Gabriel Hamburg. He was
+known to be a recent arrival on English soil, yet he spoke English
+fluently. He studied at Jews' College by day and was preparing for the
+examinations at the London University. None of the other students knew
+where he lived nor a bit of his past history. There was a vague idea
+afloat that he was an only child whose parents had been hounded to
+penury and death by Russian persecution, but who launched it nobody
+knew. His eyes were sad and earnest, a curl of raven hair fell forwards
+on his high brow; his clothing was shabby and darned in places by his
+own hand. Beyond accepting the gift of education at the hands of dead
+men he would take no help. On several distinct occasions, the magic
+name, Rothschild, was appealed to on his behalf by well-wishers, and
+through its avenue of almoners it responded with its eternal quenchless
+unquestioning generosity to students. But Joseph Strelitski always
+quietly sent back these bounties. He made enough to exist upon by
+touting for a cigar-firm in the evenings. In the streets he walked with
+tight-pursed lips, dreaming no one knew what.
+
+And yet there were times when his tight-pursed lips unclenched
+themselves and he drew in great breaths even of Ghetto air with the huge
+contentment of one who has known suffocation. "One can breathe here,"
+he seemed to be saying. The atmosphere, untainted by spies, venal
+officials, and jeering soldiery, seemed fresh and sweet. Here the ground
+was stable, not mined in all directions; no arbitrary ukase--veritable
+sword of Damocles--hung over the head and darkened the sunshine. In such
+a country, where faith was free and action untrammelled, mere living was
+an ecstasy when remembrance came over one, and so Joseph Strelitski
+sometimes threw back his head and breathed in liberty. The
+voluptuousness of the sensation cannot be known by born freemen.
+
+When Joseph Strelitski's father was sent to Siberia, he took his
+nine-year old boy with him in infringement of the law which prohibits
+exiles from taking children above five years of age. The police
+authorities, however, raised no objection, and they permitted Joseph to
+attend the public school at Kansk, Yeniseisk province, where the
+Strelitski family resided. A year or so afterwards the Yeniseisk
+authorities accorded the family permission to reside in Yeniseisk, and
+Joseph, having given proof of brilliant abilities, was placed in the
+Yeniseisk gymnasium. For nigh three years the boy studied here,
+astonishing the gymnasium with his extraordinary ability, when suddenly
+the Government authorities ordered the boy to return at once "to the
+place where he was born." In vain the directors of the gymnasium, won
+over by the poor boy's talent and enthusiasm for study, petitioned the
+Government. The Yeniseisk authorities were again ordered to expel him.
+No respite was granted and the thirteen-year old lad was sent to Sokolk
+in the Government of Grodno at the other extreme of European Russia,
+where he was quite alone in the world. Before he was sixteen, he escaped
+to England, his soul branded by terrible memories, and steeled by
+solitude to a stern strength.
+
+At Sugarman's he spoke little and then mainly with the father on
+scholastic points. After meals he retired quickly to his business or his
+sleeping-den, which was across the road. Bessie loved Daniel Hyams, but
+she was a woman and Strelitski's neutrality piqued her. Even to-day it
+is possible he might not have spoken to Gabriel Hamburg if his other
+neighbor had not been Bessie. Gabriel Hamburg was glad to talk to the
+youth, the outlines of whose English history were known to him.
+Strelitski seemed to expand under the sunshine of a congenial spirit; he
+answered Hamburg's sympathetic inquiries about his work without
+reluctance and even made some remarks on his own initiative.
+
+And as they spoke, an undercurrent of pensive thought was flowing in the
+old scholar's soul and his tones grew tenderer and tenderer. The echoes
+of Ebenezer's effusive speech were in his ears and the artificial notes
+rang strangely genuine. All round him sat happy fathers of happy
+children, men who warmed their hands at the home-fire of life, men who
+lived while he was thinking. Yet he, too, had had his chance far back in
+the dim and dusty years, his chance of love and money with it. He had
+let it slip away for poverty and learning, and only six men in Europe
+cared whether he lived or died. The sense of his own loneliness smote
+him with a sudden aching desolation. His gaze grew humid; the face of
+the young student was covered with a veil of mist and seemed to shine
+with the radiance of an unstained soul. If he had been as other men he
+might have had such a son. At this moment Gabriel Hamburg was speaking
+of paragoge in Hebrew grammar, but his voice faltered and in imagination
+he was laying hands of paternal benediction on Joseph Strelitski's head.
+Swayed by an overmastering impulse he burst out at last.
+
+"An idea strikes me!"
+
+Strelitski looked up in silent interrogation at the old man's agitated
+face.
+
+"You live by yourself. I live by myself. We are both students. Why
+should we not live together as students, too?"
+
+A swift wave of surprise traversed Strelitski's face, and his eyes grew
+soft. For an instant the one solitary soul visibly yearned towards the
+other; he hesitated.
+
+"Do not think I am too old," said the great scholar, trembling all over.
+"I know it is the young who chum together, but still I am a student. And
+you shall see how lively and cheerful I will be." He forced a smile that
+hovered on tears. "We shall be two rackety young students, every night
+raising a thousand devils. _Gaudeamus igitur_." He began to hum in his
+cracked hoarse voice the _Burschen-lied_ of his early days at the Berlin
+Gymnasium.
+
+But Strelitski's face had grown dusky with a gradual flush and a
+deepening gloom; his black eyebrows were knit and his lips set together
+and his eyes full of sullen ire. He suspected a snare to assist him.
+
+He shook his head. "Thank you," he said slowly. "But I prefer to live
+alone."
+
+And he turned and spoke to the astonished Bessie, and so the two strange
+lonely vessels that had hailed each other across the darkness drifted
+away and apart for ever in the waste of waters.
+
+But Jonathan Sugarman's eye was on more tragic episodes. Gradually the
+plates emptied, for the guests openly followed up the more substantial
+elements of the repast by dessert, more devastating even than the rear
+manoeuvres. At last there was nothing but an aching china blank. The men
+looked round the table for something else to "_nash_," but everywhere
+was the same depressing desolation. Only in the centre of the table
+towered in awful intact majesty the great _Bar-mitzvah_ cake, like some
+mighty sphinx of stone surveying the ruins of empires, and the least
+reverent shrank before its austere gaze. But at last the Shalotten
+_Shammos_ shook off his awe and stretched out his hand leisurely towards
+the cake, as became the master of ceremonies. But when Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_ beheld his hand moving like a creeping flame forward, he
+sprang towards him, as the tigress springs when the hunter threatens her
+cub. And speaking no word he snatched the great cake from under the hand
+of the spoiler and tucked it under his arm, in the place where he
+carried Nehemiah, and sped therewith from the room. Then consternation
+fell upon the scene till Solomon Ansell, crawling on hands and knees in
+search of windfalls, discovered a basket of apples stored under the
+centre of the table, and the Shalotten _Shammos's_ son told his father
+thereof ere Solomon could do more than secure a few for his brother and
+sisters. And the Shalotten _Shammos_ laughed joyously, "Apples," and
+dived under the table, and his long form reached to the other side and
+beyond, and graybearded men echoed the joyous cry and scrambled on the
+ground like schoolboys.
+
+"_Leolom tikkach_--always take," quoted the _Badchan_ gleefully.
+
+When Sugarman returned, radiant, he found his absence had been fatal.
+
+"Piece of fool! Two-eyed lump of flesh," said Mrs. Sugarman in a loud
+whisper. "Flying out of the room as if thou hadst the ague."
+
+"Shall I sit still like thee while our home is eaten up around us?"
+Sugarman whispered back. "Couldst thou not look to the apples? Plaster
+image! Leaden fool! See, they have emptied the basket, too."
+
+"Well, dost thou expect luck and blessing to crawl into it? Even five
+shillings' worth of _nash_ cannot last for ever. May ten ammunition
+wagons of black curses be discharged on thee!" replied Mrs. Sugarman,
+her one eye shooting fire.
+
+This was the last straw of insult added to injury. Sugarman was
+exasperated beyond endurance. He forgot that he had a wider audience
+than his wife; he lost all control of himself, and cried aloud in a
+frenzy of rage, "What a pity thou hadst not a fourth uncle!"
+
+Mrs. Sugarman collapsed, speechless.
+
+"A greedy lot, marm," Sugarman reported to Mrs. Hyams on the Monday. "I
+was very glad you and your people didn't come; dere was noding left
+except de prospectuses of the Hamburg lotter_ee_ vich I left laying all
+about for de guests to take. Being _Shabbos_ I could not give dem out."
+
+"We were sorry not to come, but neither Mr. Hyams nor myself felt well,"
+said the white-haired broken-down old woman with her painfully slow
+enunciation. Her English words rarely went beyond two syllables.
+
+"Ah!" said Sugarman. "But I've come to give you back your corkscrew."
+
+"Why, it's broken," said Mrs. Hyams, as she took it.
+
+"So it is, marm," he admitted readily. "But if you taink dat I ought to
+pay for de damage you're mistaken. If you lend me your cat"--here he
+began to make the argumentative movement with his thumb, as though
+scooping out imaginary _kosher_ cheese with it; "If you lend me your cat
+to kill my rat," his tones took on the strange Talmudic singsong--"and
+my rat instead kills your cat, then it is the fault of your cat and not
+the fault of my rat."
+
+Poor Mrs. Hyams could not meet this argument. If Mendel had been at
+home, he might have found a counter-analogy. As it was, Sugarman
+re-tucked Nehemiah under his arm and departed triumphant, almost
+consoled for the raid on his provisions by the thought of money saved.
+In the street he met the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+"Blessed art thou who comest," said the giant, in Hebrew; then relapsing
+into Yiddish he cried: "I've been wanting to see you. What did you mean
+by telling your wife you were sorry she had not a fourth uncle?"
+
+"Soorka knew what I meant," said Sugarman with a little croak of
+victory, "I have told her the story before. When the Almighty _Shadchan_
+was making marriages in Heaven, before we were yet born, the name of my
+wife was coupled with my own. The spirit of her eldest uncle hearing
+this flew up to the Angel who made the proclamation and said: 'Angel!
+thou art making a mistake. The man of whom thou makest mention will be
+of a lower status than this future niece of mine.' Said the Angel; 'Sh!
+It is all right. She will halt on one leg.' Came then the spirit of her
+second uncle and said: 'Angel, what blazonest thou? A niece of mine
+marry a man of such family?' Says the Angel: 'Sh! It is all right. She
+will be blind in one eye.' Came the spirit of her third uncle and said:
+'Angel, hast thou not erred? Surely thou canst not mean to marry my
+future niece into such a humble family.' Said the Angel: 'Sh! It is all
+right. She will be deaf in one ear.' Now, do you see? If she had only
+had a fourth uncle, she would have been dumb into the bargain; there is
+only one mouth and my life would have been a happy one. Before I told
+Soorka that history she used to throw up her better breeding and finer
+family to me. Even in public she would shed my blood. Now she does not
+do it even in private."
+
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ winked, readjusted Nehemiah and went his way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY.
+
+
+It was a cold, bleak Sunday afternoon, and the Ansells were spending it
+as usual. Little Sarah was with Mrs. Simons, Rachel had gone to Victoria
+Park with a party of school-mates, the grandmother was asleep on the
+bed, covered with one of her son's old coats (for there was no fire in
+the grate), with her pious vade mecum in her hand; Esther had prepared
+her lessons and was reading a little brown book at Dutch Debby's, not
+being able to forget the _London Journal_ sufficiently; Solomon had not
+prepared his and was playing "rounder" in the street, Isaac being
+permitted to "feed" the strikers, in return for a prospective occupation
+of his new bed; Moses Ansell was at _Shool_, listening to a _Hesped_ or
+funeral oration at the German Synagogue, preached by Reb Shemuel over
+one of the lights of the Ghetto, prematurely gone out--no other than the
+consumptive _Maggid_, who had departed suddenly for a less fashionable
+place than Bournemouth. "He has fallen," said the Reb, "not laden with
+age, nor sighing for release because the grasshopper was a burden. But
+He who holds the keys said: 'Thou hast done thy share of the work; it is
+not thine to complete it. It was in thy heart to serve Me, from Me thou
+shalt receive thy reward.'"
+
+And all the perspiring crowd in the black-draped hall shook with grief,
+and thousands of working men followed the body, weeping, to the grave,
+walking all the way to the great cemetery in Bow.
+
+A slim, black-haired, handsome lad of about twelve, dressed in a neat
+black suit, with a shining white Eton collar, stumbled up the dark
+stairs of No. 1 Royal Street, with an air of unfamiliarity and disgust.
+At Dutch Debby's door he was delayed by a brief altercation with Bobby.
+He burst open the door of the Ansell apartment without knocking, though
+he took off his hat involuntarily as he entered Then he stood still with
+an air of disappointment. The room seemed empty.
+
+"What dost thou want, Esther?" murmured the grandmother rousing herself
+sleepily.
+
+The boy looked towards the bed with a start He could not make out what
+the grandmother was saying. It was four years since he had heard Yiddish
+spoken, and he had almost forgotten the existence of the dialect The
+room, too, seemed chill and alien.--so unspeakably poverty-stricken.
+
+"Oh, how are you, grandmother?" he said, going up to her and kissing her
+perfunctorily. "Where's everybody?"
+
+"Art thou Benjamin?" said the grandmother, her stern, wrinkled face
+shadowed with surprise and doubt.
+
+Benjamin guessed what she was asking and nodded.
+
+"But how richly they have dressed thee! Alas, I suppose they have taken
+away thy Judaism instead. For four whole years--is it not--thou hast
+been with English folk. Woe! Woe! If thy father had married a pious
+woman, she would have been living still and thou wouldst have been able
+to live happily in our midst instead of being exiled among strangers,
+who feed thy body and starve thy soul. If thy father had left me in
+Poland, I should have died happy and my old eyes would never have seen
+the sorrow. Unbutton thy waistcoat, let me see if thou wearest the
+'four-corners' at least." Of this harangue, poured forth at the rate
+natural to thoughts running ever in the same groove, Benjamin understood
+but a word here and there. For four years he had read and read and read
+English books, absorbed himself in English composition, heard nothing
+but English spoken about him. Nay, he had even deliberately put the
+jargon out of his mind at the commencement as something degrading and
+humiliating. Now it struck vague notes of old outgrown associations but
+called up no definite images.
+
+"Where's Esther?" he said.
+
+"Esther," grumbled the grandmother, catching the name. "Esther is with
+Dutch Debby. She's always with her. Dutch Debby pretends to love her
+like a mother--and why? Because she wants to _be_ her mother. She aims
+at marrying my Moses. But not for us. This time we shall marry the woman
+I select. No person like that who knows as much about Judaism as the cow
+of Sunday, nor like Mrs. Simons, who coddles our little Sarah because
+she thinks my Moses will have her. It's plain as the eye in her head
+what she wants. But the Widow Finkelstein is the woman we're going to
+marry. She is a true Jewess, shuts up her shop the moment _Shabbos_
+comes in, not works right into the Sabbath like so many, and goes to
+_Shool_ even on Friday nights. Look how she brought up her Avromkely,
+who intoned the whole Portion of the Law and the Prophets in _Shool_
+before he was six years old. Besides she has money and has cast eyes
+upon him."
+
+The boy, seeing conversation was hopeless, murmured something
+inarticulate and ran down the stairs to find some traces of the
+intelligible members of his family. Happily Bobby, remembering their
+former altercation, and determining to have the last word, barred
+Benjamin's path with such pertinacity that Esther came out to quiet him
+and leapt into her brother's arms with a great cry of joy, dropping the
+book she held full on Bobby's nose.
+
+"O Benjy--Is it really you? Oh, I am so glad. I am so glad. I knew you
+would come some day. O Benjy! Bobby, you bad dog, this is Benjy, my
+brother. Debby, I'm going upstairs. Benjamin's come back. Benjamin's
+come back."
+
+"All right, dear," Debby called out. "Let me have a look at him soon.
+Send me in Bobby if you're going away." The words ended in a cough.
+
+Esther hurriedly drove in Bobby, and then half led, half dragged
+Benjamin upstairs. The grandmother had fallen asleep again and was
+snoring peacefully.
+
+"Speak low, Benjy," said Esther. "Grandmother's asleep."
+
+"All right, Esther. I don't want to wake her, I'm sure. I was up here
+just now, and couldn't make out a word she was jabbering."
+
+"I know. She's losing all her teeth, poor thing."
+
+"No, it, isn't that. She speaks that beastly Yiddish--I made sure she'd
+have learned English by this time. I hope _you_ don't speak it, Esther."
+
+"I must, Benjy. You see father and grandmother never speak anything else
+at home, and only know a few words of English. But I don't let the
+children speak it except to them. You should hear little Sarah speak
+English. It's beautiful. Only when she cries she says 'Woe is me' in
+Yiddish. I have had to slap her for it--but that makes her cry 'Woe is
+me' all the more. Oh, how nice you look, Benjy, with your white collar,
+just like the pictures of little Lord Launceston in the Fourth Standard
+Reader. I wish I could show you to the girls! Oh, my, what'll Solomon
+say when he sees you! He's always wearing his corduroys away at the
+knees."
+
+"But where is everybody? And why is there no fire?" said Benjamin
+impatiently. "It's beastly cold."
+
+"Father hopes to get a bread, coal and meat ticket to-morrow, dear."
+
+"Well, this is a pretty welcome for a fellow!" grumbled Benjamin.
+
+"I'm so sorry, Benjy! If I'd only known you were coming I might have
+borrowed some coals from Mrs. Belcovitch. But just stamp your feet a
+little if they freeze. No, do it outside the door; grandmother's asleep.
+Why didn't you write to me you were coming?"
+
+"I didn't know. Old Four-Eyes--that's one of our teachers--was going up
+to London this afternoon, and he wanted a boy to carry some parcels, and
+as I'm the best boy in my class he let me come. He let me run up and see
+you all, and I'm to meet him at London Bridge Station at seven o'clock.
+You're not much altered, Esther."
+
+"Ain't I?" she said, with a little pathetic smile. "Ain't I bigger?"
+
+"Not four years bigger. For a moment I could fancy I'd never been away.
+How the years slip by! I shall be _Barmitzvah_ soon."
+
+"Yes, and now I've got you again I've so much to say I don't know where
+to begin. That time father went to see you I couldn't get much out of
+him about you, and your own letters have been so few."
+
+"A letter costs a penny, Esther. Where am I to get pennies from?"
+
+"I know, dear. I know you would have liked to write. But now you shall
+tell me everything. Have you missed us very much?"
+
+"No, I don't think so," said Benjamin.
+
+"Oh, not at all?" asked Esther in disappointed tones.
+
+"Yes, I missed _you_, Esther, at first," he said, soothingly. "But
+there's such a lot to do and to think about. It's a new life."
+
+"And have you been happy, Benjy?"
+
+"Oh yes. Quite. Just think! Regular meals, with oranges and sweets and
+entertainments every now and then, a bed all to yourself, good fires, a
+mansion with a noble staircase and hall, a field to play in, with balls
+and toys--"
+
+"A field!" echoed Esther. "Why it must be like going to Greenwich every
+day."
+
+"Oh, better than Greenwich where they take you girls for a measly day's
+holiday once a year."
+
+"Better than the Crystal Palace, where they take the boys?"
+
+"Why, the Crystal Palace is quite near. We can see the fire-works every
+Thursday night in the season."
+
+Esther's eyes opened wider. "And have you been inside?"
+
+"Lots of times."
+
+"Do you remember the time you didn't go?" Esther said softly.
+
+"A fellow doesn't forget that sort of thing," he grumbled. "I so wanted
+to go--I had heard such a lot about it from the boys who had been. When
+the day of the excursion came my _Shabbos_ coat was in pawn, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes," said Esther, her eyes growing humid. "I was so sorry for you,
+dear. You didn't want to go in your corduroy coat and let the boys know
+you didn't have a best coat. It was quite right, Benjy."
+
+"I remember mother gave me a treat instead," said Benjamin with a comic
+grimace. "She took me round to Zachariah Square and let me play there
+while she was scrubbing Malka's floor. I think Milly gave me a penny,
+and I remember Leah let me take a couple of licks from a glass of ice
+cream she was eating on the Ruins. It was a hot day--I shall never
+forget that ice cream. But fancy parents pawning a chap's only decent
+coat." He smoothed his well-brushed jacket complacently.
+
+"Yes, but don't you remember mother took it out the very next morning
+before school with the money she earnt at Malka's."
+
+"But what was the use of that? I put it on of course when I went to
+school and told the teacher I was ill the day before, just to show the
+boys I was telling the truth. But it was too late to take me to the
+Palace."
+
+"Ah, but it came in handy--don't you remember, Benjy, how one of the
+Great Ladies died suddenly the next week!"
+
+"Oh yes! Yoicks! Tallyho!" cried Benjamin, with sudden excitement. "We
+went down on hired omnibuses to the cemetery ever so far into the
+country, six of the best boys in each class, and I was on the box seat
+next to the driver, and I thought of the old mail-coach days and looked
+out for highwaymen. We stood along the path in the cemetery and the sun
+was shining and the grass was so green and there were such lovely
+flowers on the coffin when it came past with the gentlemen crying behind
+it and then we had lemonade and cakes on the way back. Oh, it was just
+beautiful! I went to two other funerals after that, but that was the one
+I enjoyed most. Yes, that coat did come in useful after all for a day in
+the country."
+
+Benjamin evidently did not think of his own mother's interment as a
+funeral. Esther did and she changed the subject quickly.
+
+"Well, tell me more about your place."
+
+"Well, it's like going to funerals every day. It's all country all round
+about, with trees and flowers and birds. Why, I've helped to make hay in
+the autumn."
+
+Esther drew a sigh of ecstasy. "It's like a book," she said.
+
+"Books!" he said. "We've got hundreds and hundreds, a whole
+library--Dickens, Mayne Reid, George Eliot, Captain Marryat,
+Thackeray--I've read them all."
+
+"Oh, Benjy!" said Esther, clasping her hands in admiration, both of the
+library and her brother. "I wish I were you."
+
+"Well, you could be me easily enough."
+
+"How?" said Esther, eagerly.
+
+"Why, we have a girls' department, too. You're an orphan as much as me.
+You get father to enter you as a candidate."
+
+"Oh, how could I, Benjy?" said Esther, her face falling. "What would
+become of Solomon and Ikey and little Sarah?"
+
+"They've got a father, haven't they? and a grandmother?"
+
+"Father can't do washing and cooking, you silly boy! And grandmother's
+too old."
+
+"Well, I call it a beastly shame. Why can't father earn a living and
+give out the washing? He never has a penny to bless himself with."
+
+"It isn't his fault, Benjy. He tries hard. I'm sure he often grieves
+that he's so poor that he can't afford the railway fare to visit you on
+visiting days. That time he did go he only got the money by selling a
+work-box I had for a prize. But he often speaks about you."
+
+"Well, I don't grumble at his not coming," said Benjamin. "I forgive him
+that because you know he's not very presentable, is he, Esther?"
+
+Esther was silent. "Oh, well, everybody knows he's poor. They don't
+expect father to be a gentleman."
+
+"Yes, but he might look decent. Does he still wear those two beastly
+little curls at the side of his head? Oh, I did hate it when I was at
+school here, and he used to come to see the master about something. Some
+of the boys had such respectable fathers, it was quite a pleasure to see
+them come in and overawe the teacher. Mother used to be as bad, coming
+in with a shawl over her head."
+
+"Yes, Benjy, but she used to bring us in bread and butter when there had
+been none in the house at breakfast-time. Don't you remember, Benjy?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember. We've been through some beastly bad times,
+haven't we, Esther? All I say is you wouldn't like father coming in
+before all the girls in your class, would you, now?"
+
+Esther blushed. "There is no occasion for him to come," she said
+evasively.
+
+"Well, I know what I shall do!" said Benjamin decisively; "I'm going to
+be a very rich man--"
+
+"Are you, Benjy?" inquired Esther.
+
+"Yes, of course. I'm going to write books--like Dickens and those
+fellows. Dickens made a pile of money, just by writing down plain
+every-day things going on around."
+
+"But you can't write!"
+
+Benjamin laughed a superior laugh, "Oh, can't I? What about _Our Own_,
+eh?"
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"That's our journal. I edit it. Didn't I tell you about it? Yes, I'm
+running a story through it, called 'The Soldier's Bride,' all about life
+in Afghanistan."
+
+"Oh, where could I get a number?"
+
+"You can't get a number. It ain't printed, stupid. It's all copied by
+hand, and we've only got a few copies. If you came down, you could see
+it."
+
+"Yes, but I can't come down," said Esther, with tears in her eyes.
+
+"Well, never mind. You'll see it some day. Well, what was I telling you?
+Oh, yes! About my prospects. You see, I'm going in for a scholarship in
+a few months, and everybody says I shall get it. Then, perhaps I might
+go to a higher school, perhaps to Oxford or Cambridge!"
+
+"And row in the boat-race!" said Esther, flushing with excitement.
+
+"No, bother the boat-race. I'm going in for Latin and Greek. I've begun
+to learn French already. So I shall know three foreign languages."
+
+"Four!" said Esther, "you forget Hebrew!"
+
+"Oh, of course, Hebrew. I don't reckon Hebrew. Everybody knows Hebrew.
+Hebrew's no good to any one. What I want is something that'll get me on
+in the world and enable me to write my books."
+
+"But Dickens--did he know Latin or Greek?" asked Esther.
+
+"No, he didn't," said Benjamin proudly. "That's just where I shall have
+the pull of him. Well, when I've got rich I shall buy father a new suit
+of clothes and a high hat--it _is_ so beastly cold here, Esther, just
+feel my hands, like ice!--and I shall make him live with grandmother in
+a decent room, and give him an allowance so that he can study beastly
+big books all day long--does he still take a week to read a page? And
+Sarah and Isaac and Rachel shall go to a proper boarding school, and
+Solomon--how old will he be then?"
+
+Esther looked puzzled. "Oh, but suppose it takes you ten years getting
+famous! Solomon will be nearly twenty."
+
+"It can't take me ten years. But never mind! We shall see what is to be
+done with Solomon when the time comes. As for you--"
+
+"Well, Benjy," she said, for his imagination was breaking down.
+
+"I'll give you a dowry and you'll get married. See!" he concluded
+triumphantly.
+
+"Oh, but suppose I shan't want to get married?"
+
+"Nonsense--every girl wants to get married. I overheard Old Four-Eyes
+say all the teachers in the girls' department were dying to marry him.
+I've got several sweethearts already, and I dare say you have." He
+looked at her quizzingly.
+
+"No, dear," she said earnestly. "There's only Levi Jacobs, Reb Shemuel's
+son, who's been coming round sometimes to play with Solomon, and brings
+me almond-rock. But I don't care for him--at least not in that way.
+Besides, he's quite above us."
+
+"_Oh_, is he? Wait till I write my novels!"
+
+"I wish you'd write them now. Because then I should have something to
+read--Oh!"
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"I've lost my book. What have I done with my little brown book?"
+
+"Didn't you drop it on that beastly dog?"
+
+"Oh, did I? People'll tread on it on the stairs. Oh dear! I'll run down
+and get it. But don't call Bobby beastly, please."
+
+"Why not? Dogs are beasts, aren't they?"
+
+Esther puzzled over the retort as she flew downstairs, but could find no
+reply. She found the book, however, and that consoled her.
+
+"What have you got hold of?" replied Benjamin, when she returned.
+
+"Oh, nothing! It wouldn't interest you."
+
+"All books interest me," announced Benjamin with dignity.
+
+Esther reluctantly gave him the book. He turned over the pages
+carelessly, then his face grew serious and astonished.
+
+"Esther!" he said, "how did you come by this?"
+
+"One of the girls gave it me in exchange for a stick of slate pencil.
+She said she got it from the missionaries--she went to their
+night-school for a lark and they gave her it and a pair of boots as
+well."
+
+"And you have been reading it?"
+
+"Yes, Benjy," said Esther meekly.
+
+"You naughty girl! Don't you know the New Testament is a wicked book?
+Look here! There's the word 'Christ' on nearly every page, and the word
+'Jesus' on every other. And you haven't even scratched them out! Oh, if
+any one was to catch you reading this book!"
+
+"I don't read it in school hours," said the little girl deprecatingly.
+
+"But you have no business to read it at all!"
+
+"Why not?" she said doggedly. "I like it. It seems just as interesting
+as the Old Testament, and there are more miracles to the page.''
+
+"You wicked girl!" said her brother, overwhelmed by her audacity.
+"Surely you know that all these miracles were false?"
+
+"Why were they false?" persisted Esther.
+
+"Because miracles left off after the Old Testament! There are no
+miracles now-a-days, are there?"
+
+"No," admitted Esther.
+
+"Well, then," he said triumphantly, "if miracles had gone overlapping
+into New Testament times we might just as well expect to have them now."
+
+"But why shouldn't we have them now?"
+
+"Esther, I'm surprised at you. I should like to set Old Four-Eyes on to
+you. He'd soon tell you why. Religion all happened in the past. God
+couldn't be always talking to His creatures."
+
+"I wish I'd lived in the past, when Religion was happening," said Esther
+ruefully. "But why do Christians all reverence this book? I'm sure there
+are many more millions of them than of Jews!"
+
+"Of course there are, Esther. Good things are scarce. We are so few
+because we are God's chosen people."
+
+"But why do I feel good when I read what Jesus said?"
+
+"Because you are so bad," he answered, in a shocked tone. "Here, give me
+the book, I'll burn it."
+
+"No, no!" said Esther. "Besides there's no fire."
+
+"No, hang it," he said, rubbing his hands. "Well, it'll never do if you
+have to fall back on this sort of thing. I'll tell you what I'll do.
+I'll send you _Our Own_."
+
+"Oh, will you, Benjy? That is good of you," she said joyfully, and was
+kissing him when Solomon and Isaac came romping in and woke up the
+grandmother.
+
+"How are you, Solomon?" said Benjamin. "How are you, my little man," he
+added, patting Isaac on his curly head. Solomon was overawed for a
+moment. Then he said, "Hullo, Benjy, have you got any spare buttons?"
+
+But Isaac was utterly ignorant who the stranger could be and hung back
+with his finger in his mouth.
+
+"That's your brother Benjamin, Ikey," said Solomon.
+
+"Don't want no more brovers," said Ikey.
+
+"Oh, but I was here before you," said Benjamin laughing.
+
+"Does oor birfday come before mine, then?"
+
+"Yes, if I remember."
+
+Isaac looked tauntingly at the door. "See!" he cried to the absent
+Sarah. Then turning graciously to Benjamin he said, "I thant kiss oo,
+but I'll lat oo teep in my new bed."
+
+"But you _must_ kiss him," said Esther, and saw that he did it before
+she left the room to fetch little Sarah from Mrs. Simons.
+
+When she came back Solomon was letting Benjamin inspect his Plevna
+peep-show without charge and Moses Ansell was back, too. His eyes were
+red with weeping, but that was on account of the _Maggid_. His nose was
+blue with the chill of the cemetery.
+
+"He was a great man." he was saying to the grandmother. "He could
+lecture for four hours together on any text and he would always manage
+to get back to the text before the end. Such exegetics, such homiletics!
+He was greater than the Emperor of Russia. Woe! Woe!"
+
+"Woe! Woe!" echoed the grandmother. "If women were allowed to go to
+funerals, I would gladly have, followed him. Why did he come to England?
+In Poland he would still have been alive. And why did I come to England?
+Woe! Woe'"
+
+Her head dropped back on the pillow and her sighs passed gently into
+snores. Moses turned again to his eldest born, feeling that he was
+secondary in importance only to the _Maggid_, and proud at heart of his
+genteel English appearance.
+
+"Well, you'll soon be _Bar-mitzvah_, Benjamin." he said, with clumsy
+geniality blent with respect, as he patted his boy's cheeks with his
+discolored fingers.
+
+Benjamin caught the last two words and nodded his head.
+
+"And then you'll be coming back to us. I suppose they will apprentice
+you to something."
+
+"What does he say, Esther?" asked Benjamin, impatiently.
+
+Esther interpreted.
+
+"Apprentice me to something!" he repeated, disgusted. "Father's ideas
+are so beastly humble. He would like everybody to dance on him. Why he'd
+be content to see me a cigar-maker or a presser. Tell him I'm not coming
+home, that I'm going to win a scholarship and to go to the University."
+
+Moses's eyes dilated with pride. "Ah, you will become a Rav," he said,
+and lifted up his boy's chin and looked lovingly into the handsome face.
+
+"What's that about a Rav, Esther?" said Benjamin. "Does he want me to
+become a Rabbi--Ugh! Tell him I'm going to write books."
+
+"My blessed boy! A good commentary on the Song of Songs is much needed.
+Perhaps you will begin by writing that."
+
+"Oh, it's no use talking to him, Esther. Let him be. Why can't he speak
+English?"
+
+"He can--but you'd understand even less," said Esther with a sad smile.
+
+"Well, all I say is it's a beastly disgrace. Look at the years he's been
+in England--just as long as we have." Then the humor of the remark
+dawned upon him and he laughed. "I suppose he's out of work, as usual,"
+he added.
+
+Moses's ears pricked up at the syllables "out-of-work," which to him was
+a single word of baneful meaning.
+
+"Yes," he said in Yiddish. "But if I only had a few pounds to start with
+I could work up a splendid business."
+
+"Wait! He shall have a business," said Benjamin when Esther interpreted.
+
+"Don't listen to him," said Esther. "The Board of Guardians has started
+him again and again. But he likes to think he is a man of business."
+
+Meantime Isaac had been busy explaining Benjamin to Sarah, and pointing
+out the remarkable confirmation of his own views as to birthdays. This
+will account for Esther's next remark being, "Now, dears, no fighting
+to-day. We must celebrate Benjy's return. We ought to kill a fatted
+calf--like the man in the Bible."
+
+"What are you talking about, Esther?" said Benjamin suspiciously.
+
+"I'm so sorry, nothing, only foolishness," said Esther. "We really must
+do something to make a holiday of the occasion. Oh, I know; we'll have
+tea before you go, instead of waiting till supper-time. Perhaps
+Rachel'll be back from the Park. You haven't seen her yet."
+
+"No, I can't stay," said Benjy. "It'll take me three-quarters of an
+hour getting to the station. And you've got no fire to make tea with
+either."
+
+"Nonsense, Benjy. You seem to have forgotten everything; we've got a
+loaf and a penn'uth of tea in the cupboard. Solomon, fetch a farthing's
+worth of boiling water from the Widow Finkelstein."
+
+At the words "widow Finkelstein," the grandmother awoke and sat up.
+
+"No, I'm too tired," said Solomon. "Isaac can go."
+
+"No," said Isaac. "Let Estie go."
+
+Esther took a jug and went to the door.
+
+"Méshe," said the grandmother. "Go thou to the Widow Finkelstein."
+
+"But Esther can go," said Moses.
+
+"Yes, I'm going," said Esther.
+
+"Méshe!" repeated the Bube inexorably. "Go thou to the Widow
+Finkelstein."
+
+Moses went.
+
+"Have you said the afternoon prayer, boys?" the old woman asked.
+
+"Yes," said Solomon. "While you were asleep."
+
+"Oh-h-h!" said Esther under her breath. And she looked reproachfully at
+Solomon.
+
+"Well, didn't you say we must make a holiday to-day?" he whispered back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE HOLY LAND LEAGUE.
+
+
+"Oh, these English Jews!" said Melchitsedek Pinchas, in German.
+
+"What have they done to you now?" said Guedalyah, the greengrocer, in
+Yiddish.
+
+The two languages are relatives and often speak as they pass by.
+
+"I have presented my book to every one of them, but they have paid me
+scarce enough to purchase poison for them all," said the little poet
+scowling. The cheekbones stood out sharply beneath the tense bronzed
+skin. The black hair was tangled and unkempt and the beard untrimmed,
+the eyes darted venom. "One of them--Gideon, M.P., the stockbroker,
+engaged me to teach his son for his _Bar-mitzvah_, But the boy is so
+stupid! So stupid! Just like his father. I have no doubt he will grow up
+to be a Rabbi. I teach him his Portion--I sing the words to him with a
+most beautiful voice, but he has as much ear as soul. Then I write him a
+speech--a wonderful speech for him to make to his parents and the
+company at the breakfast, and in it, after he thanks them for their
+kindness, I make him say how, with the blessing of the Almighty, he will
+grow up to be a good Jew, and munificently support Hebrew literature and
+learned men like his revered teacher, Melchitsedek Pinchas. And he shows
+it to his father, and his father says it is not written in good English,
+and that another scholar has already written him a speech. Good English!
+Gideon has as much knowledge or style as the Rev. Elkan Benjamin of
+decency. Ah, I will shoot them both. I know I do not speak English like
+a native--but what language under the sun is there I cannot write?
+French, German, Spanish, Arabic--they flow from my pen like honey from a
+rod. As for Hebrew, you know, Guedalyah, I and you are the only two men
+in England who can write Holy Language grammatically. And yet these
+miserable stockbrokers, Men-of-the-Earth, they dare to say I cannot
+write English, and they have given me the sack. I, who was teaching the
+boy true Judaism and the value of Hebrew literature."
+
+"What! They didn't let you finish teaching the boy his Portion because
+you couldn't write English?"
+
+"No; they had another pretext--one of the servant girls said I wanted to
+kiss her--lies and falsehood. I was kissing my finger after kissing the
+_Mezuzah_, and the stupid abomination thought I was kissing my hand to
+her. It sees itself that they don't kiss the _Mezuzahs_ often in that
+house--the impious crew. And what will be now? The stupid boy will go
+home to breakfast in a bazaar of costly presents, and he will make the
+stupid speech written by the fool of an Englishman, and the ladies will
+weep. But where will be the Judaism in all this? Who will vaccinate him
+against free-thinking as I would have done? Who will infuse into him the
+true patriotic fervor, the love of his race, the love of Zion, the land
+of his fathers?"
+
+"Ah, you are verily a man after my own heart!" said Guedalyah, the
+greengrocer, overswept by a wave of admiration. "Why should you not come
+with me to my _Beth-Hamidrash_ to-night, to the meeting for the
+foundation of the Holy Land League? That cauliflower will be four-pence,
+mum."
+
+"Ah, what is that?" said Pinchas.
+
+"I have an idea; a score of us meet to-night to discuss it."
+
+"Ah, yes! You have always ideas. You are a sage and a saint, Guedalyah.
+The _Beth-Hamidrash_ which you have established is the only centre of
+real orthodoxy and Jewish literature in London. The ideas you expound in
+the Jewish papers for the amelioration of the lot of our poor brethren
+are most statesmanlike. But these donkey-head English rich people--what
+help can you expect from them? They do not even understand your plans.
+They have only sympathy with needs of the stomach."
+
+"You are right! You are right, Pinchas!" said Guedalyah, the
+greengrocer, eagerly. He was a tall, loosely-built man, with a pasty
+complexion capable of shining with enthusiasm. He was dressed shabbily,
+and in the intervals of selling cabbages projected the regeneration of
+Judah.
+
+"That is just what is beginning to dawn upon me, Pinchas," he went on.
+"Our rich people give plenty away in charity; they have good hearts but
+not Jewish hearts. As the verse says,--A bundle of rhubarb and two
+pounds of Brussels sprouts and threepence halfpenny change. Thank you.
+Much obliged.--Now I have bethought myself why should we not work out
+our own salvation? It is the poor, the oppressed, the persecuted, whose
+souls pant after the Land of Israel as the hart after the water-brooks.
+Let us help ourselves. Let us put our hands in our own pockets. With our
+_Groschen_ let us rebuild Jerusalem and our Holy Temple. We will collect
+a fund slowly but surely--from all parts of the East End and the
+provinces the pious will give. With the first fruits we will send out a
+little party of persecuted Jews to Palestine; and then another; and
+another. The movement will grow like a sliding snow-ball that becomes an
+avalanche."
+
+"Yes, then the rich will come to you," said Pinchas, intensely excited.
+"Ah! it is a great idea, like all yours. Yes, I will come, I will make a
+mighty speech, for my lips, like Isaiah's, have been touched with the
+burning coal. I will inspire all hearts to start the movement at once. I
+will write its Marseillaise this very night, bedewing my couch with a
+poet's tears. We shall no longer be dumb--we shall roar like the lions
+of Lebanon. I shall be the trumpet to call the dispersed together from
+the four corners of the earth--yea, I shall be the Messiah himself,"
+said Pinchas, rising on the wings of his own eloquence, and forgetting
+to puff at his cigar.
+
+"I rejoice to see you so ardent; but mention not the word Messiah, for I
+fear some of our friends will take alarm and say that these are not
+Messianic times, that neither Elias, nor Gog, King of Magog, nor any of
+the portents have yet appeared. Kidneys or regents, my child?"
+
+"Stupid people! Hillel said more wisely: 'If I help not myself who will
+help me?' Do they expect the Messiah to fall from heaven? Who knows but
+I am the Messiah? Was I not born on the ninth of Ab?"
+
+"Hush, hush!" said Guedalyah, the greengrocer. "Let us be practical. We
+are not yet ready for Marseillaises or Messiahs. The first step is to
+get funds enough to send one family to Palestine."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Pinchas, drawing vigorously at his cigar to rekindle
+it. "But we must look ahead. Already I see it all. Palestine in the
+hands of the Jews--the Holy Temple rebuilt, a Jewish state, a President
+who is equally accomplished with the sword and the pen,--the whole
+campaign stretches before me. I see things like Napoleon, general and
+dictator alike."
+
+"Truly we wish that," said the greengrocer cautiously. "But to-night it
+is only a question of a dozen men founding a collecting society."
+
+"Of course, of course, that I understand. You're right--people about
+here say Guedalyah the greengrocer is always right. I will come
+beforehand to supper with you to talk it over, and you shall see what I
+will write for the _Mizpeh_ and the _Arbeiter-freund_. You know all
+these papers jump at me--their readers are the class to which you
+appeal--in them will I write my burning verses and leaders advocating
+the cause. I shall be your Tyrtaeus, your Mazzini, your Napoleon. How
+blessed that I came to England just now. I have lived in the Holy
+Land--the genius of the soil is blent with mine. I can describe its
+beauties as none other can. I am the very man at the very hour. And yet
+I will not go rashly--slow and sure--my plan is to collect small amounts
+from the poor to start by sending one family at a time to Palestine.
+That is how we must do it. How does that strike you, Guedalyah. You
+agree?"
+
+"Yes, yes. That is also my opinion."
+
+"You see I am not a Napoleon only in great ideas. I understand detail,
+though as a poet I abhor it. Ah, the Jew is king of the world. He alone
+conceives great ideas and executes them by petty means. The heathen are
+so stupid, so stupid! Yes, you shall see at supper how practically I
+will draw up the scheme. And then I will show you, too, what I have
+written about Gideon, M.P., the dog of a stockbroker--a satirical poem
+have I written about him, in Hebrew--an acrostic, with his name for the
+mockery of posterity. Stocks and shares have I translated into Hebrew,
+with new words which will at once be accepted by the Hebraists of the
+world and added to the vocabulary of modern Hebrew. Oh! I am terrible in
+satire. I sting like the hornet; witty as Immanuel, but mordant as his
+friend Dante. It will appear in the _Mizpeh_ to-morrow. I will show this
+Anglo-Jewish community that I am a man to be reckoned with. I will crush
+it--not it me."
+
+"But they don't see the _Mizpeh_ and couldn't read it if they did."
+
+"No matter. I send it abroad--I have friends, great Rabbis, great
+scholars, everywhere, who send me their learned manuscripts, their
+commentaries, their ideas, for revision and improvement. Let the
+Anglo-Jewish community hug itself in its stupid prosperity--but I will
+make it the laughing-stock of Europe and Asia. Then some day it will
+find out its mistake; it will not have ministers like the Rev. Elkan
+Benjamin, who keeps four mistresses, it will depose the lump of flesh
+who reigns over it and it will seize the hem of my coat and beseech me
+to be its Rabbi."
+
+"We should have a more orthodox Chief Rabbi, certainly," admitted
+Guedalyah.
+
+"Orthodox? Then and only then shall we have true Judaism in London and a
+burst of literary splendor far exceeding that of the much overpraised
+Spanish School, none of whom had that true lyrical gift which is like
+the carol of the bird in the pairing season. O why have I not the bird's
+privileges as well as its gift of song? Why can I not pair at will? Oh
+the stupid Rabbis who forbade polygamy. Verily as the verse says: The
+Law of Moses is perfect, enlightening the eyes--marriage, divorce, all
+is regulated with the height of wisdom. Why must we adopt the stupid
+customs of the heathen? At present I have not even one mate--but I
+love--ah Guedalyah! I love! The women are so beautiful. You love the
+women, hey?"
+
+"I love my Rivkah," said Guedalyah. "A penny on each ginger-beer
+bottle."
+
+"Yes, but why haven't _I_ got a wife? Eh?" demanded the little poet
+fiercely, his black eyes glittering. "I am a fine tall well-built
+good-looking man. In Palestine and on the Continent all the girls would
+go about sighing and casting sheep's eyes at me, for there the Jews love
+poetry and literature. But here! I can go into a room with a maiden in
+it and she makes herself unconscious of my presence. There is Reb
+Shemuel's daughter--a fine beautiful virgin. I kiss her hand--and it is
+ice to my lips. Ah, if I only had money! And money I should have, if
+these English Jews were not so stupid and if they elected me Chief
+Rabbi. Then I would marry--one, two, three maidens."
+
+"Talk not such foolishness," said Guedalyah, laughing, for he thought
+the poet jested. Pinchas saw his enthusiasm had carried him too far, but
+his tongue was the most reckless of organs and often slipped into the
+truth. He was a real poet with an extraordinary faculty for language and
+a gift of unerring rhythm. He wrote after the mediaeval model--with a
+profusion of acrostics and double rhyming--not with the bald
+duplications of primitive Hebrew poetry. Intellectually he divined
+things like a woman--with marvellous rapidity, shrewdness and
+inaccuracy. He saw into people's souls through a dark refracting
+suspiciousness. The same bent of mind, the same individuality of
+distorted insight made him overflow with ingenious explanations of the
+Bible and the Talmud, with new views and new lights on history,
+philology, medicine--anything, everything. And he believed in his ideas
+because they were his and in himself because of his ideas. To himself
+his stature sometimes seemed to expand till his head touched the
+sun--but that was mostly after wine--and his brain retained a permanent
+glow from the contact.
+
+"Well, peace be with you!" said Pinchas. "I will leave you to your
+customers, who besiege you as I have been besieged by the maidens. But
+what you have just told me has gladdened my heart. I always had an
+affection for you, but now I love you like a woman. We will found this
+Holy Land League, you and I. You shall be President--I waive all claims
+in your favor--and I will be Treasurer. Hey?"
+
+"We shall see; we shall see," said Guedalyah the greengrocer.
+
+"No, we cannot leave it to the mob, we must settle it beforehand. Shall
+we say done?"
+
+He laid his finger cajolingly to the side of his nose.
+
+"We shall see," repeated Guedalyah the greengrocer, impatiently.
+
+"No, say! I love you like a brother. Grant me this favor and I will
+never ask anything of you so long as I live."
+
+"Well, if the others--" began Guedalyah feebly.
+
+"Ah! You are a Prince in Israel," Pinchas cried enthusiastically. "If I
+could only show you my heart, how it loves you."
+
+He capered off at a sprightly trot, his head haloed by huge volumes of
+smoke. Guedalyah the greengrocer bent over a bin of potatoes. Looking up
+suddenly he was startled to see the head fixed in the open front of the
+shop window. It was a narrow dark bearded face distorted with an
+insinuative smile. A dirty-nailed forefinger was laid on the right of
+the nose.
+
+"You won't forget," said the head coaxingly.
+
+"Of course I won't forget," cried the greengrocer querulously.
+
+The meeting took place at ten that night at the Beth Hamidrash founded
+by Guedalyah, a large unswept room rudely fitted up as a synagogue and
+approached by reeking staircases, unsavory as the neighborhood. On one
+of the black benches a shabby youth with very long hair and lank
+fleshless limbs shook his body violently to and fro while he vociferated
+the sentences of the Mishnah in the traditional argumentative singsong.
+Near the central raised platform was a group of enthusiasts, among whom
+Froom Karlkammer, with his thin ascetic body and the mass of red hair
+that crowned his head like the light of a pharos, was a conspicuous
+figure.
+
+"Peace be to you, Karlkammer!" said Pinchas to him in Hebrew.
+
+"To you be peace, Pinchas!" replied Karlkammer.
+
+"Ah!" went on Pinchas. "Sweeter than honey it is to me, yea than fine
+honey, to talk to a man in the Holy Tongue. Woe, the speakers are few in
+these latter days. I and thou, Karlkammer, are the only two people who
+can speak the Holy Tongue grammatically on this isle of the sea. Lo, it
+is a great thing we are met to do this night--I see Zion laughing on her
+mountains and her fig-trees skipping for joy. I will be the treasurer of
+the fund, Karlkammer--do thou vote for me, for so our society shall
+flourish as the green bay tree."
+
+Karlkammer grunted vaguely, not having humor enough to recall the usual
+associations of the simile, and Pinchas passed on to salute Hamburg. To
+Gabriel Hamburg, Pinchas was occasion for half-respectful amusement. He
+could not but reverence the poet's genius even while he laughed at his
+pretensions to omniscience, and at the daring and unscientific guesses
+which the poet offered as plain prose. For when in their arguments
+Pinchas came upon Jewish ground, he was in presence of a man who knew
+every inch of it.
+
+"Blessed art thou who arrivest," he said when he perceived Pinchas.
+Then dropping into German he continued--"I did not know you would join
+in the rebuilding of Zion."
+
+"Why not?" inquired Pinchas.
+
+"Because you have written so many poems thereupon."
+
+"Be not so foolish," said Pinchas, annoyed. "Did not King David fight
+the Philistines as well as write the Psalms?"
+
+"Did he write the Psalms?" said Hamburg quietly, with a smile.
+
+"No--not so loud! Of course he didn't! The Psalms were written by Judas
+Maccabaeus, as I proved in the last issue of the Stuttgard
+_Zeitschrift_. But that only makes my analogy more forcible. You shall
+see how I will gird on sword and armor, and I shall yet see even you in
+the forefront of the battle. I will be treasurer, you shall vote for me,
+Hamburg, for I and you are the only two people who know the Holy Tongue
+grammatically, and we must work shoulder to shoulder and see that the
+balance sheets are drawn up in the language of our fathers."
+
+In like manner did Melchitsedek Pinchas approach Hiram Lyons and Simon
+Gradkoski, the former a poverty-stricken pietist who added day by day to
+a furlong of crabbed manuscript, embodying a useless commentary on the
+first chapter of Genesis; the latter the portly fancy-goods dealer in
+whose warehouse Daniel Hyams was employed. Gradkoski rivalled Reb
+Shemuel in his knowledge of the exact _loci_ of Talmudical remarks--page
+this, and line that--and secretly a tolerant latitudinarian, enjoyed the
+reputation of a bulwark of orthodoxy too well to give it up. Gradkoski
+passed easily from writing an invoice to writing a learned article on
+Hebrew astronomy. Pinchas ignored Joseph Strelitski whose raven curl
+floated wildly over his forehead like a pirate's flag, though Hamburg,
+who was rather surprised to see the taciturn young man at a meeting,
+strove to draw him into conversation. The man to whom Pinchas ultimately
+attached himself was only a man in the sense of having attained his
+religious majority. He was a Harrow boy named Raphael Leon, a scion of a
+wealthy family. The boy had manifested a strange premature interest in
+Jewish literature and had often seen Gabriel Hamburg's name in learned
+foot-notes, and, discovering that he was in England, had just written to
+him. Hamburg had replied; they had met that day for the first time and
+at the lad's own request the old scholar brought him on to this strange
+meeting. The boy grew to be Hamburg's one link with wealthy England, and
+though he rarely saw Leon again, the lad came in a shadowy way to take
+the place he had momentarily designed for Joseph Strelitski. To-night it
+was Pinchas who assumed the paternal manner, but he mingled it with a
+subtle obsequiousness that made the shy simple lad uncomfortable, though
+when he came to read the poet's lofty sentiments which arrived (with an
+acrostic dedication) by the first post next morning, he conceived an
+enthusiastic admiration for the neglected genius.
+
+The rest of the "remnant" that were met to save Israel looked more
+commonplace--a furrier, a slipper-maker, a locksmith, an ex-glazier
+(Mendel Hyams), a confectioner, a _Melammed_ or Hebrew teacher, a
+carpenter, a presser, a cigar-maker, a small shop-keeper or two, and
+last and least, Moses Ansell. They were of many birthplaces--Austria,
+Holland, Poland, Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain--yet felt themselves of
+no country and of one. Encircled by the splendors of modern Babylon,
+their hearts turned to the East, like passion-flowers seeking the sun.
+Palestine, Jerusalem, Jordan, the Holy Land were magic syllables to
+them, the sight of a coin struck in one of Baron Edmund's colonies
+filled their eyes with tears; in death they craved no higher boon than a
+handful of Palestine earth sprinkled over their graves.
+
+But Guedalyah the greengrocer was not the man to encourage idle hopes.
+He explained his scheme lucidly--without highfalutin. They were to
+rebuild Judaism as the coral insect builds its reefs--not as the prayer
+went, "speedily and in our days."
+
+They had brought themselves up to expect more and were disappointed.
+Some protested against peddling little measures--like Pinchas they were
+for high, heroic deeds. Joseph Strelitski, student and cigar commission
+agent, jumped to his feet and cried passionately in German: "Everywhere
+Israel groans and travails--must we indeed wait and wait till our hearts
+are sick and strike never a decisive blow? It is nigh two thousand years
+since across the ashes of our Holy Temple we were driven into the Exile,
+clanking the chains of Pagan conquerors. For nigh two thousand years
+have we dwelt on alien soils, a mockery and a byword for the nations,
+hounded out from every worthy employ and persecuted for turning to the
+unworthy, spat upon and trodden under foot, suffusing the scroll of
+history with our blood and illuminating it with the lurid glare of the
+fires to which our martyrs have ascended gladly for the Sanctification
+of the Name. We who twenty centuries ago were a mighty nation, with a
+law and a constitution and a religion which have been the key-notes of
+the civilization of the world, we who sat in judgment by the gates of
+great cities, clothed in purple and fine linen, are the sport of peoples
+who were then roaming wild in woods and marshes clothed in the skins of
+the wolf and the bear. Now in the East there gleams again a star of
+hope--why shall we not follow it? Never has the chance of the
+Restoration flamed so high as to-day. Our capitalists rule the markets
+of Europe, our generals lead armies, our great men sit in the Councils
+of every State. We are everywhere--a thousand thousand stray rivulets of
+power that could be blent into a mighty ocean. Palestine is one if we
+wish--the whole house of Israel has but to speak with a mighty unanimous
+voice. Poets will sing for us, journalists write for us, diplomatists
+haggle for us, millionaires pay the price for us. The sultan would
+restore our land to us to-morrow, did we but essay to get it. There are
+no obstacles--but ourselves. It is not the heathen that keeps us out of
+our land--it is the Jews, the rich and prosperous Jews--Jeshurun grown
+fat and sleepy, dreaming the false dream of assimilation with the people
+of the pleasant places in which their lines have been cast. Give us back
+our country; this alone will solve the Jewish question. Our paupers
+shall become agriculturists, and like Antaeus, the genius of Israel
+shall gain fresh strength by contact with mother earth. And for England
+it will help to solve the Indian question--Between European Russia and
+India there will be planted a people, fierce, terrible, hating Russia
+for her wild-beast deeds. Into the Exile we took with us, of all our
+glories, only a spark of the fire by which our Temple, the abode of our
+great One was engirdled, and this little spark kept us alive while the
+towers of our enemies crumbled to dust, and this spark leaped into
+celestial flame and shed light upon the faces of the heroes of our race
+and inspired them to endure the horrors of the Dance of Death and the
+tortures of the _Auto-da-fé_. Let us fan the spark again till it leap up
+and become a pillar of flame going before us and showing us the way to
+Jerusalem, the City of our sires. And if gold will not buy back our land
+we must try steel. As the National Poet of Israel, Naphtali Herz Imber,
+has so nobly sung (here he broke into the Hebrew _Wacht Am Rhein_, of
+which an English version would run thus):
+
+    "THE WATCH ON THE JORDAN.
+
+    I.
+
+    "Like the crash of the thunder
+    Which splitteth asunder
+      The flame of the cloud,
+    On our ears ever falling,
+    A voice is heard calling
+      From Zion aloud:
+    'Let your spirits' desires
+    For the land of your sires
+      Eternally burn.
+    From the foe to deliver
+    Our own holy river,
+      To Jordan return.'
+    Where the soft flowing stream
+    Murmurs low as in dream,
+      There set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      By the Jordan then set we our watch.
+
+    II.
+
+    "Rest in peace, lovčd land,
+    For we rest not, but stand,
+    Off shaken our sloth.
+    When the boils of war rattle
+    To shirk not the battle,
+      We make thee our oath.
+    As we hope for a Heaven,
+    Thy chains shall be riven,
+      Thine ensign unfurled.
+    And in pride of our race
+    We will fearlessly face
+      The might of the world.
+    When our trumpet is blown,
+    And our standard is flown,
+      Then set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      By Jordan then set we our watch.
+
+    III.
+
+    "Yea, as long as there he
+    Birds in air, fish in sea,
+      And blood in our veins;
+    And the lions in might.
+    Leaping down from the height,
+      Shake, roaring, their manes;
+    And the dew nightly laves
+    The forgotten old graves
+      Where Judah's sires sleep,--
+    We swear, who are living,
+    To rest not in striving,
+      To pause not to weep.
+    Let the trumpet be blown,
+    Let the standard be flown,
+      Now set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      In Jordan NOW set we our watch."
+
+He sank upon the rude, wooden bench, exhausted, his eyes glittering, his
+raven hair dishevelled by the wildness of his gestures. He had said. For
+the rest of the evening he neither moved nor spake. The calm,
+good-humored tones of Simon Gradkoski followed like a cold shower.
+
+"We must be sensible," he said, for he enjoyed the reputation of a
+shrewd conciliatory man of the world as well as of a pillar of
+orthodoxy. "The great people will come to us, but not if we abuse them.
+We must flatter them up and tell them they are the descendants of the
+Maccabees. There is much political kudos to be got out of leading such a
+movement--this, too, they will see. Rome was not built in a day, and the
+Temple will not be rebuilt in a year. Besides, we are not soldiers now.
+We must recapture our land by brain, not sword. Slow and sure and the
+blessing of God over all."
+
+After such wise Simon Gradkoski. But Gronovitz, the Hebrew teacher,
+crypto-atheist and overt revolutionary, who read a Hebrew edition of the
+"Pickwick Papers" in synagogue on the Day of Atonement, was with
+Strelitski, and a bigot whose religion made his wife and children
+wretched was with the cautious Simon Gradkoski. Froom Karlkammer
+followed, but his drift was uncertain. He apparently looked forward to
+miraculous interpositions. Still he approved of the movement from one
+point of view. The more Jews lived in Jerusalem the more would be
+enabled to die there--which was the aim of a good Jew's life. As for the
+Messiah, he would come assuredly--in God's good time. Thus Karlkammer at
+enormous length with frequent intervals of unintelligibility and huge
+chunks of irrelevant quotation and much play of Cabalistic conceptions.
+Pinchas, who had been fuming throughout this speech, for to him
+Karlkammer stood for the archetype of all donkeys, jumped up impatiently
+when Karlkammer paused for breath and denounced as an interruption that
+gentleman's indignant continuance of his speech. The sense of the
+meeting was with the poet and Karlkammer was silenced. Pinchas was
+dithyrambic, sublime, with audacities which only genius can venture on.
+He was pungently merry over Imber's pretensions to be the National Poet
+of Israel, declaring that his prosody, his vocabulary, and even his
+grammar were beneath contempt. He, Pinchas, would write Judaea a real
+Patriotic Poem, which should be sung from the slums of Whitechapel to
+the _Veldts_ of South Africa, and from the _Mellah_ of Morocco to the
+_Judengassen_ of Germany, and should gladden the hearts and break from
+the mouths of the poor immigrants saluting the Statue of Liberty in New
+York Harbor. When he, Pinchas, walked in Victoria Park of a Sunday
+afternoon and heard the band play, the sound of a cornet always seemed
+to him, said he, like the sound of Bar Cochba's trumpet calling the
+warriors to battle. And when it was all over and the band played "God
+save the Queen," it sounded like the paean of victory when he marched, a
+conqueror, to the gates of Jerusalem. Wherefore he, Pinchas, would be
+their leader. Had not the Providence, which concealed so many
+revelations in the letters of the Torah, given him the name Melchitsedek
+Pinchas, whereof one initial stood for Messiah and the other for
+Palestine. Yes, he would be their Messiah. But money now-a-days was the
+sinews of war and the first step to Messiahship was the keeping of the
+funds. The Redeemer must in the first instance be the treasurer. With
+this anti-climax Pinchas wound up, his childishness and _naďveté_
+conquering his cunning.
+
+Other speakers followed but in the end Guedalyah the greengrocer
+prevailed. They appointed him President and Simon Gradkoski, Treasurer,
+collecting twenty-five shillings on the spot, ten from the lad Raphael
+Leon. In vain Pinchas reminded the President they would need Collectors
+to make house to house calls; three other members were chosen to trisect
+the Ghetto. All felt the incongruity of hanging money bags at the
+saddle-bow of Pegasus. Whereupon Pinchas re-lit his cigar and muttering
+that they were all fool-men betook himself unceremoniously without.
+
+Gabriel Hamburg looked on throughout with something like a smile on his
+shrivelled features. Once while Joseph Strelitski was holding forth he
+blew his nose violently. Perhaps he had taken too large a pinch of
+snuff. But not a word did the great scholar speak. He would give up his
+last breath to promote the Return (provided the Hebrew manuscripts were
+not left behind in alien museums); but the humors of the enthusiasts
+were part of the great comedy in the only theatre he cared for. Mendel
+Hyams was another silent member. But he wept openly under Strelitski's
+harangue.
+
+When the meeting adjourned, the lank unhealthy swaying creature in the
+corner, who had been mumbling the tractate Baba Kama out of courtesy,
+now burst out afresh in his quaint argumentative recitative.
+
+"What then does it refer to? To his stone or his knife or his burden
+which he has left on the highway and it injured a passer-by. How is
+this? If he gave up his ownership, whether according to Rav or according
+to Shemuel, it is a pit, and if he retained his ownership, if according
+to Shemuel, who holds that all are derived from 'his pit,' then it is 'a
+pit,' and if according to Rav, who holds that all are derived from 'his
+ox,' then it is 'an ox,' therefore the derivatives of 'an ox' are the
+same as 'an ox' itself."
+
+He had been at it all day, and he went on far into the small hours,
+shaking his body backwards and forwards without remission.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE COURTSHIP OF SHOSSHI SHMENDRIK.
+
+
+Meckisch was a _Chasid_, which in the vernacular is a saint, but in the
+actual a member of the sect of the _Chasidim_ whose centre is Galicia.
+In the eighteenth century Israel Baal Shem, "the Master of the Name,"
+retired to the mountains to meditate on philosophical truths. He arrived
+at a creed of cheerful and even stoical acceptance of the Cosmos in all
+its aspects and a conviction that the incense of an enjoyed pipe was
+grateful to the Creator. But it is the inevitable misfortune of
+religious founders to work apocryphal miracles and to raise up an army
+of disciples who squeeze the teaching of their master into their own
+mental moulds and are ready to die for the resultant distortion. It is
+only by being misunderstood that a great man can have any influence upon
+his kind. Baal Shem was succeeded by an army of thaumaturgists, and the
+wonder-working Rabbis of Sadagora who are in touch with all the spirits
+of the air enjoy the revenue of princes and the reverence of Popes. To
+snatch a morsel of such a Rabbi's Sabbath _Kuggol_, or pudding, is to
+insure Paradise, and the scramble is a scene to witness. _Chasidism_ is
+the extreme expression of Jewish optimism. The Chasidim are the
+Corybantes or Salvationists of Judaism. In England their idiosyncrasies
+are limited to noisy jubilant services in their _Chevrah_, the
+worshippers dancing or leaning or standing or writhing or beating their
+heads against the wall as they will, and frisking like happy children in
+the presence of their Father.
+
+Meckisch also danced at home and sang "Tiddy, riddy, roi, toi, toi, toi,
+ta," varied by "Rom, pom, pom" and "Bim, bom" in a quaint melody to
+express his personal satisfaction with existence. He was a weazened
+little widower with a deep yellow complexion, prominent cheek bones, a
+hook nose and a scrubby, straggling little beard. Years of professional
+practice as a mendicant had stamped his face with an anguished suppliant
+conciliatory grin, which he could not now erase even after business
+hours. It might perhaps have yielded to soap and water but the
+experiment had not been tried. On his head he always wore a fur cap with
+lappets for his ears. Across his shoulders was strung a lemon-basket
+filled with grimy, gritty bits of sponge which nobody ever bought.
+Meckisch's merchandise was quite other. He dealt in sensational
+spectacle. As he shambled along with extreme difficulty and by the aid
+of a stick, his lower limbs which were crossed in odd contortions
+appeared half paralyzed, and, when his strange appearance had attracted
+attention, his legs would give way and he would find himself with his
+back on the pavement, where he waited to be picked up by sympathetic
+spectators shedding silver and copper. After an indefinite number of
+performances Meckisch would hurry home in the darkness to dance and sing
+"Tiddy, riddy, roi, toi, bim, bom."
+
+Thus Meckisch lived at peace with God and man, till one day the fatal
+thought came into his head that he wanted a second wife. There was no
+difficulty in getting one--by the aid of his friend, Sugarman the __
+soon the little man found his household goods increased by the
+possession of a fat, Russian giantess. Meckisch did not call in the
+authorities to marry him. He had a "still wedding," which cost nothing.
+An artificial canopy made out of a sheet and four broomsticks was
+erected in the chimney corner and nine male friends sanctified the
+ceremony by their presence. Meckisch and the Russian giantess fasted on
+their wedding morn and everything was in honorable order.
+
+But Meckisch's happiness and economies were short-lived. The Russian
+giantess turned out a tartar. She got her claws into his savings and
+decorated herself with Paisley shawls and gold necklaces. Nay more! She
+insisted that Meckisch must give her "Society" and keep open house.
+Accordingly the bed-sitting room which they rented was turned into a
+_salon_ of reception, and hither one Friday night came Peleg Shmendrik
+and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Sugarman. Over the Sabbath meal the
+current of talk divided itself into masculine and feminine freshets. The
+ladies discussed bonnets and the gentlemen Talmud. All the three men
+dabbled, pettily enough, in stocks and shares, but nothing in the world
+would tempt them to transact any negotiation or discuss the merits of a
+prospectus on the Sabbath, though they were all fluttered by the
+allurements of the Sapphire Mines, Limited, as set forth in a whole page
+of advertisement in the "_Jewish Chronicle_, the organ naturally perused
+for its religious news on Friday evenings. The share-list would close at
+noon on Monday.
+
+"But when Moses, our teacher, struck the rock," said Peleg Shmendrik, in
+the course of the discussion, "he was right the first time but wrong the
+second, because as the Talmud points out, a child may be chastised when
+it is little, but as it grows up it should be reasoned with."
+
+"Yes," said Sugarman the _Shadchan_, quickly; "but if his rod had not
+been made of sapphire he would have split that instead of the rock."
+
+"Was it made of sapphire?" asked Meckisch, who was rather a
+Man-of-the-Earth.
+
+"Of course it was--and a very fine thing, too," answered Sugarman.
+
+"Do you think so?" inquired Peleg Shmendrik eagerly.
+
+"The sapphire is a magic stone," answered Sugarman. "It improves the
+vision and makes peace between foes. Issachar, the studious son of
+Jacob, was represented on the Breast-plate by the sapphire. Do you not
+know that the mist-like centre of the sapphire symbolizes the cloud that
+enveloped Sinai at the giving of the Law?"
+
+"I did not know that," answered Peleg Shmendrik, "but I know that
+Moses's Rod was created in the twilight of the first Sabbath and God did
+everything after that with this sceptre."
+
+"Ah, but we are not all strong enough to wield Moses's Rod; it weighed
+forty seahs," said Sugarman.
+
+"How many seahs do you think one could safely carry?" said Meckisch.
+
+"Five or six seahs--not more," said Sugarman. "You see one might drop
+them if he attempted more and even sapphire may break--the First Tables
+of the Law were made of sapphire, and yet from a great height they fell
+terribly, and were shattered to pieces."
+
+"Gideon, the M.P., may be said to desire a Rod of Moses, for his
+secretary told me he will take forty," said Shmendrik.
+
+"Hush! what are you saying!" said Sugarman, "Gideon is a rich man, and
+then he is a director."
+
+"It seems a good lot of directors," said Meckisch.
+
+"Good to look at. But who can tell?" said Sugarman, shaking his head.
+"The Queen of Sheba probably brought sapphires to Solomon, but she was
+not a virtuous woman."
+
+"Ah, Solomon!" sighed Mrs. Shmendrik, pricking up her ears and
+interrupting this talk of stocks and stones, "If he'd had a thousand
+daughters instead of a thousand wives, even his treasury couldn't have
+held out. I had only two girls, praised be He, and yet it nearly ruined
+me to buy them husbands. A dirty _Greener_ comes over, without a shirt
+to his skin, and nothing else but he must have two hundred pounds in the
+hand. And then you've got to stick to his back to see that he doesn't
+take his breeches in his hand and off to America. In Poland he would
+have been glad to get a maiden, and would have said thank you."
+
+"Well, but what about your own son?" said Sugarman; "Why haven't you
+asked me to find Shosshi a wife? It's a sin against the maidens of
+Israel. He must be long past the Talmudical age."
+
+"He is twenty-four," replied Peleg Shmendrik.
+
+"Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu!" said Sugarman, clacking his tongue in horror,
+"have you perhaps an objection to his marrying?"
+
+"Save us and grant us peace!" said the father in deprecatory horror.
+"Only Shosshi is so shy. You are aware, too, he is not handsome. Heaven
+alone knows whom he takes after."
+
+"Peleg, I blush for you," said Mrs. Shmendrik. "What is the matter with
+the boy? Is he deaf, dumb, blind, unprovided with legs? If Shosshi is
+backward with the women, it is because he 'learns' so hard when he's not
+at work. He earns a good living by his cabinet-making and it is quite
+time he set up a Jewish household for himself. How much will you want
+for finding him a _Calloh_?"
+
+"Hush!" said Sugarman sternly, "do you forget it is the Sabbath? Be
+assured I shall not charge more than last time, unless the bride has an
+extra good dowry."
+
+On Saturday night immediately after _Havdalah_, Sugarman went to Mr.
+Belcovitch, who was just about to resume work, and informed him he had
+the very _Chosan_ for Becky. "I know," he said, "Becky has a lot of
+young men after her, but what are they but a pack of bare-backs? How
+much will you give for a solid man?"
+
+After much haggling Belcovitch consented to give twenty pounds
+immediately before the marriage ceremony and another twenty at the end
+of twelve months.
+
+"But no pretending you haven't got it about you, when we're at the
+_Shool_, no asking us to wait till we get home," said Sugarman, "or else
+I withdraw my man, even from under the _Chuppah_ itself. When shall I
+bring him for your inspection?"
+
+"Oh, to-morrow afternoon, Sunday, when Becky will be out in the park
+with her young men. It's best I shall see him first!"
+
+Sugarman now regarded Shosshi as a married man! He rubbed his hands and
+went to see him. He found him in a little shed in the back yard where
+he did extra work at home. Shosshi was busy completing little wooden
+articles--stools and wooden spoons and moneyboxes for sale in Petticoat
+Lane next day. He supplemented his wages that way.
+
+"Good evening, Shosshi," said Sugarman.
+
+"Good evening," murmured Shosshi, sawing away.
+
+Shosshi was a gawky young man with a blotched sandy face ever ready to
+blush deeper with the suspicion that conversations going on at a
+distance were all about him. His eyes were shifty and catlike; one
+shoulder overbalanced the other, and when he walked, he swayed loosely
+to and fro. Sugarman was rarely remiss in the offices of piety and he
+was nigh murmuring the prayer at the sight of monstrosities. "Blessed
+art Thou who variest the creatures." But resisting the temptation he
+said aloud, "I have something to tell you."
+
+Shosshi looked up suspiciously.
+
+"Don't bother: I am busy," he said, and applied his plane to the leg of
+a stool.
+
+"But this is more important than stools. How would you like to get
+married?"
+
+Shosshi's face became like a peony.
+
+"Don't make laughter," he said.
+
+"But I mean it. You are twenty-four years old and ought to have a wife
+and four children by this time."
+
+"But I don't want a wife and four children," said Shosshi.
+
+"No, of course not. I don't mean a widow. It is a maiden I have in my
+eye."
+
+"Nonsense, what maiden would have me?" said Shosshi, a note of eagerness
+mingling with the diffidence of the words.
+
+"What maiden? _Gott in Himmel_! A hundred. A fine, strong, healthy young
+man like you, who can make a good living!"
+
+Shosshi put down his plane and straightened himself. There was a moment
+of silence. Then his frame collapsed again into a limp mass. His head
+drooped over his left shoulder. "This is all foolishness you talk, the
+maidens make mock."
+
+"Be not a piece of clay! I know a maiden who has you quite in
+affection!"
+
+The blush which had waned mantled in a full flood. Shosshi stood
+breathless, gazing half suspiciously, half credulously at his strictly
+honorable Mephistopheles.
+
+It was about seven o'clock and the moon was a yellow crescent in the
+frosty heavens. The sky was punctured with clear-cut constellations. The
+back yard looked poetic with its blend of shadow and moonlight.
+
+"A beautiful fine maid," said Sugarman ecstatically, "with pink cheeks
+and black eyes and forty pounds dowry."
+
+The moon sailed smilingly along. The water was running into the cistern
+with a soothing, peaceful sound. Shosshi consented to go and see Mr.
+Belcovitch.
+
+Mr. Belcovitch made no parade. Everything was as usual. On the wooden
+table were two halves of squeezed lemons, a piece of chalk, two cracked
+cups and some squashed soap. He was not overwhelmed by Shosshi, but
+admitted he was solid. His father was known to be pious, and both his
+sisters had married reputable men. Above all, he was not a Dutchman.
+Shosshi left No. 1 Royal Street, Belcovitch's accepted son-in-law.
+Esther met him on the stairs and noted the radiance on his pimply
+countenance. He walked with his head almost erect. Shosshi was indeed
+very much in love and felt that all that was needed for his happiness
+was a sight of his future wife.
+
+But he had no time to go and see her except on Sunday afternoons, and
+then she was always out. Mrs. Belcovitch, however, made amends by paying
+him considerable attention. The sickly-looking little woman chatted to
+him for hours at a time about her ailments and invited him to taste her
+medicine, which was a compliment Mrs. Belcovitch passed only to her most
+esteemed visitors. By and by she even wore her night-cap in his presence
+as a sign that he had become one of the family. Under this encouragement
+Shosshi grew confidential and imparted to his future mother-in-law the
+details of his mother's disabilities. But he could mention nothing which
+Mrs. Belcovitch could not cap, for she was a woman extremely catholic in
+her maladies. She was possessed of considerable imagination, and once
+when Fanny selected a bonnet for her in a milliner's window, the girl
+had much difficulty in persuading her it was not inferior to what turned
+out to be the reflection of itself in a side mirror.
+
+"I'm so weak upon my legs," she would boast to Shosshi. "I was born with
+ill-matched legs. One is a thick one and one is a thin one, and so one
+goes about."
+
+Shosshi expressed his sympathetic admiration and the courtship proceeded
+apace. Sometimes Fanny and Pesach Weingott would be at home working, and
+they were very affable to him. He began to lose something of his shyness
+and his lurching gait, and he quite looked forward to his weekly visit
+to the Belcovitches. It was the story of Cymon and Iphigenia over again.
+Love improved even his powers of conversation, for when Belcovitch held
+forth at length Shosshi came in several times with "So?" and sometimes
+in the right place. Mr. Belcovitch loved his own voice and listened to
+it, the arrested press-iron in his hand. Occasionally in the middle of
+one of his harangues it would occur to him that some one was talking and
+wasting time, and then he would say to the room, "Shah! Make an end,
+make an end," and dry up. But to Shosshi he was especially polite,
+rarely interrupting himself when his son-in-law elect was hanging on his
+words. There was an intimate tender tone about these _causeries_.
+
+"I should like to drop down dead suddenly," he would say with the air of
+a philosopher, who had thought it all out. "I shouldn't care to lie up
+in bed and mess about with medicine and doctors. To make a long job of
+dying is so expensive."
+
+"So?" said Shosshi.
+
+"Don't worry, Bear! I dare say the devil will seize you suddenly,"
+interposed Mrs. Belcovitch drily.
+
+"It will not be the devil," said Mr. Belcovitch, confidently and in a
+confidential manner. "If I had died as a young man, Shosshi, it might
+have been different."
+
+Shosshi pricked up his ears to listen to the tale of Bear's wild
+cubhood.
+
+"One morning," said Belcovitch, "in Poland, I got up at four o'clock to
+go to Supplications for Forgiveness. The air was raw and there was no
+sign of dawn! Suddenly I noticed a black pig trotting behind me. I
+quickened my pace and the black pig did likewise. I broke into a run and
+I heard the pig's paws patting furiously upon the hard frozen ground. A
+cold sweat broke out all over me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the
+pig's eyes burning like red-hot coals in the darkness. Then I knew that
+the Not Good One was after me. 'Hear, O Israel,' I cried. I looked up to
+the heavens but there was a cold mist covering the stars. Faster and
+faster I flew and faster and faster flew the demon pig. At last the
+_Shool_ came in sight. I made one last wild effort and fell exhausted
+upon the holy threshold and the pig vanished."
+
+"So?" said Shosshi, with a long breath.
+
+"Immediately after _Shool_ I spake with the Rabbi and he said 'Bear, are
+thy _Tephillin_ in order?' So I said 'Yea, Rabbi, they are very large
+and I bought them of the pious scribe, Naphtali, and I look to the knots
+weekly.' But he said, 'I will examine them.' So I brought them to him
+and he opened the head-phylactery and lo! in place of the holy parchment
+he found bread crumbs."
+
+"Hoi, hoi," said Shosshi in horror, his red hands quivering.
+
+"Yes," said Bear mournfully, "I had worn them for ten years and moreover
+the leaven had denied all my Passovers."
+
+Belcovitch also entertained the lover with details of the internal
+politics of the "Sons of the Covenant."
+
+Shosshi's affection for Becky increased weekly under the stress of these
+intimate conversations with her family. At last his passion was
+rewarded, and Becky, at the violent instance of her father, consented to
+disappoint one of her young men and stay at home to meet her future
+husband. She put off her consent till after dinner though, and it began
+to rain immediately before she gave it.
+
+The moment Shosshi came into the room he divined that a change had come
+over the spirit of the dream. Out of the corners of his eyes he caught a
+glimpse of an appalling beauty standing behind a sewing machine. His
+face fired up, his legs began to quiver, he wished the ground would open
+and swallow him as it did Korah.
+
+"Becky," said Mr. Belcovitch, "this is Mr. Shosshi Shmendrik."
+
+Shosshi put on a sickly grin and nodded his head affirmatively, as if to
+corroborate the statement, and the round felt hat he wore slid back till
+the broad rim rested on his ears. Through a sort of mist a terribly fine
+maid loomed.
+
+Becky stared at him haughtily and curled her lip. Then she giggled.
+
+Shosshi held out his huge red hand limply. Becky took no notice of it.
+
+"_Nu_, Becky!" breathed Belcovitch, in a whisper that could have been
+heard across the way.
+
+"How are you? All right?" said Becky, very loud, as if she thought
+deafness was among Shosshi's disadvantages.
+
+Shosshi grinned reassuringly.
+
+There was another silence.
+
+Shosshi wondered whether the _convenances_ would permit him to take his
+leave now. He did not feel comfortable at all. Everything had been going
+so delightfully, it had been quite a pleasure to him to come to the
+house. But now all was changed. The course of true love never does run
+smooth, and the advent of this new personage into the courtship was
+distinctly embarrassing.
+
+The father came to the rescue.
+
+"A little rum?" he said.
+
+"Yes," said Shosshi.
+
+"Chayah! _nu_. Fetch the bottle!"
+
+Mrs. Belcovitch went to the chest of drawers in the corner of the room
+and took from the top of it a large decanter. She then produced two
+glasses without feet and filled them with the home-made rum, handing one
+to Shosshi and the other to her husband. Shosshi muttered a blessing
+over it, then he leered vacuously at the company and cried, "To life!"
+
+"To peace!" replied the older man, gulping down the spirit. Shosshi was
+doing the same, when his eye caught Becky's. He choked for five minutes,
+Mrs. Belcovitch thumping him maternally on the back. When he was
+comparatively recovered the sense of his disgrace rushed upon him and
+overwhelmed him afresh. Becky was still giggling behind the sewing
+machine. Once more Shosshi felt that the burden of the conversation was
+upon him. He looked at his boots and not seeing anything there, looked
+up again and grinned encouragingly at the company as if to waive his
+rights. But finding the company did not respond, he blew his nose
+enthusiastically as a lead off to the conversation.
+
+Mr. Belcovitch saw his embarrassment, and, making a sign to Chayah,
+slipped out of the room followed by his wife. Shosshi was left alone
+with the terribly fine maid.
+
+Becky stood still, humming a little air and looking up at the ceiling,
+as if she had forgotten Shosshi's existence. With her eyes in that
+position it was easier for Shosshi to look at her. He stole side-long
+glances at her, which, growing bolder and bolder, at length fused into
+an uninterrupted steady gaze. How fine and beautiful she was! His eyes
+began to glitter, a smile of approbation overspread his face. Suddenly
+she looked down and their eyes met. Shosshi's smile hurried off and gave
+way to a sickly sheepish look and his legs felt weak. The terribly fine
+maid gave a kind of snort and resumed her inspection of the ceiling.
+Gradually Shosshi found himself examining her again. Verily Sugarman had
+spoken truly of her charms. But--overwhelming thought--had not Sugarman
+also said she loved him? Shosshi knew nothing of the ways of girls,
+except what he had learned from the Talmud. Quite possibly Becky was now
+occupied in expressing ardent affection. He shuffled towards her, his
+heart beating violently. He was near enough to touch her. The air she
+was humming throbbed in his ears. He opened his mouth to speak--Becky
+becoming suddenly aware of his proximity fixed him with a basilisk
+glare--the words were frozen on his lips. For some seconds his mouth
+remained open, then the ridiculousness of shutting it again without
+speaking spurred him on to make some sound, however meaningless. He made
+a violent effort and there burst from his lips in Hebrew:
+
+"Happy are those who dwell in thy house, ever shall they praise thee,
+Selah!" It was not a compliment to Becky. Shosshi's face lit up with
+joyous relief. By some inspiration he had started the afternoon prayer.
+He felt that Becky would understand the pious necessity. With fervent
+gratitude to the Almighty he continued the Psalm: "Happy are the people
+whose lot is thus, etc." Then he turned his back on Becky, with his face
+to the East wall, made three steps forwards and commenced the silent
+delivery of the _Amidah_. Usually he gabbled off the "Eighteen
+Blessings" in five minutes. To-day they were prolonged till he heard the
+footsteps of the returning parents. Then he scurried through the relics
+of the service at lightning speed. When Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch
+re-entered the room they saw by his happy face that all was well and
+made no opposition to his instant departure.
+
+He came again the next Sunday and was rejoiced to find that Becky was
+out, though he had hoped to find her in. The courtship made great
+strides that afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch being more amiable than
+ever to compensate for Becky's private refusal to entertain the
+addresses of such a _Schmuck_. There had been sharp domestic discussions
+during the week, and Becky had only sniffed at her parents'
+commendations of Shosshi as a "very worthy youth." She declared that it
+was "remission of sins merely to look at him."
+
+Next Sabbath Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch paid a formal visit to Shosshi's
+parents to make their acquaintance, and partook of tea and cake. Becky
+was not with them; moreover she defiantly declared she would never be at
+home on a Sunday till Shosshi was married. They circumvented her by
+getting him up on a weekday. The image of Becky had been so often in his
+thoughts now that by the time he saw her the second time he was quite
+habituated to her appearance. He had even imagined his arm round her
+waist, but in practice he found he could go no further as yet than
+ordinary conversation.
+
+Becky was sitting sewing buttonholes when Shosshi arrived. Everybody was
+there--Mr. Belcovitch pressing coats with hot irons; Fanny shaking the
+room with her heavy machine; Pesach Weingott cutting a piece of
+chalk-marked cloth; Mrs. Belcovitch carefully pouring out
+tablespoonfuls of medicine. There were even some outside "hands," work
+being unusually plentiful, as from the manifestos of Simon Wolf, the
+labor-leader, the slop manufacturers anticipated a strike.
+
+Sustained by their presence, Shosshi felt a bold and gallant wooer. He
+determined that this time he would not go without having addressed at
+least one remark to the object of his affections. Grinning amiably at
+the company generally, by way of salutation, he made straight for
+Becky's corner. The terribly fine lady snorted at the sight of him,
+divining that she had been out-manoeuvred. Belcovitch surveyed the
+situation out of the corners of his eyes, not pausing a moment in his
+task.
+
+"_Nu_, how goes it, Becky?" Shosshi murmured.
+
+Becky said, "All right, how are you?"
+
+"God be thanked, I have nothing to complain of," said Shosshi,
+encouraged by the warmth of his welcome. "My eyes are rather weak,
+still, though much better than last year."
+
+Becky made no reply, so Shosshi continued: "But my mother is always a
+sick person. She has to swallow bucketsful of cod liver oil. She cannot
+be long for this world."
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense," put in Mrs. Belcovitch, appearing suddenly behind
+the lovers. "My children's children shall never be any worse; it's all
+fancy with her, she coddles herself too much."
+
+"Oh, no, she says she's much worse than you," Shosshi blurted out,
+turning round to face his future mother-in-law.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said Chayah angrily. "My enemies shall have my maladies!
+If your mother had my health, she would be lying in bed with it. But I
+go about in a sick condition. I can hardly crawl around. Look at my
+legs--has your mother got such legs? One a thick one and one a thin
+one."
+
+Shosshi grew scarlet; he felt he had blundered. It was the first real
+shadow on his courtship--perhaps the little rift within the lute. He
+turned back to Becky for sympathy. There was no Becky. She had taken
+advantage of the conversation to slip away. He found her again in a
+moment though, at the other end of the room. She was seated before a
+machine. He crossed the room boldly and bent over her.
+
+"Don't you feel cold, working?"
+
+_Br-r-r-r-r-r-h_!
+
+It was the machine turning. Becky had set the treadle going madly and
+was pushing a piece of cloth under the needle. When she paused, Shosshi
+said:
+
+"Have you heard Reb Shemuel preach? He told a very amusing allegory
+last--"
+
+_Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-h_!
+
+Undaunted, Shosshi recounted the amusing allegory at length, and as the
+noise of her machine prevented Becky hearing a word she found his
+conversation endurable. After several more monologues, accompanied on
+the machine by Becky, Shosshi took his departure in high feather,
+promising to bring up specimens of his handiwork for her edification.
+
+On his next visit he arrived with his arms laden with choice morsels of
+carpentry. He laid them on the table for her admiration.
+
+They were odd knobs and rockers for Polish cradles! The pink of Becky's
+cheeks spread all over her face like a blot of red ink on a piece of
+porous paper. Shosshi's face reflected the color in even more
+ensanguined dyes. Becky rushed from the room and Shosshi heard her
+giggling madly on the staircase. It dawned upon him that he had
+displayed bad taste in his selection.
+
+"What have you done to my child?" Mrs. Belcovitch inquired.
+
+"N-n-othing," he stammered; "I only brought her some of my work to see."
+
+"And is this what one shows to a young girl?" demanded the mother
+indignantly.
+
+"They are only bits of cradles," said Shosshi deprecatingly. "I thought
+she would like to see what nice workmanly things I turned out. See how
+smoothly these rockers are carved! There is a thick one, and there is a
+thin one!"
+
+"Ah! Shameless droll! dost thou make mock of my legs, too?" said Mrs.
+Belcovitch. "Out, impudent face, out with thee!"
+
+Shosshi gathered up his specimens in his arms and fled through the
+door. Becky was still in hilarious eruption outside. The sight of her
+made confusion worse confounded. The knobs and rockers rolled
+thunderously down the stairs; Shosshi stumbled after them, picking them
+up on his course and wishing himself dead.
+
+All Sugarman's strenuous efforts to patch up the affair failed. Shosshi
+went about broken-hearted for several days. To have been so near the
+goal--and then not to arrive after all! What made failure more bitter
+was that he had boasted of his conquest to his acquaintances, especially
+to the two who kept the stalls to the right and left of him on Sundays
+in Petticoat Lane. They made a butt of him as it was; he felt he could
+never stand between them for a whole morning now, and have Attic salt
+put upon his wounds. He shifted his position, arranging to pay sixpence
+a time for the privilege of fixing himself outside Widow Finkelstein's
+shop, which stood at the corner of a street, and might be presumed to
+intercept two streams of pedestrians. Widow Finkelstein's shop was a
+chandler's, and she did a large business in farthing-worths of boiling
+water. There was thus no possible rivalry between her ware and
+Shosshi's, which consisted of wooden candlesticks, little rocking
+chairs, stools, ash-trays, etc., piled up artistically on a barrow.
+
+But Shosshi's luck had gone with the change of _locus_. His _clientčle_
+went to the old spot but did not find him. He did not even make a
+hansel. At two o'clock he tied his articles to the barrow with a
+complicated arrangement of cords. Widow Finkelstein waddled out and
+demanded her sixpence. Shosshi replied that he had not taken sixpence,
+that the coign was not one of vantage. Widow Finkelstein stood up for
+her rights, and even hung on to the barrow for them. There was a short,
+sharp argument, a simultaneous jabbering, as of a pair of monkeys.
+Shosshi Shmendrik's pimply face worked with excited expostulation, Widow
+Finkelstein's cushion-like countenance was agitated by waves of
+righteous indignation. Suddenly Shosshi darted between the shafts and
+made a dash off with the barrow down the side street. But Widow
+Finkelstein pressed it down with all her force, arresting the motion
+like a drag. Incensed by the laughter of the spectators, Shosshi put
+forth all his strength at the shafts, jerked the widow off her feet and
+see-sawed her sky-wards, huddled up spherically like a balloon, but
+clinging as grimly as ever to the defalcating barrow. Then Shosshi
+started off at a run, the carpentry rattling, and the dead weight of his
+living burden making his muscles ache.
+
+Right to the end of the street he dragged her, pursued by a hooting
+crowd. Then he stopped, worn out.
+
+"Will you give me that sixpence, you _Ganef_!"
+
+"No, I haven't got it. You'd better go back to your shop, else you'll
+suffer from worse thieves."
+
+It was true. Widow Finkelstein smote her wig in horror and hurried back
+to purvey treacle.
+
+But that night when she shut up the shutters, she hurried off to
+Shosshi's address, which she had learned in the interim. His little
+brother opened the door and said Shosshi was in the shed.
+
+He was just nailing the thicker of those rockers on to the body of a
+cradle. His soul was full of bitter-sweet memories. Widow Finkelstein
+suddenly appeared in the moonlight. For a moment Shosshi's heart beat
+wildly. He thought the buxom figure was Becky's.
+
+"I have come for my sixpence."
+
+Ah! The words awoke him from his dream. It was only the Widow
+Finkelstein.
+
+And yet--! Verily, the widow, too, was plump and agreeable; if only her
+errand had been pleasant, Shosshi felt she might have brightened his
+back yard. He had been moved to his depths latterly and a new tenderness
+and a new boldness towards women shone in his eyes.
+
+He rose and put his head on one side and smiled amiably and said, "Be
+not so foolish. I did not take a copper. I am a poor young man. You have
+plenty of money in your stocking."
+
+"How know you that?" said the widow, stretching forward her right foot
+meditatively and gazing at the strip of stocking revealed.
+
+"Never mind!" said Shosshi, shaking his head sapiently.
+
+"Well, it's true," she admitted. "I have two hundred and seventeen
+golden sovereigns besides my shop. But for all that why should you keep
+my sixpence?" She asked it with the same good-humored smile.
+
+The logic of that smile was unanswerable. Shosshi's mouth opened, but no
+sound issued from it. He did not even say the Evening Prayer. The moon
+sailed slowly across the heavens. The water flowed into the cistern with
+a soft soothing sound.
+
+Suddenly it occurred to Shosshi that the widow's waist was not very
+unlike that which he had engirdled imaginatively. He thought he would
+just try if the sensation was anything like what he had fancied. His arm
+strayed timidly round her black-beaded mantle. The sense of his audacity
+was delicious. He was wondering whether he ought to say
+_She-hechyoni_--the prayer over a new pleasure. But the Widow
+Finkelstein stopped his mouth with a kiss. After that Shosshi forgot his
+pious instincts.
+
+Except old Mrs. Ansell, Sugarman was the only person scandalized.
+Shosshi's irrepressible spirit of romance had robbed him of his
+commission. But Meckisch danced with Shosshi Shmendrik at the wedding,
+while the _Calloh_ footed it with the Russian giantess. The men danced
+in one-half of the room, the women in the other.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE HYAMS'S HONEYMOON.
+
+
+"Beenah, hast thou heard aught about our Daniel?" There was a note of
+anxiety in old Hyams's voice.
+
+"Naught, Mendel."
+
+"Thou hast not heard talk of him and Sugarman's daughter?"
+
+"No, is there aught between them?" The listless old woman spoke a little
+eagerly.
+
+"Only that a man told me that his son saw our Daniel pay court to the
+maiden."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"At the Purim Ball."
+
+"The man is a tool; a youth must dance with some maiden or other."
+
+Miriam came in, fagged out from teaching. Old Hyams dropped from Yiddish
+into English.
+
+"You are right, he must."
+
+Beenah replied in her slow painful English.
+
+"Would he not have told us?"
+
+Mendel repeated:--"Would he not have told us?"
+
+Each avoided the others eye. Beenah dragged herself about the room,
+laying Miriam's tea.
+
+"Mother, I wish you wouldn't scrape your feet along the floor so. It
+gets on my nerves and I _am_ so worn out. Would he not have told you
+what? And who's he?"
+
+Beenah looked at her husband.
+
+"I heard Daniel was engaged," said old Hyams jerkily.
+
+Miriam started and flushed.
+
+"To whom?" she cried, in excitement.
+
+"Bessie Sugarman."
+
+"Sugarman's daughter?" Miriam's voice was pitched high.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Miriam's voice rose to a higher pitch.
+
+"Sugarman the _Shadchan's_ daughter?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Miriam burst into a fit of incredulous laughter.
+
+"As if Daniel would marry into a miserable family like that!"
+
+"It is as good as ours," said Mendel, with white lips.
+
+His daughter looked at him astonished. "I thought your children had
+taught you more self-respect than that," she said quietly. "Mr. Sugarman
+is a nice person to be related to!"
+
+"At home, Mrs. Sugarman's family was highly respected," quavered old
+Hyams.
+
+"We are not at home now," said Miriam witheringly. "We're in England. A
+bad-tempered old hag!"
+
+"That is what she thinks me," thought Mrs. Hyams. But she said nothing.
+
+"Did you not see Daniel with her at the ball?" said Mr. Hyams, still
+visibly disquieted.
+
+"I'm sure I didn't notice," Miriam replied petulantly. "I think you must
+have forgot the sugar, mother, or else the tea is viler than usual. Why
+don't you let Jane cut the bread and butter instead of lazing in the
+kitchen?"
+
+"Jane has been washing all day in the scullery," said Mrs. Hyams
+apologetically.
+
+"H'm!" snapped Miriam, her pretty face looking peevish and careworn.
+"Jane ought to have to manage sixty-three girls whose ignorant parents
+let them run wild at home, and haven't the least idea of discipline. As
+for this chit of a Sugarman, don't you know that Jews always engage
+every fellow and girl that look at each other across the street, and
+make fun of them and discuss their united prospects before they are even
+introduced to each other."
+
+She finished her tea, changed her dress and went off to the theatre with
+a girl-friend. The really harassing nature of her work called for some
+such recreation. Daniel came in a little after she had gone out, and ate
+his supper, which was his dinner saved for him and warmed up in the
+oven. Mendel sat studying from an unwieldy folio which he held on his
+lap by the fireside and bent over. When Daniel had done supper and was
+standing yawning and stretching himself, Mendel said suddenly as if
+trying to bluff him:
+
+"Why don't you ask your father to wish you _Mazzoltov_?"
+
+"_Mazzoltov_? What for?" asked Daniel puzzled.
+
+"On your engagement."
+
+"My engagement!" repeated Daniel, his heart thumping against his ribs.
+
+"Yes--to Bessie Sugarman."
+
+Mendel's eye, fixed scrutinizingly on his boy's face, saw it pass from
+white to red and from red to white. Daniel caught hold of the mantel as
+if to steady himself.
+
+"But it is a lie!" he cried hotly. "Who told you that?"
+
+"No one; a man hinted as much."
+
+"But I haven't even been in her company."
+
+"Yes--at the Purim Ball."
+
+Daniel bit his lip.
+
+"Damned gossips!" he cried. "I'll never speak to the girl again."
+
+There was a tense silence for a few seconds, then old Hyams said:
+
+"Why not? You love her."
+
+Daniel stared at him, his heart palpitating painfully. The blood in his
+ears throbbed mad sweet music.
+
+"You love her," Mendel repeated quietly. "Why do you not ask her to
+marry you? Do you fear she would refuse?"
+
+Daniel burst into semi-hysterical laughter. Then seeing his father's
+half-reproachful, half-puzzled look he said shamefacedly:
+
+"Forgive me, father, I really couldn't help it. The idea of your talking
+about love! The oddity of it came over me all of a heap."
+
+"Why should I not talk about love?"
+
+"Don't be so comically serious, father," said Daniel, smiling afresh.
+"What's come over you? What have you to do with love? One would think
+you were a romantic young fool on the stage. It's all nonsense about
+love. I don't love anybody, least of all Bessie Sugarman, so don't you
+go worrying your old head about _my_ affairs. You get back to that musty
+book of yours there. I wonder if you've suddenly come across anything
+about love in that, and don't forget to use the reading glasses and not
+your ordinary spectacles, else it'll be a sheer waste of money. By the
+way, mother, remember to go to the Eye Hospital on Saturday to be
+tested. I feel sure it's time you had a pair of specs, too."
+
+"Don't I look old enough already?" thought Mrs. Hyams. But she said,
+"Very well, Daniel," and began to clear away his supper.
+
+"That's the best of being in the fancy," said Daniel cheerfully.
+"There's no end of articles you can get at trade prices."
+
+He sat for half an hour turning over the evening paper, then went to
+bed. Mr. and Mrs. Hyams's eyes sought each other involuntarily but they
+said nothing. Mrs. Hyams fried a piece of _Wurst_ for Miriam's supper
+and put it into the oven to keep hot, then she sat down opposite Mendel
+to stitch on a strip of fur, which had got unripped on one of Miriam's
+jackets. The fire burnt briskly, little flames leaped up with a
+crackling sound, the clock ticked quietly.
+
+Beenah threaded her needle at the first attempt.
+
+"I can still see without spectacles," she thought bitterly. But she said
+nothing.
+
+Mendel looked up furtively at her several times from his book. The
+meagreness of her parchment flesh, the thickening mesh of wrinkles, the
+snow-white hair struck him with almost novel force. But he said nothing.
+Beenah patiently drew her needle through and through the fur, ever and
+anon glancing at Mendel's worn spectacled face, the eyes deep in the
+sockets, the forehead that was bent over the folio furrowed painfully
+beneath the black _Koppel_, the complexion sickly. A lump seemed to be
+rising in her throat. She bent determinedly over her sewing, then
+suddenly looked up again. This time their eyes met. They did not droop
+them; a strange subtle flash seemed to pass from soul to soul. They
+gazed at each other, trembling on the brink of tears.
+
+"Beenah." The voice was thick with suppressed sobs.
+
+"Yes, Mendel."
+
+"Thou hast heard?"
+
+"Yes, Mendel."
+
+"He says he loves her not."
+
+"So he says."
+
+"It is lies, Beenah."
+
+"But wherefore should he lie?"
+
+"Thou askest with thy mouth, not thy heart. Thou knowest that he wishes
+us not to think that he remains single for our sake. All his money goes
+to keep up this house we live in. It is the law of Moses. Sawest thou
+not his face when I spake of Sugarman's daughter?"
+
+Beenah rocked herself to and fro, crying: "My poor Daniel, my poor lamb!
+Wait a little. I shall die soon. The All-High is merciful. Wait a
+little."
+
+Mendel caught Miriam's jacket which was slipping to the floor and laid
+it aside.
+
+"It helps not to cry," said he gently, longing to cry with her. "This
+cannot be. He must marry the maiden whom his heart desires. Is it not
+enough that he feels that we have crippled his life for the sake of our
+Sabbath? He never speaks of it, but it smoulders in his veins."
+
+"Wait a little!" moaned Beenah, still rocking to and fro.
+
+"Nay, calm thyself." He rose and passed his horny hand tenderly over her
+white hair. "We must not wait. Consider how long Daniel has waited."
+
+"Yes, my poor lamb, my poor lamb!" sobbed the old woman.
+
+"If Daniel marries," said the old man, striving to speak firmly, "we
+have not a penny to live upon. Our Miriam requires all her salary.
+Already she gives us more than she can spare. She is a lady, in a great
+position. She must dress finely. Who knows, too, but that we are in the
+way of a gentleman marrying her? We are not fit to mix with high people.
+But above all, Daniel must marry and I must earn your and my living as I
+did when the children were young."
+
+"But what wilt thou do?" said Beenah, ceasing to cry and looking up with
+affrighted face. "Thou canst not go glaziering. Think of Miriam. What
+canst thou do, what canst thou do? Thou knowest no trade!"
+
+"No, I know no trade," he said bitterly. "At home, as thou art aware, I
+was a stone-mason, but here I could get no work without breaking the
+Sabbath, and my hand has forgotten its cunning. Perhaps I shall get my
+hand back." He took hers in the meantime. It was limp and chill, though
+so near the fire. "Have courage." he said. "There is naught I can do
+here that will not shame Miriam. We cannot even go into an almshouse
+without shedding her blood. But the Holy One, blessed be He, is good. I
+will go away."
+
+"Go away!" Beenah's clammy hand tightened her clasp of his. "Thou wilt
+travel with ware in the country?"
+
+"No. If it stands written that I must break with my children, let the
+gap be too wide for repining. Miriam will like it better. I will go to
+America."
+
+"To America!" Beenah's heartbeat wildly. "And leave me?" A strange
+sense of desolation swept over her.
+
+"Yes--for a little, anyhow. Thou must not face the first hardships. I
+shall find something to do. Perhaps in America there are more Jewish
+stone-masons to get work from. God will not desert us. There I can sell
+ware in the streets--do as I will. At the worst I can always fall back
+upon glaziering. Have faith, my dove."
+
+The novel word of affection thrilled Beenah through and through.
+
+"I shall send thee a little money; then as soon as I can see my way dear
+I shall send for thee and thou shalt come out to me and we will live
+happily together and our children shall live happily here."
+
+But Beenah burst into fresh tears.
+
+"Woe! Woe!" she sobbed. "How wilt thou, an old man, face the sea and the
+strange faces all alone? See how sorely thou art racked with rheumatism.
+How canst thou go glaziering? Thou liest often groaning all the night.
+How shalt thou carry the heavy crate on thy shoulders?"
+
+"God will give me strength to do what is right." The tears were plain
+enough in his voice now and would not be denied. His words forced
+themselves out in a husky wheeze.
+
+Beenah threw her arms round his neck. "No! No!" she cried hysterically.
+"Thou shalt not go! Thou shalt not leave me!"
+
+"I must go," his parched lips articulated. He could not see that the
+snow of her hair had drifted into her eyes and was scarce whiter than
+her cheeks. His spectacles were a blur of mist.
+
+"No, no," she moaned incoherently. "I shall die soon. God is merciful.
+Wait a little, wait a little. He will kill us both soon. My poor lamb,
+my poor Daniel! Thou shalt not leave me."
+
+The old man unlaced her arms from his neck.
+
+"I must. I have heard God's word in the silence."
+
+"Then I will go with thee. Wherever thou goest I will go."
+
+"No, no; thou shall not face the first hardships, I will front them
+alone; I am strong, I am a man."
+
+"And thou hast the heart to leave me?" She looked piteously into his
+face, but hers was still hidden from him in the mist. But through the
+darkness the flash passed again. His hand groped for her waist, he drew
+her again towards him and put the arms he had unlaced round his neck and
+stooped his wet cheek to hers. The past was a void, the forty years of
+joint housekeeping, since the morning each had seen a strange face on
+the pillow, faded to a point. For fifteen years they had been drifting
+towards each other, drifting nearer, nearer in dual loneliness; driven
+together by common suffering and growing alienation from the children
+they had begotten in common; drifting nearer, nearer in silence, almost
+in unconsciousness. And now they had met. The supreme moment of their
+lives had come. The silence of forty years was broken. His withered lips
+sought hers and love flooded their souls at last.
+
+When the first delicious instants were over, Mendel drew a chair to the
+table and wrote a letter in Hebrew script and posted it and Beenah
+picked up Miriam's jacket. The crackling flames had subsided to a steady
+glow, the clock ticked on quietly as before, but something new and sweet
+and sacred had come into her life, and Beenah no longer wished to die.
+
+When Miriam came home, she brought a little blast of cold air into the
+room. Beenah rose and shut the door and put out Miriam's supper; she did
+not drag her feet now.
+
+"Was it a nice play, Miriam?" said Beenah softly.
+
+"The usual stuff and nonsense!" said Miriam peevishly. "Love and all
+that sort of thing, as if the world never got any older."
+
+At breakfast next morning old Hyams received a letter by the first post.
+He carefully took his spectacles off and donned his reading-glasses to
+read it, throwing the envelope carelessly into the fire. When he had
+scanned a few lines he uttered an exclamation of surprise and dropped
+the letter.
+
+"What's the matter, father?" said Daniel, while Miriam tilted her snub
+nose curiously.
+
+"Praised be God!" was all the old man could say.
+
+"Well, what is it? Speak!" said Beenah, with unusual animation, while a
+flush of excitement lit up Miriam's face and made it beautiful.
+
+"My brother in America has won a thousand pounds on the lotter_ee_ and
+he invites me and Beenah to come and live with him."
+
+"Your brother in America!" repeated his children staring.
+
+"Why, I didn't know you had a brother in America," added Miriam.
+
+"No, while he was poor, I didn't mention him," replied Mendel, with
+unintentional sarcasm. "But I've heard from him several times. We both
+came over from Poland together, but the Board of Guardians sent him and
+a lot of others on to New York."
+
+"But you won't go, father!" said Daniel.
+
+"Why not? I should like to see my brother before I die. We were very
+thick as boys."
+
+"But a thousand pounds isn't so very much," Miriam could not refrain
+from saying.
+
+Old Hyams had thought it boundless opulence and was now sorry he had not
+done his brother a better turn.
+
+"It will be enough for us all to live upon, he and Beenah and me. You
+see his wife died and he has no children."
+
+"You don't really mean to go?" gasped Daniel, unable to grasp the
+situation suddenly sprung upon him. "How will you get the money to
+travel with?"
+
+"Read here!" said Mendel, quietly passing him the letter. "He offers to
+send it."
+
+"But it's written in Hebrew!" cried Daniel, turning it upside down
+hopelessly.
+
+"You can read Hebrew writing surely," said his father.
+
+"I could, years and years ago. I remember you taught me the letters. But
+my Hebrew correspondence has been so scanty--" He broke off with a
+laugh and handed the letter to Miriam, who surveyed it with mock
+comprehension. There was a look of relief in her eyes as she returned it
+to her father.
+
+"He might have sent something to his nephew and his niece," she said
+half seriously.
+
+"Perhaps he will when I get to America and tell him how pretty you are,"
+said Mendel oracularly. He looked quite joyous and even ventured to
+pinch Miriam's flushed cheek roguishly, and she submitted to the
+indignity without a murmur.
+
+"Why _you're_ looking as pleased as Punch too, mother," said Daniel, in
+half-rueful amazement. "You seem delighted at the idea of leaving us."
+
+"I always wanted to see America," the old woman admitted with a smile.
+"I also shall renew an old friendship in New York." She looked meaningly
+at her husband, and in his eye was an answering love-light.
+
+"Well, that's cool!" Daniel burst forth. "But she doesn't mean it, does
+she, father?"
+
+"I mean it." Hyams answered.
+
+"But it can't be true," persisted Daniel, in ever-growing bewilderment.
+"I believe it's all a hoax."
+
+Mendel hastily drained his coffee-cup.
+
+"A hoax!" he murmured, from behind the cup.
+
+"Yes, I believe some one is having a lark with you."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Mendel vehemently, as he put down his coffee-cup and
+picked up the letter from the table. "Don't I know my own brother
+Yankov's writing. Besides, who else would know all the little things he
+writes about?"
+
+Daniel was silenced, but lingered on after Miriam had departed to her
+wearisome duties.
+
+"I shall write at once, accepting Yankov's offer," said his father.
+"Fortunately we took the house by the week, so you can always move out
+if it is too large for you and Miriam. I can trust you to look after
+Miriam, I know, Daniel." Daniel expostulated yet further, but Mendel
+answered:
+
+"He is so lonely. He cannot well come over here by himself because he is
+half paralyzed. After all, what have I to do in England? And the mother
+naturally does not care to leave me. Perhaps I shall get my brother to
+travel with me to the land of Israel, and then we shall all end our
+days in Jerusalem, which you know has always been my heart's desire."
+
+Neither mentioned Bessie Sugarman.
+
+"Why do you make so much bother?" Miriam said to Daniel in the evening.
+"It's the best thing that could have happened. Who'd have dreamed at
+this hour of the day of coming into possession of a relative who might
+actually have something to leave us. It'll be a good story to tell,
+too."
+
+After _Shool_ next morning Mendel spoke to the President.
+
+"Can you lend me six pounds?" he asked.
+
+Belcovitch staggered.
+
+"Six pounds!" he repeated, dazed.
+
+"Yes. I wish to go to America with my wife. And I want you moreover to
+give your hand as a countryman that you will not breathe a word of this,
+whatever you hear. Beenah and I have sold a few little trinkets which
+our children gave us, and we have reckoned that with six pounds more we
+shall be able to take steerage passages and just exist till I get work."
+
+"But six pounds is a very great sum--without sureties," said Belcovitch,
+rubbing his time-worn workaday high hat in his agitation.
+
+"I know it is!" answered Mendel, "but God is my witness that I mean to
+pay you. And if I die before I can do so I vow to send word to my son
+Daniel, who will pay you the balance. You know my son Daniel. His word
+is an oath."
+
+"But where shall I get six pounds from?" said Bear helplessly. "I am
+only a poor tailor, and my daughter gets married soon. It is a great
+sum. By my honorable word, it is. I have never lent so much in my life,
+nor even been security for such an amount."
+
+Mendel dropped his head. There was a moment of anxious silence. Bear
+thought deeply.
+
+"I tell you what I'll do," said Bear at last. "I'll lend you five if you
+can manage to come out with that."
+
+Mendel gave a great sigh of relief. "God shall bless you," he said. He
+wrung the sweater's hand passionately. "I dare say we shall find another
+sovereign's-worth to sell." Mendel clinched the borrowing by standing
+the lender a glass of rum, and Bear felt secure against the graver
+shocks of doom. If the worst come to the worst now, he had still had
+something for his money.
+
+And so Mendel and Beenah sailed away over the Atlantic. Daniel
+accompanied them to Liverpool, but Miriam said she could not get a day's
+holiday--perhaps she remembered the rebuke Esther Ansell had drawn down
+on herself, and was chary of asking.
+
+At the dock in the chill dawn, Mendel Hyams kissed his son Daniel on the
+forehead and said in a broken voice:
+
+"Good-bye. God bless you." He dared not add and God bless your Bessie,
+my daughter-in-law to be; but the benediction was in his heart.
+
+Daniel turned away heavy-hearted, but the old man touched him on the
+shoulder and said in a low tremulous voice:
+
+"Won't you forgive me for putting you into the fancy goods?"
+
+"Father! What do you mean?" said Daniel choking. "Surely you are not
+thinking of the wild words I spoke years and years ago. I have long
+forgotten them."
+
+"Then you will remain a good Jew," said Mendel, trembling all over,
+"even when we are far away?"
+
+"With God's help," said Daniel. And then Mendel turned to Beenah and
+kissed her, weeping, and the faces of the old couple were radiant behind
+their tears.
+
+Daniel stood on the clamorous hustling wharf, watching the ship move
+slowly from her moorings towards the open river, and neither he nor any
+one in the world but the happy pair knew that Mendel and Beenah were on
+their honeymoon.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mrs. Hyams died two years after her honeymoon, and old Hyams laid a
+lover's kiss upon her sealed eyelids. Then, being absolutely alone in
+the world, he sold off his scanty furniture, sent the balance of the
+debt with a sovereign of undemanded interest to Bear Belcovitch, and
+girded up his loins for the journey to Jerusalem, which had been the
+dream of his life.
+
+But the dream of his life had better have remained a dream Mendel saw
+the hills of Palestine and the holy Jordan and Mount Moriah, the site of
+the Temple, and the tombs of Absalom and Melchitsedek, and the gate of
+Zion and the aqueduct built by Solomon, and all that he had longed to
+see from boyhood. But somehow it was not _his_ Jerusalem--scarce more
+than his London Ghetto transplanted, only grown filthier and narrower
+and more ragged, with cripples for beggars and lepers in lieu of
+hawkers. The magic of his dream-city was not here. This was something
+prosaic, almost sordid. It made his heart sink as he thought of the
+sacred splendors of the Zion he had imaged in his suffering soul. The
+rainbows builded of his bitter tears did not span the firmament of this
+dingy Eastern city, set amid sterile hills. Where were the roses and
+lilies, the cedars and the fountains? Mount Moriah was here indeed, but
+it bore the Mosque of Omar, and the Temple of Jehovah was but one ruined
+wall. The Shechinah, the Divine Glory, had faded into cold sunshine.
+"Who shall go up into the Mount of Jehovah." Lo, the Moslem worshipper
+and the Christian tourist. Barracks and convents stood on Zion's hill.
+His brethren, rulers by divine right of the soil they trod, were lost in
+the chaos of populations--Syrians, Armenians, Turks, Copts, Abyssinians,
+Europeans--as their synagogues were lost amid the domes and minarets of
+the Gentiles. The city was full of venerated relics of the Christ his
+people had lived--and died--to deny, and over all flew the crescent flag
+of the Mussulman.
+
+And so every Friday, heedless of scoffing on-lookers, Mendel Hyams
+kissed the stones of the Wailing Place, bedewing their barrenness with
+tears; and every year at Passover, until he was gathered to his fathers,
+he continued to pray: "Next year--in Jerusalem!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE HEBREW'S FRIDAY NIGHT.
+
+
+"Ah, the Men-of-the-Earth!" said Pinchas to Reb Shemuel, "ignorant
+fanatics, how shall a movement prosper in their hands? They have not the
+poetic vision, their ideas are as the mole's; they wish to make
+Messiahs out of half-pence. What inspiration for the soul is there in
+the sight of snuffy collectors that have the air of _Schnorrers_? with
+Karlkammer's red hair for a flag and the sound of Gradkoski's nose
+blowing for a trumpet-peal. But I have written an acrostic against
+Guedalyah the greengrocer, virulent as serpent's gall. He the Redeemer,
+indeed, with his diseased potatoes and his flat ginger-beer! Not thus
+did the great prophets and teachers in Israel figure the Return. Let a
+great signal-fire be lit in Israel and lo! the beacons will leap up on
+every mountain and tongue of flame shall call to tongue. Yea, I, even I,
+Melchitsedek Pinchas, will light the fire forthwith."
+
+"Nay, not to-day," said Reb Shemuel, with his humorous twinkle; "it is
+the Sabbath."
+
+The Rabbi was returning from synagogue and Pinchas was giving him his
+company on the short homeward journey. At their heels trudged Levi and
+on the other side of Reb Shemuel walked Eliphaz Chowchoski, a
+miserable-looking Pole whom Reb Shemuel was taking home to supper. In
+those days Reb Shemuel was not alone in taking to his hearth "the
+Sabbath guest"--some forlorn starveling or other--to sit at the table in
+like honor with the master. It was an object lesson in equality and
+fraternity for the children of many a well-to-do household, nor did it
+fail altogether in the homes of the poor. "All Israel are brothers," and
+how better honor the Sabbath than by making the lip-babble a reality?
+
+"You will speak to your daughter?" said Pinchas, changing the subject
+abruptly. "You will tell her that what I wrote to her is not a millionth
+part of what I feel--that she is my sun by day and my moon and stars by
+night, that I must marry her at once or die, that I think of nothing in
+the world but her, that I can do, write, plan, nothing without her, that
+once she smiles on me I will write her great love-poems, greater than
+Byron's, greater than Heine's--the real Song of Songs, which is
+Pinchas's--that I will make her immortal as Dante made Beatrice, as
+Petrarch made Laura, that I walk about wretched, bedewing the pavements
+with my tears, that I sleep not by night nor eat by day--you will tell
+her this?" He laid his finger pleadingly on his nose.
+
+"I will tell her," said Reb Shemuel. "You are a son-in-law to gladden
+the heart of any man. But I fear the maiden looks but coldly on wooers.
+Besides you are fourteen years older than she."
+
+"Then I love her twice as much as Jacob loved Rachel--for it is written
+'seven years were but as a day in his love for her.' To me fourteen
+years are but as a day in my love for Hannah."
+
+The Rabbi laughed at the quibble and said:
+
+"You are like the man who when he was accused of being twenty years
+older than the maiden he desired, replied 'but when I look at her I
+shall become ten years younger, and when she looks at me she will become
+ten years older, and thus we shall be even.'"
+
+Pinchas laughed enthusiastically in his turn, but replied:
+
+"Surely you will plead my cause, you whose motto is the Hebrew
+saying--'the husband help the housewife, God help the bachelor.'"
+
+"But have you the wherewithal to support her?"
+
+"Shall my writings not suffice? If there are none to protect literature
+in England, we will go abroad--to your birthplace, Reb Shemuel, the
+cradle of great scholars."
+
+The poet spoke yet more, but in the end his excited stridulous accents
+fell on Reb Shemuel's ears as a storm without on the ears of the
+slippered reader by the fireside. He had dropped into a delicious
+reverie--tasting in advance the Sabbath peace. The work of the week was
+over. The faithful Jew could enter on his rest--the narrow, miry streets
+faded before the brighter image of his brain. "_Come, my beloved, to
+meet the Bride, the face of the Sabbath let us welcome._"
+
+To-night his sweetheart would wear her Sabbath face, putting off the
+mask of the shrew, which hid not from him the angel countenance.
+To-night he could in very truth call his wife (as the Rabbi in the
+Talmud did) "not wife, but home." To-night she would be in very truth
+_Simcha_--rejoicing. A cheerful warmth glowed at his heart, love for all
+the wonderful Creation dissolved him in tenderness. As he approached
+the door, cheerful lights gleamed on him like a heavenly smile. He
+invited Pinchas to enter, but the poet in view of his passion thought it
+prudent to let others plead for him and went off with his finger to his
+nose in final reminder. The Reb kissed the _Mezuzah_ on the outside of
+the door and his daughter, who met him, on the inside. Everything was as
+he had pictured it--the two tall wax candles in quaint heavy silver
+candlesticks, the spotless table-cloth, the dish of fried fish made
+picturesque with sprigs of parsley, the Sabbath loaves shaped like boys'
+tip-cats, with a curious plait of crust from point to point and thickly
+sprinkled with a drift of poppy-seed, and covered with a velvet cloth
+embroidered with Hebrew words; the flask of wine and the silver goblet.
+The sight was familiar yet it always struck the simple old Reb anew,
+with a sense of special blessing.
+
+"Good _Shabbos_, Simcha," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Good _Shabbos_, Shemuel." said Simcha. The light of love was in her
+eyes, and in her hair her newest comb. Her sharp features shone with
+peace and good-will and the consciousness of having duly lit the Sabbath
+candles and thrown the morsel of dough into the fire. Shemuel kissed
+her, then he laid his hands upon Hannah's head and murmured:
+
+"May God make thee as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah," and upon
+Levi's, murmuring: "May God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh."
+
+Even the callous Levi felt the breath of sanctity in the air and had a
+vague restful sense of his Sabbath Angel hovering about and causing him
+to cast two shadows on the wall while his Evil Angel shivered impotent
+on the door-step.
+
+Then Reb Shemuel repeated three times a series of sentences commencing:
+"_Peace be unto you, ye ministering Angels_," and thereupon the
+wonderful picture of an ideal woman from Proverbs, looking
+affectionately at Simcha the while. "A woman of worth, whoso findeth
+her, her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusteth in
+her; good and not evil will she do him all the days of her life; she
+riseth, while it is yet night, giveth food to her household and a task
+to her maidens. She putteth her own hands to the spindle; she
+stretcheth out her hand to the poor--strength and honor are her clothing
+and she looketh forth smilingly to the morrow; she openeth her mouth
+with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue--she looketh well
+to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness.
+Deceitful is favor and vain is beauty, but the woman that feareth the
+Lord, _she_ shall be praised."
+
+Then, washing his hands with the due benediction, he filled the goblet
+with wine, and while every one reverently stood he "made Kiddish," in a
+traditional joyous recitative "... blessed art thou, O Lord, our God!
+King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine, who doth
+sanctify us with His commandments and hath delight in us.... Thou hast
+chosen and sanctified us above all peoples and with love and favor hast
+made us to inherit Thy holy Sabbath...."
+
+And all the household, and the hungry Pole, answered "Amen," each
+sipping of the cup in due gradation, then eating a special morsel of
+bread cut by the father and dipped in salt; after which the good wife
+served the fish, and cups and saucers clattered and knives and forks
+rattled. And after a few mouthfuls, the Pole knew himself a Prince in
+Israel and felt he must forthwith make choice of a maiden to grace his
+royal Sabbath board. Soup followed the fish; it was not served direct
+from the saucepan but transferred by way of a large tureen; since any
+creeping thing that might have got into the soup would have rendered the
+plateful in which it appeared not legally potable, whereas if it were
+detected in the large tureen, its polluting powers would be dissipated
+by being diffused over such a large mass of fluid. For like religious
+reasons, another feature of the etiquette of the modern fashionable
+table had been anticipated by many centuries--the eaters washed their
+hands in a little bowl of water after their meal. The Pollack was thus
+kept by main religious force in touch with a liquid with which he had no
+external sympathy.
+
+When supper was over, grace was chanted and then the _Zemiroth_ was
+sung--songs summing up in light and jingling metre the very essence of
+holy joyousness--neither riotous nor ascetic--the note of spiritualized
+common sense which has been the key-note of historical Judaism. For to
+feel "the delight of Sabbath" is a duty and to take three meals thereon
+a religions obligation--the sanctification of the sensuous by a creed to
+which everything is holy. The Sabbath is the hub of the Jew's universe;
+to protract it is a virtue, to love it a liberal education. It cancels
+all mourning--even for Jerusalem. The candles may gutter out at their
+own greasy will--unsnuffed, untended--is not Sabbath its own
+self-sufficient light?
+
+    This is the sanctified rest-day;
+    Happy the man who observes it,
+    Thinks of it over the wine-cup,
+    Feeling no pang at his heart-strings
+    For that his purse-strings are empty,
+    Joyous, and if he must borrow
+    God will repay the good lender,
+    Meat, wine and fish in profusion--
+    See no delight is deficient.
+    Let but the table be spread well,
+    Angels of God answer "Amen!"
+    So when a soul is in dolor,
+    Cometh the sweet restful Sabbath,
+    Singing and joy in its footsteps,
+    Rapidly floweth Sambatyon,
+    Till that, of God's love the symbol,
+    Sabbath, the holy, the peaceful,
+    Husheth its turbulent waters.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+    Bless Him, O constant companions,
+    Rock from whose stores we have eaten,
+    Eaten have we and have left, too,
+    Just as the Lord hath commanded
+    Father and Shepherd and Feeder.
+    His is the bread we have eaten,
+    His is the wine we have drunken,
+    Wherefore with lips let us praise Him,
+    Lord of the land of our fathers,
+    Gratefully, ceaselessly chaunting
+    "None like Jehovah is holy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+    Light and rejoicing to Israel,
+    Sabbath, the soother of sorrows,
+    Comfort of down-trodden Israel,
+    Healing the hearts that were broken!
+    Banish despair! Here is Hope come,
+    What! A soul crushed! Lo a stranger
+    Bringeth the balsamous Sabbath.
+    Build, O rebuild thou, Thy Temple,
+    Fill again Zion, Thy city,
+    Clad with delight will we go there,
+    Other and new songs to sing there,
+    Merciful One and All-Holy,
+    Praised for ever and ever.
+
+During the meal the Pollack began to speak with his host about the
+persecution in the land whence he had come, the bright spot in his
+picture being the fidelity of his brethren under trial, only a minority
+deserting and those already tainted with Epicureanism--students wishful
+of University distinction and such like. Orthodox Jews are rather
+surprised when men of (secular) education remain in the fold.
+
+Hannah took advantage of a pause in their conversation to say in German:
+
+"I am so glad, father, thou didst not bring that man home."
+
+"What man?" said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"The dirty monkey-faced little man who talks so much."
+
+The Reb considered.
+
+"I know none such."
+
+"Pinchas she means," said her mother. "The poet!"
+
+Reb Shemuel looked at her gravely. This did not sound promising.
+
+"Why dost thou speak so harshly of thy fellow-creatures?" he said. "The
+man is a scholar and a poet, such as we have too few in Israel."
+
+"We have too many _Schnorrers_ in Israel already," retorted Hannah.
+
+"Sh!" whispered Reb Shemuel reddening and indicating his guest with a
+slight movement of the eye.
+
+Hannah bit her lip in self-humiliation and hastened to load the lucky
+Pole's plate with an extra piece of fish.
+
+"He has written me a letter," she went on.
+
+"He has told me so," he answered. "He loves thee with a great love."
+
+"What nonsense, Shemuel!" broke in Simcha, setting down her coffee-cup
+with work-a-day violence. "The idea of a man who has not a penny to
+bless himself with marrying our Hannah! They would be on the Board of
+Guardians in a month."
+
+"Money is not everything. Wisdom and learning outweigh much. And as the
+Midrash says: 'As a scarlet ribbon becometh a black horse, so poverty
+becometh the daughter of Jacob.' The world stands on the Torah, not on
+gold; as it is written: 'Better is the Law of Thy mouth to me than
+thousands of gold or silver.' He is greater than I, for he studies the
+law for nothing like the fathers of the Mishna while I am paid a
+salary."
+
+"Methinks thou art little inferior," said Simcha, "for thou retainest
+little enough thereof. Let Pinchas get nothing for himself, 'tis his
+affair, but, if he wants my Hannah, he must get something for her. Were
+the fathers of the Mishna also fathers of families?"
+
+"Certainly; is it not a command--'Be fruitful and multiply'?"
+
+"And how did their families live?"
+
+"Many of our sages were artisans."
+
+"Aha!" snorted Simcha triumphantly.
+
+"And says not the Talmud," put in the Pole as if he were on the family
+council, "'Flay a carcass in the streets rather than be under an
+obligation'?" This with supreme unconsciousness of any personal
+application. "Yea, and said not Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Judah
+the Prince, 'it is commendable to join the study of the Law with worldly
+employment'? Did not Moses our teacher keep sheep?
+
+"Truth," replied the host. "I agree with Maimonides that man should
+first secure a living, then prepare a residence and after that seek a
+wife; and that they are fools who invert the order. But Pinchas works
+also with his pen. He writes articles in the papers. But the great
+thing, Hannah, is that he loves the Law."
+
+"H'm!" said Hannah. "Let him marry the Law, then."
+
+"He is in a hurry," said Reb Shemuel with a flash of irreverent
+facetiousness. "And he cannot become the Bridegroom of the Law till
+_Simchath Torah_."
+
+All laughed. The Bridegroom of the Law is the temporary title of the Jew
+who enjoys the distinction of being "called up" to the public reading of
+the last fragment of the Pentateuch, which is got through once a year.
+
+Under the encouragement of the laughter, the Rabbi added:
+
+"But he will know much more of his Bride than the majority of the Law's
+Bridegrooms."
+
+Hannah took advantage of her father's pleasure in the effect of his
+jokes to show him Pinchas's epistle, which he deciphered laboriously. It
+commenced:
+
+    Hebrew Hebe
+    All-fair Maid,
+    Next to Heaven
+    Nightly laid
+    Ah, I love you
+    Half afraid.
+
+The Pole, looking a different being from the wretch who had come empty,
+departed invoking Peace on the household; Simcha went into the kitchen
+to superintend the removal of the crockery thither; Levi slipped out to
+pay his respects to Esther Ansell, for the evening was yet young, and
+father and daughter were left alone.
+
+Reb Shemuel was already poring over a Pentateuch in his Friday night
+duty of reading the Portion twice in Hebrew and once in Chaldaic.
+
+Hannah sat opposite him, studying the kindly furrowed face, the massive
+head set on rounded shoulders, the shaggy eyebrows, the long whitening
+beard moving with the mumble of the pious lips, the brown peering eyes
+held close to the sacred tome, the high forehead crowned with the black
+skullcap.
+
+She felt a moisture gathering under her eyelids as she looked at him.
+
+"Father," she said at last, in a gentle voice.
+
+"Did you call me, Hannah?" he asked, looking up.
+
+"Yes, dear. About this man, Pinchas."
+
+"Yes, Hannah."
+
+"I am sorry I spoke harshly of him,''
+
+"Ah, that is right, my daughter. If he is poor and ill-clad we must only
+honor him the more. Wisdom and learning must be respected if they appear
+in rags. Abraham entertained God's messengers though they came as weary
+travellers."
+
+"I know, father, it is not because of his appearance that I do not like
+him. If he is really a scholar and a poet, I will try to admire him as
+you do."
+
+"Now you speak like a true daughter of Israel."
+
+"But about my marrying him--you are not really in earnest?"
+
+"_He_ is." said Reb Shemuel, evasively.
+
+"Ah, I knew you were not," she said, catching the lurking twinkle in his
+eye. "You know I could never marry a man like that."
+
+"Your mother could," said the Reb.
+
+"Dear old goose," she said, leaning across to pull his beard. "You are
+not a bit like that--you know a thousand times more, you know you do."
+
+The old Rabbi held up his hands in comic deprecation.
+
+"Yes, you do," she persisted. "Only you let him talk so much; you let
+everybody talk and bamboozle you."
+
+Reb Shemuel drew the hand that fondled his beard in his own, feeling the
+fresh warm skin with a puzzled look.
+
+"The hands are the hands of Hannah," he said, "but the voice is the
+voice of Simcha."
+
+Hannah laughed merrily.
+
+"All right, dear, I won't scold you any more. I'm so glad it didn't
+really enter your great stupid, clever old head that I was likely to
+care for Pinchas."
+
+"My dear daughter, Pinchas wished to take you to wife, and I felt
+pleased. It is a union with a son of the Torah, who has also the pen of
+a ready writer. He asked me to tell you and I did."
+
+"But you would not like me to marry any one I did not like."
+
+"God forbid! My little Hannah shall marry whomever she pleases."
+
+A wave of emotion passed over the girl's face.
+
+"You don't mean that, father," she said, shaking her head.
+
+"True as the Torah! Why should I not?"
+
+"Suppose," she said slowly, "I wanted to marry a Christian?"
+
+Her heart beat painfully as she put the question.
+
+Reb Shemuel laughed heartily.
+
+"My Hannah would have made a good Talmudist. Of course, I don't mean it
+in that sense."
+
+"Yes, but if I was to marry a very _link_ Jew, you'd think it almost as
+bad."
+
+"No, no!" said the Reb, shaking his head. "That's a different thing
+altogether; a Jew is a Jew, and a Christian a Christian."
+
+"But you can't always distinguish between them," argued Hannah. "There
+are Jews who behave as if they were Christians, except, of course, they
+don't believe in the Crucified One."
+
+Still the old Reb shook his head.
+
+"The worst of Jews cannot put off his Judaism. His unborn soul undertook
+the yoke of the Torah at Sinai."
+
+"Then you really wouldn't mind if I married a _link_ Jew!"
+
+He looked at her, startled, a suspicion dawning in his eyes.
+
+"I should mind," he said slowly. "But if you loved him he would become a
+good Jew."
+
+The simple conviction of his words moved her to tears, but she kept them
+back.
+
+"But if he wouldn't?"
+
+"I should pray. While there is life there is hope for the sinner in
+Israel."
+
+She fell back on her old question.
+
+"And you would really not mind whom I married?"
+
+"Follow your heart, my little one," said Reb Shemuel. "It is a good
+heart and it will not lead you wrong."
+
+Hannah turned away to hide the tears that could no longer be stayed. Her
+father resumed his reading of the Law.
+
+But he had got through very few verses ere he felt a soft warm arm
+round his neck and a wet cheek laid close to his.
+
+"Father, forgive me," whispered the lips. "I am so sorry. I thought,
+that--that I--that you--oh father, father! I feel as if I had never
+known you before to-night."
+
+"What is it, my daughter?" said Reb Shemuel, stumbling into Yiddish in
+his anxiety. "What hast thou done?"
+
+"I have betrothed myself," she answered, unwittingly adopting his
+dialect. "I have betrothed myself without telling thee or mother."
+
+"To whom?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"To a Jew," she hastened to assure him, "But he is neither a Talmud-sage
+nor pious. He is newly returned from the Cape."
+
+"Ah, they are a _link_ lot," muttered the Reb anxiously. "Where didst
+thou first meet him?"
+
+"At the Club," she answered. "At the Purim Ball--the night before Sam
+Levine came round here to be divorced from me."
+
+He wrinkled his great brow. "Thy mother would have thee go," he said.
+"Thou didst not deserve I should get thee the divorce. What is his
+name?"
+
+"David Brandon. He is not like other Jewish young men; I thought he was
+and did him wrong and mocked at him when first he spoke to me, so that
+afterwards I felt tender towards him. His conversation is agreeable, for
+he thinks for himself, and deeming thou wouldst not hear of such a match
+and that there was no danger, I met him at the Club several times in the
+evening, and--and--thou knowest the rest."
+
+She turned away her face, blushing, contrite, happy, anxious.
+
+Her love-story was as simple as her telling of it. David Brandon was not
+the shadowy Prince of her maiden dreams, nor was the passion exactly as
+she had imagined it; it was both stronger and stranger, and the sense of
+secrecy and impending opposition instilled into her love a poignant
+sweetness.
+
+The Reb stroked her hair silently.
+
+"I would not have said 'Yea' so quick, father," she went on, "but David
+had to go to Germany to take a message to the aged parents of his Cape
+chum, who died in the gold-fields. David had promised the dying man to
+go personally as soon as he returned to England--I think it was a
+request for forgiveness and blessing--but after meeting me he delayed
+going, and when I learned of it I reproached him, but he said he could
+not tear himself away, and he would not go till I had confessed I loved
+him. At last I said if he would go home the moment I said it and not
+bother about getting me a ring or anything, but go off to Germany the
+first thing the next morning, I would admit I loved him a little bit.
+Thus did it occur. He went off last Wednesday. Oh, isn't it cruel to
+think, father, that he should be going with love and joy in his heart to
+the parents of his dead friend!"
+
+Her father's head was bent. She lifted it up by the chin and looked
+pleadingly into the big brown eyes.
+
+"Thou art not angry with me, father?"
+
+"No, Hannah. But thou shouldst have told me from the first."
+
+"I always meant to, father. But I feared to grieve thee."
+
+"Wherefore? The man is a Jew. And thou lovest him, dost thou not?"
+
+"As my life, father."
+
+He kissed her lips.
+
+"It is enough, my Hannah. With thee to love him, he will become pious.
+When a man has a good Jewish wife like my beloved daughter, who will
+keep a good Jewish house, he cannot be long among the sinners. The light
+of a true Jewish home will lead his footsteps back to God."
+
+Hannah pressed her face to his in silence. She could not speak. She had
+not strength to undeceive him further, to tell him she had no care for
+trivial forms. Besides, in the flush of gratitude and surprise at her
+father's tolerance, she felt stirrings of responsive tolerance to his
+religion. It was not the moment to analyze her feelings or to enunciate
+her state of mind regarding religion. She simply let herself sink in the
+sweet sense of restored confidence and love, her head resting against
+his.
+
+Presently Reb Shemuel put his hands on her head and murmured again:
+"May God make thee as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah."
+
+Then he added: "Go now, my daughter, and make glad the heart of thy
+mother."
+
+Hannah suspected a shade of satire in the words, but was not sure.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The roaring Sambatyon of life was at rest in the Ghetto; on thousands of
+squalid homes the light of Sinai shone. The Sabbath Angels whispered
+words of hope and comfort to the foot-sore hawker and the aching
+machinist, and refreshed their parched souls with celestial anodyne and
+made them kings of the hour, with leisure to dream of the golden chairs
+that awaited them in Paradise.
+
+The Ghetto welcomed the Bride with proud song and humble feast, and sped
+her parting with optimistic symbolisms of fire and wine, of spice and
+light and shadow. All around their neighbors sought distraction in the
+blazing public-houses, and their tipsy bellowings resounded through the
+streets and mingled with the Hebrew hymns. Here and there the voice of a
+beaten woman rose on the air. But no Son of the Covenant was among the
+revellers or the wife-beaters; the Jews remained a chosen race, a
+peculiar people, faulty enough, but redeemed at least from the grosser
+vices, a little human islet won from the waters of animalism by the
+genius of ancient engineers. For while the genius of the Greek or the
+Roman, the Egyptian or the Phoenician, survives but in word and stone,
+the Hebrew word alone was made flesh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+WITH THE STRIKERS.
+
+
+"Ignorant donkey-heads!" cried Pinchas next Friday morning. "Him they
+make a Rabbi and give him the right of answering questions, and he know
+no more of Judaism," the patriotic poet paused to take a bite out of his
+ham-sandwich, "than a cow of Sunday. I lof his daughter and I tell him
+so and he tells me she lof another. But I haf held him up on the point
+of my pen to the contempt of posterity. I haf written an acrostic on
+him; it is terrible. Her vill I shoot."
+
+"Ah, they are a bad lot, these Rabbis," said Simon Wolf, sipping his
+sherry. The conversation took place in English and the two men were
+seated in a small private room in a public-house, awaiting the advent of
+the Strike Committee.
+
+"Dey are like de rest of de Community. I vash my hands of dem," said the
+poet, waving his cigar in a fiery crescent.
+
+"I have long since washed my hands of them," said Simon Wolf, though the
+fact was not obvious. "We can trust neither our Rabbis nor our
+philanthropists. The Rabbis engrossed in the hypocritical endeavor to
+galvanize the corpse of Judaism into a vitality that shall last at least
+their own lifetime, have neither time nor thought for the great labor
+question. Our philanthropists do but scratch the surface. They give the
+working-man with their right hand what they have stolen from him with
+the left."
+
+Simon Wolf was the great Jewish labor leader. Most of his cronies were
+rampant atheists, disgusted with the commercialism of the believers.
+They were clever young artisans from Russia and Poland with a smattering
+of education, a feverish receptiveness for all the iconoclastic ideas
+that were in the London air, a hatred of capitalism and strong social
+sympathies. They wrote vigorous jargon for the _Friend of Labor_ and
+compassed the extreme proverbial limits of impiety by "eating pork on
+the Day of Atonement." This was done partly to vindicate their religious
+opinions whose correctness was demonstrated by the non-appearance of
+thunderbolts, partly to show that nothing one way or the other was to be
+expected from Providence or its professors.
+
+"The only way for our poor brethren to be saved from their slavery,"
+went on Simon Wolf, "is for them to combine against the sweaters and to
+let the West-End Jews go and hang themselves."
+
+"Ah, dat is mine policee," said Pinchas, "dat was mine policee ven I
+founded de Holy Land League. Help yourselves and Pinchas vill help you.
+You muz combine, and den I vill be de Moses to lead you out of de land
+of bondage. _Nein_, I vill be more dan Moses, for he had not de gift of
+eloquence."
+
+"And he was the meekest man that ever lived," added Wolf.
+
+"Yes, he was a fool-man," said Pinchas imperturbably. "I agree with
+Goethe--_nur Lumpen sind bescheiden_, only clods are modaist. I am not
+modaist. Is the Almighty modaist? I know, I feel vat I am, vat I can
+do."
+
+"Look here, Pinchas, you're a very clever fellow, I know, and I'm very
+glad to have you with us--but remember I have organized this movement
+for years, planned it out as I sat toiling in Belcovitch's machine-room,
+written on it till I've got the cramp, spoken on it till I was hoarse,
+given evidence before innumerable Commissions. It is I who have stirred
+up the East-End Jews and sent the echo of their cry into Parliament, and
+I will not be interfered with. Do you hear?"
+
+"Yes, I hear. Vy you not listen to me? You no understand vat I mean!"
+
+"Oh, I understand you well enough. You want to oust me from my
+position."
+
+"Me? Me?" repeated the poet in an injured and astonished tone. "Vy
+midout you de movement vould crumble like a mummy in de air; be not such
+a fool-man. To everybody I haf said--ah, dat Simon Wolf he is a great
+man, a vair great man; he is de only man among de English Jews who can
+save de East-End; it is he that should be member for Vitechapel--not
+that fool-man Gideon. Be not such a fool-man! Haf anoder glaz sherry and
+some more ham-sandwiches." The poet had a simple child-like delight in
+occasionally assuming the host.
+
+"Very well, so long as I have your assurance," said the mollified
+labor-leader, mumbling the conclusion of the sentence into his
+wine-glass. "But you know how it is! After I have worked the thing for
+years, I don't want to see a drone come in and take the credit."
+
+"Yes, _sic vos non vobis_, as the Talmud says. Do you know I haf proved
+that Virgil stole all his ideas from the Talmud?"
+
+"First there was Black and then there was Cohen--now Gideon, M.P., sees
+he can get some advertisement out of it in the press, he wants to
+preside at the meetings. Members of Parliament are a bad lot!"
+
+"Yes--but dey shall not take de credit from you. I will write and expose
+dem--the world shall know what humbugs dey are, how de whole wealthy
+West-End stood idly by with her hands in de working-men's pockets while
+you vere building up de great organization. You know all de
+jargon-papers jump at vat I write, dey sign my name in vair large
+type--Melchitsedek Pinchas--under every ting, and I am so pleased with
+deir homage, I do not ask for payment, for dey are vair poor. By dis
+time I am famous everywhere, my name has been in de evening papers, and
+ven I write about you to de _Times_, you vill become as famous as me.
+And den you vill write about me--ve vill put up for Vitechapel at de
+elections, ve vill both become membairs of Parliament, I and you, eh?"
+
+"I'm afraid there's not much chance of that," sighed Simon Wolf.
+
+"Vy not? Dere are two seats. Vy should you not haf de Oder?"
+
+"Ain't you forgetting about election expenses, Pinchas?"
+
+"_Nein_!" repeated the poet emphatically. "I forgets noding. Ve vill
+start a fund."
+
+"We can't start funds for ourselves."
+
+"Be not a fool-man; of course not. You for me, I for you."
+
+"You won't get much," said Simon, laughing ruefully at the idea.
+
+"Tink not? Praps not. But _you_ vill for me. Ven I am in Parliament, de
+load vill be easier for us both. Besides I vill go to de Continent soon
+to give avay de rest of de copies of my book. I expect to make dousands
+of pounds by it--for dey know how to honor scholars and poets abroad.
+Dere dey haf not stupid-head stockbrokers like Gideon, M.P., ministers
+like the Reverend Elkan Benjamin who keep four mistresses, and Rabbis
+like Reb Shemuel vid long white beards outside and emptiness vidin who
+sell deir daughters."
+
+"I don't want to look so far ahead," said Simon Wolf. "At present, what
+we have to do is to carry this strike through. Once we get our demands
+from the masters a powerful blow will have been struck for the
+emancipation of ten thousand working-men. They will have more money and
+more leisure, a little less of hell and a little more of heaven. The
+coming Passover would, indeed, be an appropriate festival even for the
+most heterodox among them if we could strike oft their chains in the
+interim. But it seems impossible to get unity among them--a large
+section appears to mistrust me, though I swear to you, Pinchas, I am
+actuated by nothing but an unselfish desire for their good. May this
+morsel of sandwich choke me if I have ever been swayed by anything but
+sympathy with their wrongs. And yet you saw that malicious pamphlet that
+was circulated against me in Yiddish--silly, illiterate scribble."
+
+"Oh, no!" said Pinchas. "It was vair beautiful; sharp as de sting of de
+hornet. But vat can you expect? Christ suffered. All great benefactors
+suffer. Am _I_ happy? But it is only your own foolishness that you must
+tank if dere is dissension in de camp. De _Gomorah_ says ve muz be vize,
+_chocham_, ve muz haf tact. See vat you haf done. You haf frighten avay
+de ortodox fool-men. Dey are oppressed, dey sweat--but dey tink deir God
+make dem sweat. Why you tell dem, no? Vat mattairs? Free dem from hunger
+and tirst first, den freedom from deir fool-superstitions vill come of
+itself. Jeshurun vax fat and kick? Hey? You go de wrong vay."
+
+"Do you mean I'm to pretend to be _froom_," said Simon Wolf.
+
+"And ven? Vat mattairs? You are a fool, man. To get to de goal one muz
+go crooked vays. Ah, you have no stadesmanship. You frighten dem. You
+lead processions vid bands and banners on _Shabbos_ to de _Shools_. Many
+who vould be glad to be delivered by you tremble for de heavenly
+lightning. Dey go not in de procession. Many go when deir head is on
+fire--afterwards, dey take fright and beat deir breasts. Vat vill
+happen? De ortodox are de majority; in time dere vill come a leader who
+vill be, or pretend to be, ortodox as veil as socialist. Den vat become
+of you? You are left vid von, two, tree ateists--not enough to make
+_Minyan_. No, ve muz be _chocham_, ve muz take de men as ve find dem.
+God has made two classes of men--vise-men and fool-men. Dere! is one
+vise-man to a million fool-men--and he sits on deir head and dey support
+him. If dese fool-men vant to go to _Shool_ and to fast on _Yom Kippur_,
+vat for you make a feast of pig and shock dem, so dey not believe in
+your socialism? Ven you vant to eat pig, you do it here, like ve do now,
+in private. In public, ve spit out ven ve see pig. Ah, you are a
+fool-man. I am a stadesman, a politician. I vill be de Machiavelli of de
+movement."
+
+"Ah, Pinchas, you are a devil of a chap," said Wolf, laughing. "And yet
+you say you are the poet of patriotism and Palestine."
+
+"Vy not? Vy should we lif here in captivity? Vy we shall not have our
+own state--and our own President, a man who combine deep politic vid
+knowledge of Hebrew literature and de pen of a poet. No, let us fight to
+get back our country--ve vill not hang our harps on the villows of
+Babylon and veep--ve vill take our swords vid Ezra and Judas Maccabaeus,
+and--"
+
+"One thing at a time, Pinchas," said Simon Wolf. "At present, we have to
+consider how to distribute these food-tickets. The committee-men are
+late; I wonder if there has been any fighting at the centres, where they
+have been addressing meetings."
+
+"Ah, dat is anoder point," said Pinchas. "Vy you no let me address
+meetings--not de little ones in de street, but de great ones in de hall
+of de Club? Dere my vords vould rush like de moundain dorrents, sveeping
+avay de corruptions. But you let all dese fool-men talk. You know,
+Simon, I and you are de only two persons in de East-End who speak
+Ainglish properly."
+
+"I know. But these speeches must be in Yiddish."
+
+"_Gewiss_. But who speak her like me and you? You muz gif me a speech
+to-night."
+
+"I can't; really not," said Simon. "The programme's arranged. You know
+they're all jealous of me already. I dare not leave one out."
+
+"Ah, no; do not say dat!" said Pinchas, laying his finger pleadingly on
+the side of his nose.
+
+"I must."
+
+"You tear my heart in two. I lof you like a brother--almost like a
+voman. Just von!" There was an appealing smile in his eye.
+
+"I cannot. I shall have a hornet's nest about my ears."
+
+"Von leedle von, Simon Wolf!" Again his finger was on his nose.
+
+"It is impossible."
+
+"You haf not considair how my Yiddish shall make kindle every heart,
+strike tears from every eye, as Moses did from de rock."
+
+"I have. I know. But what am I to do?"
+
+"Jus dis leedle favor; and I vill be gradeful to you all mine life."
+
+"You know I would if I could."
+
+Pinchas's finger was laid more insistently on his nose.
+
+"Just dis vonce. Grant me dis, and I vill nevair ask anyding of you in
+all my life."
+
+"No, no. Don't bother, Pinchas. Go away now," said Wolf, getting
+annoyed. "I have lots to do."
+
+"I vill never gif you mine ideas again!" said the poet, flashing up, and
+he went out and banged the door.
+
+The labor-leader settled to his papers with a sigh of relief.
+
+The relief was transient. A moment afterwards the door was slightly
+opened, and Pinchas's head was protruded through the aperture. The poet
+wore his most endearing smile, the finger was laid coaxingly against the
+nose.
+
+"Just von leedle speech, Simon. Tink how I lof you."
+
+"Oh, well, go away. I'll see," replied Wolf, laughing amid all his
+annoyance.
+
+The poet rushed in and kissed the hem of Wolf's coat.
+
+"Oh, you be a great man!" he said. Then he walked out, closing the door
+gently. A moment afterwards, a vision of the dusky head, with the
+carneying smile and the finger on the nose, reappeared.
+
+"You von't forget your promise," said the head.
+
+"No, no. Go to the devil. I won't forget."
+
+Pinchas walked home through streets thronged with excited strikers,
+discussing the situation with oriental exuberance of gesture, with any
+one who would listen. The demands of these poor slop-hands (who could
+only count upon six hours out of the twenty-four for themselves, and
+who, by the help of their wives and little ones in finishing, might earn
+a pound a week) were moderate enough--hours from eight to eight, with an
+hour for dinner and half an hour for tea, two shillings from the
+government contractors for making a policeman's great-coat instead of
+one and ninepence halfpenny, and so on and so on. Their intentions were
+strictly peaceful. Every face was stamped with the marks of intellect
+and ill-health--the hue of a muddy pallor relieved by the flash of eyes
+and teeth. Their shoulders stooped, their chests were narrow, their arms
+flabby. They came in their hundreds to the hall at night. It was
+square-shaped with a stage and galleries, for a jargon-company sometimes
+thrilled the Ghetto with tragedy and tickled it with farce. Both species
+were playing to-night, and in jargon to boot. In real life you always
+get your drama mixed, and the sock of comedy galls the buskin of
+tragedy. It was an episode in the pitiful tussle of hunger and greed,
+yet its humors were grotesque enough.
+
+Full as the Hall was, it was not crowded, for it was Friday night and a
+large contingent of strikers refused to desecrate the Sabbath by
+attending the meeting. But these were the zealots--Moses Ansell among
+them, for he, too, had struck. Having been out of work already he had
+nothing to lose by augmenting the numerical importance of the agitation.
+The moderately pious argued that there was no financial business to
+transact and attendance could hardly come under the denomination of
+work. It was rather analogous to attendance at a lecture--they would
+simply have to listen to speeches. Besides it would be but a black
+Sabbath at home with a barren larder, and they had already been to
+synagogue. Thus degenerates ancient piety in the stress of modern social
+problems. Some of the men had not even changed their everyday face for
+their Sabbath countenance by washing it. Some wore collars, and shiny
+threadbare garments of dignified origin, others were unaffectedly
+poverty-stricken with dingy shirt-cuffs peeping out of frayed sleeve
+edges and unhealthily colored scarfs folded complexly round their necks.
+A minority belonged to the Free-thinking party, but the majority only
+availed themselves of Wolf's services because they were indispensable.
+For the moment he was the only possible leader, and they were
+sufficiently Jesuitic to use the Devil himself for good ends.
+
+Though Wolf would not give up a Friday-night meeting--especially
+valuable, as permitting of the attendance of tailors who had not yet
+struck--Pinchas's politic advice had not failed to make an impression.
+Like so many reformers who have started with blatant atheism, he was
+beginning to see the insignificance of irreligious dissent as compared
+with the solution of the social problem, and Pinchas's seed had fallen
+on ready soil. As a labor-leader, pure and simple, he could count upon a
+far larger following than as a preacher of militant impiety. He resolved
+to keep his atheism in the background for the future and devote himself
+to the enfranchisement of the body before tampering with the soul. He
+was too proud ever to acknowledge his indebtedness to the poet's
+suggestion, but he felt grateful to him all the same.
+
+"My brothers," he said in Yiddish, when his turn came to speak. "It
+pains me much to note how disunited we are. The capitalists, the
+Belcovitches, would rejoice if they but knew all that is going on. Have
+we not enemies enough that we must quarrel and split up into little
+factions among ourselves? (Hear, hear.) How can we hope to succeed
+unless we are thoroughly organized? It has come to my ears that there
+are men who insinuate things even about me and before I go on further
+to-night I wish to put this question to you." He paused and there was a
+breathless silence. The orator threw his chest forwards and gazing
+fearlessly at the assembly cried in a stentorian voice:
+
+_"Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Chairman?"_ (Are you satisfied with your
+chairman?)
+
+His audacity made an impression. The discontented cowered timidly in
+their places.
+
+"_Yes_," rolled back from the assembly, proud of its English
+monosyllables.
+
+"_Nein_," cried a solitary voice from the topmost gallery.
+
+Instantly the assembly was on its legs, eyeing the dissentient angrily.
+"Get down! Go on the platform!" mingled with cries of "order" from the
+Chairman, who in vain summoned him on to the stage. The dissentient
+waved a roll of paper violently and refused to modify his standpoint. He
+was evidently speaking, for his jaws were making movements, which in the
+din and uproar could not rise above grimaces. There was a battered high
+hat on the back of his head, and his hair was uncombed, and his face
+unwashed. At last silence was restored and the tirade became audible.
+
+"Cursed sweaters--capitalists--stealing men's brains--leaving us to rot
+and starve in darkness and filth. Curse them! Curse them!" The speaker's
+voice rose to a hysterical scream, as he rambled on.
+
+Some of the men knew him and soon there flew from lip to lip, "Oh, it's
+only _Meshuggene David_."
+
+Mad Davy was a gifted Russian university student, who had been mixed up
+with nihilistic conspiracies and had fled to England where the struggle
+to find employ for his clerical talents had addled his brain. He had a
+gift for chess and mechanical invention, and in the early days had saved
+himself from starvation by the sale of some ingenious patents to a
+swaggering co-religionist who owned race-horses and a music-hall, but he
+sank into squaring the circle and inventing perpetual motion. He lived
+now on the casual crumbs of indigent neighbors, for the charitable
+organizations had marked him "dangerous." He was a man of infinite
+loquacity, with an intense jealousy of Simon Wolf or any such
+uninstructed person who assumed to lead the populace, but when the
+assembly accorded him his hearing he forgot the occasion of his rising
+in a burst of passionate invective against society.
+
+When the irrelevancy of his remarks became apparent, he was rudely
+howled down and his neighbors pulled him into his seat, where he
+gibbered and mowed inaudibly.
+
+Wolf continued his address.
+
+"_Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Secretary_?"
+
+This time there was no dissent. The _"Yes"_ came like thunder.
+
+"_Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Treasurer_?"
+
+_Yeas_ and _nays_ mingled. The question of the retention, of the
+functionary was put to the vote. But there was much confusion, for the
+East-End Jew is only slowly becoming a political animal. The ayes had
+it, but Wolf was not yet satisfied with the satisfaction of the
+gathering. He repeated the entire batch of questions in a new formula so
+as to drive them home.
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen mir_?" Which is Yiddish for "has any one
+anything to say against me?"
+
+"_No_!" came in a vehement roar.
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen dem secretary_?"
+
+"_No_!"
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen dem treasurer_?"
+
+"_No!"_
+
+Having thus shown his grasp of logical exhaustiveness in a manner unduly
+exhausting to the more intelligent, Wolf consented to resume his
+oration. He had scored a victory, and triumph lent him added eloquence.
+When he ceased he left his audience in a frenzy of resolution and
+loyalty. In the flush of conscious power and freshly added influence, he
+found a niche for Pinchas's oratory.
+
+"Brethren in exile," said the poet in his best Yiddish.
+
+Pinchas spoke German which is an outlandish form of Yiddish and scarce
+understanded of the people, so that to be intelligible he had to divest
+himself of sundry inflections, and to throw gender to the winds and to
+say "wet" for "wird" and mix hybrid Hebrew and ill-pronounced English
+with his vocabulary. There was some cheering as Pinchas tossed his
+dishevelled locks and addressed the gathering, for everybody to whom he
+had ever spoken knew that he was a wise and learned man and a great
+singer in Israel.
+
+"Brethren in exile," said the poet. "The hour has come for laying the
+sweaters low. Singly we are sand-grains, together we are the simoom. Our
+great teacher, Moses, was the first Socialist. The legislation of the
+Old Testament--the land laws, the jubilee regulations, the tender care
+for the poor, the subordination of the rights of property to the
+interests of the working-men--all this is pure Socialism!"
+
+The poet paused for the cheers which came in a mighty volume. Few of
+those present knew what Socialism was, but all knew the word as a
+shibboleth of salvation from sweaters. Socialism meant shorter hours and
+higher wages and was obtainable by marching with banners and brass
+bands--what need to inquire further?
+
+"In short," pursued the poet, "Socialism is Judaism and Judaism is
+Socialism, and Karl Marx and Lassalle, the founders of Socialism, were
+Jews. Judaism does not bother with the next world. It says, 'Eat, drink
+and be satisfied and thank the Lord, thy God, who brought thee out of
+Egypt from the land of bondage.' But we have nothing to eat, we have
+nothing to drink, we have nothing to be satisfied with, we are still in
+the land of bondage." (Cheers.) "My brothers, how can we keep Judaism in
+a land where there is no Socialism? We must become better Jews, we must
+bring on Socialism, for the period of Socialism on earth and of peace
+and plenty and brotherly love is what all our prophets and great
+teachers meant by Messiah-times."
+
+A little murmur of dissent rose here and there, but Pinchas went on.
+
+"When Hillel the Great summed up the law to the would-be proselyte while
+standing on one leg, how did he express it? 'Do not unto others what you
+would not have others do unto you.' This is Socialism in a nut-shell. Do
+not keep your riches for yourself, spread them abroad. Do not fatten on
+the labor of the poor, but share it. Do not eat the food others have
+earned, but earn your own. Yes, brothers, the only true Jews in England
+are the Socialists. Phylacteries, praying-shawls--all nonsense. Work
+for Socialism--that pleases the Almighty. The Messiah will be a
+Socialist."
+
+There were mingled sounds, men asking each other dubiously, "What says
+he?" They began to sniff brimstone. Wolf, shifting uneasily on his
+chair, kicked the poet's leg in reminder of his own warning. But
+Pinchas's head was touching the stars again. Mundane considerations were
+left behind somewhere in the depths of space below his feet.
+
+"But how is the Messiah to redeem his people?" he asked. "Not now-a-days
+by the sword but by the tongue. He will plead the cause of Judaism, the
+cause of Socialism, in Parliament. He will not come with mock miracle
+like Bar Cochba or Zevi. At the general election, brothers, I will stand
+as the candidate for Whitechapel. I, a poor man, one of yourselves, will
+take my stand in that mighty assembly and touch the hearts of the
+legislators. They shall bend before my oratory as the bulrushes of the
+Nile when the wind passes. They will make me Prime Minister like Lord
+Beaconsfield, only he was no true lover of his people, he was not the
+Messiah. To hell with the rich bankers and the stockbrokers--we want
+them not. We will free ourselves."
+
+The extraordinary vigor of the poet's language and gestures told. Only
+half comprehending, the majority stamped and huzzahed. Pinchas swelled
+visibly. His slim, lithe form, five and a quarter feet high, towered
+over the assembly. His complexion was as burnished copper, his eyes
+flashed flame.
+
+"Yes, brethren," he resumed. "These Anglo-Jewish swine trample unheeding
+on the pearls of poetry and scholarship, they choose for Ministers men
+with four mistresses, for Chief Rabbis hypocrites who cannot even write
+the holy tongue grammatically, for _Dayanim_ men who sell their
+daughters to the rich, for Members of Parliament stockbrokers who cannot
+speak English, for philanthropists greengrocers who embezzle funds. Let
+us have nothing to do with these swine--Moses our teacher forbade it.
+(Laughter.) I will be the Member for Whitechapel. See, my name
+Melchitsedek Pinchas already makes M.P.--it was foreordained. If every
+letter of the _Torah_ has its special meaning, and none was put by
+chance, why should the finger of heaven not have written my name thus:
+M.P.--Melchitsedek Pinchas. Ah, our brother Wolf speaks truth--wisdom
+issues from his lips. Put aside your petty quarrels and unite in working
+for my election to Parliament. Thus and thus only shall you be redeemed
+from bondage, made from beasts of burden into men, from slaves to
+citizens, from false Jews to true Jews. Thus and thus only shall you
+eat, drink and be satisfied, and thank me for bringing you out of the
+land of bondage. Thus and thus only shall Judaism cover the world as the
+waters cover the sea."
+
+The fervid peroration overbalanced the audience, and from all sides
+except the platform applause warmed the poet's ears. He resumed his
+seat, and as he did so he automatically drew out a match and a cigar,
+and lit the one with the other. Instantly the applause dwindled, died;
+there was a moment of astonished silence, then a roar of execration. The
+bulk of the audience, as Pinchas, sober, had been shrewd enough to see,
+was still orthodox. This public desecration of the Sabbath by smoking
+was intolerable. How should the God of Israel aid the spread of
+Socialism and the shorter hours movement and the rise of prices a penny
+on a coat, if such devil's incense were borne to His nostrils? Their
+vague admiration of Pinchas changed into definite distrust. "_Epikouros,
+Epikouros, Meshumad_" resounded from all sides. The poet looked
+wonderingly about him, failing to grasp the situation. Simon Wolf saw
+his opportunity. With an angry jerk he knocked the glowing cigar from
+between the poet's teeth. There was a yell of delight and approbation.
+
+Wolf jumped to his feet. "Brothers," he roared, "you know I am not
+_froom_, but I will not have anybody else's feelings trampled upon." So
+saying, he ground the cigar under his heel.
+
+Immediately an abortive blow from the poet's puny arm swished the air.
+Pinchas was roused, the veins on his forehead swelled, his heart thumped
+rapidly in his bosom. Wolf shook his knobby fist laughingly at the poet,
+who made no further effort to use any other weapon of offence but his
+tongue.
+
+"Hypocrite!" he shrieked. "Liar! Machiavelli! Child of the separation! A
+black year on thee! An evil spirit in thy bones and in the bones of thy
+father and mother. Thy father was a proselyte and thy mother an
+abomination. The curses of Deuteronomy light on thee. Mayest thou become
+covered with boils like Job! And you," he added, turning on the
+audience, "pack of Men-of-the-earth! Stupid animals! How much longer
+will you bend your neck to the yoke of superstition while your bellies
+are empty? Who says I shall not smoke? Was tobacco known to Moses our
+Teacher? If so he would have enjoyed it on the _Shabbos_. He was a wise
+man like me. Did the Rabbis know of it? No, fortunately, else they were
+so stupid they would have forbidden it. You are all so ignorant that you
+think not of these things. Can any one show me where it stands that we
+must not smoke on _Shabbos_? Is not _Shabbos_ a day of rest, and how can
+we rest if we smoke not? I believe with the Baal-Shem that God is more
+pleased when I smoke my cigar than at the prayers of all the stupid
+Rabbis. How dare you rob me of my cigar--is that keeping _Shabbos_?" He
+turned back to Wolf, and tried to push his foot from off the cigar.
+There was a brief struggle. A dozen men leaped on the platform and
+dragged the poet away from his convulsive clasp of the labor-leader's
+leg. A few opponents of Wolf on the platform cried, "Let the man alone,
+give him his cigar," and thrust themselves amongst the invaders. The
+hall was in tumult. From the gallery the voice of Mad Davy resounded
+again:
+
+"Cursed sweaters--stealing men's brains--darkness and filth--curse them!
+Blow them up I as we blew up Alexander. Curse them!"
+
+Pinchas was carried, shrieking hysterically, and striving to bite the
+arms of his bearers, through the tumultuous crowd, amid a little
+ineffective opposition, and deposited outside the door.
+
+Wolf made another speech, sealing the impression he had made. Then the
+poor narrow-chested pious men went home through the cold air to recite
+the Song of Solomon in their stuffy back-rooms and garrets. "Behold thou
+art fair, my love," they intoned in a strange chant. "Behold thou art
+fair, thou hast doves' eyes. Behold thou art fair, my beloved, yea
+pleasant; also our couch is green. The beams of our house are cedar and
+our rafters are fir. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and
+gone; the flowers appear upon the earth; the time of the singing of
+birds is come and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Thy
+plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits, calamus,
+cinnamon with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloe with all the
+chief spices; a fountain of gardens; a well of living waters and streams
+from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind and come, thou south, blow upon my
+garden that the spices thereof may flow out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE HOPE EXTINCT.
+
+
+The strike came to an end soon after. To the delight of Melchitsedek
+Pinchas, Gideon, M.P., intervened at the eleventh hour, unceremoniously
+elbowing Simon Wolf out of his central position. A compromise was
+arranged and jubilance and tranquillity reigned for some months, till
+the corruptions of competitive human nature brought back the old state
+of things--for employers have quite a diplomatic reverence for treaties
+and the brotherly love of employees breaks down under the strain of
+supporting families. Rather to his own surprise Moses Ansell found
+himself in work at least three days a week, the other three being spent
+in hanging round the workshop waiting for it. It is an uncertain trade,
+is the manufacture of slops, which was all Moses was fitted for, but if
+you are not at hand you may miss the "work" when it does come.
+
+It never rains but it pours, and so more luck came to the garret of No.
+1 Royal Street. Esther won five pounds at school. It was the Henry
+Goldsmith prize, a new annual prize for general knowledge, instituted by
+a lady named Mrs. Henry Goldsmith who had just joined the committee, and
+the semi-divine person herself--a surpassingly beautiful radiant being,
+like a princess in a fairy tale--personally congratulated her upon her
+success. The money was not available for a year, but the neighbors
+hastened to congratulate the family on its rise to wealth. Even Levi
+Jacob's visits became more frequent, though this could scarcely be
+ascribed to mercenary motives.
+
+The Belcovitches recognized their improved status so far as to send to
+borrow some salt: for the colony of No. 1 Royal Street carried on an
+extensive system of mutual accommodation, coals, potatoes, chunks of
+bread, saucepans, needles, wood-choppers, all passing daily to and fro.
+Even garments and jewelry were lent on great occasions, and when that
+dear old soul Mrs. Simons went to a wedding she was decked out in
+contributions from a dozen wardrobes. The Ansells themselves were too
+proud to borrow though they were not above lending.
+
+It was early morning and Moses in his big phylacteries was droning his
+orisons. His mother had had an attack of spasms and so he was praying at
+home to be at hand in case of need. Everybody was up, and Moses was
+superintending the household even while he was gabbling psalms. He never
+minded breaking off his intercourse with Heaven to discuss domestic
+affairs, for he was on free and easy terms with the powers that be, and
+there was scarce a prayer in the liturgy which he would not interrupt to
+reprimand Solomon for lack of absorption in the same. The exception was
+the _Amidah_ or eighteen Blessings, so-called because there are
+twenty-two. This section must be said standing and inaudibly and when
+Moses was engaged upon it, a message from an earthly monarch would have
+extorted no reply from him. There were other sacred silences which Moses
+would not break save of dire necessity and then only by talking Hebrew;
+but the _Amidah_ was the silence of silences. This was why the utterly
+unprecedented arrival of a telegraph boy did not move him. Not even
+Esther's cry of alarm when she opened the telegram had any visible
+effect upon him, though in reality he whispered off his prayer at a
+record-beating rate and duly danced three times on his toes with
+spasmodic celerity at the finale.
+
+"Father," said Esther, the never before received species of letter
+trembling in her hand, "we must go at once to see Benjy. He is very
+ill."
+
+"Has he written to say so?"
+
+"No, this is a telegram. I have read of such. Oh! perhaps he is dead.
+It is always so in books. They break the news by saying the dead are
+still alive." Her tones died away in a sob. The children clustered round
+her--Rachel and Solomon fought for the telegram in their anxiety to read
+it. Ikey and Sarah stood grave and interested. The sick grandmother sat
+up in bed excited.
+
+"He never showed me his 'four corners,'" she moaned. "Perhaps he did not
+wear the fringes at all."
+
+"Father, dost thou hear?" said Esther, for Moses Ansell was fingering
+the russet envelope with a dazed air. "We must go to the Orphanage at
+once."
+
+"Read it! What stands in the letter?" said Moses Ansell.
+
+She took the telegram from the hands of Solomon. "It stands, 'Come up at
+once. Your son Benjamin very ill.'"
+
+"Tu! Tu! Tu!" clucked Moses. "The poor child. But how can we go up? Thou
+canst not walk there. It will take _me_ more than three hours."
+
+His praying-shawl slid from his shoulders in his agitation.
+
+"Thou must not walk, either!" cried Esther excitedly. "We must get to
+him at once! Who knows if he will be alive when we come? We must go by
+train from London Bridge the way Benjy came that Sunday. Oh, my poor
+Benjy!"
+
+"Give me back the paper, Esther," interrupted Solomon, taking it from
+her limp hand. "The boys have never seen a telegram."
+
+"But we cannot spare the money," urged Moses helplessly. "We have just
+enough money to get along with to-day. Solomon, go on with thy prayers;
+thou seizest every excuse to interrupt them. Rachel, go away from him.
+Thou art also a disturbing Satan to him. I do not wonder his teacher
+flogged him black and blue yesterday--he is a stubborn and rebellious
+son who should be stoned, according to Deuteronomy."
+
+"We must do without dinner," said Esther impulsively.
+
+Sarah sat down on the floor and howled "Woe is me! Woe is me!"
+
+"I didden touch 'er," cried Ikey in indignant bewilderment.
+
+"'Tain't Ikey!" sobbed Sarah. "Little Tharah wants 'er dinner."
+
+"Thou hearest?" said Moses pitifully. "How can we spare the money?"
+
+"How much is it?" asked Esther.
+
+"It will be a shilling each there and back," replied Moses, who from his
+long periods of peregrination was a connoisseur in fares. "How can we
+afford it when I lose a morning's work into the bargain?"
+
+"No, what talkest thou?" said Esther. "Thou art looking a few months
+ahead--thou deemest perhaps, I am already twelve. It will be only
+sixpence for me."
+
+Moses did not disclaim the implied compliment to his rigid honesty but
+answered:
+
+"Where is my head? Of course thou goest half-price. But even so where is
+the eighteenpence to come from?"
+
+"But it is not eighteenpence!" ejaculated Esther with a new inspiration.
+Necessity was sharpening her wits to extraordinary acuteness. "We need
+not take return tickets. We can walk back."
+
+"But we cannot be so long away from the mother--both of us," said Moses.
+"She, too, is ill. And how will the children do without thee? I will go
+by myself."
+
+"No, I must see Benjy!" Esther cried.
+
+"Be not so stiff-necked, Esther! Besides, it stands in the letter that I
+am to come--they do not ask thee. Who knows that the great people will
+not be angry if I bring thee with me? I dare say Benjamin will soon be
+better. He cannot have been ill long."
+
+"But, quick, then, father, quick!" cried Esther, yielding to the complex
+difficulties of the position. "Go at once."
+
+"Immediately, Esther. Wait only till I have finished my prayers. I am
+nearly done."
+
+"No! No!" cried Esther agonized. "Thou prayest so much--God will let
+thee off a little bit just for once. Thou must go at once and ride both
+ways, else how shall we know what has happened? I will pawn my new prize
+and that will give thee money enough."
+
+"Good!" said Moses. "While thou art pledging the book I shall have time
+to finish _davening_." He hitched up his _Talith_ and commenced to
+gabble off, "Happy are they who dwell in Thy house; ever shall they
+praise Thee, Selah," and was already saying, "And a Redeemer shall come
+unto Zion," by the time Esther rushed out through the door with the
+pledge. It was a gaudily bound volume called "Treasures of Science," and
+Esther knew it almost by heart, having read it twice from gilt cover to
+gilt cover. All the same, she would miss it sorely. The pawnbroker lived
+only round the corner, for like the publican he springs up wherever the
+conditions are favorable. He was a Christian; by a curious anomaly the
+Ghetto does not supply its own pawnbrokers, but sends them out to the
+provinces or the West End. Perhaps the business instinct dreads the
+solicitation of the racial.
+
+Esther's pawnbroker was a rubicund portly man. He knew the fortunes of a
+hundred families by the things left with him or taken back. It was on
+his stuffy shelves that poor Benjamin's coat had lain compressed and
+packed away when it might have had a beautiful airing in the grounds of
+the Crystal Palace. It was from his stuffy shelves that Esther's mother
+had redeemed it--a day after the fair--soon to be herself compressed and
+packed away in a pauper's coffin, awaiting in silence whatsoever
+Redemption might be. The best coat itself had long since been sold to a
+ragman, for Solomon, upon whose back it devolved, when Benjamin was so
+happily translated, could never be got to keep a best coat longer than a
+year, and when a best coat is degraded to every-day wear its attrition
+is much more than six times as rapid.
+
+"Good mornen, my little dear," said the rubicund man. "You're early this
+mornen." The apprentice had, indeed, only just taken down the shutters.
+"What can I do for you to-day? You look pale, my dear; what's the
+matter?"
+
+"I have a bran-new seven and sixpenny book," she answered hurriedly,
+passing it to him.
+
+He turned instinctively to the fly-leaf.
+
+"Bran-new book!" he said contemptuously. "'Esther Ansell--For
+improvement!' When a book's spiled like that, what can you expect for
+it?"
+
+"Why, it's the inscription that makes it valuable," said Esther
+tearfully.
+
+"Maybe," said the rubicund man gruffly. "But d'yer suppose I should just
+find a buyer named Esther Ansell?" Do you suppose everybody in the
+world's named Esther Ansell or is capable of improvement?"
+
+"No," breathed Esther dolefully. "But I shall take it out myself soon."
+
+"In this world," said the rubicund man, shaking his head sceptically,
+"there ain't never no knowing. Well, how much d'yer want?"
+
+"I only want a shilling," said Esther, "and threepence," she added as a
+happy thought.
+
+"All right," said the rubicund man softened. "I won't 'aggle this
+mornen. You look quite knocked up. Here you are!" and Esther darted out
+of the shop with the money clasped tightly in her palm.
+
+Moses had folded his phylacteries with pious primness and put them away
+in a little bag, and he was hastily swallowing a cup of coffee.
+
+"Here is the shilling," she cried. "And twopence extra for the 'bus to
+London Bridge. Quick!" She put the ticket away carefully among its
+companions in a discolored leather purse her father had once picked up
+in the street, and hurried him off. When his steps ceased on the stairs,
+she yearned to run after him and go with him, but Ikey was clamoring for
+breakfast and the children had to run off to school. She remained at
+home herself, for the grandmother groaned heavily. When the other
+children had gone off she tidied up the vacant bed and smoothed the old
+woman's pillows. Suddenly Benjamin's reluctance to have his father
+exhibited before his new companions recurred to her; she hoped Moses
+would not be needlessly obtrusive and felt that if she had gone with him
+she might have supplied tact in this direction. She reproached herself
+for not having made him a bit more presentable. She should have spared
+another halfpenny for a new collar, and seen that he was washed; but in
+the rush and alarm all thoughts of propriety had been submerged. Then
+her thoughts went off at a tangent and she saw her class-room, where new
+things were being taught, and new marks gained. It galled her to think
+she was missing both. She felt so lonely in the company of her
+grandmother, she could have gone downstairs and cried on Dutch Debby's
+musty lap. Then she strove to picture the room where Benjy was lying,
+but her imagination lacked the data. She would not let herself think the
+brilliant Benjamin was dead, that he would be sewn up in a shroud just
+like his poor mother, who had no literary talent whatever, but she
+wondered whether he was groaning like the grandmother. And so, half
+distracted, pricking up her ears at the slightest creak on the stairs,
+Esther waited for news of her Benjy. The hours dragged on and on, and
+the children coming home at one found dinner ready but Esther still
+waiting. A dusty sunbeam streamed in through the garret window as though
+to give her hope.
+
+Benjamin had been beguiled from his books into an unaccustomed game of
+ball in the cold March air. He had taken off his jacket and had got very
+hot with his unwonted exertions. A reactionary chill followed. Benjamin
+had a slight cold, which being ignored, developed rapidly into a heavy
+one, still without inducing the energetic lad to ask to be put upon the
+sick list. Was not the publishing day of _Our Own_ at hand?
+
+The cold became graver with the same rapidity, and almost as soon as the
+boy had made complaint he was in a high fever, and the official doctor
+declared that pneumonia had set in. In the night Benjamin was delirious,
+and the nurse summoned the doctor, and next morning his condition was so
+critical that his father was telegraphed for. There was little to be
+done by science--all depended on the patient's constitution. Alas! the
+four years of plenty and country breezes had not counteracted the eight
+and three-quarter years of privation and foul air, especially in a lad
+more intent on emulating Dickens and Thackeray than on profiting by the
+advantages of his situation.
+
+When Moses arrived he found his boy tossing restlessly in a little bed,
+in a private little room away from the great dormitories. "The
+matron"--a sweet-faced young lady--was bending tenderly over him, and a
+nurse sat at the bedside. The doctor stood--waiting--at the foot of the
+bed. Moses took his boy's hand. The matron silently stepped aside.
+Benjamin stared at him with wide, unrecognizing eyes.
+
+"_Nu_, how goes it, Benjamin?" cried Moses in Yiddish, with mock
+heartiness.
+
+"Thank you, old Four-Eyes. It's very good of you to come. I always said
+there mustn't be any hits at you in the paper. I always told the fellows
+you were a very decent chap."
+
+"What says he?" asked Moses, turning to the company. "I cannot
+understand English."
+
+They could not understand his own question, but the matron guessed it.
+She tapped her forehead and shook her head for reply. Benjamin closed
+his eyes and there was silence. Presently he opened them and looked
+straight at his father. A deeper crimson mantled on the flushed cheek as
+Benjamin beheld the dingy stooping being to whom he owed birth. Moses
+wore a dirty red scarf below his untrimmed beard, his clothes were
+greasy, his face had not yet been washed, and--for a climax--he had not
+removed his hat, which other considerations than those of etiquette
+should have impelled him to keep out of sight.
+
+"I thought you were old Four-Eyes," the boy murmured in
+confusion--"Wasn't he here just now?"
+
+"Go and fetch Mr. Coleman," said the matron, to the nurse, half-smiling
+through tears at her own knowledge of the teacher's nickname and
+wondering what endearing term she was herself known by.
+
+"Cheer up, Benjamin," said his father, seeing his boy had become
+sensible of his presence. "Thou wilt be all right soon. Thou hast been
+much worse than this."
+
+"What does he say?" asked Benjamin, turning his eyes towards the matron.
+
+"He says he is sorry to see you so bad," said the matron, at a venture.
+
+"But I shall be up soon, won't I? I can't have _Our Own_ delayed,"
+whispered Benjamin.
+
+"Don't worry about _Our Own_, my poor boy," murmured the matron,
+pressing his forehead. Moses respectfully made way for her.
+
+"What says he?" he asked. The matron repeated the words, but Moses could
+not understand the English.
+
+Old Four-Eyes arrived--a mild spectacled young man. He looked at the
+doctor, and the doctor's eye told him all.
+
+"Ah, Mr. Coleman," said Benjamin, with joyous huskiness, "you'll see
+that _Our Own_ comes out this week as usual. Tell Jack Simmonds he must
+not forget to rule black lines around the page containing Bruno's
+epitaph. Bony-nose--I--I mean Mr. Bernstein, wrote it for us in
+dog-Latin. Isn't it a lark? Thick, black lines, tell him. He was a good
+dog and only bit one boy in his life."
+
+"All right. I'll see to it," old Four-Eyes assured him with answering
+huskiness.
+
+"What says he?" helplessly inquired Moses, addressing himself to the
+newcomer.
+
+"Isn't it a sad case, Mr. Coleman?" said the matron, in a low tone.
+"They can't understand each other."
+
+"You ought to keep an interpreter on the premises," said the doctor,
+blowing his nose. Coleman struggled with himself. He knew the jargon to
+perfection, for his parents spoke it still, but he had always posed as
+being ignorant of it.
+
+"Tell my father to go home, and not to bother; I'm all right--only a
+little weak," whispered Benjamin.
+
+Coleman was deeply perturbed. He was wondering whether he should plead
+guilty to a little knowledge, when a change of expression came over the
+wan face on the pillow. The doctor came and felt the boy's pulse.
+
+"No, I don't want to hear that _Maaseh_," cried Benjamin. "Tell me about
+the Sambatyon, father, which refuses to flow on _Shabbos_."
+
+He spoke Yiddish, grown a child again. Moses's face lit up with joy. His
+eldest born had returned to intelligibility. There was hope still then.
+A sudden burst of sunshine flooded the room. In London the sun would not
+break through the clouds for some hours. Moses leaned over the pillow,
+his face working with blended emotions. Me let a hot tear fall on his
+boy's upturned face.
+
+"Hush, hush, my little Benjamin, don't cry," said Benjamin, and began to
+sing in his mothers jargon:
+
+    "Sleep, little father, sleep,
+    Thy father shall be a Rav,
+    Thy mother shall bring little apples,
+    Blessings on thy little head,"
+
+Moses saw his dead Gittel lulling his boy to sleep. Blinded by his
+tears, he did not see that they were falling thick upon the little white
+face.
+
+"Nay, dry thy tears, I tell thee, my little Benjamin," said Benjamin, in
+tones more tender and soothing, and launched into the strange wailing
+melody:
+
+    "Alas, woe is me!
+    How wretched to be
+    Driven away and banished,
+    Yet so young, from thee."
+
+"And Joseph's mother called to him from the grave: Be comforted, my son,
+a great future shall be thine."
+
+"The end is near," old Four-Eyes whispered to the father in jargon.
+Moses trembled from head to foot. "My poor lamb! My poor Benjamin," he
+wailed. "I thought thou wouldst say _Kaddish_ after me, not I for thee."
+Then he began to recite quietly the Hebrew prayers. The hat he should
+have removed was appropriate enough now.
+
+Benjamin sat up excitedly in bed: "There's mother, Esther!" he cried in
+English. "Coming back with my coat. But what's the use of it now?"
+
+His head fell back again. Presently a look of yearning came over the
+face so full of boyish beauty. "Esther," he said. "Wouldn't you like to
+be in the green country to-day? Look how the sun shines."
+
+It shone, indeed, with deceptive warmth, bathing in gold the green
+country that stretched beyond, and dazzling the eyes of the dying boy.
+The birds twittered outside the window. "Esther!" he said, wistfully,
+"do you think there'll be another funeral soon?".
+
+The matron burst into tears and turned away.
+
+"Benjamin," cried the father, frantically, thinking the end had come,
+"say the _Shemang_."
+
+The boy stared at him, a clearer look in his eyes.
+
+"Say the _Shemang_!" said Moses peremptorily. The word _Shemang_, the
+old authoritative tone, penetrated the consciousness of the dying boy.
+
+"Yes, father, I was just going to," he grumbled, submissively.
+
+They repeated the last declaration of the dying Israelite together. It
+was in Hebrew. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Both
+understood that.
+
+Benjamin lingered on a few more minutes, and died in a painless torpor.
+
+"He is dead," said the doctor.
+
+"Blessed be the true Judge," said Moses. He rent his coat, and closed
+the staring eyes. Then he went to the toilet table and turned the
+looking-glass to the wall, and opened the window and emptied the jug of
+water upon the green sunlit grass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+THE JARGON PLAYERS.
+
+
+"No, don't stop me, Pinchas," said Gabriel Hamburg. "I'm packing up, and
+I shall spend my Passover in Stockholm. The Chief Rabbi there has
+discovered a manuscript which I am anxious to see, and as I have saved
+up a little money I shall speed thither."
+
+"Ah, he pays well, that boy-fool, Raphael Leon," said Pinchas, emitting
+a lazy ring of smoke.
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Gabriel, flushing angrily. "Do you mean,
+perhaps, that _you_ have been getting money out of him?"
+
+"Precisely. That is what I _do_ mean," said the poet naively. "What
+else?"
+
+"Well, don't let me hear you call him a fool. He _is_ one to send you
+money, but then it is for others to call him so. That boy will be a
+great man in Israel. The son of rich English Jews--a Harrow-boy, yet he
+already writes Hebrew almost grammatically."
+
+Pinchas was aware of this fact: had he not written to the lad (in
+response to a crude Hebrew eulogium and a crisp Bank of England note):
+"I and thou are the only two people in England who write the Holy Tongue
+grammatically."
+
+He replied now: "It is true; soon he will vie with me and you."
+
+The old scholar took snuff impatiently. The humors of Pinchas were
+beginning to pall upon him.
+
+"Good-bye," he said again.
+
+"No, wait, yet a little," said Pinchas, buttonholing him resolutely. "I
+want to show you my acrostic on Simon Wolf; ah! I will shoot him, the
+miserable labor-leader, the wretch who embezzles the money of the
+Socialist fools who trust him. Aha! it will sting like Juvenal, that
+acrostic."
+
+"I haven't time," said the gentle savant, beginning to lose his temper.
+
+"Well, have I time? I have to compose a three-act comedy by to-morrow
+at noon. I expect I shall have to sit up all night to get it done
+in time." Then, anxious to complete the conciliation of the
+old snuff-and-pepper-box, as he mentally christened him for his next
+acrostic, he added: "If there is anything in this manuscript that you
+cannot decipher or understand, a letter to me, care of Reb Shemuel, will
+always find me. Somehow I have a special genius for filling up _lacunae_
+in manuscripts. You remember the famous discovery that I made by
+rewriting the six lines torn out of the first page of that Midrash I
+discovered in Cyprus."
+
+"Yes, those six lines proved it thoroughly," sneered the savant.
+
+"Aha! You see!" said the poet, a gratified smile pervading his dusky
+features. "But I must tell you of this comedy--it will be a satirical
+picture (in the style of Moličre, only sharper) of Anglo-Jewish Society.
+The Rev. Elkan Benjamin, with his four mistresses, they will all be
+there, and Gideon, the Man-of-the-Earth, M.P.,--ah, it will be terrible.
+If I could only get them to see it performed, they should have free
+passes."
+
+"No, shoot them first; it would be more merciful. But where is this
+comedy to be played?" asked Hamburg curiously.
+
+"At the Jargon Theatre, the great theatre in Prince's Street, the only
+real national theatre in England. The English stage--Drury Lane--pooh!
+It is not in harmony with the people; it does not express them."
+
+Hamburg could not help smiling. He knew the wretched little hall, since
+tragically famous for a massacre of innocents, victims to the fatal cry
+of fire--more deadly than fiercest flame.
+
+"But how will your audience understand it?" he asked.
+
+"Aha!" said the poet, laying his finger on his nose and grinning. "They
+will understand. They know the corruptions of our society. All this
+conspiracy to crush me, to hound me out of England so that ignoramuses
+may prosper and hypocrites wax fat--do you think it is not the talk of
+the Ghetto? What! Shall it be the talk of Berlin, of Constantinople, of
+Mogadore, of Jerusalem, of Paris, and here it shall not be known?
+Besides, the leading actress will speak a prologue. Ah! she is
+beautiful, beautiful as Lilith, as the Queen of Sheba, as Cleopatra! And
+how she acts! She and Rachel--both Jewesses! Think of it! Ah, we are a
+great people. If I could tell you the secrets of her eyes as she looks
+at me--but no, you are dry as dust, a creature of prose! And there will
+be an orchestra, too, for Pesach Weingott has promised to play the
+overture on his fiddle. How he stirs the soul! It is like David playing
+before Saul."
+
+"Yes, but it won't be javelins the people will throw," murmured Hamburg,
+adding aloud: "I suppose you have written the music of this overture."
+
+"No, I cannot write music," said Pinchas.
+
+"Good heavens! You don't say so?" gasped Gabriel Hamburg. "Let that be
+my last recollection of you! No! Don't say another word! Don't spoil
+it! Good-bye." And he tore himself away, leaving the poet bewildered.
+
+"Mad! Mad!" said Pinchas, tapping his brow significantly; "mad, the old
+snuff-and-pepper-box." He smiled at the recollection of his latest
+phrase. "These scholars stagnate so. They see not enough of the women.
+Ha! I will go and see my actress."
+
+He threw out his chest, puffed out a volume of smoke, and took his way
+to Petticoat Lane. The compatriot of Rachel was wrapping up a scrag of
+mutton. She was a butcher's daughter and did not even wield the chopper,
+as Mrs. Siddons is reputed to have flourished the domestic table-knife.
+She was a simple, amiable girl, who had stepped into the position of
+lead in the stock jargon company as a way of eking out her pocket-money,
+and because there was no one else who wanted the post. She was rather
+plain except when be-rouged and be-pencilled. The company included
+several tailors and tailoresses of talent, and the low comedian was a
+Dutchman who sold herrings. They all had the gift of improvisation more
+developed than memory, and consequently availed themselves of the
+faculty that worked easier. The repertory was written by goodness knew
+whom, and was very extensive. It embraced all the species enumerated by
+Polonius, including comic opera, which was not known to the Danish
+saw-monger. There was nothing the company would not have undertaken to
+play or have come out of with a fair measure of success. Some of the
+plays were on Biblical subjects, but only a minority. There were also
+plays in rhyme, though Yiddish knows not blank verse. Melchitsedek
+accosted his interpretess and made sheep's-eyes at her. But an actress
+who serves in a butcher's shop is doubly accustomed to such, and being
+busy the girl paid no attention to the poet, though the poet was paying
+marked attention to her.
+
+"Kiss me, thou beauteous one, the gems of whose crown are foot-lights,"
+said the poet, when the custom ebbed for a moment.
+
+"If thou comest near me," said the actress whirling the chopper, "I'll
+chop thy ugly little head off."
+
+"Unless thou lendest me thy lips thou shalt not play in my comedy,"
+said Pinchas angrily.
+
+"_My_ trouble!" said the leading lady, shrugging her shoulders.
+
+Pinchas made several reappearances outside the open shop, with his
+insinuative finger on his nose and his insinuative smile on his face,
+but in the end went away with a flea in his ear and hunted up the
+actor-manager, the only person who made any money, to speak of, out of
+the performances. That gentleman had not yet consented to produce the
+play that Pinchas had ready in manuscript and which had been coveted by
+all the great theatres in the world, but which he, Pinchas, had reserved
+for the use of the only actor in Europe. The result of this interview
+was that the actor-manager yielded to Pinchas's solicitations, backed by
+frequent applications of poetic finger to poetic nose.
+
+"But," said the actor-manager, with a sudden recollection, "how about
+the besom?"
+
+"The besom!" repeated Pinchas, nonplussed for once.
+
+"Yes, thou sayest thou hast seen all the plays I have produced. Hast
+thou not noticed that I have a besom in all my plays?"
+
+"Aha! Yes, I remember," said Pinchas.
+
+"An old garden-besom it is," said the actor-manager. "And it is the
+cause of all my luck." He took up a house-broom that stood in the
+corner. "In comedy I sweep the floor with it--so--and the people grin;
+in comic-opera I beat time with it as I sing--so--and the people laugh;
+in farce I beat my mother-in-law with it--so--and the people roar; in
+tragedy I lean upon it--so--and the people thrill; in melodrama I sweep
+away the snow with it--so--and the people burst into tears. Usually I
+have my plays written beforehand and the authors are aware of the besom.
+Dost thou think," he concluded doubtfully, "that thou hast sufficient
+ingenuity to work in the besom now that the play is written?"
+
+Pinchas put his finger to his nose and smiled reassuringly.
+
+"It shall be all besom," he said.
+
+"And when wilt thou read it to me?"
+
+"Will to-morrow this time suit thee?"
+
+"As honey a bear."
+
+"Good, then!" said Pinchas; "I shall not fail."
+
+The door closed upon him. In another moment it reopened a bit and he
+thrust his grinning face through the aperture.
+
+"Ten per cent. of the receipts!" he said with his cajoling digito-nasal
+gesture.
+
+"Certainly," rejoined the actor-manager briskly. "After paying the
+expenses--ten per cent. of the receipts."
+
+"Thou wilt not forget?"
+
+"I shall not forget."
+
+Pinchas strode forth into the street and lit a new cigar in his
+exultation. How lucky the play was not yet written! Now he would be able
+to make it all turn round the axis of the besom. "It shall be all
+besom!" His own phrase rang in his ears like voluptuous marriage bells.
+Yes, it should, indeed, be all besom. With that besom he would sweep all
+his enemies--all the foul conspirators--in one clean sweep, down, down
+to Sheol. He would sweep them along the floor with it--so--and grin; he
+would beat time to their yells of agony--so--and laugh; he would beat
+them over the heads--so--and roar; he would lean upon it in statuesque
+greatness--so--and thrill; he would sweep away their remains with
+it--so--and weep for joy of countermining and quelling the long
+persecution.
+
+All night he wrote the play at railway speed, like a night
+express--puffing out volumes of smoke as he panted along. "I dip my pen
+in their blood," he said from time to time, and threw back his head and
+laughed aloud in the silence of the small hours.
+
+Pinchas had a good deal to do to explain the next day to the
+actor-manager where the fun came in. "Thou dost not grasp all the
+allusions, the back-handed slaps, the hidden poniards; perhaps not," the
+author acknowledged. "But the great heart of the people--it will
+understand."
+
+The actor-manager was unconvinced, but he admitted there was a good deal
+of besom, and in consideration of the poet bating his terms to five per
+cent. of the receipts he agreed to give it a chance. The piece was
+billed widely in several streets under the title of "The Hornet of
+Judah," and the name of Melchitsedek Pinchas appeared in letters of the
+size stipulated by the finger on the nose.
+
+But the leading actress threw up her part at the last moment, disgusted
+by the poet's amorous advances; Pinchas volunteered to play the part
+himself and, although his offer was rejected, he attired himself in
+skirts and streaked his complexion with red and white to replace the
+promoted second actress, and shaved off his beard.
+
+But in spite of this heroic sacrifice, the gods were unpropitious. They
+chaffed the poet in polished Yiddish throughout the first two acts.
+There was only a sprinkling of audience (most of it paper) in the
+dimly-lit hall, for the fame of the great writer had not spread from
+Berlin, Mogadore, Constantinople and the rest of the universe.
+
+No one could make head or tail of the piece with its incessant play of
+occult satire against clergymen with four mistresses, Rabbis who sold
+their daughters, stockbrokers ignorant of Hebrew and destitute of
+English, greengrocers blowing Messianic and their own trumpets,
+labor-leaders embezzling funds, and the like. In vain the actor-manager
+swept the floor with the besom, beat time with the besom, beat his
+mother-in-law with the besom, leaned on the besom, swept bits of white
+paper with the besom. The hall, empty of its usual crowd, was fuller of
+derisive laughter. At last the spectators tired of laughter and the
+rafters re-echoed with hoots. At the end of the second act, Melchitsedek
+Pinchas addressed the audience from the stage, in his ample petticoats,
+his brow streaming with paint and perspiration. He spoke of the great
+English conspiracy and expressed his grief and astonishment at finding
+it had infected the entire Ghetto.
+
+There was no third act. It was the poet's first--and last--appearance on
+any stage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+"FOR AULD LANG SYNE, MY DEAR."
+
+
+The learned say that Passover was a Spring festival even before it was
+associated with the Redemption from Egypt, but there is not much Nature
+to worship in the Ghetto and the historical elements of the Festival
+swamp all the others. Passover still remains the most picturesque of the
+"Three Festivals" with its entire transmogrification of things culinary,
+its thorough taboo of leaven. The audacious archaeologist of the
+thirtieth century may trace back the origin of the festival to the
+Spring Cleaning, the annual revel of the English housewife, for it is
+now that the Ghetto whitewashes itself and scrubs itself and paints
+itself and pranks itself and purifies its pans in a baptism of fire.
+Now, too, the publican gets unto himself a white sheet and suspends it
+at his door and proclaims that he sells _Kosher rum_ by permission of
+the Chief Rabbi. Now the confectioner exchanges his "stuffed monkeys,"
+and his bolas and his jam-puffs, and his cheese-cakes for unleavened
+"palavas," and worsted balls and almond cakes. Time was when the
+Passover dietary was restricted to fruit and meat and vegetables, but
+year by year the circle is expanding, and it should not be beyond the
+reach of ingenuity to make bread itself Passoverian. It is now that the
+pious shopkeeper whose store is tainted with leaven sells his business
+to a friendly Christian, buying it back at the conclusion of the
+festival. Now the Shalotten _Shammos_ is busy from morning to night
+filling up charity-forms, artistically multiplying the poor man's
+children and dividing his rooms. Now is holocaust made of a people's
+bread-crumbs, and now is the national salutation changed to "How do the
+_Motsos_ agree with you?" half of the race growing facetious, and the
+other half finical over the spotted Passover cakes.
+
+It was on the evening preceding the opening of Passover that Esther
+Ansell set forth to purchase a shilling's worth of fish in Petticoat
+Lane, involuntarily storing up in her mind vivid impressions of the
+bustling scene. It is one of the compensations of poverty that it allows
+no time for mourning. Daily duty is the poor man's nepenthe.
+
+Esther and her father were the only two members of the family upon whom
+the death of Benjamin made a deep impression. He had been so long away
+from home that he was the merest shadow to the rest. But Moses bore the
+loss with resignation, his emotions discharging themselves in the daily
+_Kaddish_. Blent with his personal grief was a sorrow for the
+commentaries lost to Hebrew literature by his boy's premature
+transference to Paradise. Esther's grief was more bitter and defiant.
+All the children were delicate, but it was the first time death had
+taken one. The meaningless tragedy of Benjamin's end shook the child's
+soul to its depths. Poor lad! How horrible to be lying cold and ghastly
+beneath the winter snow! What had been the use of all his long prepay
+rations to write great novels? The name of Ansell would now become
+ingloriously extinct. She wondered whether _Our Own_ would collapse and
+secretly felt it must. And then what of the hopes of worldly wealth she
+had built on Benjamin's genius? Alas! the emancipation of the Ansells
+from the yoke of poverty was clearly postponed. To her and her alone
+must the family now look for deliverance. Well, she would take up the
+mantle of the dead boy, and fill it as best she might. She clenched her
+little hands in iron determination. Moses Ansell knew nothing either of
+her doubts or her ambitions. Work was still plentiful three days a week,
+and he was unconscious he was not supporting his family in comparative
+affluence. But even with Esther the incessant grind of school-life and
+quasi-motherhood speedily rubbed away the sharper edges of sorrow,
+though the custom prohibiting obvious pleasures during the year of
+mourning went in no danger of transgression, for poor little Esther
+gadded neither to children's balls nor to theatres. Her thoughts were
+full of the prospects of piscine bargains, as she pushed her way through
+a crowd so closely wedged, and lit up by such a flare of gas from the
+shops and such streamers of flame from the barrows that the cold wind
+of early April lost its sting.
+
+Two opposing currents of heavy-laden pedestrians were endeavoring in
+their progress to occupy the same strip of pavement at the same moment,
+and the laws of space kept them blocked till they yielded to its
+remorseless conditions. Rich and poor elbowed one another, ladies in
+satins and furs were jammed against wretched looking foreign women with
+their heads swathed in dirty handkerchiefs; rough, red-faced English
+betting men struggled good-humoredly with their greasy kindred from over
+the North Sea; and a sprinkling of Christian yokels surveyed the Jewish
+hucksters and chapmen with amused superiority.
+
+For this was the night of nights, when the purchases were made for the
+festival, and great ladies of the West, leaving behind their daughters
+who played the piano and had a subscription at Mudie's, came down again
+to the beloved Lane to throw off the veneer of refinement, and plunge
+gloveless hands in barrels where pickled cucumbers weltered in their own
+"_russell_," and to pick fat juicy olives from the rich-heaped tubs. Ah,
+me! what tragic comedy lay behind the transient happiness of these
+sensuous faces, laughing and munching with the shamelessness of
+school-girls! For to-night they need not hanker in silence after the
+flesh-pots of Egypt. To-night they could laugh and talk over _Olov
+hasholom_ times--"Peace be upon him" times--with their old cronies, and
+loosen the stays of social ambition, even while they dazzled the Ghetto
+with the splendors of their get-up and the halo of the West End whence
+they came. It was a scene without parallel in the history of the
+world--this phantasmagoria of grubs and butterflies, met together for
+auld lang syne in their beloved hatching-place. Such violent contrasts
+of wealth and poverty as might be looked for in romantic gold-fields, or
+in unsettled countries were evolved quite naturally amid a colorless
+civilization by a people with an incurable talent for the picturesque.
+
+"Hullo! Can that be you, Betsy?" some grizzled shabby old man would
+observe in innocent delight to Mrs. Arthur Montmorenci; "Why so it is!
+I never would have believed my eyes! Lord, what a fine woman you've
+grown! And so you're little Betsy who used to bring her father's coffee
+in a brown jug when he and I stood side by side in the Lane! He used to
+sell slippers next to my cutlery stall for eleven years--Dear, dear, how
+time flies to be sure."
+
+Then Betsy Montmorenci's creamy face would grow scarlet under the
+gas-jets, and she would glower and draw her sables around her, and look
+round involuntarily, to see if any of her Kensington friends were within
+earshot.
+
+Another Betsy Montmorenci would feel Bohemian for this occasion only,
+and would receive old acquaintances' greeting effusively, and pass the
+old phrases and by-words with a strange sense of stolen sweets; while
+yet a third Betsy Montmorenci, a finer spirit this, and worthier of the
+name, would cry to a Betsy Jacobs:
+
+"Is that you, Betsy, how _are_ you? How _are_ you? I'm so glad to see
+you. Won't you come and treat me to a cup of chocolate at Bonn's, just
+to show you haven't forgot _Olov hasholom_ times?"
+
+And then, having thus thrown the responsibility of stand-offishness on
+the poorer Betsy, the Montmorenci would launch into recollections of
+those good old "Peace be upon him" times till the grub forgot the
+splendors of the caterpillar in a joyous resurrection of ancient
+scandals. But few of the Montmorencis, whatever their species, left the
+Ghetto without pressing bits of gold into half-reluctant palms in shabby
+back-rooms where old friends or poor relatives mouldered.
+
+Overhead, the stars burned silently, but no one looked up at them.
+Underfoot, lay the thick, black veil of mud, which the Lane never
+lifted, but none looked down on it. It was impossible to think of aught
+but humanity in the bustle and confusion, in the cram and crush, in the
+wedge and the jam, in the squeezing and shouting, in the hubbub and
+medley. Such a jolly, rampant, screaming, fighting, maddening, jostling,
+polyglot, quarrelling, laughing broth of a Vanity Fair! Mendicants,
+vendors, buyers, gossips, showmen, all swelled the roar.
+
+"Here's your cakes! All _yontovdik_ (for the festival)! _Yontovdik_--"
+
+"Braces, best braces, all--"
+
+"_Yontovdik_! Only one shilling--"
+
+"It's the Rav's orders, mum; all legs of mutton must be porged or my
+license--"
+
+"Cowcumbers! Cowcumbers!"
+
+"Now's your chance--"
+
+"The best trousers, gentlemen. Corst me as sure as I stand--"
+
+"On your own head, you old--"
+
+"_Arbah Kanfus_ (four fringes)! _Arbah_--"
+
+"My old man's been under an operation--"
+
+"Hokey Pokey! _Yontovdik_! Hokey--"
+
+"Get out of the way, can't you--"
+
+"By your life and mine, Betsy--"
+
+"Gord blesh you, mishter, a toisand year shall ye live."
+
+"Eat the best _Motsos_. Only fourpence--"
+
+"The bones must go with, marm. I've cut it as lean as possible."
+
+"_Charoises_ (a sweet mixture). _Charoises! Moroire_ (bitter herb)!
+_Chraine_ (horseradish)! _Pesachdik_ (for Passover)."
+
+"Come and have a glass of Old Tom, along o' me, sonny."
+
+"Fine plaice! Here y'are! Hi! where's yer pluck! S'elp me--"
+
+"Bob! _Yontovdik! Yontovdik_! Only a bob!"
+
+"Chuck steak and half a pound of fat."
+
+"A slap in the eye, if you--"
+
+"Gord bless you. Remember me to Jacob."
+
+"_Shaink_ (spare) _meer_ a 'apenny, missis _lieben_, missis _croin_
+(dear)--"
+
+"An unnatural death on you, you--"
+
+"Lord! Sal, how you've altered!"
+
+"Ladies, here you are--"
+
+"I give you my word, sir, the fish will be home before you."
+
+"Painted in the best style, for a tanner--"
+
+"A spoonge, mister?"
+
+"I'll cut a slice of this melon for you for--"
+
+"She's dead, poor thing, peace be upon him."
+
+"_Yontovdik_! Three bob for one purse containing--"
+
+"The real live tattooed Hindian, born in the African Harchipellygo. Walk
+up."
+
+"This way for the dwarf that will speak, dance, and sing."
+
+"Tree lemons a penny. Tree lemons--"
+
+"A _Shtibbur_ (penny) for a poor blind man--"
+
+"_Yontovdik! Yontovdik! Yontovdik! Yontovdik!_"
+
+And in this last roar, common to so many of the mongers, the whole Babel
+would often blend for a moment and be swallowed up, re-emerging anon in
+its broken multiplicity.
+
+Everybody Esther knew was in the crowd--she met them all sooner or
+later. In Wentworth Street, amid dead cabbage-leaves, and mud, and
+refuse, and orts, and offal, stood the woe-begone Meckisch, offering his
+puny sponges, and wooing the charitable with grinning grimaces tempered
+by epileptic fits at judicious intervals. A few inches off, his wife in
+costly sealskin jacket, purchased salmon with a Maida Vale manner.
+Compressed in a corner was Shosshi Shmendrik, his coat-tails yellow with
+the yolks of dissolving eggs from a bag in his pocket. He asked her
+frantically, if she had seen a boy whom he had hired to carry home his
+codfish and his fowls, and explained that his missus was busy in the
+shop, and had delegated to him the domestic duties. It is probable, that
+if Mrs. Shmendrik, formerly the widow Finkelstein, ever received these
+dainties, she found her good man had purchased fish artificially
+inflated with air, and fowls fattened with brown paper. Hearty Sam
+Abrahams, the bass chorister, whose genial countenance spread sunshine
+for yards around, stopped Esther and gave her a penny. Further, she met
+her teacher, Miss Miriam Hyams, and curtseyed to her, for Esther was not
+of those who jeeringly called "teacher" and "master" according to sex
+after her superiors, till the victims longed for Elisha's influence over
+bears. Later on, she was shocked to see her teacher's brother piloting
+bonny Bessie Sugarman through the thick of the ferment. Crushed between
+two barrows, she found Mrs. Belcovitch and Fanny, who were shopping
+together, attended by Pesach Weingott, all carrying piles of purchases.
+
+"Esther, if you should see my Becky in the crowd, tell her where I am,"
+said Mrs. Belcovitch. "She is with one of her chosen young men. I am so
+feeble, I can hardly crawl around, and my Becky ought to carry home the
+cabbages. She has well-matched legs, not one a thick one and one a thin
+one."'
+
+Around the fishmongers the press was great. The fish-trade was almost
+monopolized by English Jews--blonde, healthy-looking fellows, with
+brawny, bare arms, who were approached with dread by all but the bravest
+foreign Jewesses. Their scale of prices and politeness varied with the
+status of the buyer. Esther, who had an observant eye and ear for such
+things, often found amusement standing unobtrusively by. To-night there
+was the usual comedy awaiting her enjoyment. A well-dressed dame came up
+to "Uncle Abe's" stall, where half a dozen lots of fishy miscellanaea
+were spread out.
+
+"Good evening, madam. Cold night but fine. That lot? Well, you're an old
+customer and fish are cheap to-day, so I can let you have 'em for a
+sovereign. Eighteen? Well, it's hard, but--boy! take the lady's fish.
+Thank you. Good evening."
+
+"How much that?" says a neatly dressed woman, pointing to a precisely
+similar lot.
+
+"Can't take less than nine bob. Fish are dear to-day. You won't get
+anything cheaper in the Lane, by G---- you won't. Five shillings! By my
+life and by my children's life, they cost me more than that. So sure as
+I stand here and--well, come, gie's seven and six and they're yours. You
+can't afford more? Well, 'old up your apron, old gal. I'll make it up
+out of the rich. By your life and mine, you've got a _Metsiah_ (bargain)
+there!"
+
+Here old Mrs. Shmendrik, Shosshi's mother, came up, a rich Paisley shawl
+over her head in lieu of a bonnet. Lane women who went out without
+bonnets were on the same plane as Lane men who went out without collars.
+
+One of the terrors of the English fishmongers was that they required the
+customer to speak English, thus fulfilling an important educative
+function in the community. They allowed a certain percentage of
+jargon-words, for they themselves took licenses in this direction, but
+they professed not to understand pure Yiddish.
+
+"Abraham, 'ow mosh for dees lot," said old Mrs. Shmendrik, turning over
+a third similar heap and feeling the fish all over.
+
+"Paws off!" said Abraham roughly. "Look here! I know the tricks of you
+Polakinties. I'll name you the lowest price and won't stand a farthing's
+bating. I'll lose by you, but you ain't, going to worry me. Eight bob!
+There!"
+
+"Avroomkely (dear little Abraham) take lebbenpence!"
+
+"Elevenpence! By G----," cried Uncle Abe, desperately tearing his hair.
+"I knew it!" And seizing a huge plaice by the tail he whirled it round
+and struck Mrs. Shmendrik full in the face, shouting, "Take that, you
+old witch! Sling your hook or I'll murder you."
+
+"Thou dog!" shrieked Mrs. Shmendrik, falling back on the more copious
+resources of her native idiom. "A black year on thee! Mayest thou swell
+and die! May the hand that struck me rot away! Mayest thou be burned
+alive! Thy father was a _Gonof_ and thou art a _Gonof_ and thy whole
+family are _Gonovim_. May Pharaoh's ten plagues--"
+
+There was little malice at the back of it all--the mere imaginative
+exuberance of a race whose early poetry consisted in saying things twice
+over.
+
+Uncle Abraham menacingly caught up the plaice, crying:
+
+"May I be struck dead on the spot, if you ain't gone in one second I
+won't answer for the consequences. Now, then, clear off!"
+
+"Come, Avroomkely," said Mrs. Shmendrik, dropping suddenly from
+invective to insinuativeness. "Take fourteenpence. _Shemah, beni_!
+Fourteen _Shtibbur's_ a lot of _Gelt."_
+
+"Are you a-going?" cried Abraham in a terrible rage. "Ten bob's my price
+now."
+
+"Avroomkely, _noo, zoog_ (say now)! Fourteenpence 'apenny. I am a poor
+voman. Here, fifteenpence."
+
+Abraham seized her by the shoulders and pushed her towards the wall,
+where she cursed picturesquely. Esther thought it was a bad time to
+attempt to get her own shilling's worth--she fought her way towards
+another fishmonger.
+
+There was a kindly, weather-beaten old fellow with whom Esther had often
+chaffered job-lots when fortune smiled on the Ansells. Him, to her joy,
+Esther perceived--she saw a stack of gurnards on his improvised slab,
+and in imagination smelt herself frying them. Then a great shock as of a
+sudden icy douche traversed her frame, her heart seemed to stand still.
+For when she put her hand to her pocket to get her purse, she found but
+a thimble and a slate-pencil and a cotton handkerchief. It was some
+minutes before she could or would realize the truth that the four and
+sevenpence halfpenny on which so much depended was gone. Groceries and
+unleavened cakes Charity had given, raisin wine had been preparing for
+days, but fish and meat and all the minor accessories of a well-ordered
+Passover table--these were the prey of the pickpocket. A blank sense of
+desolation overcame the child, infinitely more horrible than that which
+she felt when she spilled the soup; the gurnards she could have touched
+with her finger seemed far off, inaccessible; in a moment more they and
+all things were blotted out by a hot rush of tears, and she was jostled
+as in a dream hither and thither by the double stream of crowd. Nothing
+since the death of Benjamin had given her so poignant a sense of the
+hollowness and uncertainty of existence. What would her father say,
+whose triumphant conviction that Providence had provided for his
+Passover was to be so rudely dispelled at the eleventh hour. Poor Moses!
+He had been so proud of having earned enough money to make a good
+_Yontov_, and was more convinced than ever that given a little capital
+to start with he could build up a colossal business! And now she would
+have to go home and spoil everybody's _Yontov_, and see the sour faces
+of her little ones round a barren _Seder_ table. Oh, it was terrible!
+and the child wept piteously, unheeded in the block, unheard amid the
+Babel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE DEAD MONKEY.
+
+
+An old _Maaseh_ the grandmother had told her came back to her fevered
+brain. In a town in Russia lived an old Jew who earned scarce enough to
+eat, and half of what he did earn was stolen from him in bribes to the
+officials to let him be. Persecuted and spat upon, he yet trusted in his
+God and praised His name. And it came on towards Passover and the winter
+was severe and the Jew was nigh starving and his wife had made no
+preparations for the Festival. And in the bitterness of her soul she
+derided her husband's faith and made mock of him, but he said, "Have
+patience, my wife! Our _Seder_ board shall be spread as in the days of
+yore and as in former years." But the Festival drew nearer and nearer
+and there was nothing in the house. And the wife taunted her husband yet
+further, saying, "Dost thou think that Elijah the prophet will call upon
+thee or that the Messiah will come?" But he answered: "Elijah the
+prophet walketh the earth, never having died; who knows but that he will
+cast an eye my way?" Whereat his wife laughed outright. And the days
+wore on to within a few hours of Passover and the larder was still empty
+of provender and the old Jew still full of faith. Now it befell that the
+Governor of the City, a hard and cruel man, sat counting out piles of
+gold into packets for the payment of the salaries of the officials and
+at his side sat his pet monkey, and as he heaped up the pieces, so his
+monkey imitated him, making little packets of its own to the amusement
+of the Governor. And when the Governor could not pick up a piece easily,
+he moistened his forefinger, putting it to his mouth, whereupon the
+monkey followed suit each time; only deeming its master was devouring
+the gold, it swallowed a coin every time he put his finger to his lips.
+So that of a sudden it was taken ill and died. And one of his men said,
+"Lo, the creature is dead. What shall we do with it?" And the Governor
+was sorely vexed in spirit, because he could not make his accounts
+straight and he answered gruffly, "Trouble me not! Throw it into the
+house of the old Jew down the street." So the man took the carcass and
+threw it with thunderous violence into the passage of the Jew's house
+and ran off as hard as he could. And the good wife came bustling out in
+alarm and saw a carcass hanging over an iron bucket that stood in the
+passage. And she knew that it was the act of a Christian and she took up
+the carrion to bury it when Lo! a rain of gold-pieces came from the
+stomach ripped up by the sharp rim of the vessel. And she called to her
+husband. "Hasten! See what Elijah the prophet hath sent us." And she
+scurried into the market-place and bought wine and unleavened bread, and
+bitter herbs and all things necessary for the _Seder_ table, and a
+little fish therewith which might be hastily cooked before the Festival
+came in, and the old couple were happy and gave the monkey honorable
+burial and sang blithely of the deliverance at the Red Sea and filled
+Elijah's goblet to the brim till the wine ran over upon the white cloth.
+
+Esther gave a scornful little sniff as the thought of this happy
+dénouement flashed upon her. No miracle like that would happen to her or
+hers, nobody was likely to leave a dead monkey on the stairs of the
+garret--hardly even the "stuffed monkey" of contemporary confectionery.
+And then her queer little brain forgot its grief in sudden speculations
+as to what she would think if her four and sevenpence halfpenny came
+back. She had never yet doubted the existence of the Unseen Power; only
+its workings seemed so incomprehensibly indifferent to human joys and
+sorrows. Would she believe that her father was right in holding that a
+special Providence watched over him? The spirit of her brother Solomon
+came upon her and she felt that she would. Speculation had checked her
+sobs; she dried her tears in stony scepticism and, looking up, saw
+Malka's gipsy-like face bending over her, breathing peppermint.
+
+"What weepest thou, Esther?" she said not unkindly. "I did not know thou
+wast a gusher with the eyes."
+
+"I've lost my purse," sobbed Esther, softened afresh by the sight of a
+friendly face.
+
+"Ah, thou _Schlemihl_! Thou art like thy father. How much was in it?"
+
+"Four and sevenpence halfpenny!" sobbed Esther.
+
+"Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu!" ejaculated Malka in horror. "Thou art the ruin of
+thy father." Then turning to the fishmonger with whom she had just
+completed a purchase, she counted out thirty-five shillings into his
+hand. "Here, Esther," she said, "thou shalt carry my fish and I will
+give thee a shilling."
+
+A small slimy boy who stood expectant by scowled at Esther as she
+painfully lifted the heavy basket and followed in the wake of her
+relative whose heart was swelling with self-approbation.
+
+Fortunately Zachariah Square was near and Esther soon received her
+shilling with a proportionate sense of Providence. The fish was
+deposited at Milly's house, which was brightly illuminated and seemed to
+poor Esther a magnificent palace of light and luxury. Malka's own house,
+diagonally across the Square, was dark and gloomy. The two families
+being at peace, Milly's house was the headquarters of the clan and the
+clothes-brush. Everybody was home for _Yomtov_. Malka's husband,
+Michael, and Milly's husband, Ephraim, were sitting at the table smoking
+big cigars and playing Loo with Sam Levine and David Brandon, who had
+been seduced into making a fourth. The two young husbands had but that
+day returned from the country, for you cannot get unleavened bread at
+commercial hotels, and David in spite of a stormy crossing had arrived
+from Germany an hour earlier than he had expected, and not knowing what
+to do with himself had been surveying the humors of the Festival Fair
+till Sam met him and dragged him round to Zachariah Square. It was too
+late to call that night on Hannah to be introduced to her parents,
+especially as he had wired he would come the next day. There was no
+chance of Hannah being at the club, it was too busy a night for all
+angels of the hearth; even to-morrow, the even of the Festival, would be
+an awkward time for a young man to thrust his love-affairs upon a
+household given over to the more important matters of dietary
+preparation. Still David could not consent to live another whole day
+without seeing the light of his eyes.
+
+Leah, inwardly projecting an orgie of comic operas and dances, was
+assisting Milly in the kitchen. Both young women were covered with flour
+and oil and grease, and their coarse handsome faces were flushed, for
+they had been busy all day drawing fowls, stewing prunes and pippins,
+gutting fish, melting fat, changing the crockery and doing the thousand
+and one things necessitated by gratitude for the discomfiture of Pharaoh
+at the Red Sea; Ezekiel slumbered upstairs in his crib.
+
+"Mother," said Michael, pulling pensively at his whisker as he looked at
+his card. "This is Mr. Brandon, a friend of Sam's. Don't get up,
+Brandon, we don't make ceremonies here. Turn up yours--ah, the nine of
+trumps."
+
+"Lucky men!" said Malka with festival flippancy. "While I must hurry off
+my supper so as to buy the fish, and Milly and Leah must sweat in the
+kitchen, you can squat yourselves down and play cards."
+
+"Yes," laughed Sam, looking up and adding in Hebrew, "Blessed art thou,
+O Lord, who hath not made me a woman."
+
+"Now, now," said David, putting his hand jocosely across the young man's
+mouth. "No more Hebrew. Remember what happened last time. Perhaps
+there's some mysterious significance even in that, and you'll find
+yourself let in for something before you know where you are."
+
+"You're not going to prevent me talking the language of my Fathers,"
+gurgled Sam, bursting into a merry operatic whistle when the pressure
+was removed.
+
+"Milly! Leah!" cried Malka. "Come and look at my fish! Such a _Metsiah_!
+See, they're alive yet."
+
+"They _are_ beauties, mother," said Leah, entering with her sleeves half
+tucked up, showing the finely-moulded white arms in curious
+juxtaposition with the coarse red hands.
+
+"O, mother, they're alive!" said Milly, peering over her younger
+sister's shoulder.
+
+Both knew by bitter experience that their mother considered herself a
+connoisseur in the purchase of fish.
+
+"And how much do you think I gave for them?" went on Malka triumphantly.
+
+"Two pounds ten," said Milly.
+
+Malka's eyes twinkled and she shook her head.
+
+"Two pounds fifteen," said Leah, with the air of hitting it now.
+
+Still Malka shook her head.
+
+"Here, Michael, what do you think I gave for all this lot?"
+
+"Diamonds!" said Michael.
+
+"Be not a fool, Michael," said Malka sternly. "Look here a minute."
+
+"Eh? Oh!" said Michael looking up from his cards. "Don't bother, mother.
+My game!"
+
+"Michael!" thundered Malka. "Will you look at this fish? How much do you
+think I gave for this splendid lot? here, look at 'em, alive yet."
+
+"H'm--Ha!" said Michael, taking his complex corkscrew combination out of
+his pocket and putting it back again. "Three guineas?"
+
+"Three guineas!" laughed Malka, in good-humored scorn. "Lucky I don't
+let _you_ do my marketing."
+
+"Yes, he'd be a nice fishy customer!" said Sam Levine with a guffaw.
+
+"Ephraim, what think you I got this fish for? Cheap now, you know?"
+
+"I don't know, mother," replied the twinkling-eyed Pole obediently.
+"Three pounds, perhaps, if you got it cheap."
+
+Samuel and David duly appealed to, reduced the amount to two pounds five
+and two pounds respectively. Then, having got everybody's attention
+fixed upon her, she exclaimed:
+
+"Thirty shillings!"
+
+She could not resist nibbling off the five shillings. Everybody drew a
+long breath.
+
+"Tu! Tu!" they ejaculated in chorus. "What a _Metsiah_!"
+
+"Sam," said Ephraim immediately afterwards, "_You_ turned up the ace."
+
+Milly and Leah went back into the kitchen.
+
+It was rather too quick a relapse into the common things of life and
+made Malka suspect the admiration was but superficial.
+
+She turned, with a spice of ill-humor, and saw Esther still standing
+timidly behind her. Her face flushed for she knew the child had
+overheard her in a lie.
+
+"What art thou waiting about for?" she said roughly in Yiddish. "Na!
+there's a peppermint."
+
+"I thought you might want me for something else," said Esther, blushing
+but accepting the peppermint for Ikey. "And I--I--"
+
+"Well, speak up! I won't bite thee." Malka continued to talk in Yiddish
+though the child answered her in English. "I--I--nothing," said Esther,
+turning away.
+
+"Here, turn thy face round, child," said Malka, putting her hand on the
+girl's forcibly averted head. "Be not so sullen, thy mother was like
+that, she'd want to bite my head off if I hinted thy father was not the
+man for her, and then she'd _schmull_ and sulk for a week after. Thank
+God, we have no one like that in this house. I couldn't live for a day
+with people with such nasty tempers. Her temper worried her into the
+grave, though, if thy father had not brought his mother over from Poland
+my poor cousin might have carried home my fish to-night instead of thee.
+Poor Gittel, peace be upon him! Come tell me what ails thee, or thy dead
+mother will be cross with thee."
+
+Esther turned her head and murmured: "I thought you might lend me the
+three and sevenpence halfpenny!"
+
+"Lend thee--?" exclaimed Malka. "Why, how canst thou ever repay it?"
+
+"Oh yes," affirmed Esther earnestly. "I have lots of money in the bank."
+
+"Eh! what? In the bank!" gasped Malka.
+
+"Yes. I won five pounds in the school and I'll pay you out of that."
+
+"Thy father never told me that!" said Malka. "He kept that dark. Ah, he
+is a regular _Schnorrer_!"
+
+"My father hasn't seen you since," retorted Esther hotly. "If you had
+come round when he was sitting _shiva_ for Benjamin, peace be upon him,
+you would have known."
+
+Malka got as red as fire. Moses had sent Solomon round to inform the
+_Mishpocha_ of his affliction, but at a period when the most casual
+acquaintance thinks it his duty to call (armed with hard boiled eggs, a
+pound of sugar, or an ounce of tea) on the mourners condemned to sit on
+the floor for a week, no representative of the "family" had made an
+appearance. Moses took it meekly enough, but his mother insisted that
+such a slight from Zachariah Square would never have been received if he
+had married another woman, and Esther for once agreed with her
+grandmother's sentiments if not with her Hibernian expression of them.
+
+But that the child should now dare to twit the head of the family with
+bad behavior was intolerable to Malka, the more so as she had no
+defence.
+
+"Thou impudent of face!" she cried sharply. "Dost thou forget whom thou
+talkest to?"
+
+"No," retorted Esther. "You are my father's cousin--that is why you
+ought to have come to see him."
+
+"I am not thy father's cousin, God forbid!" cried Malka. "I was thy
+mother's cousin, God have mercy on her, and I wonder not you drove her
+into the grave between the lot of you. I am no relative of any of you,
+thank God, and from this day forwards I wash my hands of the lot of you,
+you ungrateful pack! Let thy father send you into the streets, with
+matches, not another thing will I do for thee."
+
+"Ungrateful!" said Esther hotly. "Why, what have you ever done for us?
+When my poor mother was alive you made her scrub your floors and clean
+your windows, as if she was an Irishwoman."
+
+"Impudent of face!" cried Malka, almost choking with rage. "What have I
+done for you? Why--why--I--I--shameless hussy! And this is what
+Judaism's coming to in England! This is the manners and religion they
+teach thee at thy school, eh? What have I--? Impudent of face! At this
+very moment thou holdest one of my shillings in thy hand."
+
+"Take it!" said Esther. And threw the coin passionately to the floor,
+where it rolled about pleasantly for a terrible minute of human
+silence. The smoke-wreathed card-players looked up at last.
+
+"Eh? Eh? What's this, my little girl." said Michael genially. "What
+makes you so naughty?"
+
+A hysterical fit of sobbing was the only reply. In the bitterness of
+that moment Esther hated the whole world.
+
+"Don't cry like that! Don't!" said David Brandon kindly.
+
+Esther, her little shoulders heaving convulsively, put her hand on the
+latch.
+
+"What's the matter with the girl, mother?" said Michael.
+
+"She's _meshugga_!" said Malka. "Raving mad!" Her face was white and she
+spoke as if in self-defence. "She's such a _Schlemihl_ that she lost her
+purse in the Lane, and I found her gushing with the eyes, and I let her
+carry home my fish and gave her a shilling and a peppermint, and thou
+seest how she turns on me, thou seest."
+
+"Poor little thing!" said David impulsively. "Here, come here, my
+child."'
+
+Esther refused to budge.
+
+"Come here," he repeated gently. "See, I will make up the loss to you.
+Take the pool. I've just won it, so I shan't miss it."
+
+Esther sobbed louder, but she did not move.
+
+David rose, emptied the heap of silver into his palm, walked over to
+Esther, and pushed it into her pocket. Michael got up and added half a
+crown to it, and the other two men followed suit. Then David opened the
+door, put her outside gently and said: "There! Run away, my little dear,
+and be more careful of pickpockets."
+
+All this while Malka had stood frozen to the stony dignity of a dingy
+terra-cotta statue. But ere the door could close again on the child, she
+darted forward and seized her by the collar of her frock.
+
+"Give me that money," she cried.
+
+Half hypnotized by the irate swarthy face, Esther made no resistance
+while Malka rifled her pocket less dexterously than the first operator.
+
+Malka counted it out.
+
+"Seventeen and sixpence," she announced in terrible tones. "How darest
+thou take all this money from strangers, and perfect strangers? Do my
+children think to shame me before my own relative?" And throwing the
+money violently into the plate she took out a gold coin and pressed it
+into the bewildered child's hand.
+
+"There!" she shouted. "Hold that tight! It is a sovereign. And if ever I
+catch thee taking money from any one in this house but thy mother's own
+cousin, I'll wash my hands of thee for ever. Go now! Go on! I can't
+afford any more, so it's useless waiting. Good-night, and tell thy
+father I wish him a happy _Yontov_, and I hope he'll lose no more
+children."
+
+She hustled the child into the Square and banged the door upon her, and
+Esther went about her mammoth marketing half-dazed, with an undercurrent
+of happiness, vaguely apologetic towards her father and his Providence.
+
+Malka stooped down, picked up the clothes-brush from under the
+side-table, and strode silently and diagonally across the Square.
+
+There was a moment's dread silence. The thunderbolt had fallen. The
+festival felicity of two households trembled in the balance. Michael
+muttered impatiently and went out on his wife's track.
+
+"He's an awful fool," said Ephraim. "I should make her pay for her
+tantrums."
+
+The card party broke up in confusion. David Brandon took his leave and
+strolled about aimlessly under the stars, his soul blissful with the
+sense of a good deed that had only superficially miscarried. His feet
+took him to Hannah's house. All the windows were lit up. His heart began
+to ache at the thought that his bright, radiant girl was beyond that
+doorstep he had never crossed.
+
+He pictured the love-light in her eyes; for surely she was dreaming of
+him, as he of her. He took out his watch--the time was twenty to nine.
+After all, would it be so outrageous to call? He went away twice. The
+third time, defying the _convenances_, he knocked at the door, his heart
+beating almost as loudly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE SHADOW OF RELIGION.
+
+
+The little servant girl who opened the door for him looked relieved by
+the sight of him, for it might have been the Rebbitzin returning from
+the Lane with heaps of supplies and an accumulation of ill-humor. She
+showed him into the study, and in a few moments Hannah hurried in with a
+big apron and a general flavor of the kitchen.
+
+"How dare you come to-night?" she began, but the sentence died on her
+lips.
+
+"How hot your face is," he said, dinting the flesh fondly with his
+finger, "I see my little girl is glad to have me back."
+
+"It's not that. It's the fire. I'm frying fish for _Yomtov_," she said,
+with a happy laugh.
+
+"And yet you say you're not a good Jewess," he laughed back.
+
+"You had no right to come and catch me like this," she pouted. "All
+greasy and dishevelled. I'm not made up to receive visitors."
+
+"Call me a visitor?" he grumbled. "Judging by your appearance, I should
+say you were always made up. Why, you're perfectly radiant."
+
+Then the talk became less intelligible. The first symptom of returning
+rationality was her inquiry--
+
+"What sort of a journey did you have back?"
+
+"The sea was rough, but I'm a good sailor."
+
+"And the poor fellow's father and mother?"
+
+"I wrote you about them."
+
+"So you did; but only just a line."
+
+"Oh, don't let us talk about the subject just now, dear, it's too
+painful. Come, let me kiss that little woe-begone look out of your eyes.
+There! Now, another--that was only for the right eye, this is for the
+left. But where's your mother?"
+
+"Oh, you innocent!" she replied. "As if you hadn't watched her go out
+of the house!"
+
+"'Pon my honor, not," he said smiling. "Why should I now? Am I not the
+accepted son-in-law of the house, you silly timid little thing? What a
+happy thought it was of yours to let the cat out of the bag. Come, let
+me give you another kiss for it--Oh, I really must. You deserve it, and
+whatever it costs me you shall be rewarded. There! Now, then! Where's
+the old man? I have to receive his blessing, I know, and I want to get
+it over."
+
+"It's worth having, I can tell you, so speak more respectfully," said
+Hannah, more than half in earnest.
+
+"_You_ are the best blessing he can give me--and that's worth--well, I
+wouldn't venture to price it."
+
+"It's not your line, eh?"
+
+"I don't know, I have done a good deal in gems; but where _is_ the
+Rabbi?"
+
+"Up in the bedrooms, gathering the _Chomutz_. You know he won't trust
+anybody else. He creeps under all the beds, hunting with a candle for
+stray crumbs, and looks in all the wardrobes and the pockets of all my
+dresses. Luckily, I don't keep your letters there. I hope he won't set
+something alight--he did once. And one year--Oh, it was so funny!--after
+he had ransacked every hole and corner of the house, imagine his horror,
+in the middle of Passover to find a crumb of bread audaciously
+planted--where do you suppose? In his Passover prayer-book!! But,
+oh!"--with a little scream--"you naughty boy! I quite forgot." She took
+him by the shoulders, and peered along his coat. "Have you brought any
+crumbs with you? This room's _pesachdik_ already."
+
+He looked dubious.
+
+She pushed him towards the door. "Go out and give yourself a good
+shaking on the door-step, or else we shall have to clean out the room
+all over again."
+
+"Don't!" he protested. "I might shake out that."
+
+"What?"
+
+"The ring."
+
+She uttered a little pleased sigh.
+
+"Oh, have you brought that?"
+
+"Yes, I got it while I was away. You know I believe the reason you sent
+me trooping to the continent in such haste, was you wanted to ensure
+your engagement ring being 'made in Germany.' It's had a stormy passage
+to England, has that ring, I suppose the advantage of buying rings in
+Germany is that you're certain not to get Paris diamonds in them, they
+are so intensely patriotic, the Germans. That was your idea, wasn't it,
+Hannah?"
+
+"Oh, show it me! Don't talk so much," she said, smiling.
+
+"No," he said, teasingly. "No more accidents for me! I'll wait to make
+sure--till your father and mother have taken me to their arms.
+Rabbinical law is so full of pitfalls--I might touch your finger this or
+that way, and then we should be married. And then, if your parents said
+'no,' after all--"
+
+"We should have to make the best of a bad job," she finished up
+laughingly.
+
+"All very well," he went on in his fun, "but it would be a pretty kettle
+of fish."
+
+"Heavens!" she cried, "so it will be. They will be charred to ashes."
+And turning tail, she fled to the kitchen, pursued by her lover. There,
+dead to the surprise of the servant, David Brandon fed his eyes on the
+fair incarnation of Jewish domesticity, type of the vestal virgins of
+Israel, Ministresses at the hearth. It was a very homely kitchen; the
+dressers glistening with speckless utensils, and the deep red glow of
+the coal over which the pieces of fish sputtered and crackled in their
+bath of oil, filling the room with a sense of deep peace and cosy
+comfort. David's imagination transferred the kitchen to his future home,
+and he was almost dazzled by the thought of actually inhabiting such a
+fairyland alone with Hannah. He had knocked about a great deal, not
+always innocently, but deep down at his heart was the instinct of
+well-ordered life. His past seemed joyless folly and chill emptiness. He
+felt his eyes growing humid as he looked at the frank-souled girl who
+had given herself to him. He was not humble, but for a moment he found
+himself wondering how he deserved the trust, and there was reverence in
+the touch with which he caressed her hair. In another moment the frying
+was complete, and the contents of the pan neatly added to the dish. Then
+the voice of Reb Shemuel crying for Hannah came down the kitchen stairs,
+and the lovers returned to the upper world. The Reb had a tiny harvest
+of crumbs in a brown paper, and wanted Hannah to stow it away safely
+till the morning, when, to make assurance doubly sure, a final
+expedition in search of leaven would be undertaken. Hannah received the
+packet and in return presented her betrothed.
+
+Reb Shemuel had not of course expected him till the next morning, but he
+welcomed him as heartily as Hannah could desire.
+
+"The Most High bless you!" he said in his charming foreign accents. "May
+you make my Hannah as good a husband as she will make you a wife."
+
+"Trust me, Reb Shemuel," said David, grasping his great hand warmly.
+
+"Hannah says you're a sinner in Israel," said the Reb, smiling
+playfully, though there was a touch of anxiety in the tones. "But I
+suppose you will keep a _kosher_ house."
+
+"Make your mind easy, sir," said David heartily. "We must, if it's only
+to have the pleasure of your dining with us sometimes."
+
+The old man patted him gently on the shoulder.
+
+"Ah, you will soon become a good Jew," he said. "My Hannah will teach
+you, God bless her." Reb Shemuel's voice was a bit husky. He bent down
+and kissed Hannah's forehead. "I was a bit _link_ myself before I
+married my Simcha" he added encouragingly.
+
+"No, no, not you," said David, smiling in response to the twinkle in the
+Reb's eye. "I warrant _you_ never skipped a _Mitzvah_ even as a
+bachelor."
+
+"Oh yes, I did," replied the Reb, letting the twinkle develop to a broad
+smile, "for when I was a bachelor I hadn't fulfilled the precept to
+marry, don't you see?"
+
+"Is marriage a _Mitzvah_, then?" inquired David, amused.
+
+"Certainly. In our holy religion everything a man ought to do is a
+_Mitzvah_, even if it is pleasant."
+
+"Oh, then, even I must have laid up some good deeds," laughed David,
+"for I have always enjoyed myself. Really, it isn't such a bad religion
+after all."
+
+"Bad religion!" echoed Reb Shemuel genially. "Wait till you've tried it.
+You've never had a proper training, that's clear. Are your parents
+alive?"
+
+"No, they both died when I was a child," said David, becoming serious.
+
+"I thought so!" said Reb Shemuel. "Fortunately my Hannah's didn't." He
+smiled at the humor of the phrase and Hannah took his hand and pressed
+it tenderly. "Ah, it will be all right," said the Reb with a
+characteristic burst of optimism. "God is good. You have a sound Jewish
+heart at bottom, David, my son. Hannah, get the _Yomtovdik_ wine. We
+will drink, a glass for _Mazzoltov_, and I hope your mother will be back
+in time to join in."
+
+Hannah ran into the kitchen feeling happier than she had ever been in
+her life. She wept a little and laughed a little, and loitered a little
+to recover her composure and allow the two men to get to know each other
+a little.
+
+"How is your Hannah's late husband?" inquired the Reb with almost a
+wink, for everything combined to make him jolly as a sandboy. "I
+understand he is a friend of yours."
+
+"We used to be schoolboys together, that is all. Though strangely enough
+I just spent an hour with him. He is very well," answered David smiling.
+"He is about to marry again."
+
+"His first love of course," said the Reb.
+
+"Yes, people always come back to that," said David laughing.
+
+"That's right, that's right," said the Reb. "I am glad there was no
+unpleasantness."
+
+"Unpleasantness. No, how could there be? Leah knew it was only a joke.
+All's well that ends well, and we may perhaps all get married on the
+same day and risk another mix-up. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
+
+"Is it your wish to marry soon, then?"
+
+"Yes; there are too many long engagements among our people. They often
+go off."
+
+"Then I suppose you have the means?"
+
+"Oh yes, I can show you my--"
+
+The old man waved his hand.
+
+"I don't want to see anything. My girl must be supported decently--that
+is all I ask. What do you do for a living?"
+
+"I have made a little money at the Cape and now I think of going into
+business."
+
+"What business?"
+
+"I haven't settled."
+
+"You won't open on _Shabbos_?" said the Reb anxiously.
+
+David hesitated a second. In some business, Saturday is the best day.
+Still he felt that he was not quite radical enough to break the Sabbath
+deliberately, and since he had contemplated settling down, his religion
+had become rather more real to him. Besides he must sacrifice something
+for Hannah's sake.
+
+"Have no fear, sir," he said cheerfully.
+
+Reb Shemuel gripped his hand in grateful silence.
+
+"You mustn't think me quite a lost soul," pursued David after a moment
+of emotion. "You don't remember me, but I had lots of blessings and
+halfpence from you when I was a lad. I dare say I valued the latter more
+in those days." He smiled to hide his emotion.
+
+Reb Shemuel was beaming. "Did you, really?" he inquired. "I don't
+remember you. But then I have blessed so many little children. Of course
+you'll come to the _Seder_ to-morrow evening and taste some of Hannah's
+cookery. You're one of the family now, you know."
+
+"I shall be delighted to have the privilege of having _Seder_ with you,"
+replied David, his heart going out more and more to the fatherly old
+man.
+
+"What _Shool_ will you be going to for Passover? I can get you a seat in
+mine if you haven't arranged."
+
+"Thank you, but I promised Mr. Birnbaum to come to the little synagogue
+of which he is President. It seems they have a scarcity of _Cohenim_,
+and they want me to bless the congregation, I suppose."
+
+"What!" cried Reb Shemuel excitedly. "Are you a _Cohen_?"
+
+"Of course I am. Why, they got me to bless them in the Transvaal last
+_Yom Kippur_. So you see I'm anything but a sinner in Israel." He
+laughed--but his laugh ended abruptly. Reb Shemuel's face had grown
+white. His hands were trembling.
+
+"What is the matter? You are ill," cried David.
+
+The old man shook his head. Then he struck his brow with his fist.
+"_Ach, Gott_!" he cried. "Why did I not think of finding out before? But
+thank God I know it in time."
+
+"Finding out what?" said David, fearing the old man's reason was giving
+way.
+
+"My daughter cannot marry you," said Reb Shemuel in hushed, quavering
+tones.
+
+"Eh? What?" said David blankly.
+
+"It is impossible."
+
+"What are you talking about. Reb Shemuel?"
+
+"You are a _Cohen_. Hannah cannot marry a _Cohen_."
+
+"Not marry a _Cohen_? Why, I thought they were Israel's aristocracy."
+
+"That is why. A _Cohen_ cannot marry a divorced woman."
+
+The fit of trembling passed from the old Reb to the young man. His heart
+pulsed as with the stroke of a mighty piston. Without comprehending,
+Hannah's prior misadventure gave him a horrible foreboding of critical
+complications.
+
+"Do you mean to say I can't marry Hannah?" he asked almost in a whisper.
+
+"Such is the law. A woman who has had _Gett_ may not marry a _Cohen_."
+
+"But you surely wouldn't call Hannah a divorced woman?" he cried
+hoarsely.
+
+"How shall I not? I gave her the divorce myself."
+
+"Great God!" exclaimed David. "Then Sam has ruined our lives." He stood
+a moment in dazed horror, striving to grasp the terrible tangle. Then he
+burst forth. "This is some of your cursed Rabbinical laws, it is not
+Judaism, it is not true Judaism. God never made any such law."
+
+"Hush!" said Reb Shemuel sternly. "It is the holy Torah. It is not even
+the Rabbis, of whom you speak like an Epicurean. It is in Leviticus,
+chapter 21, verse 7: '_Neither shall they take a woman put away from her
+husband; for he is holy unto his God. Thou shalt sanctify him,
+therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God; he shall be holy unto
+thee, for I the Lord which sanctify you am holy._'"
+
+For an instant David was overwhelmed by the quotation, for the Bible was
+still a sacred book to him. Then he cried indignantly:
+
+"But God never meant it to apply to a case like this!"
+
+"We must obey God's law," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Then it is the devil's law!" shouted David, losing all control of
+himself.
+
+The Reb's face grew dark as night. There was a moment of dread silence.
+
+"Here you are, father," said Hannah, returning with the wine and some
+glasses which she had carefully dusted. Then she paused and gave a
+little cry, nearly losing her hold of the tray.
+
+"What's the matter? What has happened?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Take away the wine--we shall drink nobody's health to-night," cried
+David brutally.
+
+"My God!" said Hannah, all the hue of happiness dying out of her cheeks.
+She threw down the tray on the table and ran to her father's arms.
+
+"What is it! Oh, what is it, father?" she cried. "You haven't had a
+quarrel?"
+
+The old man was silent. The girl looked appealingly from one to the
+other.
+
+"No, it's worse than that," said David in cold, harsh tones. "You
+remember your marriage in fun to Sam?"
+
+"Yes. Merciful heavens! I guess it! There was something not valid in the
+_Gett_ after all."
+
+Her anguish at the thought of losing him was so apparent that he
+softened a little.
+
+"No, not that," he said more gently. "But this blessed religion of ours
+reckons you a divorced woman, and so you can't marry me because I'm a
+_Cohen_."
+
+"Can't marry you because you're a _Cohen_!" repeated Hannah, dazed in
+her turn.
+
+"We must obey the Torah," said Reb Shemuel again, in low, solemn tones.
+"It is your friend Levine who has erred, not the Torah."
+
+"The Torah cannot visit a mere bit of fun so cruelly," protested David.
+"And on the innocent, too."
+
+"Sacred things should not be jested with," said the old man in stern
+tones that yet quavered with sympathy and pity. "On his head is the sin;
+on his head is the responsibility."
+
+"Father," cried Hannah in piercing tones, "can nothing be done?"
+
+The old man shook his head sadly. The poor, pretty face was pallid with
+a pain too deep for tears. The shock was too sudden, too terrible. She
+sank helplessly into a chair.
+
+"Something must be done, something shall be done," thundered David. "I
+will appeal to the Chief Rabbi."
+
+"And what can he do? Can he go behind the Torah?" said Reb Shemuel
+pitifully.
+
+"I won't ask him to. But if he has a grain of common sense he will see
+that our case is an exception, and cannot come under the Law."
+
+"The Law knows no exceptions," said Reb Shemuel gently, quoting in
+Hebrew, "'The Law of God is perfect, enlightening the eyes.' Be patient,
+my dear children, in your affliction. It is the will of God. The Lord
+giveth and the Lord taketh away--bless ye the name of the Lord."
+
+"Not I!" said David harshly. "But look to Hannah. She has fainted."
+
+"No, I am all right," said Hannah wearily, opening the eyes she had
+closed. "Do not make so certain, father. Look at your books again.
+Perhaps they do make an exception in such a case."
+
+The Reb shook his head hopelessly.
+
+"Do not expect that," he said. "Believe me, my Hannah, if there were a
+gleam of hope I would not hide it from you. Be a good girl, dear, and
+bear your trouble like a true Jewish maiden. Have faith in God, my
+child. He doeth all things for the best. Come now--rouse yourself. Tell
+David you will always be a friend, and that your father will love him as
+though he were indeed his son." He moved towards her and touched her
+tenderly. He felt a violent spasm traversing her bosom.
+
+"I can't, father," she cried in a choking voice. "I can't. Don't ask
+me."
+
+David leaned against the manuscript-littered table in stony silence. The
+stern granite faces of the old continental Rabbis seemed to frown down
+on him from the walls and he returned the frown with interest. His heart
+was full of bitterness, contempt, revolt. What a pack of knavish bigots
+they must all have been! Reb Shemuel bent down and took his daughter's
+head in his trembling palms. The eyes were closed again, the chest
+heaved painfully with silent sobs.
+
+"Do you love him so much, Hannah?" whispered the old man.
+
+Her sobs answered, growing loud at last.
+
+"But you love your religion more, my child?" he murmured anxiously.
+"That will bring you peace."
+
+Her sobs gave him no assurance. Presently the contagion of sobbing took
+him too.
+
+"O God! God!" he moaned. "What sin have I committed; that thou shouldst
+punish my child thus?"
+
+"Don't blame God!" burst forth David at last. "It's your own foolish
+bigotry. Is it not enough your daughter doesn't ask to marry a
+Christian? Be thankful, old man, for that and put away all this
+antiquated superstition. We're living in the nineteenth century."
+
+"And what if we are!" said Reb Shemuel, blazing up in turn. "The Torah
+is eternal. Thank God for your youth, and your health and strength, and
+do not blaspheme Him because you cannot have all the desire of your
+heart or the inclination of your eyes."
+
+"The desire of my heart," retorted David. "Do you imagine I am only
+thinking of my own suffering? Look at your daughter--think of what you
+are doing to her and beware before it is too late."
+
+"Is it in my hand to do or to forbear?" asked the old man, "It is the
+Torah. Am I responsible for that?"
+
+"Yes," said David, out of mere revolt. Then, seeking to justify himself,
+his face lit up with sudden inspiration. "Who need ever know? The
+_Maggid_ is dead. Old Hyams has gone to America. So Hannah has told me.
+It's a thousand to one Leah's people never heard of the Law of
+Leviticus. If they had, it's another thousand to one against their
+putting two and two together. It requires a Talmudist like you to even
+dream of reckoning Hannah as an ordinary divorced woman. If they did,
+it's a third thousand to one against their telling anybody. There is no
+need for you to perform the ceremony yourself. Let her be married by
+some other minister--by the Chief Rabbi himself, and to make assurance
+doubly sure I'll not mention that I'm a _Cohen_" The words poured forth
+like a torrent, overwhelming the Reb for a moment. Hannah leaped up with
+a hysterical cry of joy.
+
+"Yes, yes, father. It will be all right, after all. Nobody knows. Oh,
+thank God! thank God!"
+
+There was a moment of tense silence. Then the old man's voice rose
+slowly and painfully.
+
+"Thank God!" he repeated. "Do you dare mention the Name even when you
+propose to profane it? Do you ask me, your father, Reb Shemuel, to
+consent to such a profanation of the Name?"
+
+"And why not?" said David angrily. "Whom else has a daughter the right
+to ask mercy from, if not her father?"
+
+"God have mercy on me!" groaned the old Reb, covering his face with his
+hands.
+
+"Come, come!" said David impatiently. "Be sensible. It's nothing
+unworthy of you at all. Hannah was never really married, so cannot be
+really divorced. We only ask you to obey the spirit of the Torah instead
+of the letter."
+
+The old man shook his head, unwavering. His cheeks were white and wet,
+but his expression was stern and solemn.
+
+"Just think!" went on David passionately. "What am I better than another
+Jew--than yourself for instance--that I shouldn't marry a divorced
+woman?"
+
+"It is the Law. You are a _Cohen_--a priest."
+
+"A priest, Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed David bitterly. "A priest--in the
+nineteenth century! When the Temple has been destroyed these two
+thousand years."
+
+"It will be rebuilt, please God," said Reb Shemuel. "We must be ready
+for it."
+
+"Oh yes, I'll be ready--Ha! Ha! Ha! A priest! Holy unto the Lord--I a
+priest! Ha! Ha! Ha! Do you know what my holiness consists in? In eating
+_tripha_ meat, and going to _Shool_ a few times a year! And I, _I_ am
+too holy to marry _your_ daughter. Oh, it is rich!" He ended in
+uncontrollable mirth, slapping his knee in ghastly enjoyment.
+
+His laughter rang terrible. Reb Shemuel trembled from head to foot.
+Hannah's cheek was drawn and white. She seemed overwrought beyond
+endurance. There followed a silence only less terrible than David's
+laughter.
+
+"A _Cohen_," burst forth David again. "A holy _Cohen_ up to date. Do you
+know what the boys say about us priests when we're blessing you common
+people? They say that if you look on us once during that sacred
+function, you'll get blind, and if you look on us a second time you'll
+die. A nice reverent joke that, eh! Ha! Ha! Ha! You're blind already,
+Reb Shemuel. Beware you don't look at me again or I'll commence to bless
+you. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
+
+Again the terrible silence.
+
+"Ah well," David resumed, his bitterness welling forth in irony. "And so
+the first sacrifice the priest is called upon to make is that of your
+daughter. But I won't, Reb Shemuel, mark my words; I won't, not till she
+offers her own throat to the knife. If she and I are parted, on you and
+you alone the guilt must rest. _You_ will have to perform the
+sacrifice."
+
+"What God wishes me to do I will do," said the old man in a broken
+voice. "What is it to that which our ancestors suffered for the glory of
+the Name?"
+
+"Yes, but it seems you suffer by proxy," retorted David, savagely.
+
+"My God! Do you think I would not die to make Hannah happy?" faltered
+the old man. "But God has laid the burden on her--and I can only help
+her to bear it. And now, sir, I must beg you to go. You do but distress
+my child."
+
+"What say you, Hannah? Do you wish me to go?"
+
+"Yes--What is the use--now?" breathed Hannah through white quivering
+lips.
+
+"My child!" said the old man pitifully, while he strained her to his
+breast.
+
+"All right!" said David in strange harsh tones, scarcely recognizable as
+his. "I see you are your father's daughter."
+
+He took his hat and turned his back upon the tragic embrace.
+
+"David!" She called his name in an agonized hoarse voice. She held her
+arms towards him. He did not turn round.
+
+"David!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "You will not leave me?"
+
+He faced her exultant.
+
+"Ah, you will come with me. You will be my wife."
+
+"No--no--not now, not now. I cannot answer you now. Let me
+think--good-bye, dearest, good-bye." She burst out weeping. David took
+her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Then he went out hurriedly.
+
+Hannah wept on--her father holding her hand in piteous silence.
+
+"Oh, it is cruel, your religion," she sobbed. "Cruel, cruel!"
+
+"Hannah! Shemuel! Where are you?" suddenly came the excited voice of
+Simcha from the passage. "Come and look at the lovely fowls I've
+bought--and such _Metsiahs_. They're worth double. Oh, what a beautiful
+_Yomtov_ we shall have!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+SEDER NIGHT.
+
+
+    "Prosaic miles of street stretch all around,
+    Astir with restless, hurried life, and spanned
+    By arches that with thund'rous trains resound,
+    And throbbing wires that galvanize the land;
+    Gin palaces in tawdry splendor stand;
+    The newsboys shriek of mangled bodies found;
+    The last burlesque is playing in the Strand--
+    In modern prose, all poetry seems drowned.
+    Yet in ten thousand homes this April night
+    An ancient people celebrates its birth
+    To Freedom, with a reverential mirth,
+    With customs quaint and many a hoary rite,
+    Waiting until, its tarnished glories bright,
+    Its God shall be the God of all the Earth."
+
+To an imaginative child like Esther, _Seder_ night was a charmed time.
+The strange symbolic dishes--the bitter herbs and the sweet mixture of
+apples, almonds, spices and wine, the roasted bone and the lamb, the
+salt water and the four cups of raisin wine, the great round unleavened
+cakes, with their mottled surfaces, some specially thick and sacred, the
+special Hebrew melodies and verses with their jingle of rhymes and
+assonances, the quaint ceremonial with its striking moments, as when the
+finger was dipped in the wine and the drops sprinkled over the shoulder
+in repudiation of the ten plagues of Egypt cabalistically magnified to
+two hundred and fifty; all this penetrated deep into her consciousness
+and made the recurrence of every Passover coincide with a rush of
+pleasant anticipations and a sense of the special privilege of being
+born a happy Jewish child. Vaguely, indeed, did she co-ordinate the
+celebration with the history enshrined in it or with the prospective
+history of her race. It was like a tale out of the fairy-books, this
+miraculous deliverance of her forefathers in the dim haze of antiquity;
+true enough but not more definitely realized on that account. And yet
+not easily dissoluble links were being forged with her race, which has
+anticipated Positivism in vitalizing history by making it religion.
+
+The _Matzoth_ that Esther ate were not dainty--they were coarse, of the
+quality called "seconds," for even the unleavened bread of charity is
+not necessarily delicate eating--but few things melted sweeter on the
+palate than a segment of a _Matso_ dipped in cheap raisin wine: the
+unconventionally of the food made life less common, more picturesque.
+Simple Ghetto children into whose existence the ceaseless round of fast
+and feast, of prohibited and enjoyed pleasures, of varying species of
+food, brought change and relief! Imprisoned in the area of a few narrow
+streets, unlovely and sombre, muddy and ill-smelling, immured in dreary
+houses and surrounded with mean and depressing sights and sounds, the
+spirit of childhood took radiance and color from its own inner light and
+the alchemy of youth could still transmute its lead to gold. No little
+princess in the courts of fairyland could feel a fresher interest and
+pleasure in life than Esther sitting at the _Seder_ table, where her
+father--no longer a slave in Egypt--leaned royally upon two chairs
+supplied with pillows as the _Din_ prescribes. Not even the monarch's
+prime minister could have had a meaner opinion of Pharaoh than Moses
+Ansell in this symbolically sybaritic attitude. A live dog is better
+than a dead lion, as a great teacher in Israel had said. How much better
+then a live lion than a dead dog? Pharaoh, for all his purple and fine
+linen and his treasure cities, was at the bottom of the Red Sea, smitten
+with two hundred and fifty plagues, and even if, as tradition asserted,
+he had been made to live on and on to be King of Nineveh, and to give
+ear to the warnings of Jonah, prophet and whale-explorer, even so he was
+but dust and ashes for other sinners to cover themselves withal; but he,
+Moses Ansell, was the honored master of his household, enjoying a
+foretaste of the lollings of the righteous in Paradise; nay, more,
+dispensing hospitality to the poor and the hungry. Little fleas have
+lesser fleas, and Moses Ansell had never fallen so low but that, on this
+night of nights when the slave sits with the master on equal terms, he
+could manage to entertain a Passover guest, usually some newly-arrived
+Greener, or some nondescript waif and stray returned to Judaism for the
+occasion and accepting a seat at the board in that spirit of
+_camaraderie_ which is one of the most delightful features of the Jewish
+pauper. _Seder_ was a ceremonial to be taken in none too solemn and
+sober a spirit, and there was an abundance of unreproved giggling
+throughout from the little ones, especially in those happy days when
+mother was alive and tried to steal the _Afikuman_ or _Matso_ specially
+laid aside for the final morsel, only to be surrendered to father when
+he promised to grant her whatever she wished. Alas! it is to be feared
+Mrs. Ansell's wishes did not soar high. There was more giggling when the
+youngest talking son--it was poor Benjamin in Esther's earliest
+recollections--opened the ball by inquiring in a peculiarly pitched
+incantation and with an air of blank ignorance why this night differed
+from all other nights--in view of the various astonishing peculiarities
+of food and behavior (enumerated in detail) visible to his vision. To
+which Moses and the _Bube_ and the rest of the company (including the
+questioner) invariably replied in corresponding sing-song: "Slaves have
+we been in Egypt," proceeding to recount at great length, stopping for
+refreshment in the middle, the never-cloying tale of the great
+deliverance, with irrelevant digressions concerning Haman and Daniel and
+the wise men of Bona Berak, the whole of this most ancient of the
+world's extant domestic rituals terminating with an allegorical ballad
+like the "house that Jack built," concerning a kid that was eaten by a
+cat, which was bitten by a dog, which was beaten by a stick, which was
+burned by a fire, which was quenched by some water, which was drunk by
+an ox, which was slaughtered by a slaughterer, who was slain by the
+Angel of Death, who was slain by the Holy One, blessed be He.
+
+In wealthy houses this _Hagadah_ was read from manuscripts with rich
+illuminations--the one development of pictorial art among the Jews--but
+the Ansells had wretchedly-printed little books containing quaint but
+unintentionally comic wood-cuts, pre-Raphaelite in perspective and
+ludicrous in draughtsmanship, depicting the Miracles of the Redemption,
+Moses burying the Egyptian, and sundry other passages of the text. In
+one a king was praying in the Temple to an exploding bomb intended to
+represent the Shechinah or divine glory. In another, Sarah attired in a
+matronly cap and a fashionable jacket and skirt, was standing behind the
+door of the tent, a solid detached villa on the brink of a lake, whereon
+ships and gondolas floated, what time Abraham welcomed the three
+celestial messengers, unobtrusively disguised with heavy pinions. What
+delight as the quaking of each of the four cups of wine loomed in sight,
+what disappointment and mutual bantering when the cup had merely to be
+raised in the hand, what chaff of the greedy Solomon who was careful not
+to throw away a drop during the digital manoeuvres when the wine must be
+jerked from the cup at the mention of each plague. And what a solemn
+moment was that when the tallest goblet was filled to the brim for the
+delectation of the prophet Elijah and the door thrown open for his
+entry. Could one almost hear the rustling of the prophet's spirit
+through the room? And what though the level of the wine subsided not a
+barley-corn? Elijah, though there was no difficulty in his being in all
+parts of the world simultaneously, could hardly compass the greater
+miracle of emptying so many million goblets. Historians have traced this
+custom of opening the door to the necessity of asking the world to look
+in and see for itself that no blood of Christian child figured in the
+ceremonial--and for once science has illumined naďve superstition with a
+tragic glow more poetic still. For the London Ghetto persecution had
+dwindled to an occasional bellowing through the keyhole, as the local
+rowdies heard the unaccustomed melodies trolled forth from jocund lungs
+and then the singers would stop for a moment, startled, and some one
+would say: "Oh, it's only a Christian rough," and take up the thread of
+song.
+
+And then, when the _Ajikuman_ had been eaten and the last cup of wine
+drunk, and it was time to go to bed, what a sweet sense of sanctity and
+security still reigned. No need to say your prayers to-night, beseeching
+the guardian of Israel, who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, to watch
+over you and chase away the evil spirits; the angels are with
+you--Gabriel on your right and Raphael on your left, and Michael behind
+you. All about the Ghetto the light of the Passover rested,
+transfiguring the dreary rooms and illumining the gray lives.
+
+Dutch Debby sat beside Mrs. Simons at the table of that good soul's
+married daughter; the same who had suckled little Sarah. Esther's
+frequent eulogiums had secured the poor lonely narrow-chested seamstress
+this enormous concession and privilege. Bobby squatted on the mat in the
+passage ready to challenge Elijah. At this table there were two pieces
+of fried fish sent to Mrs. Simons by Esther Ansell. They represented the
+greatest revenge of Esther's life, and she felt remorseful towards
+Malka, remembering to whose gold she owed this proud moment. She made up
+her mind to write her a letter of apology in her best hand.
+
+At the Belcovitches' the ceremonial was long, for the master of it
+insisted on translating the Hebrew into jargon, phrase by phrase; but no
+one found it tedious, especially after supper. Pesach was there, hand in
+hand with Fanny, their wedding very near now; and Becky lolled royally
+in all her glory, aggressive of ringlet, insolently unattached, a
+conscious beacon of bedazzlement to the pauper _Pollack_ we last met at
+Reb Shemuel's Sabbath table, and there, too, was Chayah, she of the
+ill-matched legs. Be sure that Malka had returned the clothes-brush, and
+was throned in complacent majesty at Milly's table; and that Sugarman
+the _Shadchan_ forgave his monocular consort her lack of a fourth uncle;
+while Joseph Strelitski, dreamer of dreams, rich with commissions from
+"Passover" cigars, brooded on the Great Exodus. Nor could the Shalotten
+_Shammos_ be other than beaming, ordering the complex ceremonial with
+none to contradict; nor Karlkammer be otherwise than in the seven
+hundred and seventy-seventh heaven, which, calculated by _Gematriyah_,
+can easily be reduced to the seventh.
+
+Shosshi Shmendrik did not fail to explain the deliverance to the
+ex-widow Finkelstein, nor Guedalyah, the greengrocer, omit to hold his
+annual revel at the head of half a hundred merry "pauper-aliens."
+Christian roughs bawled derisively in the street, especially when doors
+were opened for Elijah; but hard words break no bones, and the Ghetto
+was uplifted above insult.
+
+Melchitsedek Pinchas was the Passover guest at Reb Shemuel's table, for
+the reek of his Sabbath cigar had not penetrated to the old man's
+nostrils. It was a great night for Pinchas; wrought up to fervid
+nationalistic aspirations by the memory of the Egyptian deliverance,
+which he yet regarded as mythical in its details. It was a terrible
+night for Hannah, sitting opposite to him under the fire of his poetic
+regard. She was pale and rigid, moving and speaking mechanically. Her
+father glanced towards her every now and again, compassionately, but
+with trust that the worst was over. Her mother realized the crisis much
+less keenly than he, not having been in the heart of the storm. She had
+never even seen her intended son-in-law except through the lens of a
+camera. She was sorry--that was all. Now that Hannah had broken the ice,
+and encouraged one young man, there was hope for the others.
+
+Hannah's state of mind was divined by neither parent. Love itself is
+blind in those tragic silences which divide souls.
+
+All night, after that agonizing scene, she did not sleep; the feverish
+activity of her mind rendered that impossible, and unerring instinct
+told her that David was awake also--that they two, amid the silence of a
+sleeping city, wrestled in the darkness with the same terrible problem,
+and were never so much at one as in this their separation. A letter came
+for her in the morning. It was unstamped, and had evidently been dropped
+into the letter-box by David's hand. It appointed an interview at ten
+o'clock at a corner of the Ruins; of course, he could not come to the
+house. Hannah was out: with a little basket to make some purchases.
+There was a cheery hum of life about the Ghetto; a pleasant festival
+bustle; the air resounded with the raucous clucking of innumerable fowls
+on their way to the feather-littered, blood-stained shambles, where
+professional cut-throats wielded sacred knives; boys armed with little
+braziers of glowing coal ran about the Ruins, offering halfpenny pyres
+for the immolation of the last crumbs of leaven. Nobody paid the
+slightest attention to the two tragic figures whose lives turned on the
+brief moments of conversation snatched in the thick of the hurrying
+crowd.
+
+David's clouded face lightened a little as he saw Hannah advancing
+towards him.
+
+"I knew you would come," he said, taking her hand for a moment. His palm
+burned, hers was cold and limp. The stress of a great tempest of emotion
+had driven the blood from her face and limbs, but inwardly she was on
+fire. As they looked each read revolt in the other's eyes.
+
+"Let us walk on," he said.
+
+They moved slowly forwards. The ground was slippery and muddy under
+foot. The sky was gray. But the gayety of the crowds neutralized the
+dull squalor of the scene.
+
+"Well?" he said, in a low tone.
+
+"I thought you had something to propose," she murmured.
+
+"Let me carry your basket."
+
+"No, no; go on. What have you determined?"
+
+"Not to give you up, Hannah, while I live."
+
+"Ah!" she said quietly. "I have thought it all over, too, and I shall
+not leave you. But our marriage by Jewish law is impossible; we could
+not marry at any synagogue without my father's knowledge; and he would
+at once inform the authorities of the bar to our union."
+
+"I know, dear. But let us go to America, where no one will know. There
+we shall find plenty of Rabbis to marry us. There is nothing to tie me
+to this country. I can start my business in America just as well as
+here. Your parents, too, will think more kindly of you when you are
+across the seas. Forgiveness is easier at a distance. What do you say,
+dear?"
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"Why should we be married in a synagogue?" she asked.
+
+"Why?" repeated he, puzzled.
+
+"Yes, why?"
+
+"Because we are Jews."
+
+"You would use Jewish forms to outwit Jewish laws?" she asked quietly.
+
+"No, no. Why should you put it that way? I don't doubt the Bible is all
+right in making the laws it does. After the first heat of my anger was
+over, I saw the whole thing in its proper bearings. Those laws about
+priests were only intended for the days when we had a Temple, and in any
+case they cannot apply to a merely farcical divorce like yours. It is
+these old fools,--I beg your pardon,--it is these fanatical Rabbis who
+insist on giving them a rigidity God never meant them to have, just as
+they still make a fuss about _kosher_ meat. In America they are less
+strict; besides, they will not know I am a _Cohen_."
+
+"No. David," said Hannah firmly. "There must be no more deceit. What
+need have we to seek the sanction of any Rabbi? If Jewish law cannot
+marry us without our hiding something, then I will have nothing to do
+with Jewish law. You know my opinions: I haven't gone so deeply into
+religious questions as you have--"
+
+"Don't be sarcastic," he interrupted.
+
+"I have always been sick to death of this eternal ceremony, this endless
+coil of laws winding round us and cramping our lives at every turn; and
+now it has become too oppressive to be borne any longer. Why should we
+let it ruin our lives? And why, if we determine to break from it, shall
+we pretend to keep to it? What do you care for Judaism? You eat
+_triphas_, you smoke on _Shabbos_ when you want to--"
+
+"Yes, I know, perhaps I'm wrong. But everybody does it now-a-days. When
+I was a boy nobody dared be seen riding in a 'bus on _Shabbos_--now you
+meet lots. But all that is only old-fashioned Judaism. There must be a
+God, else we shouldn't be here, and it's impossible to believe that
+Jesus was He. A man must have some religion, and there isn't anything
+better. But that's neither here nor there. If you don't care for my
+plan," he concluded anxiously, "what's yours?"
+
+"Let us be married honestly by a Registrar."
+
+"Any way you like, dear," he said readily, "so long as we are
+married--and quickly."
+
+"As quickly as you like."
+
+He seized her disengaged hand and pressed it passionately. "That's my
+own darling Hannah. Oh, if you could realize what I felt last night when
+you seemed to be drifting away from me."
+
+There was an interval of silence, each thinking excitedly. Then David
+said:
+
+"But have you the courage to do this and remain in London?"
+
+"I have courage for anything. But, as you say, it might be better to
+travel. It will be less of a break if we break away altogether--change
+everything at once. It sounds contradictory, but you understand what I
+mean."
+
+"Perfectly. It is difficult to live a new life with all the old things
+round you. Besides, why should we give our friends the chance to
+cold-shoulder us? They will find all sorts of malicious reasons why we
+were not married in a _Shool_, and if they hit on the true one they may
+even regard our marriage as illegal. Let us go to America, as I
+proposed."
+
+"Very well. Do we go direct from London?"
+
+"No, from Liverpool."
+
+"Then we can be married at Liverpool before sailing?"
+
+"A good idea. But when do we start?"
+
+"At once. To-night. The sooner the better."
+
+He looked at her quickly. "Do you mean it?" he said. His heart beat
+violently as if it would burst. Waves of dazzling color swam before his
+eyes.
+
+"I mean it," she said gravely and quietly. "Do you think I could face my
+father and mother, knowing I was about to wound them to the heart? Each
+day of delay would be torture to me. Oh, why is religion such a curse?"
+She paused, overwhelmed for a moment by the emotion she had been
+suppressing. She resumed in the same quiet manner. "Yes, we must break
+away at once. We have kept our last Passover. We shall have to eat
+leavened food--it will be a decisive break. Take me to Liverpool, David,
+this very day. You are my chosen husband; I trust in you."
+
+She looked at him frankly with her dark eyes that stood out in lustrous
+relief against the pale skin. He gazed into those eyes, and a flash as
+from the inner heaven of purity pierced his soul.
+
+"Thank you, dearest," he said in a voice with tears in it.
+
+They walked on silently. Speech was as superfluous as it was
+inadequate. When they spoke again their voices were calm. The peace that
+comes of resolute decision was theirs at last, and each was full of the
+joy of daring greatly for the sake of their mutual love. Petty as their
+departure from convention might seem to the stranger, to them it loomed
+as a violent breach with all the traditions of the Ghetto and their past
+lives; they were venturing forth into untrodden paths, holding each
+other's hand.
+
+Jostling the loquacious crowd, in the unsavory by-ways of the Ghetto, in
+the gray chillness of a cloudy morning, Hannah seemed to herself to walk
+in enchanted gardens, breathing the scent of love's own roses mingled
+with the keen salt air that blew in from the sea of liberty. A fresh,
+new blessed life was opening before her. The clogging vapors of the past
+were rolling away at last. The unreasoning instinctive rebellion, bred
+of ennui and brooding dissatisfaction with the conditions of her
+existence and the people about her, had by a curious series of accidents
+been hastened to its acutest development; thought had at last fermented
+into active resolution, and the anticipation of action flooded her soul
+with peace and joy, in which all recollection of outside humanity was
+submerged.
+
+"What time can you be ready by?" he said before they parted.
+
+"Any time," she answered. "I can take nothing with me. I dare not pack
+anything. I suppose I can get necessaries in Liverpool. I have merely my
+hat and cloak to put on."
+
+"But that will be enough," he said ardently. "I want but you."
+
+"I know it, dear," she answered gently. "If you were as other Jewish
+young men I could not give up all else for you."
+
+"You shall never regret it, Hannah," he said, moved to his depths, as
+the full extent of her sacrifice for love dawned upon him. He was a
+vagabond on the face of the earth, but she was tearing herself away from
+deep roots in the soil of home, as well as from the conventions of her
+circle and her sex. Once again he trembled with a sense of unworthiness,
+a sudden anxious doubt if he were noble enough to repay her trust.
+Mastering his emotion, he went on: "I reckon my packing and arrangements
+for leaving the country will take me all day at least. I must see my
+bankers if nobody else. I shan't take leave of anybody, that would
+arouse suspicion. I will be at the corner of your street with a cab at
+nine, and we'll catch the ten o'clock express from Euston. If we missed
+that, we should have to wait till midnight. It will be dark; no one is
+likely to notice me. I will get a dressing-case for you and anything
+else I can think of and add it to my luggage."
+
+"Very well," she said simply.
+
+They did not kiss; she gave him her hand, and, with a sudden
+inspiration, he slipped the ring he had brought the day before on her
+finger. The tears came into her eyes as she saw what he had done. They
+looked at each other through a mist, feeling bound beyond human
+intervention.
+
+"Good-bye," she faltered.
+
+"Good-bye," he said. "At nine."
+
+"At nine," she breathed. And hurried off without looking behind.
+
+It was a hard day, the minutes crawling reluctantly into the hours, the
+hours dragging themselves wearily on towards the night. It was typical
+April weather--squalls and sunshine in capricious succession. When it
+drew towards dusk she put on her best clothes for the Festival, stuffing
+a few precious mementoes into her pockets and wearing her father's
+portrait next to her lover's at her breast. She hung a travelling cloak
+and a hat on a peg near the hall-door ready to hand as she left the
+house. Of little use was she in the kitchen that day, but her mother was
+tender to her as knowing her sorrow. Time after time Hannah ascended to
+her bedroom to take a last look at the things she had grown so tired
+of--the little iron bed, the wardrobe, the framed lithographs, the jug
+and basin with their floral designs. All things seemed strangely dear
+now she was seeing them for the last time. Hannah turned over
+everything--even the little curling iron, and the cardboard box full of
+tags and rags of ribbon and chiffon and lace and crushed artificial
+flowers, and the fans with broken sticks and the stays with broken
+ribs, and the petticoats with dingy frills and the twelve-button ball
+gloves with dirty fingers, and the soiled pink wraps. Some of her books,
+especially her school-prizes, she would have liked to take with her--but
+that could not be. She went over the rest of the house, too, from top to
+bottom. It weakened her but she could not conquer the impulse of
+farewell, finally she wrote a letter to her parents and hid it under her
+looking-glass, knowing they would search her room for traces of her. She
+looked curiously at herself as she did so; the color had not returned to
+her cheeks. She knew she was pretty and always strove to look nice for
+the mere pleasure of the thing. All her instincts were aesthetic. Now
+she had the air of a saint wrought up to spiritual exaltation. She was
+almost frightened by the vision. She had seen her face frowning,
+weeping, overcast with gloom, never with an expression so fateful. It
+seemed as if her resolution was writ large upon every feature for all to
+read.
+
+In the evening she accompanied her father to _Shool_. She did not often
+go in the evening, and the thought of going only suddenly occurred to
+her. Heaven alone knew if she would ever enter a synagogue again--the
+visit would be part of her systematic farewell. Reb Shemuel took it as a
+symptom of resignation to the will of God, and he laid his hand lightly
+on her head in silent blessing, his eyes uplifted gratefully to Heaven.
+Too late Hannah felt the misconception and was remorseful. For the
+festival occasion Reb Shemuel elected to worship at the Great Synagogue;
+Hannah, seated among the sparse occupants of the Ladies' Gallery and
+mechanically fingering a _Machzor_, looked down for the last time on the
+crowded auditorium where the men sat in high hats and holiday garments.
+Tall wax-candles twinkled everywhere, in great gilt chandeliers
+depending from the ceiling, in sconces stuck about the window ledges, in
+candelabra branching from the walls. There was an air of holy joy about
+the solemn old structure with its massive pillars, its small
+side-windows, high ornate roof, and skylights, and its gilt-lettered
+tablets to the memory of pious donors.
+
+The congregation gave the responses with joyous unction. Some of the
+worshippers tempered their devotion by petty gossip and the beadle
+marshalled the men in low hats within the iron railings, sonorously
+sounding his automatic amens. But to-night Hannah had no eye for the
+humors that were wont to awaken her scornful amusement--a real emotion
+possessed her, the same emotion of farewell which she had experienced in
+her own bedroom. Her eyes wandered towards the Ark, surmounted by the
+stone tablets of the Decalogue, and the sad dark orbs filled with the
+brooding light of childish reminiscence. Once when she was a little girl
+her father told her that on Passover night an angel sometimes came out
+of the doors of the Ark from among the scrolls of the Law. For years she
+looked out for that angel, keeping her eyes patiently fixed on the
+curtain. At last she gave him up, concluding her vision was
+insufficiently purified or that he was exhibiting at other synagogues.
+To-night her childish fancy recurred to her--she found herself
+involuntarily looking towards the Ark and half-expectant of the angel.
+
+She had not thought of the _Seder_ service she would have to partially
+sit through, when she made her appointment with David in the morning,
+but when during the day it occurred to her, a cynical smile traversed
+her lips. How apposite it was! To-night would mark _her_ exodus from
+slavery. Like her ancestors leaving Egypt, she, too, would partake of a
+meal in haste, staff in hand ready for the journey. With what stout
+heart would she set forth, she, too, towards the promised land! Thus had
+she thought some hours since, but her mood was changed now. The nearer
+the _Seder_ approached, the more she shrank from the family ceremonial.
+A panic terror almost seized her now, in the synagogue, when the picture
+of the domestic interior flashed again before her mental vision--she
+felt like flying into the street, on towards her lover without ever
+looking behind. Oh, why could David not have fixed the hour earlier, so
+as to spare her an ordeal so trying to the nerves? The black-stoled
+choir was singing sweetly, Hannah banished her foolish flutter of alarm
+by joining in quietly, for congregational singing was regarded rather as
+an intrusion on the privileges of the choir and calculated to put them
+out in their elaborate four-part fugues unaided by an organ.
+
+"With everlasting love hast Thou loved the house of Israel, Thy people,"
+she sang: "a Law and commandments, statutes and judgments hast thou
+taught us. Therefore, O Lord our God, when we lie down and when we rise
+up we will meditate on Thy statutes: yea, we will rejoice in the words
+of Thy Law and in Thy commandments for ever, for they are our life and
+the length of our days, and will meditate on them day and night. And
+mayest Thou never take away Thy love from us. Blessed art Thou. O Lord,
+who lovest Thy people Israel."
+
+Hannah scanned the English version of the Hebrew in her _Machzor_ as she
+sang. Though she could translate every word, the meaning of what she
+sang was never completely conceived by her consciousness. The power of
+song over the soul depends but little on the words. Now the words seem
+fateful, pregnant with special message. Her eyes were misty when the
+fugues were over. Again she looked towards the Ark with its beautifully
+embroidered curtain, behind which were the precious scrolls with their
+silken swathes and their golden bells and shields and pomegranates. Ah,
+if the angel would come out now! If only the dazzling vision gleamed for
+a moment on the white steps. Oh, why did he not come and save her?
+
+Save her? From what? She asked herself the question fiercely, in
+defiance of the still, small voice. What wrong had she ever done that
+she so young and gentle should be forced to make so cruel a choice
+between the old and the new? This was the synagogue she should have been
+married in; stepping gloriously and honorably under the canopy, amid the
+pleasant excitement of a congratulatory company. And now she was being
+driven to exile and the chillness of secret nuptials. No, no; she did
+not want to be saved in the sense of being kept in the fold: it was the
+creed that was culpable, not she.
+
+The service drew to an end. The choir sang the final hymn, the _Chasan_
+giving the last verse at great length and with many musical flourishes.
+
+"The dead will God quicken in the abundance of His loving kindness.
+Blessed for evermore be His glorious name."
+
+There was a clattering of reading-flaps and seat-lids and the
+congregation poured out, amid the buzz of mutual "Good _Yomtovs."_
+Hannah rejoined her father, the sense of injury and revolt still surging
+in her breast. In the fresh starlit air, stepping along the wet gleaming
+pavements, she shook off the last influences of the synagogue; all her
+thoughts converged on the meeting with David, on the wild flight
+northwards while good Jews were sleeping off the supper in celebration
+of their Redemption; her blood coursed quickly through her veins, she
+was in a fever of impatience for the hour to come.
+
+And thus it was that she sat at the _Seder_ table, as in a dream, with
+images of desperate adventure flitting in her brain. The face of her
+lover floated before her eyes, close, close to her own as it should have
+been to-night had there been justice in Heaven. Now and again the scene
+about her flashed in upon her consciousness, piercing her to the heart.
+When Levi asked the introductory question, it set her wondering what
+would become of him? Would manhood bring enfranchisement to him as
+womanhood was doing to her? What sort of life would he lead the poor Reb
+and his wife? The omens were scarcely auspicious; but a man's charter is
+so much wider than a woman's; and Levi might do much without paining
+them as she would pain them. Poor father! The white hairs were
+predominating in his beard, she had never noticed before how old he was
+getting. And mother--her face was quite wrinkled. Ah, well; we must all
+grow old. What a curious man Melchitsedek Pinchas was, singing so
+heartily the wonderful story. Judaism certainly produced some curious
+types. A smile crossed her face as she thought of herself as his bride.
+
+At supper she strove to eat a little, knowing she would need it. In
+bringing some plates from the kitchen she looked at her hat and cloak,
+carefully hung up on the peg in the hall nearest the street door. It
+would take but a second to slip them on. She nodded her head towards
+them, as who should say "Yes, we shall meet again very soon." During the
+meal she found herself listening to the poet's monologues delivered in
+his high-pitched creaking voice.
+
+Melchitsedek Pinchas had much to say about a certain actor-manager who
+had spoiled the greatest jargon-play of the century and a certain
+labor-leader who, out of the funds of his gulls, had subsidized the
+audience to stay away, and (though here the Reb cut him short for
+Hannah's sake) a certain leading lady, one of the quartette of
+mistresses of a certain clergyman, who had been beguiled by her paramour
+into joining the great English conspiracy to hound down Melchitsedek
+Pinchas,--all of whom he would shoot presently and had in the meantime
+enshrined like dead flies in the amber of immortal acrostics. The wind
+began to shake the shutters as they finished supper and presently the
+rain began to patter afresh against the panes. Reb Shemuel distributed
+the pieces of _Afikuman_ with a happy sigh, and, lolling on his pillows
+and almost forgetting his family troubles in the sense of Israel's
+blessedness, began to chant the Grace like the saints in the Psalm who
+sing aloud on their couches. The little Dutch clock on the mantelpiece
+began to strike. Hannah did not move. Pale and trembling she sat riveted
+to her chair. One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight. She
+counted the strokes, as if to count them was the only means of telling
+the hour, as if her eyes had not been following the hands creeping,
+creeping. She had a mad hope the striking would cease with the eight and
+there would be still time to think. _Nine_! She waited, her ear longing
+for the tenth stroke. If it were only ten o'clock, it would be too late.
+The danger would be over. She sat, mechanically watching the hands. They
+crept on. It was five minutes past the hour. She felt sure that David
+was already at the corner of the street, getting wet and a little
+impatient. She half rose from her chair. It was not a nice night for an
+elopement. She sank back into her seat. Perhaps they had best wait till
+to-morrow night. She would go and tell David so. But then he would not
+mind the weather; once they had met he would bundle her into the cab and
+they would roll on leaving the old world irrevocably behind. She sat in
+a paralysis of volition; rigid on her chair, magnetized by the warm
+comfortable room, the old familiar furniture, the Passover table--with
+its white table-cloth and its decanter and wine-glasses, the faces of
+her father and mother eloquent with the appeal of a thousand memories.
+The clock ticked on loudly, fiercely, like a summoning drum; the rain
+beat an impatient tattoo on the window-panes, the wind rattled the doors
+and casements. "Go forth, go forth," they called, "go forth where your
+lover waits you, to bear you of into the new and the unknown." And the
+louder they called the louder Reb Shemuel trolled his hilarious Grace:
+_May He who maketh Peace in the High Heavens, bestow Peace upon us and
+upon all Israel and say ye, Amen_.
+
+The hands of the clock crept on. It was half-past nine. Hannah sat
+lethargic, numb, unable to think, her strung-up nerves grown flaccid,
+her eyes full of bitter-sweet tears, her soul floating along as in a
+trance on the waves of a familiar melody. Suddenly she became aware that
+the others had risen and that her father was motioning to her.
+Instinctively she understood; rose automatically and went to the door;
+then a great shock of returning recollection whelmed her soul. She stood
+rooted to the floor. Her father had filled Elijah's goblet with wine and
+it was her annual privilege to open the door for the prophet's entry.
+Intuitively she knew that David was pacing madly in front of the house,
+not daring to make known his presence, and perhaps cursing her
+cowardice. A chill terror seized her. She was afraid to face him--his
+will was strong and mighty; her fevered imagination figured it as the
+wash of a great ocean breaking on the doorstep threatening to sweep her
+off into the roaring whirlpool of doom. She threw the door of the room
+wide and paused as if her duty were done.
+
+"_Nu, nu_," muttered Reb Shemuel, indicating the outer door. It was so
+near that he always had that opened, too.
+
+Hannah tottered forwards through the few feet of hall. The cloak and hat
+on the peg nodded to her sardonically. A wild thrill of answering
+defiance shot through her: she stretched out her hands towards them.
+"Fly, fly; it is your last chance," said the blood throbbing in her
+ears. But her hand dropped to her side and in that brief instant of
+terrible illumination, Hannah saw down the whole long vista of her
+future life, stretching straight and unlovely between great blank walls,
+on, on to a solitary grave; knew that the strength had been denied her
+to diverge to the right or left, that for her there would be neither
+Exodus nor Redemption. Strong in the conviction of her weakness she
+noisily threw open the street door. The face of David, sallow and
+ghastly, loomed upon her in the darkness. Great drops of rain fell from
+his hat and ran down his cheeks like tears. His clothes seemed soaked
+with rain.
+
+"At last!" he exclaimed in a hoarse, glad whisper. "What has kept you?"
+
+"_Boruch Habo_! (Welcome art thou who arrivest)" came the voice of Reb
+Shemuel front within, greeting the prophet.
+
+"Hush!" said Hannah. "Listen a moment."
+
+The sing-song undulations of the old Rabbi's voice mingled harshly with
+the wail of the wind: "_Pour out Thy wrath on the heathen who
+acknowledge Thee not and upon the Kingdoms which invoke not Thy name,
+for they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his Temple. Pour out Thy
+indignation upon them and cause Thy fierce anger to overtake them.
+Pursue them in wrath and destroy them from under the heavens of the
+Lord_."
+
+"Quick, Hannah!" whispered David. "We can't wait a moment more. Put on
+your things. We shall miss the train."
+
+A sudden inspiration came to her. For answer she drew his ring out of
+her pocket and slipped it into his hand.
+
+"Good-bye!" she murmured in a strange hollow voice, and slammed the
+street door in his face.
+
+"Hannah!"
+
+His startled cry of agony and despair penetrated the woodwork, muffled
+to an inarticulate shriek. He rattled the door violently in unreasoning
+frenzy.
+
+"Who's that? What's that noise?" asked the Rebbitzin.
+
+"Only some Christian rough shouting in the street," answered Hannah.
+
+It was truer than she knew.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The rain fell faster, the wind grew shriller, but the Children of the
+Ghetto basked by their firesides in faith and hope and contentment.
+Hunted from shore to shore through the ages, they had found the national
+aspiration--Peace--in a country where Passover came, without menace of
+blood. In the garret of Number 1 Royal Street little Esther Ansell sat
+brooding, her heart full of a vague tender poetry and penetrated by the
+beauties of Judaism, which, please God, she would always cling to; her
+childish vision looking forward hopefully to the larger life that the
+years would bring.
+
+
+END OF BOOK I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+
+THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
+
+
+Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver,
+exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of
+shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional
+accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
+
+It was not a large party. Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect
+guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-ŕ-brac--and with an eye
+to general conversation. The elements of the social salad were
+sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
+
+For the history of the Grandchildren of the Ghetto, which is mainly a
+history of the middle-classes, is mainly a history of isolation. "The
+Upper Ten" is a literal phrase in Judah, whose aristocracy just about
+suffices for a synagogue quorum. Great majestic luminaries, each with
+its satellites, they swim serenely in the golden heavens. And the
+middle-classes look up in worship and the lower-classes in supplication.
+"The Upper Ten" have no spirit of exclusiveness; they are willing to
+entertain royalty, rank and the arts with a catholic hospitality that is
+only Eastern in its magnificence, while some of them only remain Jews
+for fear of being considered snobs by society. But the middle-class Jew
+has been more jealous of his caste, and for caste reasons. To exchange
+hospitalities with the Christian when you cannot eat his dinners were to
+get the worse of the bargain; to invite his sons to your house when they
+cannot marry your daughters were to solicit awkward complications. In
+business, in civic affairs, in politics, the Jew has mixed freely with
+his fellow-citizens, but indiscriminate social relations only become
+possible through a religious decadence, which they in turn accelerate.
+A Christian in a company of middle-class Jews is like a lion in a den of
+Daniels. They show him deference and their prophetic side.
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith was of the upper middle-classes, and her husband
+was the financial representative of the Kensington Synagogue at the
+United Council, but her swan-like neck was still bowed beneath the yoke
+of North London, not to say provincial, Judaism. So to-night there were
+none of those external indications of Christmas which are so frequent at
+"good" Jewish houses; no plum-pudding, snapdragon, mistletoe, not even a
+Christmas tree. For Mrs. Henry Goldsmith did not countenance these
+coquettings with Christianity. She would have told you that the
+incidence of her dinner on Christmas Eve was merely an accident, though
+a lucky accident, in so far as Christmas found Jews perforce at leisure
+for social gatherings. What she was celebrating was the feast of
+Chanukah--of the re-dedication of the Temple after the pollutions of
+Antiochus Epiphanes--and the memory of the national hero, Judas
+Maccabaeus. Christmas crackers would have been incompatible with the
+Chanukah candles which the housekeeper, Mary O'Reilly, forced her master
+to light, and would have shocked that devout old dame. For Mary
+O'Reilly, as good a soul as she was a Catholic, had lived all her life
+with Jews, assisting while yet a girl in the kitchen of Henry
+Goldsmith's father, who was a pattern of ancient piety and a prop of the
+Great Synagogue. When the father died, Mary, with all the other family
+belongings, passed into the hands of the son, who came up to London from
+a provincial town, and with a grateful recollection of her motherliness
+domiciled her in his own establishment. Mary knew all the ritual laws
+and ceremonies far better than her new mistress, who although a native
+of the provincial town in which Mr. Henry Goldsmith had established a
+thriving business, had received her education at a Brussels
+boarding-school. Mary knew exactly how long to keep the meat in salt and
+the heinousness of frying steaks in butter. She knew that the fire must
+not be poked on the Sabbath, nor the gas lit or extinguished, and that
+her master must not smoke till three stars appeared in the sky. She knew
+when the family must fast, and when and how it must feast. She knew all
+the Hebrew and jargon expressions which her employers studiously
+boycotted, and she was the only member of the household who used them
+habitually in her intercourse with the other members. Too late the Henry
+Goldsmiths awoke to the consciousness of her tyranny which did not
+permit them to be irreligious even in private. In the fierce light which
+beats upon a provincial town with only one synagogue, they had been
+compelled to conform outwardly with many galling restrictions, and they
+had sub-consciously looked forward to emancipation in the mighty
+metropolis. But Mary had such implicit faith in their piety, and was so
+zealous in the practice of her own faith, that they had not the courage
+to confess that they scarcely cared a pin about a good deal of that for
+which she was so solicitous. They hesitated to admit that they did not
+respect their religion (or what she thought was their religion) as much
+as she did hers. It would have equally lowered them in her eyes to admit
+that their religion was not so good as hers, besides being disrespectful
+to the cherished memory of her ancient master. At first they had
+deferred to Mary's Jewish prejudices out of good nature and
+carelessness, but every day strengthened her hold upon them; every act
+of obedience to the ritual law was a tacit acknowledgment of its
+sanctity, which made it more and more difficult to disavow its
+obligation. The dread of shocking Mary came to dominate their lives, and
+the fashionable house near Kensington Gardens was still a veritable
+centre of true Jewish orthodoxy, with little or nothing to make old
+Aaron Goldsmith turn in his grave. It is probable, though, that Mrs.
+Henry Goldsmith would have kept a _kosher_ table, even if Mary had never
+been born. Many of their acquaintances and relatives were of an orthodox
+turn. A _kosher_ dinner could be eaten even by the heterodox; whereas a
+_tripha_ dinner choked off the orthodox. Thus it came about that even
+the Rabbinate might safely stoke its spiritual fires at Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith's.
+
+Hence, too, the prevalent craving for a certain author's blood could not
+be gratified at Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's Chanukah dinner. Besides, nobody
+knew where to lay hands upon Edward Armitage, the author in question,
+whose opprobrious production, _Mordecai Josephs_, had scandalized West
+End Judaism.
+
+"Why didn't he describe our circles?" asked the hostess, an angry fire
+in her beautiful eyes. "It would have, at least, corrected the picture.
+As it is, the public will fancy that we are all daubed with the same
+brush: that we have no thought in life beyond dress, money, and solo
+whist."
+
+"He probably painted the life he knew," said Sidney Graham, in defence.
+
+"Then I am sorry for him," retorted Mrs. Goldsmith. "It's a great pity
+he had such detestable acquaintances. Of course, he has cut himself off
+from the possibility of any better now."
+
+The wavering flush on her lovely face darkened with disinterested
+indignation, and her beautiful bosom heaved with judicial grief.
+
+"I should hope so," put in Miss Cissy Levine, sharply. She was a pale,
+bent woman, with spectacles, who believed in the mission of Israel, and
+wrote domestic novels to prove that she had no sense of humor. "No one
+has a right to foul his own nest. Are there not plenty of subjects for
+the Jew's pen without his attacking his own people? The calumniator of
+his race should be ostracized from decent society."
+
+"As according to him there is none," laughed Graham, "I cannot see where
+the punishment comes in."
+
+"Oh, he may say so in that book," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels, an amiable,
+loose-thinking lady of florid complexion, who dabbled exasperatingly in
+her husband's philanthropic concerns from the vain idea that the wife of
+a committee-man is a committee-woman. "But he knows better."
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Mr. Montagu Samuels. "The rascal has only written
+this to make money. He knows it's all exaggeration and distortion; but
+anything spicy pays now-a-days."
+
+"As a West Indian merchant he ought to know," murmured Sidney Graham to
+his charming cousin, Adelaide Leon. The girl's soft eyes twinkled, as
+she surveyed the serious little city magnate with his placid spouse.
+Montagu Samuels was narrow-minded and narrow-chested, and managed to be
+pompous on a meagre allowance of body. He was earnest and charitable
+(except in religious wrangles, when he was earnest and uncharitable),
+and knew himself a pillar of the community, an exemplar to the drones
+and sluggards who shirked their share of public burdens and were callous
+to the dazzlement of communal honors.
+
+"Of course it was written for money, Monty," his brother, Percy Saville,
+the stockbroker, reminded him. "What else do authors write for? It's the
+way they earn their living."
+
+Strangers found difficulty in understanding the fraternal relation of
+Percy Saville and Montagu Samuels; and did not readily grasp that Percy
+Saville was an Anglican version of Pizer Samuels, more in tune with the
+handsome well-dressed personality it denoted. Montagu had stuck loyally
+to his colors, but Pizer had drooped under the burden of carrying his
+patronymic through the theatrical and artistic circles he favored after
+business hours. Of such is the brotherhood of Israel.
+
+"The whole book's written with gall," went on Percy Saville,
+emphatically. "I suppose the man couldn't get into good Jewish houses,
+and he's revenged himself by slandering them."
+
+"Then he ought to have got into good Jewish houses," said Sidney. "The
+man has talent, nobody can deny that, and if he couldn't get into good
+Jewish society because he didn't have money enough, isn't that proof
+enough his picture is true?"
+
+"I don't deny that there are people among us who make money the one open
+sesame to their houses," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, magnanimously.
+
+"Deny it, indeed? Money is the open sesame to everything," rejoined
+Sidney Graham, delightedly scenting an opening for a screed. He liked to
+talk bomb-shells, and did not often get pillars of the community to
+shatter. "Money manages the schools and the charities, and the
+synagogues, and indirectly controls the press. A small body of
+persons--always the same--sits on all councils, on all boards! Why?
+Because they pay the piper."
+
+"Well, sir, and is not that a good reason?" asked Montagu Samuels. "The
+community is to be congratulated on having a few public-spirited men
+left in days when there are wealthy German Jews in our midst who not
+only disavow Judaism, but refuse to support its institutions. But, Mr.
+Graham, I would join issue with you. The men you allude to are elected
+not because they are rich, but because they are good men of business and
+most of the work to be done is financial."
+
+"Exactly," said Sidney Graham, in sinister agreement. "I have always
+maintained that the United Synagogue could be run as a joint-stock
+company for the sake of a dividend, and that there wouldn't be an atom
+of difference in the discussions if the councillors were directors. I do
+believe the pillars of the community figure the Millenium as a time when
+every Jew shall have enough to eat, a place to worship in, and a place
+to be buried in. Their State Church is simply a financial system, to
+which the doctrines of Judaism happen to be tacked on. How many of the
+councillors believe in their Established Religion? Why, the very beadles
+of their synagogues are prone to surreptitious shrimps and unobtrusive
+oysters! Then take that institution for supplying _kosher_ meat. I am
+sure there are lots of its Committee who never inquire into the
+necrologies of their own chops and steaks, and who regard kitchen
+Judaism as obsolete. But, all the same, they look after the finances
+with almost fanatical zeal. Finance fascinates them. Long after Judaism
+has ceased to exist, excellent gentlemen will be found regulating its
+finances."
+
+There was that smile on the faces of the graver members of the party
+which arises from reluctance to take a dangerous speaker seriously.
+
+Sidney Graham was one of those favorites of society who are allowed
+Touchstone's license. He had just as little wish to reform, and just as
+much wish to abuse society as society has to be reformed and abused. He
+was a dark, bright-eyed young artist with a silky moustache. He had
+lived much in Paris, where he studied impressionism and perfected his
+natural talent for _causerie_ and his inborn preference for the
+hedonistic view of life. Fortunately he had plenty of money, for he was
+a cousin of Raphael Leon on the mother's side, and the remotest twigs of
+the Leon genealogical tree bear apples of gold. His real name was
+Abrahams, which is a shade too Semitic. Sidney was the black sheep of
+the family; good-natured to the core and artistic to the finger-tips,
+he was an avowed infidel in a world where avowal is the unpardonable
+sin. He did not even pretend to fast on the Day of Atonement. Still
+Sidney Graham was a good deal talked of in artistic circles, his name
+was often in the newspapers, and so more orthodox people than Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith were not averse from having him at their table, though they
+would have shrunk from being seen at his. Even cousin Addie, who had a
+charming religious cast of mind, liked to be with him, though she
+ascribed this to family piety. For there is a wonderful solidarity about
+many Jewish families, the richer members of which assemble loyally at
+one another's births, marriages, funerals, and card-parties, often to
+the entire exclusion of outsiders. An ordinary well-regulated family (so
+prolific is the stream of life), will include in its bosom ample
+elements for every occasion.
+
+"Really, Mr. Graham, I think you are wrong about the _kosher_ meat,"
+said Mr. Henry Goldsmith. "Our statistics show no falling-off in the
+number of bullocks killed, while there is a rise of two per cent, in the
+sheep slaughtered. No, Judaism is in a far more healthy condition than
+pessimists imagine. So far from sacrificing our ancient faith we are
+learning to see how tuberculosis lurks in the lungs of unexamined
+carcasses and is communicated to the consumer. As for the members of the
+_Shechitah_ Board not eating _kosher_, look at me."
+
+The only person who looked at the host was the hostess. Her look was one
+of approval. It could not be of aesthetic approval, like the look Percy
+Saville devoted to herself, for her husband was a cadaverous little man
+with prominent ears and teeth.
+
+"And if Mr. Graham should ever join us on the Council of the United
+Synagogue," added Montagu Samuels, addressing the table generally, "he
+will discover that there is no communal problem with which we do not
+loyally grapple."
+
+"No, thank you," said Sidney, with a shudder. "When I visit Raphael, I
+sometimes pick up a Jewish paper and amuse myself by reading the debates
+of your public bodies. I understand most of your verbiage is edited
+away." He looked Montagu Samuels full in the face with audacious
+_naďveté_. "But there is enough left to show that our monotonous group
+of public men consists of narrow-minded mediocrities. The chief public
+work they appear to do outside finance is when public exams, fall on
+Sabbaths or holidays, getting special dates for Jewish candidates to
+whom these examinations are the avenues to atheism. They never see the
+joke. How can they? Why, they take even themselves seriously."
+
+"Oh, come!" said Miss Cissy Levine indignantly. "You often see
+'laughter' in the reports."
+
+"That must mean the speaker was laughing," explained Sidney, "for you
+never see anything to make the audience laugh. I appeal to Mr. Montagu
+Samuels."
+
+"It is useless discussing a subject with a man who admittedly speaks
+without knowledge," replied that gentleman with dignity.
+
+"Well, how do you expect me to get the knowledge?" grumbled Sidney. "You
+exclude the public from your gatherings. I suppose to prevent their
+rubbing shoulders with the swells, the privilege of being snubbed by
+whom is the reward of public service. Wonderfully practical idea
+that--to utilize snobbery as a communal force. The United Synagogue is
+founded on it. Your community coheres through it."
+
+"There you are scarcely fair," said the hostess with a charming smile of
+reproof. "Of course there are snobs amongst us, but is it not the same
+in all sects?"
+
+"Emphatically not," said Sidney. "If one of our swells sticks to a shred
+of Judaism, people seem to think the God of Judah should be thankful,
+and if he goes to synagogue once or twice a year, it is regarded as a
+particular condescension to the Creator."
+
+"The mental attitude you caricature is not so snobbish as it seems,"
+said Raphael Leon, breaking into the conversation for the first time.
+"The temptations to the wealthy and the honored to desert their
+struggling brethren are manifold, and sad experience has made our race
+accustomed to the loss of its brightest sons."
+
+"Thanks for the compliment, fair coz," said Sidney, not without a
+complacent cynical pleasure in the knowledge that Raphael spoke truly,
+that he owed his own immunity from the obligations of the faith to his
+artistic success, and that the outside world was disposed to accord him
+a larger charter of morality on the same grounds. "But if you can only
+deny nasty facts by accounting for them, I dare say Mr. Armitage's book
+will afford you ample opportunities for explanation. Or have Jews the
+brazenness to assert it is all invention?"
+
+"No, no one would do that," said Percy Saville, who had just done it.
+"Certainly there is a good deal of truth in the sketch of the
+ostentatious, over-dressed Johnsons who, as everybody knows, are meant
+for the Jonases."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. "And it is quite evident that the
+stockbroker who drops half his h's and all his poor acquaintances and
+believes in one Lord, is no other than Joel Friedman."
+
+"And the house where people drive up in broughams for supper and solo
+whist after the theatre is the Davises' in Maida Vale," said Miss Cissy
+Levine.
+
+"Yes, the book's true enough," began Mrs. Montagu Samuels. She stopped
+suddenly, catching her husband's eye, and the color heightened on her
+florid cheek. "What I say is," she concluded awkwardly, "he ought to
+have come among us, and shown the world a picture of the cultured Jews."
+
+"Quite so, quite so," said the hostess. Then turning to the tall
+thoughtful-looking young man who had hitherto contributed but one
+sentence to the conversation, she said, half in sly malice, half to draw
+him out: "Now you, Mr. Leon, whose culture is certified by our leading
+university, what do you think of this latest portrait of the Jew?"
+
+"I don't know, I haven't read it!" replied Raphael apologetically.
+
+"No more have I," murmured the table generally.
+
+"I wouldn't touch it with a pitchfork," said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"I think it's a shame they circulate it at the libraries," said Mrs.
+Montagu Samuels. "I just glanced over it at Mrs. Hugh Marston's house.
+It's vile. There are actually jargon words in it. Such vulgarity!"
+
+"Shameful!" murmured Percy Saville; "Mr. Lazarus was telling me about
+it. It's plain treachery and disloyalty, this putting of weapons into
+the hands of our enemies. Of course we have our faults, but we should be
+told of them privately or from the pulpit."
+
+"That would be just as efficacious," said Sidney admiringly.
+
+"More efficacious," said Percy Saville, unsuspiciously. "A preacher
+speaks with authority, but this penny-a-liner--"
+
+"With truth?" queried Sidney.
+
+Saville stopped, disgusted, and the hostess answered Sidney
+half-coaxingly.
+
+"Oh, I am sure you can't think that. The book is so one-sided. Not a
+word about our generosity, our hospitality, our domesticity, the
+thousand-and-one good traits all the world allows us."
+
+"Of course not; since all the world allows them, it was unnecessary,"
+said Sidney.
+
+"I wonder the Chief Rabbi doesn't stop it," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels.
+
+"My dear, how can he?" inquired her husband. "He has no control over the
+publishing trade."
+
+"He ought to talk to the man," persisted Mrs. Samuels.
+
+"But we don't even know who he is," said Percy Saville, "probably Edward
+Armitage is only a _nom-de-plume_. You'd be surprised to learn the real
+names of some of the literary celebrities I meet about."
+
+"Oh, if he's a Jew you may be sure it isn't his real name," laughed
+Sidney. It was characteristic of him that he never spared a shot even
+when himself hurt by the kick of the gun. Percy colored slightly,
+unmollified by being in the same boat with the satirist.
+
+"I have never seen the name in the subscription lists," said the hostess
+with ready tact.
+
+"There is an Armitage who subscribes two guineas a year to the Board of
+Guardians," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels. "But his Christian name is
+George."
+
+"'Christian' name is distinctly good for 'George,'" murmured Sidney.
+
+"There was an Armitage who sent a cheque to the Russian Fund," said Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith, "but that can't be an author--it was quite a large
+cheque!"
+
+"I am sure I have seen Armitage among the Births, Marriages and Deaths,"
+said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"How well-read they all are in the national literature," Sidney murmured
+to Addie.
+
+Indeed the sectarian advertisements served to knit the race together,
+counteracting the unravelling induced by the fashionable dispersion of
+Israel and waxing the more important as the other links--the old
+traditional jokes, by-words, ceremonies, card-games, prejudices and
+tunes, which are more important than laws and more cementatory than
+ideals--were disappearing before the over-zealousness of a _parvenu_
+refinement that had not yet attained to self-confidence. The Anglo-Saxon
+stolidity of the West-End Synagogue service, on week days entirely given
+over to paid praying-men, was a typical expression of the universal
+tendency to exchange the picturesque primitiveness of the Orient for the
+sobrieties of fashionable civilization. When Jeshurun waxed fat he did
+not always kick, but he yearned to approximate as much as possible to
+John Bull without merging in him; to sink himself and yet not be
+absorbed, not to be and yet to be. The attempt to realize the asymptote
+in human mathematics was not quite successful, too near an approach to
+John Bull generally assimilating Jeshurun away. For such is the nature
+of Jeshurun. Enfranchise him, give him his own way and you make a new
+man of him; persecute him and he is himself again.
+
+"But if nobody has read the man's book," Raphael Leon ventured to
+interrupt at last, "is it quite fair to assume his book isn't fit to
+read?"
+
+The shy dark little girl he had taken down to dinner darted an
+appreciative glance at her neighbor. It was in accordance with Raphael's
+usual anxiety to give the devil his due, that he should be unwilling to
+condemn even the writer of an anti-Semitic novel unheard. But then it
+was an open secret in the family that Raphael was mad. They did their
+best to hush it up, but among themselves they pitied him behind his
+back. Even Sidney considered his cousin Raphael pushed a dubious virtue
+too far in treating people's very prejudices with the deference due to
+earnest reasoned opinions.
+
+"But we know enough of the book to know we are badly treated," protested
+the hostess.
+
+"We have always been badly treated in literature," said Raphael. "We are
+made either angels or devils. On the one hand, Lessing and George Eliot,
+on the other, the stock dramatist and novelist with their low-comedy
+villain."
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Goldsmith, doubtfully, for she could not quite think
+Raphael had become infected by his cousin's propensity for paradox. "Do
+you think George Eliot and Lessing didn't understand the Jewish
+character?"
+
+"They are the only writers who have ever understood it," affirmed Miss
+Cissy Levine, emphatically.
+
+A little scornful smile played for a second about the mouth of the dark
+little girl.
+
+"Stop a moment," said Sidney. "I've been so busy doing justice to this
+delicious asparagus, that I have allowed Raphael to imagine nobody here
+has read _Mordecai Josephs_. I have, and I say there is more actuality
+in it than in _Daniel Deronda_ and _Nathan der Weise_ put together. It
+is a crude production, all the same; the writer's artistic gift seems
+handicapped by a dead-weight of moral platitudes and highfalutin, and
+even mysticism. He not only presents his characters but moralizes over
+them--actually cares whether they are good or bad, and has yearnings
+after the indefinable--it is all very young. Instead of being satisfied
+that Judaea gives him characters that are interesting, he actually
+laments their lack of culture. Still, what he has done is good enough to
+make one hope his artistic instinct will shake off his moral."
+
+"Oh, Sidney, what are you saying?" murmured Addie.
+
+"It's all right, little girl. You don't understand Greek."
+
+"It's not Greek," put in Raphael. "In Greek art, beauty of soul and
+beauty of form are one. It's French you are talking, though the ignorant
+_ateliers_ where you picked it up flatter themselves it's Greek."
+
+"It's Greek to Addie, anyhow," laughed Sidney. "But that's what makes
+the anti-Semitic chapters so unsatisfactory."
+
+"We all felt their unsatisfactoriness, if we could not analyze it so
+cleverly," said the hostess.
+
+"We all felt it," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels.
+
+"Yes, that's it," said Sidney, blandly. "I could have forgiven the
+rose-color of the picture if it had been more artistically painted."
+
+"Rose-color!" gasped Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, "rose-color, indeed!" Not
+even Sidney's authority could persuade the table into that.
+
+Poor rich Jews! The upper middle-classes had every excuse for being
+angry. They knew they were excellent persons, well-educated and
+well-travelled, interested in charities (both Jewish and Christian),
+people's concerts, district-visiting, new novels, magazines,
+reading-circles, operas, symphonies, politics, volunteer regiments,
+Show-Sunday and Corporation banquets; that they had sons at Rugby and
+Oxford, and daughters who played and painted and sang, and homes that
+were bright oases of optimism in a jaded society; that they were good
+Liberals and Tories, supplementing their duties as Englishmen with a
+solicitude for the best interests of Judaism; that they left no stone
+unturned to emancipate themselves from the secular thraldom of
+prejudice; and they felt it very hard that a little vulgar section
+should always be chosen by their own novelists, and their efforts to
+raise the tone of Jewish society passed by.
+
+Sidney, whose conversation always had the air of aloofness from the
+race, so that his own foibles often came under the lash of his sarcasm,
+proceeded to justify his assertion of the rose-color picture in
+_Mordecai Josephs_. He denied that modern English Jews had any religion
+whatever; claiming that their faith consisted of forms that had to be
+kept up in public, but which they were too shrewd and cute to believe in
+or to practise in private, though every one might believe every one else
+did; that they looked upon due payment of their synagogue bills as
+discharging all their obligations to Heaven; that the preachers secretly
+despised the old formulas, and that the Rabbinate declared its
+intention of dying for Judaism only as a way of living by it; that the
+body politic was dead and rotten with hypocrisy, though the augurs said
+it was alive and well. He admitted that the same was true of
+Christianity. Raphael reminded him that a number of Jews had drifted
+quite openly from the traditional teaching, that thousands of
+well-ordered households found inspiration and spiritual satisfaction in
+every form of it, and that hypocrisy was too crude a word for the
+complex motives of those who obeyed it without inner conviction.
+
+"For instance," said he, "a gentleman said to me the other day--I was
+much touched by the expression--'I believe with my father's heart.'"
+
+"It is a good epigram," said Sidney, impressed. "But what is to be said
+of a rich community which recruits its clergy from the lower classes?
+The method of election by competitive performance, common as it is among
+poor Dissenters, emphasizes the subjection of the shepherd to his flock.
+You catch your ministers young, when they are saturated with suppressed
+scepticism, and bribe them with small salaries that seem affluence to
+the sons of poor immigrants. That the ministry is not an honorable
+profession may be seen from the anxiety of the minister to raise his
+children in the social scale by bringing them up to some other line of
+business."
+
+"That is true," said Raphael, gravely. "Our wealthy families must be
+induced to devote a son each to the Synagogue."
+
+"I wish they would," said Sidney. "At present, every second man is a
+lawyer. We ought to have more officers and doctors, too. I like those
+old Jews who smote the Philistines hip and thigh; it is not good for a
+race to run all to brain: I suppose, though, we had to develop cunning
+to survive at all. There was an enlightened minister whose Friday
+evenings I used to go to when a youth--delightful talk we had there,
+too; you know whom I mean. Well, one of his sons is a solicitor, and the
+other a stockbroker. The rich men he preached to helped to place his
+sons. He was a charming man, but imagine him preaching to them the
+truths in _Mordecai Josephs_, as Mr. Saville suggested."
+
+"_Our_ minister lets us have it hot enough, though," said Mr. Henry
+Goldsmith with a guffaw.
+
+His wife hastened to obliterate the unrefined expression.
+
+"Mr. Strelitski is a wonderfully eloquent young man, so quiet and
+reserved in society, but like an ancient prophet in the pulpit."
+
+"Yes, we were very lucky to get him," said Mr. Henry Goldsmith.
+
+The little dark girl shuddered.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Raphael softly.
+
+"I don't know. I don't like the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. He is eloquent,
+but his dogmatism irritates me. I don't believe he is sincere. He
+doesn't like me, either."
+
+"Oh, you're both wrong," he said in concern.
+
+"Strelitski is a draw, I admit," said Mr. Montagu Samuels, who was the
+President of a rival synagogue. "But Rosenbaum is a good pull-down on
+the other side, eh?"
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith groaned. The second minister of the Kensington
+synagogue was the scandal of the community. He wasn't expected to
+preach, and he didn't practise.
+
+"I've heard of that man," said Sidney laughing. "He's a bit of a gambler
+and a spendthrift, isn't he? Why do you keep him on?"
+
+"He has a fine voice, you see," said Mr. Goldsmith. "That makes a
+Rosenbaum faction at once. Then he has a wife and family. That makes
+another."
+
+"Strelitski isn't married, is he?" asked Sidney.
+
+"No," said Mr. Goldsmith, "not yet. The congregation expects him to,
+though. I don't care to give him the hint myself; he is a little queer
+sometimes."
+
+"He owes it to his position," said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"That is what we think," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, with the majestic
+manner that suited her opulent beauty.
+
+"I wish we had him in our synagogue," said Raphael. "Michaels is a
+well-meaning worthy man, but he is dreadfully dull."
+
+"Poor Raphael!" said Sidney. "Why did you abolish the old style of
+minister who had to slaughter the sheep? Now the minister reserves all
+his powers of destruction for his own flock.'"
+
+"I have given him endless hints to preach only once a month," said Mr.
+Montagu Samuels dolefully. "But every Saturday our hearts sink as we see
+him walk to the pulpit."
+
+"You see, Addie, how a sense of duty makes a man criminal," said
+Sidney. "Isn't Michaels the minister who defends orthodoxy in a way that
+makes the orthodox rage over his unconscious heresies, while the
+heterodox enjoy themselves by looking out for his historical and
+grammatical blunders!"
+
+"Poor man, he works hard," said Raphael, gently. "Let him be."
+
+Over the dessert the conversation turned by way of the Rev. Strelitski's
+marriage, to the growing willingness of the younger generation to marry
+out of Judaism. The table discerned in inter-marriage the beginning of
+the end.
+
+"But why postpone the inevitable?" asked Sidney calmly. "What is this
+mania for keeping up an effete _ism_? Are we to cripple our lives for
+the sake of a word? It's all romantic fudge, the idea of perpetual
+isolation. You get into little cliques and mistaken narrow-mindedness
+for fidelity to an ideal. I can live for months and forget there are
+such beings as Jews in the world. I have floated down the Nile in a
+_dahabiya_ while you were beating your breasts in the Synagogue, and the
+palm-trees and pelicans knew nothing of your sacrosanct chronological
+crisis, your annual epidemic of remorse."
+
+The table thrilled with horror, without, however, quite believing in the
+speaker's wickedness. Addie looked troubled.
+
+"A man and wife of different religions can never know true happiness,"
+said the hostess.
+
+"Granted," retorted Sidney. "But why shouldn't Jews without Judaism
+marry Christians without Christianity? Must a Jew needs have a Jewess to
+help him break the Law?"
+
+"Inter-marriage must not be tolerated," said Raphael. "It would hurt us
+less if we had a country. Lacking that, we must preserve our human
+boundaries."
+
+"You have good phrases sometimes," admitted Sidney. "But why must we
+preserve any boundaries? Why must we exist at all as a separate people?"
+
+"To fulfil the mission of Israel," said Mr. Montagu Samuels solemnly.
+
+"Ah, what is that? That is one of the things nobody ever seems able to
+tell me."
+
+"We are God's witnesses," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, snipping off for
+herself a little bunch of hot-house grapes.
+
+"False witnesses, mostly then," said Sidney. "A Christian friend of
+mine, an artist, fell in love with a girl and courted her regularly at
+her house for four years. Then he proposed; she told him to ask her
+father, and he then learned for the first time that the family were
+Jewish, and his suit could not therefore be entertained. Could a
+satirist have invented anything funnier? Whatever it was Jews have to
+bear witness to, these people had been bearing witness to so effectually
+that a daily visitor never heard a word of the evidence during four
+years. And this family is not an exception; it is a type. Abroad the
+English Jew keeps his Judaism in the background, at home in the back
+kitchen. When he travels, his Judaism is not packed up among his
+_impedimenta_. He never obtrudes his creed, and even his Jewish
+newspaper is sent to him in a wrapper labelled something else. How's
+that for witnesses? Mind you, I'm not blaming the men, being one of 'em.
+They may be the best fellows going, honorable, high-minded,
+generous--why expect them to be martyrs more than other Englishmen?
+Isn't life hard enough without inventing a new hardship? I declare
+there's no narrower creature in the world than your idealist; he sets up
+a moral standard which suits his own line of business, and rails at men
+of the world for not conforming to it. God's witnesses, indeed! I say
+nothing of those who are rather the Devil's witnesses, but think of the
+host of Jews like myself who, whether they marry Christians or not,
+simply drop out, and whose absence of all religion escapes notice in the
+medley of creeds. We no more give evidence than those old Spanish
+Jews--Marannos, they were called, weren't they?--who wore the Christian
+mask for generations. Practically, many of us are Marannos still; I
+don't mean the Jews who are on the stage and the press and all that,
+but the Jews who have gone on believing. One Day of Atonement I amused
+myself by noting the pretexts on the shutters of shops that were closed
+in the Strand. 'Our annual holiday,' Stock-taking day,' 'Our annual
+bean-feast.' 'Closed for repairs.'"
+
+"Well, it's something if they keep the Fast at all," said Mr. Henry
+Goldsmith. "It shows spirituality is not dead in them."
+
+"Spirituality!" sneered Sidney. "Sheer superstition, rather. A dread of
+thunderbolts. Besides, fasting is a sensuous _attraction_. But for the
+fasting, the Day of Atonement would have long since died out for these
+men. 'Our annual bean-feast'! There's witnesses for you."
+
+"We cannot help if we have false witnesses among us," said Raphael Leon
+quietly. "Our mission is to spread the truth of the Torah till the earth
+is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
+
+"But we don't spread it."
+
+"We do. Christianity and Mohammedanism are offshoots of Judaism; through
+them we have won the world from Paganism and taught it that God is one
+with the moral law."
+
+"Then we are somewhat in the position of an ancient school-master
+lagging superfluous in the school-room where his whilom pupils are
+teaching."
+
+"By no means. Rather of one who stays on to protest against the false
+additions of his whilom pupils."
+
+"But we don't protest."
+
+"Our mere existence since the Dispersion is a protest," urged Raphael.
+"When the stress of persecution lightens, we may protest more
+consciously. We cannot have been preserved in vain through so many
+centuries of horrors, through the invasions of the Goths and Huns,
+through the Crusades, through the Holy Roman Empire, through the times
+of Torquemada. It is not for nothing that a handful of Jews loom so
+large in the history of the world that their past is bound up with every
+noble human effort, every high ideal, every development of science,
+literature and art. The ancient faith that has united us so long must
+not be lost just as it is on the very eve of surviving the faiths that
+sprang from it, even as it has survived Egypt, Assyria, Rome, Greece
+and the Moors. If any of us fancy we have lost it, let us keep together
+still. Who knows but that it will be born again in us if we are only
+patient? Race affinity is a potent force; why be in a hurry to dissipate
+it? The Marannos you speak of were but maimed heroes, yet one day the
+olden flame burst through the layers of three generations of Christian
+profession and inter-marriage, and a brilliant company of illustrious
+Spaniards threw up their positions and sailed away in voluntary exile to
+serve the God of Israel. We shall yet see a spiritual revival even among
+our brilliant English Jews who have hid their face from their own
+flesh."
+
+The dark little girl looked up into his face with ill-suppressed wonder.
+
+"Have you done preaching at me, Raphael?" inquired Sidney. "If so, pass
+me a banana."
+
+Raphael smiled sadly and obeyed.
+
+"I'm afraid if I see much of Raphael I shall be converted to Judaism,"
+said Sidney, peeling the banana. "I had better take a hansom to the
+Riviera at once. I intended to spend Christmas there; I never dreamed I
+should be talking theology in London."
+
+"Oh, I think Christmas in London is best," said the hostess unguardedly.
+
+"Oh, I don't know. Give me Brighton," said the host.
+
+"Well, yes, I suppose Brighton _is_ pleasanter," said Mr. Montagu
+Samuels.
+
+"Oh, but so many Jews go there," said Percy Saville.
+
+"Yes, that _is_ the drawback," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. "Do you know,
+some years ago I discovered a delightful village in Devonshire, and took
+the household there in the summer. The very next year when I went down I
+found no less than two Jewish families temporarily located there. Of
+course, I have never gone there since."
+
+"Yes, it's wonderful how Jews scent out all the nicest places," agreed
+Mrs. Montagu Samuels. "Five years ago you could escape them by not going
+to Ramsgate; now even the Highlands are getting impossible."
+
+Thereupon the hostess rose and the ladies retired to the drawing-room,
+leaving the gentlemen to discuss coffee, cigars and the paradoxes of
+Sidney, who, tired of religion, looked to dumb show plays for the
+salvation of dramatic literature.
+
+There was a little milk-jug on the coffee-tray, it represented a victory
+over Mary O'Reilly. The late Aaron Goldsmith never took milk till six
+hours after meat, and it was with some trepidation that the present Mr.
+Goldsmith ordered it to be sent up one evening after dinner. He took an
+early opportunity of explaining apologetically to Mary that some of his
+guests were not so pious as himself, and hospitality demanded the
+concession.
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith did not like his coffee black. His dinner-table was
+hardly ever without a guest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+RAPHAEL LEON.
+
+
+When the gentlemen joined the ladies, Raphael instinctively returned to
+his companion of the dinner-table. She had been singularly silent during
+the meal, but her manner had attracted him. Over his black coffee and
+cigarette it struck him that she might have been unwell, and that he had
+been insufficiently attentive to the little duties of the table, and he
+hastened to ask if she had a headache.
+
+"No, no," she said, with a grateful smile. "At least not more than
+usual." Her smile was full of pensive sweetness, which made her face
+beautiful. It was a face that would have been almost plain but for the
+soul behind. It was dark, with great earnest eyes. The profile was
+disappointing, the curves were not perfect, and there was a reminder of
+Polish origin in the lower jaw and the cheek-bone. Seen from the front,
+the face fascinated again, in the Eastern glow of its coloring, in the
+flash of the white teeth, in the depths of the brooding eyes, in the
+strength of the features that yet softened to womanliest tenderness and
+charm when flooded by the sunshine of a smile. The figure was _petite_
+and graceful, set off by a simple tight-fitting, high-necked dress of
+ivory silk draped with lace, with a spray of Neapolitan violets at the
+throat. They sat in a niche of the spacious and artistically furnished
+drawing-room, in the soft light of the candles, talking quietly while
+Addie played Chopin.
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's aesthetic instincts had had full play in the
+elaborate carelessness of the _ensemble_, and the result was a triumph,
+a medley of Persian luxury and Parisian grace, a dream of somniferous
+couches and arm-chairs, rich tapestry, vases, fans, engravings, books,
+bronzes, tiles, plaques and flowers. Mr. Henry Goldsmith was himself a
+connoisseur in the arts, his own and his father's fortunes having been
+built up in the curio and antique business, though to old Aaron
+Goldsmith appreciation had meant strictly pricing, despite his genius
+for detecting false Correggios and sham Louis Quatorze cabinets.
+
+"Do you suffer from headaches?" inquired Raphael solicitously.
+
+"A little. The doctor says I studied too much and worked too hard when a
+little girl. Such is the punishment of perseverance. Life isn't like the
+copy-books."
+
+"Oh, but I wonder your parents let you over-exert yourself."
+
+A melancholy smile played about the mobile lips. "I brought myself up,"
+she said. "You look puzzled--Oh, I know! Confess you think I'm Miss
+Goldsmith!"
+
+"Why--are--you--not?" he stammered.
+
+"No, my name is Ansell, Esther Ansell."
+
+"Pardon me. I am so bad at remembering names in introductions. But I've
+just come back from Oxford and it's the first time I've been to this
+house, and seeing you here without a cavalier when we arrived, I thought
+you lived here."
+
+"You thought rightly, I do live here." She laughed gently at his
+changing expression.
+
+"I wonder Sidney never mentioned you to me," he said.
+
+"Do you mean Mr. Graham?" she said with a slight blush.
+
+"Yes, I know he visits here."
+
+"Oh, he is an artist. He has eyes only for the beautiful." She spoke
+quickly, a little embarrassed.
+
+"You wrong him; his interests are wider than that."
+
+"Do you know I am so glad you didn't pay me the obvious compliment?" she
+said, recovering herself. "It looked as if I were fishing for it. I'm so
+stupid."
+
+He looked at her blankly.
+
+"_I'm_ stupid," he said, "for I don't know what compliment I missed
+paying."
+
+"If you regret it I shall not think so well of you," she said. "You know
+I've heard all about your brilliant success at Oxford."
+
+"They put all those petty little things in the Jewish papers, don't
+they?"
+
+"I read it in the _Times_," retorted Esther. "You took a double first
+and the prize for poetry and a heap of other things, but I noticed the
+prize for poetry, because it is so rare to find a Jew writing poetry."
+
+"Prize poetry is not poetry," he reminded her. "But, considering the
+Jewish Bible contains the finest poetry in the world, I do not see why
+you should be surprised to find a Jew trying to write some."
+
+"Oh, you know what I mean," answered Esther. "What is the use of talking
+about the old Jews? We seem to be a different race now. Who cares for
+poetry?"
+
+"Our poet's scroll reaches on uninterruptedly through the Middle Ages.
+The passing phenomenon of to-day must not blind us to the real traits of
+our race," said Raphael.
+
+"Nor must we be blind to the passing phenomenon of to-day," retorted
+Esther. "We have no ideals now."
+
+"I see Sidney has been infecting you," he said gently.
+
+"No, no; I beg you will not think that," she said, flushing almost
+resentfully. "I have thought these things, as the Scripture tells us to
+meditate on the Law, day and night, sleeping and waking, standing up and
+sitting down."
+
+"You cannot have thought of them without prejudice, then," he answered,
+"if you say we have no ideals."
+
+"I mean, we're not responsive to great poetry--to the message of a
+Browning for instance."
+
+"I deny it. Only a small percentage of his own race is responsive. I
+would wager our percentage is proportionally higher. But Browning's
+philosophy of religion is already ours, for hundreds of years every
+Saturday night every Jew has been proclaiming the view of life and
+Providence in 'Pisgah Sights.'"
+
+    All's lend and borrow,
+      Good, see, wants evil,
+    Joy demands sorrow,
+      Angel weds devil.
+
+"What is this but the philosophy of our formula for ushering out the
+Sabbath and welcoming in the days of toil, accepting the holy and the
+profane, the light and the darkness?"
+
+"Is that in the prayer-book?" said Esther astonished.
+
+"Yes; you see you are ignorant of our own ritual while admiring
+everything non-Jewish. Excuse me if I am frank, Miss Ansell, but there
+are many people among us who rave over Italian antiquities but can see
+nothing poetical in Judaism. They listen eagerly to Dante but despise
+David."
+
+"I shall certainly look up the liturgy," said Esther. "But that will not
+alter my opinion. The Jew may say these fine things, but they are only a
+tune to him. Yes, I begin to recall the passage in Hebrew--I see my
+father making _Havdolah_--the melody goes in my head like a sing-song.
+But I never in my life thought of the meaning. As a little girl I always
+got my conscious religious inspiration out of the New Testament. It
+sounds very shocking, I know."
+
+"Undoubtedly you put your finger on an evil. But there is religious
+edification in common prayers and ceremonies even when divorced from
+meaning. Remember the Latin prayers of the Catholic poor. Jews may be
+below Judaism, but are not all men below their creed? If the race which
+gave the world the Bible knows it least--" He stopped suddenly, for
+Addie was playing pianissimo, and although she was his sister, he did
+not like to put her out.
+
+"It comes to this," said Esther when Chopin spoke louder, "our
+prayer-book needs depolarization, as Wendell Holmes says of the Bible."
+
+"Exactly," assented Raphael. "And what our people need is to make
+acquaintance with the treasure of our own literature. Why go to Browning
+for theism, when the words of his 'Rabbi Ben Ezra' are but a synopsis of
+a famous Jewish argument:
+
+      "'I see the whole design.
+    I, who saw Power, see now Love, perfect too.
+      Perfect I call Thy plan,
+      Thanks that I was a man!
+    Maker, remaker, complete, I trust what thou shalt do.'
+
+"It sounds like a bit of Bachja. That there is a Power outside us nobody
+denies; that this Power works for our good and wisely, is not so hard to
+grant when the facts of the soul are weighed with the facts of Nature.
+Power, Love, Wisdom--there you have a real trinity which makes up the
+Jewish God. And in this God we trust, incomprehensible as are His ways,
+unintelligible as is His essence. 'Thy ways are not My ways nor Thy
+thoughts My thoughts.' That comes into collision with no modern
+philosophies; we appeal to experience and make no demands upon the
+faculty for believing things 'because they are impossible.' And we are
+proud and happy in that the dread Unknown God of the infinite Universe
+has chosen our race as the medium by which to reveal His will to the
+world. We are sanctified to His service. History testifies that this has
+verily been our mission, that we have taught the world religion as truly
+as Greece has taught beauty and science. Our miraculous survival through
+the cataclysms of ancient and modern dynasties is a proof that our
+mission is not yet over."
+
+The sonata came to an end; Percy Saville started a comic song, playing
+his own accompaniment. Fortunately, it was loud and rollicking.
+
+"And do you really believe that we are sanctified to God's service?"
+said Esther, casting a melancholy glance at Percy's grimaces.
+
+"Can there be any doubt of it? God made choice of one race to be
+messengers and apostles, martyrs at need to His truth. Happily, the
+sacred duty is ours," he said earnestly, utterly unconscious of the
+incongruity that struck Esther so keenly. And yet, of the two, he had by
+far the greater gift of humor. It did not destroy his idealism, but kept
+it in touch with things mundane. Esther's vision, though more
+penetrating, lacked this corrective of humor, which makes always for
+breadth of view. Perhaps it was because she was a woman, that the
+trivial, sordid details of life's comedy hurt her so acutely that she
+could scarcely sit out the play patiently. Where Raphael would have
+admired the lute, Esther was troubled by the little rifts in it.
+
+"But isn't that a narrow conception of God's revelation?" she asked.
+
+"No. Why should God not teach through a great race as through a great
+man?"
+
+"And you really think that Judaism is not dead, intellectually
+speaking?"
+
+"How can it die? Its truths are eternal, deep in human nature and the
+constitution of things. Ah, I wish I could get you to see with the eyes
+of the great Rabbis and sages in Israel; to look on this human life of
+ours, not with the pessimism of Christianity, but as a holy and precious
+gift, to be enjoyed heartily yet spent in God's service--birth,
+marriage, death, all holy; good, evil, alike holy. Nothing on God's
+earth common or purposeless. Everything chanting the great song of God's
+praise; the morning stars singing together, as we say in the Dawn
+Service."
+
+As he spoke Esther's eyes filled with strange tears. Enthusiasm always
+infected her, and for a brief instant her sordid universe seemed to be
+transfigured to a sacred joyous reality, full of infinite potentialities
+of worthy work and noble pleasure. A thunder of applausive hands marked
+the end of Percy Saville's comic song. Mr. Montagu Samuels was beaming
+at his brother's grotesque drollery. There was an interval of general
+conversation, followed by a round game in which Raphael and Esther had
+to take part. It was very dull, and they were glad to find themselves
+together again.
+
+"Ah, yes," said Esther, sadly, resuming the conversation as if there
+had been no break, "but this is a Judaism of your own creation. The real
+Judaism is a religion of pots and pans. It does not call to the soul's
+depths like Christianity."
+
+"Again, it is a question of the point of view taken. From a practical,
+our ceremonialism is a training in self-conquest, while it links the
+generations 'bound each to each by natural piety,' and unifies our atoms
+dispersed to the four corners of the earth as nothing else could. From a
+theoretical, it is but an extension of the principle I tried to show
+you. Eating, drinking, every act of life is holy, is sanctified by some
+relation to heaven. We will not arbitrarily divorce some portions of
+life from religion, and say these are of the world, the flesh, or the
+devil, any more than we will save up our religion for Sundays. There is
+no devil, no original sin, no need of salvation from it, no need of a
+mediator. Every Jew is in as direct relation with God as the Chief
+Rabbi. Christianity is an historical failure--its counsels of
+perfection, its command to turn the other cheek--a farce. When a modern
+spiritual genius, a Tolstoi, repeats it, all Christendom laughs, as at a
+new freak of insanity. All practical, honorable men are Jews at heart.
+Judaism has never tampered with human dignity, nor perverted the moral
+consciousness. Our housekeeper, a Christian, once said to my sifter
+Addie, 'I'm so glad to see you do so much charity, Miss; _I_ need not,
+because I'm saved already.' Judaism is the true 'religion of humanity.'
+It does not seek to make men and women angels before their time. Our
+marriage service blesses the King of the Universe, who has created 'joy
+and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and
+delight, love, brotherhood, peace and fellowship.'"
+
+"It is all very beautiful in theory," said Esther. "But so is
+Christianity, which is also not to be charged with its historical
+caricatures, nor with its superiority to average human nature. As for
+the doctrine of original sin, it is the one thing that the science of
+heredity has demonstrated, with a difference. But do not be alarmed, I
+do not call myself a Christian because I see some relation between the
+dogmas of Christianity and the truths of experience, nor even
+because"--here she smiled, wistfully--"I should like to believe in
+Jesus. But you are less logical. When you said there was no devil, I
+felt sure I was right; that you belong to the modern schools, who get
+rid of all the old beliefs but cannot give up the old names. You know,
+as well as I do, that, take away the belief in hell, a real
+old-fashioned hell of fire and brimstone, even such Judaism as survives
+would freeze to death without that genial warmth."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind," he said, "and I am in no sense a modern. I
+am (to adopt a phrase which is, to me, tautologous) an orthodox Jew."
+
+Esther smiled. "Forgive my smiling," she said. "I am thinking of the
+orthodox Jews I used to know, who used to bind their phylacteries on
+their arms and foreheads every morning."
+
+"I bind my phylacteries on my arm and forehead every morning," he said,
+simply.
+
+"What!" gasped Esther. "You an Oxford man!"
+
+"Yes," he said, gravely. "Is it so astonishing to you?"
+
+"Yes, it is. You are the first educated Jew I have ever met who believed
+in that sort of thing."
+
+"Nonsense?" he said, inquiringly. "There are hundreds like me."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"There's the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. I suppose _he_ does, but then he's
+paid for it."
+
+"Oh, why will you sneer at Strelitski?" he said, pained. "He has a noble
+soul. It is to the privilege of his conversation that I owe my best
+understanding of Judaism."
+
+"Ah, I was wondering why the old arguments sounded so different, so much
+more convincing, from your lips," murmured Esther. "Now I know; because
+he wears a white tie. That sets up all my bristles of contradiction when
+he opens his mouth."
+
+"But I wear a white tie, too," said Raphael, his smile broadening in
+sympathy with the slow response on the girl's serious face.
+
+"That's not a trade-mark," she protested. "But forgive me; I didn't
+know Strelitski was a friend of yours. I won't say a word against him
+any more. His sermons really are above the average, and he strives more
+than the others to make Judaism more spiritual."
+
+"More spiritual!" he repeated, the pained expression returning. "Why,
+the very theory of Judaism has always been the spiritualization of the
+material."
+
+"And the practice of Judaism has always been the materialization of the
+spiritual," she answered.
+
+He pondered the saying thoughtfully, his face growing sadder.
+
+"You have lived among your books," Esther went on. "I have lived among
+the brutal facts. I was born in the Ghetto, and when you talk of the
+mission of Israel, silent sardonic laughter goes through me as I think
+of the squalor and the misery."
+
+"God works through human suffering; his ways are large," said Raphael,
+almost in a whisper.
+
+"And wasteful," said Esther. "Spare me clerical platitudes ŕ la
+Strelitski. I have seen so much."
+
+"And suffered much?" he asked gently.
+
+She nodded scarce perceptibly. "Oh, if you only knew my life!"
+
+"Tell it me," he said. His voice was soft and caressing. His frank soul
+seemed to pierce through all conventionalities, and to go straight to
+hers.
+
+"I cannot, not now," she murmured. "There is so much to tell."
+
+"Tell me a little," he urged.
+
+She began to speak of her history, scarce knowing why, forgetting he was
+a stranger. Was it racial affinity, or was it merely the spiritual
+affinity of souls that feel their identity through all differences of
+brain?
+
+"What is the use?" she said. "You, with your childhood, could never
+realize mine. My mother died when I was seven; my father was a Russian
+pauper alien who rarely got work. I had an elder brother of brilliant
+promise. He died before he was thirteen. I had a lot of brothers and
+sisters and a grandmother, and we all lived, half starved, in a garret."
+
+Her eyes grew humid at the recollection; she saw the spacious
+drawing-room and the dainty bric-ŕ-brac through a mist.
+
+"Poor child!" murmured Raphael.
+
+"Strelitski, by the way, lived in our street then. He sold cigars on
+commission and earned an honest living. Sometimes I used to think that
+is why he never cares to meet my eye; he remembers me and knows I
+remember him; at other times I thought he knew that I saw through his
+professions of orthodoxy. But as you champion him, I suppose I must look
+for a more creditable reason for his inability to look me straight in
+the face. Well, I grew up, I got on well at school, and about ten years
+ago I won a prize given by Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, whose kindly interest I
+excited thenceforward. At thirteen I became a teacher. This had always
+been my aspiration: when it was granted I was more unhappy than ever. I
+began to realize acutely that we were terribly poor. I found it
+difficult to dress so as to insure the respect of my pupils and
+colleagues; the work was unspeakably hard and unpleasant; tiresome and
+hungry little girls had to be ground to suit the inspectors, and fell
+victims to the then prevalent competition among teachers for a high
+percentage of passes. I had to teach Scripture history and I didn't
+believe in it. None of us believed in it; the talking serpent, the
+Egyptian miracles, Samson, Jonah and the whale, and all that. Everything
+about me was sordid and unlovely. I yearned for a fuller, wider life,
+for larger knowledge. I hungered for the sun. In short, I was intensely
+miserable. At home things went from bad to worse; often I was the sole
+bread-winner, and my few shillings a week were our only income. My
+brother Solomon grew up, but could not get into a decent situation
+because he must not work on the Sabbath. Oh, if you knew how young lives
+are cramped and shipwrecked at the start by this one curse of the
+Sabbath, you would not wish us to persevere in our isolation. It sent a
+mad thrill of indignation through me to find my father daily entreating
+the deaf heavens."
+
+He would not argue now. His eyes were misty.
+
+"Go on!" he murmured.
+
+"The rest is nothing. Mrs. Henry Goldsmith stepped in as the _dea ex
+machina_. She had no children, and she took it into her head to adopt
+me. Naturally I was dazzled, though anxious about my brothers and
+sisters. But my father looked upon it as a godsend. Without consulting
+me, Mrs. Goldsmith arranged that he and the other children should be
+shipped to America: she got him some work at a relative's in Chicago. I
+suppose she was afraid of having the family permanently hanging about
+the Terrace. At first I was grieved; but when the pain of parting was
+over I found myself relieved to be rid of them, especially of my father.
+It sounds shocking, I know, but I can confess all my vanities now, for I
+have learned all is vanity. I thought Paradise was opening before me; I
+was educated by the best masters, and graduated at the London
+University. I travelled and saw the Continent; had my fill of sunshine
+and beauty. I have had many happy moments, realized many childish
+ambitions, but happiness is as far away as ever. My old
+school-colleagues envy me, yet I do not know whether I would not go back
+without regret."
+
+"Is there anything lacking in your life, then?" he asked gently.
+
+"No, I happen to be a nasty, discontented little thing, that is all,"
+she said, with a faint smile. "Look on me as a psychological paradox, or
+a text for the preacher."
+
+"And do the Goldsmiths know of your discontent?"
+
+"Heaven forbid! They have been so very kind to me. We get along very
+well together. I never discuss religion with them, only the services and
+the minister."
+
+"And your relatives?"
+
+"Ah, they are all well and happy. Solomon has a store in Detroit. He is
+only nineteen and dreadfully enterprising. Father is a pillar of a
+Chicago _Chevra_. He still talks Yiddish. He has escaped learning
+American just as he escaped learning English. I buy him a queer old
+Hebrew book sometimes with my pocket-money and he is happy. One little
+sister is a type-writer, and the other is just out of school and does
+the housework. I suppose I shall go out and see them all some day."
+
+"What became of the grandmother you mentioned?"
+
+"She had a Charity Funeral a year before the miracle happened. She was
+very weak and ill, and the Charity Doctor warned her that she must not
+fast on the Day of Atonement. But she wouldn't even moisten her parched
+lips with a drop of cold water. And so she died; exhorting my father
+with her last breath to beware of Mrs. Simons (a good-hearted widow who
+was very kind to us), and to marry a pious Polish woman."
+
+"And did he?"
+
+"No, I am still stepmotherless. Your white tie's gone wrong. It's all on
+one side."
+
+"It generally is," said Raphael, fumbling perfunctorily at the little
+bow.
+
+"Let me put it straight. There! And now you know all about me. I hope
+you are going to repay my confidences in kind."
+
+"I am afraid I cannot oblige with anything so romantic," he said
+smiling. "I was born of rich but honest parents, of a family settled in
+England for three generations, and went to Harrow and Oxford in due
+course. That is all. I saw a little of the Ghetto, though, when I was a
+boy. I had some correspondence on Hebrew Literature with a great Jewish
+scholar, Gabriel Hamburg (he lives in Stockholm now), and one day when I
+was up from Harrow I went to see him. By good fortune I assisted at the
+foundation of the Holy Land League, now presided over by Gideon, the
+member for Whitechapel. I was moved to tears by the enthusiasm; it was
+there I made the acquaintance of Strelitski. He spoke as if inspired. I
+also met a poverty-stricken poet, Melchitsedek Pinchas, who afterwards
+sent me his work, _Metatoron's Flames_, to Harrow. A real neglected
+genius. Now there's the man to bear in mind when one speaks of Jews and
+poetry. After that night I kept up a regular intercourse with the
+Ghetto, and have been there several times lately."
+
+"But surely you don't also long to return to Palestine?"
+
+"I do. Why should we not have our own country?"
+
+"It would be too chaotic! Fancy all the Ghettos of the world
+amalgamating. Everybody would want to be ambassador at Paris, as the old
+joke says."
+
+"It would be a problem for the statesmen among us. Dissenters,
+Churchmen, Atheists, Slum Savages, Clodhoppers, Philosophers,
+Aristocrats--make up Protestant England. It is the popular ignorance of
+the fact that Jews are as diverse as Protestants that makes such novels
+as we were discussing at dinner harmful."
+
+"But is the author to blame for that? He does not claim to present the
+whole truth but a facet. English society lionized Thackeray for his
+pictures of it. Good heavens! Do Jews suppose they alone are free from
+the snobbery, hypocrisy and vulgarity that have shadowed every society
+that has ever existed?"
+
+"In no work of art can the spectator be left out of account," he urged.
+"In a world full of smouldering prejudices a scrap of paper may start
+the bonfire. English society can afford to laugh where Jewish society
+must weep. That is why our papers are always so effusively grateful for
+Christian compliments. You see it is quite true that the author paints
+not the Jews but bad Jews, but, in the absence of paintings of good
+Jews, bad Jews are taken as identical with Jews."
+
+"Oh, then you agree with the others about the book?" she said in a
+disappointed tone.
+
+"I haven't read it; I am speaking generally. Have you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And what did you think of it? I don't remember your expressing an
+opinion at table."
+
+She pondered an instant.
+
+"I thought highly of it and agreed with every word of it." She paused.
+He looked expectantly into the dark intense face. He saw it was charged
+with further speech.
+
+"Till I met you," she concluded abruptly.
+
+A wave of emotion passed over his face.
+
+"You don't mean that?" he murmured.
+
+"Yes, I do. You have shown me new lights."
+
+"I thought I was speaking platitudes," he said simply. "It would be
+nearer the truth to say you have given _me_ new lights."
+
+The little face flushed with pleasure; the dark skin shining, the eyes
+sparkling. Esther looked quite pretty.
+
+"How is that possible?" she said. "You have read and thought twice as
+much as I."
+
+"Then you must be indeed poorly off," he said, smiling. "But I am really
+glad we met. I have been asked to edit a new Jewish paper, and our talk
+has made me see more clearly the lines on which it must be run, if it is
+to do any good. I am awfully indebted to you."
+
+"A new Jewish paper?" she said, deeply interested. "We have so many
+already. What is its _raison d'ętre_?"
+
+"To convert you," he said smiling, but with a ring of seriousness in the
+words.
+
+"Isn't that like a steam-hammer cracking a nut or Hoti burning down his
+house to roast a pig? And suppose I refuse to take in the new Jewish
+paper? Will it suspend publication?" He laughed.
+
+"What's this about a new Jewish paper?" said Mrs. Goldsmith, suddenly
+appearing in front of them with her large genial smile. "Is that what
+you two have been plotting? I noticed you've laid your heads together
+all the evening. Ah well, birds of a feather flock together. Do you know
+my little Esther took the scholarship for logic at London? I wanted her
+to proceed to the M.A. at once, but the doctor said she must have a
+rest." She laid her hand affectionately on the girl's hair.
+
+Esther looked embarrassed.
+
+"And so she is still a Bachelor," said Raphael, smiling but evidently
+impressed.
+
+"Yes, but not for long I hope," returned Mrs. Goldsmith. "Come, darling,
+everybody's dying to hear one of your little songs."
+
+"The dying is premature," said Esther. "You know I only sing for my own
+amusement."
+
+"Sing for mine, then," pleaded Raphael.
+
+"To make you laugh?" queried Esther. "I know you'll laugh at the way I
+play the accompaniment. One's fingers have to be used to it from
+childhood--"
+
+Her eyes finished the sentence, "and you know what mine was."
+
+The look seemed to seal their secret sympathy.
+
+She went to the piano and sang in a thin but trained soprano. The song
+was a ballad with a quaint air full of sadness and heartbreak. To
+Raphael, who had never heard the psalmic wails of "The Sons of the
+Covenant" or the Polish ditties of Fanny Belcovitch, it seemed also full
+of originality. He wished to lose himself in the sweet melancholy, but
+Mrs. Goldsmith, who had taken Esther's seat at his side, would not let
+him.
+
+"Her own composition--words and music," she whispered. "I wanted her to
+publish it, but she is so shy and retiring. Who would think she was the
+child of a pauper emigrant, a rough jewel one has picked up and
+polished? If you really are going to start a new Jewish paper, she might
+be of use to you. And then there is Miss Cissy Levine--you have read her
+novels, of course? Sweetly pretty! Do you know, I think we are badly in
+want of a new paper, and you are the only man in the community who could
+give it us. We want educating, we poor people, we know so little of our
+faith and our literature."
+
+"I am so glad you feel the want of it," whispered Raphael, forgetting
+Esther in his pleasure at finding a soul yearning for the light.
+
+"Intensely. I suppose it will be advanced?"
+
+Raphael looked at her a moment a little bewildered.
+
+"No, it will be orthodox. It is the orthodox party that supplies the
+funds."
+
+A flash of light leaped into Mrs. Goldsmith's eyes.
+
+"I am so glad it is not as I feared." she said. "The rival party has
+hitherto monopolized the press, and I was afraid that like most of our
+young men of talent you would give it that tendency. Now at last we poor
+orthodox will have a voice. It will be written in English?"
+
+"As far as I can," he said, smiling.
+
+"No, you know what I mean. I thought the majority of the orthodox
+couldn't read English and that they have their jargon papers. Will you
+be able to get a circulation?"
+
+"There are thousands of families in the East End now among whom English
+is read if not written. The evening papers sell as well there as
+anywhere else in London."
+
+"Bravo!" murmured Mrs. Goldsmith, clapping her hands.
+
+Esther had finished her song. Raphael awoke to the remembrance of her.
+But she did not come to him again, sitting down instead on a lounge near
+the piano, where Sidney bantered Addie with his most paradoxical
+persiflage.
+
+Raphael looked at her. Her expression was abstracted, her eyes had an
+inward look. He hoped her headache had not got worse. She did not look
+at all pretty now. She seemed a frail little creature with a sad
+thoughtful face and an air of being alone in the midst of a merry
+company. Poor little thing! He felt as if he had known her for years.
+She seemed curiously out of harmony with all these people. He doubted
+even his own capacity to commune with her inmost soul. He wished he
+could be of service to her, could do anything for her that might lighten
+her gloom and turn her morbid thoughts in healthier directions.
+
+The butler brought in some claret negus. It was the break-up signal.
+Raphael drank his negus with a pleasant sense of arming himself against
+the cold air. He wanted to walk home smoking his pipe, which he always
+carried in his overcoat. He clasped Esther's hand with a cordial smile
+of farewell.
+
+"We shall meet again soon, I trust," he said.
+
+"I hope so," said Esther; "put me down as a subscriber to that paper."
+
+"Thank you," he said; "I won't forget."
+
+"What's that?" said Sidney, pricking up his ears; "doubled your
+circulation already?"
+
+Sidney put his cousin Addie into a hansom, as she did not care to walk,
+and got in beside her.
+
+"My feet are tired," she said; "I danced a lot last night, and was out a
+lot this afternoon. It's all very well for Raphael, who doesn't know
+whether he's walking on his head or his heels. Here, put your collar up,
+Raphael, not like that, it's all crumpled. Haven't you got a
+handkerchief to put round your throat? Where's that one I gave you? Lend
+him yours, Sidney."
+
+"You don't mind if _I_ catch my death of cold; I've got to go on a
+Christmas dance when I deposit you on your doorstep," grumbled Sidney.
+"Catch! There, you duffer! It's gone into the mud. Sure you won't jump
+in? Plenty of room. Addie can sit on my knee. Well, ta, ta! Merry
+Christmas."
+
+Raphael lit his pipe and strode off with long ungainly strides. It was a
+clear frosty night, and the moonlight glistened on the silent spaces of
+street and square.
+
+"Go to bed, my dear," said Mrs. Goldsmith, returning to the lounge where
+Esther still sat brooding. "You look quite worn out."
+
+Left alone, Mrs. Goldsmith smiled pleasantly at Mr. Goldsmith, who,
+uncertain of how he had behaved himself, always waited anxiously for the
+verdict. He was pleased to find it was "not guilty" this time.
+
+"I think that went off very well," she said. She was looking very lovely
+to-night, the low bodice emphasizing the voluptuous outlines of the
+bust.
+
+"Splendidly," he returned. He stood with his coat-tails to the fire, his
+coarse-grained face beaming like an extra lamp. "The people and those
+croquettes were A1. The way Mary's picked up French cookery is
+wonderful."
+
+"Yes, especially considering she denies herself butter. But I'm not
+thinking of that nor of our guests." He looked at her wonderingly.
+"Henry," she continued impressively, "how would you like to get into
+Parliament?"
+
+"Eh, Parliament? Me?" he stammered.
+
+"Yes, why not? I've always had it in my eye."
+
+His face grew gloomy. "It is not practicable," he said, shaking the head
+with the prominent teeth and ears.
+
+"Not practicable?" she echoed sharply. "Just think of what you've
+achieved already, and don't tell me you're going to stop now. Not
+practicable, indeed! Why, that's the very word you used years ago in the
+provinces when I said you ought to be President. You said old
+Winkelstein had been in the position too long to be ousted. And yet I
+felt certain your superior English would tell in the long run in such a
+miserable congregation of foreigners, and when Winkelstein had made that
+delicious blunder about the 'university' of the Exodus instead of the
+'anniversary,' and I went about laughing over it in all the best
+circles, the poor man's day was over. And when we came to London, and
+seemed to fall again to the bottom of the ladder because our greatness
+was swallowed up in the vastness, didn't you despair then? Didn't you
+tell me that we should never rise to the surface?"
+
+"It didn't seem probable, did it?" he murmured in self-defence.
+
+"Of course not. That's just my point. Your getting into the House of
+Commons doesn't seem probable now. But in those days your getting merely
+to know M.P.'s was equally improbable. The synagogal dignities were all
+filled up by old hands, there was no way of getting on the Council and
+meeting our magnates."
+
+"Yes, but your solution of that difficulty won't do here. I had not much
+difficulty in persuading the United Synagogue that a new synagogue was a
+crying want in Kensington, but I could hardly persuade the government
+that a new constituency is a crying want in London." He spoke pettishly;
+his ambition always required rousing and was easily daunted.
+
+"No, but somebody's going to start a new something else, Henry," said
+Mrs. Goldsmith with enigmatic cheerfulness. "Trust in me; think of what
+we have done in less than a dozen years at comparatively trifling costs,
+thanks to that happy idea of a new synagogue--you the representative of
+the Kensington synagogue, with a 'Sir' for a colleague and a
+congregation that from exceptionally small beginnings has sprung up to
+be the most fashionable in London; likewise a member of the Council of
+the Anglo-Jewish Association and an honorary officer of the _Shechitah_
+Board; I, connected with several first-class charities, on the Committee
+of our leading school, and the acknowledged discoverer of a girl who
+gives promise of doing something notable in literature or music. We have
+a reputation for wealth, culture and hospitality, and it is quite two
+years since we shook off the last of the Maida Vale lot, who are so
+graphically painted in that novel of Mr. Armitage's. Who are our guests
+now? Take to-night's! A celebrated artist, a brilliant young Oxford man,
+both scions of the same wealthy and well-considered family, an
+authoress of repute who dedicates her books (by permission) to the very
+first families of the community; and lastly the Montagu Samuels with the
+brother, Percy Saville, who both go only to the best houses. Is there
+any other house, where the company is so exclusively Jewish, that could
+boast of a better gathering?"
+
+"I don't say anything against the company," said her husband awkwardly,
+"it's better than we got in the Provinces. But your company isn't your
+constituency. What constituency would have me?"
+
+"Certainly, no ordinary constituency would have you," admitted his wife
+frankly. "I am thinking of Whitechapel."
+
+"But Gideon represents Whitechapel."
+
+"Certainly; as Sidney Graham says, he represents it very well. But he
+has made himself unpopular, his name has appeared in print as a guest at
+City banquets, where the food can't be _kosher_. He has alienated a
+goodly proportion of the Jewish vote."
+
+"Well?" said Mr. Goldsmith, still wonderingly.
+
+"Now is the time to bid for his shoes. Raphael Leon is about to
+establish a new Jewish paper. I was mistaken about that young man. You
+remember my telling you I had heard he was eccentric and despite his
+brilliant career a little touched on religious matters. I naturally
+supposed his case was like that of one or two other Jewish young men we
+know and that he yearned for spirituality, and his remarks at table
+rather confirmed the impression. But he is worse than that--and I nearly
+put my foot in it--his craziness is on the score of orthodoxy! Fancy
+that! A man who has been to Harrow and Oxford longing for a gaberdine
+and side curls! Well, well, live and learn. What a sad trial for his
+parents!" She paused, musing.
+
+"But, Rosetta, what has Raphael Leon to do with my getting into
+Parliament?"
+
+"Don't be stupid, Henry. Haven't I explained to you that Leon is going
+to start an orthodox paper which will be circulated among your future
+constituents. It's extremely fortunate that we have always kept our
+religion. We have a widespread reputation for orthodoxy. We are friends
+with Leon, and we can get Esther to write for the paper (I could see he
+was rather struck by her). Through this paper we can keep you and your
+orthodoxy constantly before the constituency. The poor people are quite
+fascinated by the idea of rich Jews like us keeping a strictly _kosher_
+table; but the image of a Member of Parliament with phylacteries on his
+forehead will simply intoxicate them." She smiled, herself, at the
+image; the smile that always intoxicated Percy Saville.
+
+"You're a wonderful woman, Rosetta," said Henry, smiling in response
+with admiring affection and making his incisors more prominent. He drew
+her head down to him and kissed her lips. She returned his kiss
+lingeringly and they had a flash of that happiness which is born of
+mutual fidelity and trust.
+
+"Can I do anything for you, mum, afore I go to bed?" said stout old Mary
+O'Reilly, appearing at the door. Mary was a privileged person,
+unappalled even by the butler. Having no relatives, she never took a
+holiday and never went out except to Chapel.
+
+"No, Mary, thank you. The dinner was excellent. Good night and merry
+Christmas."
+
+"Same to you, mum," and as the unconscious instrument of Henry
+Goldsmith's candidature turned away, the Christmas bells broke merrily
+upon the night. The peals fell upon the ears of Raphael Leon, still
+striding along, casting a gaunt shadow on the hoar-frosted pavement, but
+he marked them not; upon Addie sitting by her bedroom mirror thinking of
+Sidney speeding to the Christmas dance; upon Esther turning restlessly
+on the luxurious eider-down, oppressed by panoramic pictures of the
+martyrdom of her race. Lying between sleep and waking, especially when
+her brain had been excited, she had the faculty of seeing wonderful
+vivid visions, indistinguishable from realities. The martyrs who mounted
+the scaffold and the stake all had the face of Raphael.
+
+"The mission of Israel" buzzed through her brain. Oh, the irony of
+history! Here was another life going to be wasted on an illusory dream.
+The figures of Raphael and her father suddenly came into grotesque
+juxtaposition. A bitter smile passed across her face.
+
+The Christmas bells rang on, proclaiming Peace in the name of Him who
+came to bring a sword into the world.
+
+"Surely," she thought, "the people of Christ has been the Christ of
+peoples."
+
+And then she sobbed meaninglessly in the darkness
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+"THE FLAG OF JUDAH."
+
+
+The call to edit the new Jewish paper seemed to Raphael the voice of
+Providence. It came just when he was hesitating about his future,
+divided between the attractions of the ministry, pure Hebrew scholarship
+and philanthropy. The idea of a paper destroyed these conflicting claims
+by comprehending them all. A paper would be at once a pulpit, a medium
+for organizing effective human service, and an incentive to serious
+study in the preparation of scholarly articles.
+
+The paper was to be the property of the Co-operative Kosher Society, an
+association originally founded to supply unimpeachable Passover cakes.
+It was suspected by the pious that there was a taint of heresy in the
+flour used by the ordinary bakers, and it was remarked that the
+Rabbinate itself imported its _Matzoth_ from abroad. Successful in its
+first object, the Co-operative Kosher Society extended its operations to
+more perennial commodities, and sought to save Judaism from dubious
+cheese and butter, as well as to provide public baths for women in
+accordance with the precepts of Leviticus. But these ideals were not so
+easy to achieve, and so gradually the idea of a paper to preach them to
+a godless age formed itself. The members of the Society met in Aaron
+Schlesinger's back office to consider them. Schlesinger was a cigar
+merchant, and the discussions of the Society were invariably obscured by
+gratuitous smoke Schlesinger's junior partner, Lewis De Haan, who also
+had a separate business as a surveyor, was the soul of the Society, and
+talked a great deal. He was a stalwart old man, with a fine imagination
+and figure, boundless optimism, a big biceps, a long venerable white
+beard, a keen sense of humor, and a versatility which enabled him to
+turn from the price of real estate to the elucidation of a Talmudical
+difficulty, and from the consignment of cigars to the organization of
+apostolic movements. Among the leading spirits were our old friends,
+Karlkammer the red-haired zealot, Sugarman the _Shadchan_, and Guedalyah
+the greengrocer, together with Gradkoski the scholar, fancy goods
+merchant and man of the world. A furniture-dealer, who was always
+failing, was also an important personage, while Ebenezer Sugarman, a
+young man who had once translated a romance from the Dutch, acted as
+secretary. Melchitsedek Pinchas invariably turned up at the meetings and
+smoked Schlesinger's cigars. He was not a member; he had not qualified
+himself by taking ten pound shares (far from fully paid up), but nobody
+liked to eject him, and no hint less strong than a physical would have
+moved the poet.
+
+All the members of the Council of the Co-operative Kosher Society spoke
+English volubly and more or less grammatically, but none had sufficient
+confidence in the others to propose one of them for editor, though it is
+possible that none would have shrunk from having a shot. Diffidence is
+not a mark of the Jew. The claims of Ebenezer Sugarman and of
+Melchitsedek Pinchas were put forth most vehemently by Ebenezer and
+Melchitsedek respectively, and their mutual accusations of incompetence
+enlivened Mr. Schlesinger's back office.
+
+"He ain't able to spell the commonest English words," said Ebenezer,
+with a contemptuous guffaw that sounded like the croak of a raven.
+
+The young littérateur, the sumptuousness of whose _Barmitzvah_-party was
+still a memory with his father, had lank black hair, with a long nose
+that supported blue spectacles.
+
+"What does he know of the Holy Tongue?" croaked Melchitsedek
+witheringly, adding in a confidential whisper to the cigar merchant: "I
+and you, Schlesinger, are the only two men in England who can write the
+Holy Tongue grammatically."
+
+The little poet was as insinutive and volcanic (by turns) as ever. His
+beard was, however, better trimmed and his complexion healthier, and he
+looked younger than ten years ago. His clothes were quite spruce. For
+several years he had travelled about the Continent, mainly at Raphael's
+expense. He said his ideas came better in touring and at a distance from
+the unappreciative English Jewry. It was a pity, for with his linguistic
+genius his English would have been immaculate by this time. As it was,
+there was a considerable improvement in his writing, if not so much in
+his accent.
+
+"What do I know of the Holy Tongue!" repeated Ebenezer scornfully. "Hold
+yours!"
+
+The Committee laughed, but Schlesinger, who was a serious man, said,
+"Business, gentlemen, business."
+
+"Come, then! I'll challenge you to translate a page of _Metatoron's
+Flames_," said Pinchas, skipping about the office like a sprightly flea.
+"You know no more than the Reverend Joseph Strelitski vith his vite tie
+and his princely income."
+
+De Haan seized the poet by the collar, swung him off his feet and tucked
+him up in the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Yah!" croaked Ebenezer. "Here's a fine editor. Ho! Ho! Ho!"
+
+"We cannot have either of them. It's the only way to keep them quiet,"
+said the furniture-dealer who was always failing.
+
+Ebenezer's face fell and his voice rose.
+
+"I don't see why I should be sacrificed to _'im_. There ain't a man in
+England who can write English better than me. Why, everybody says so.
+Look at the success of my book, _The Old Burgomaster_, the best Dutch
+novel ever written. The _St. Pancras Press_ said it reminded them of
+Lord Lytton, it did indeed. I can show you the paper. I can give you one
+each if you like. And then it ain't as if I didn't know 'Ebrew, too.
+Even if I was in doubt about anything, I could always go to my father.
+You give me this paper to manage and I'll make your fortunes for you in
+a twelvemonth; I will as sure as I stand here."
+
+Pinchas had made spluttering interruptions as frequently as he could in
+resistance of De Haan's brawny, hairy hand which was pressed against his
+nose and mouth to keep him down in the coal-scuttle, but now he exploded
+with a force that shook off the hand like a bottle of soda water
+expelling its cork.
+
+"You Man-of-the-Earth," he cried, sitting up in the coal-scuttle. "You
+are not even orthodox. Here, my dear gentlemen, is the very position
+created by Heaven for me--in this disgraceful country where genius
+starves. Here at last you have the opportunity of covering yourselves
+vid eternal glory. Have I not given you the idea of starting this paper?
+And vas I not born to be a Rédacteur, a Editor, as you call it? Into the
+paper I vill pour all the fires of my song--"
+
+"Yes, burn it up," croaked Ebenezer.
+
+"I vill lead the Freethinkers and the Reformers back into the fold. I
+vill be Elijah and my vings shall be quill pens. I vill save Judaism."
+He started up, swelling, but De Haan caught him by his waistcoat and
+readjusted him in the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Here, take another cigar, Pinchas," he said, passing Schlesinger's
+private box, as if with a twinge of remorse for his treatment of one he
+admired as a poet though he could not take him seriously as a man.
+
+The discussion proceeded; the furniture-dealer's counsel was followed;
+it was definitely decided to let the two candidates neutralize each
+other.
+
+"Vat vill you give me, if I find you a Rédacteur?" suddenly asked
+Pinchas. "I give up my editorial seat--"
+
+"Editorial coal-scuttle," growled Ebenezer.
+
+"Pooh! I find you a first-class Rédacteur who vill not want a big
+salary; perhaps he vill do it for nothing. How much commission vill you
+give me?"
+
+"Ten shillings on every pound if he does not want a big salary," said De
+Haan instantly, "and twelve and sixpence on every pound if he does it
+for nothing."
+
+And Pinchas, who was easily bamboozled when finance became complex, went
+out to find Raphael.
+
+Thus at the next meeting the poet produced Raphael in triumph, and
+Gradkoski, who loved a reputation for sagacity, turned a little green
+with disgust at his own forgetfulness. Gradkoski was among those
+founders of the Holy Land League with whom Raphael had kept up
+relations, and he could not deny that the young enthusiast was the ideal
+man for the post. De Haan, who was busy directing the clerks to write
+out ten thousand wrappers for the first number, and who had never heard
+of Raphael before, held a whispered confabulation with Gradkoski and
+Schlesinger and in a few moments Raphael was rescued from obscurity and
+appointed to the editorship of the _Flag of Judah_ at a salary of
+nothing a year. De Haan immediately conceived a vast contemptuous
+admiration of the man.
+
+"You von't forget me," whispered Pinchas, buttonholing the editor at the
+first opportunity, and placing his forefinger insinuatingly alongside
+his nose. "You vill remember that I expect a commission on your salary."
+
+Raphael smiled good-naturedly and, turning to De Haan, said: "But do you
+think there is any hope of a circulation?"
+
+"A circulation, sir, a circulation!" repeated De Haan. "Why, we shall
+not be able to print fast enough. There are seventy-thousand orthodox
+Jews in London alone."
+
+"And besides," added Gradkoski, in a corroboration strongly like a
+contradiction, "we shall not have to rely on the circulation. Newspapers
+depend on their advertisements."
+
+"Do they?" said Raphael, helplessly.
+
+"Of course," said Gradkoski with his air of worldly wisdom, "And don't
+you see, being a religious paper we are bound to get all the communal
+advertisements. Why, we get the Co-operative Kosher Society to start
+with."
+
+"Yes, but we ain't: going to pay for that,"' said Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_.
+
+"That doesn't matter," said De Haan. "It'll look well--we can fill up a
+whole page with it. You know what Jews are--they won't ask 'is this
+paper wanted?' they'll balance it in their hand, as if weighing up the
+value of the advertisements, and ask 'does it pay?' But it _will_ pay,
+it must pay; with you at the head of it, Mr. Leon, a man whose fame and
+piety are known and respected wherever a _Mezuzah_ adorns a door-post,
+a man who is in sympathy with the East End, and has the ear of the West,
+a man who will preach the purest Judaism in the best English, with such
+a man at the head of it, we shall be able to ask bigger prices for
+advertisements than the existing Jewish papers."
+
+Raphael left the office in a transport of enthusiasm, full of Messianic
+emotions. At the next meeting he announced that he was afraid he could
+not undertake the charge of the paper. Amid universal consternation,
+tempered by the exultation of Ebenezer, he explained that he had been
+thinking it over and did not see how it could be done. He said he had
+been carefully studying the existing communal organs, and saw that they
+dealt with many matters of which he knew nothing; whilst he might be
+competent to form the taste of the community in religious and literary
+matters, it appeared that the community was chiefly excited about
+elections and charities. "Moreover," said he, "I noticed that it is
+expected of these papers to publish obituaries of communal celebrities,
+for whose biographies no adequate materials are anywhere extant. It
+would scarcely be decent to obtrude upon the sacred grief of the
+bereaved relatives with a request for particulars."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," laughed De Haan. "I'm sure _my_ wife would be
+glad to give you any information."
+
+"Of course, of course," said Gradkoski, soothingly. "You will get the
+obituaries sent in of themselves by the relatives."
+
+Raphael's brow expressed surprise and incredulity.
+
+"And besides, we are not going to crack up the same people as the other
+papers," said De Haan; "otherwise we should not supply a want. We must
+dole out our praise and blame quite differently, and we must be very
+scrupulous to give only a little praise so that it shall be valued the
+more." He stroked his white, beard tranquilly.
+
+"But how about meetings?" urged Raphael. "I find that sometimes two take
+place at once. I can go to one, but I can't be at both."
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," said De Haan airily. "We will leave out
+one and people will think it is unimportant. We are bringing out a
+paper for our own ends, not to report the speeches of busybodies."
+
+Raphael was already exhibiting a conscientiousness which must be nipped
+in the bud. Seeing him silenced, Ebenezer burst forth anxiously:
+
+"But Mr. Leon is right. There must be a sub-editor."
+
+"Certainly there must be a sub-editor," cried Pinchas eagerly.
+
+"Very well, then," said De Haan, struck with a sudden thought. "It is
+true Mr. Leon cannot do all the work. I know a young fellow who'll be
+just the very thing. He'll come for a pound a week."
+
+"But I'll come for a pound a week," said Ebenezer.
+
+"Yes, but you won't get it," said Schlesinger impatiently.
+
+"_Sha_, Ebenezer," said old Sugarman imperiously.
+
+De Haan thereupon hunted up a young gentleman, who dwelt in his mind as
+"Little Sampson," and straightway secured him at the price named. He was
+a lively young Bohemian born in Australia, who had served an
+apprenticeship on the Anglo-Jewish press, worked his way up into the
+larger journalistic world without, and was now engaged in organizing a
+comic-opera touring company, and in drifting back again into Jewish
+journalism. This young gentleman, who always wore long curling locks, an
+eye-glass and a romantic cloak which covered a multitude of
+shabbinesses, fully allayed Raphael's fears as to the difficulties of
+editorship.
+
+"Obituaries!" he said scornfully. "You rely on me for that! The people
+who are worth chronicling are sure to have lived in the back numbers of
+our contemporaries, and I can always hunt them up in the Museum. As for
+the people who are not, their families will send them in, and your only
+trouble will be to conciliate the families of those you ignore."
+
+"But about all those meetings?" said Raphael.
+
+"I'll go to some," said the sub-editor good-naturedly, "whenever they
+don't interfere with the rehearsals of my opera. You know of course I am
+bringing out a comic-opera, composed by myself, some lovely tunes in it;
+one goes like this: Ta ra ra ta, ta dee dum dee--that'll knock 'em.
+Well, as I was saying, I'll help you as much as I can find time for.
+You rely on me for that."
+
+"Yes," said poor Raphael with a sickly smile, "but suppose neither of us
+goes to some important meeting."
+
+"No harm done. God bless you, I know the styles of all our chief
+speakers--ahem--ha!--pauperization of the East End, ha!--I would
+emphatically say that this scheme--ahem!--his lordship's untiring zeal
+for hum!--the welfare of--and so on. Ta dee dum da, ta, ra, rum dee.
+They always send on the agenda beforehand. That's all I want, and I'll
+lay you twenty to one I'll turn out as good a report as any of our
+rivals. You rely on me for _that_! I know exactly how debates go. At the
+worst I can always swop with another reporter--a prize distribution for
+an obituary, or a funeral for a concert."
+
+"And do you really think we two between us can fill up the paper every
+week?" said Raphael doubtfully.
+
+Little Sampson broke into a shriek of laughter, dropped his eyeglass and
+collapsed helplessly into the coal-scuttle. The Committeemen looked up
+from their confabulations in astonishment.
+
+"Fill up the paper! Ho! Ho! Ho!" roared little Sampson, still doubled
+up. "Evidently _you've_ never had anything to do with papers. Why, the
+reports of London and provincial sermons alone would fill three papers a
+week."
+
+"Yes, but how are we to get these reports, especially from the
+provinces?"
+
+"How? Ho! Ho! Ho!" And for some time little Sampson was physically
+incapable of speech. "Don't you know," he gasped, "that the ministers
+always send up their own sermons, pages upon pages of foolscap?"
+
+"Indeed?" murmured Raphael.
+
+"What, haven't you noticed all Jewish sermons are eloquent?".
+
+"They write that themselves?"
+
+"Of course; sometimes they put 'able,' and sometimes 'learned,' but, as
+a rule, they prefer to be 'eloquent.' The run on that epithet is
+tremendous. Ta dee dum da. In holiday seasons they are also very fond of
+'enthralling the audience,' and of 'melting them to tears,' but this is
+chiefly during the Ten Days of Repentance, or when a boy is
+_Barmitzvah_. Then, think of the people who send in accounts of the
+oranges they gave away to distressed widows, or of the prizes won by
+their children at fourth-rate schools, or of the silver pointers they
+present to the synagogue. Whenever a reader sends a letter to an evening
+paper, he will want you to quote it; and, if he writes a paragraph in
+the obscurest leaflet, he will want you to note it as 'Literary
+Intelligence.' Why, my dear fellow, your chief task will be to cut down.
+Ta, ra, ra, ta! Any Jewish paper could be entirely supported by
+voluntary contributions--as, for the matter of that, could any newspaper
+in the world." He got up and shook the coal-dust languidly from his
+cloak.
+
+"Besides, we shall all be helping you with articles," said De Haan,
+encouragingly.
+
+"Yes, we shall all be helping you," said Ebenezer.
+
+"I vill give you from the Pierian spring--bucketsful," said Pinchas in a
+flush of generosity.
+
+"Thank you, I shall be much obliged," said Raphael, heartily, "for I
+don't quite see the use of a paper filled up as Mr. Sampson suggests."
+He flung his arms out and drew them in again. It was a way he had when
+in earnest. "Then, I should like to have some foreign news. Where's that
+to come from?"
+
+"You rely on me for _that_," said little Sampson, cheerfully. "I will
+write at once to all the chief Jewish papers in the world, French,
+German, Dutch, Italian, Hebrew, and American, asking them to exchange
+with us. There is never any dearth of foreign news. I translate a thing
+from the Italian _Vessillo Israelitico_, and the _Israelitische
+Nieuwsbode_ copies it from us; _Der Israelit_ then translates it into
+German, whence it gets into Hebrew, in _Hamagid_, thence into _L'Univers
+Israélite_, of Paris, and thence into the _American Hebrew_. When I see
+it in American, not having to translate it, it strikes me as fresh, and
+so I transfer it bodily to our columns, whence it gets translated into
+Italian, and so the merry-go-round goes eternally on. Ta dee rum day.
+You rely on me for your foreign news. Why, I can get you foreign
+telegrams if you'll only allow me to stick 'Trieste, December 21,' or
+things of that sort at the top. Ti, tum, tee ti." He went on humming a
+sprightly air, then, suddenly interrupting himself, he said, "but have
+you got an advertisement canvasser, Mr. De Haan?"
+
+"No, not yet," said De Haan, turning around. The committee had resolved
+itself into animated groups, dotted about the office, each group marked
+by a smoke-drift. The clerks were still writing the ten thousand
+wrappers, swearing inaudibly.
+
+"Well, when are you going to get him?"
+
+"Oh, we shall have advertisements rolling in of themselves," said De
+Haan, with a magnificent sweep of the arm. "And we shall all assist in
+that department! Help yourself to another cigar, Sampson." And he passed
+Schlesinger's box. Raphael and Karlkammer were the only two men in the
+room not smoking cigars--Raphael, because he preferred his pipe, and
+Karlkammer for some more mystic reason.
+
+"We must not ignore Cabalah," the zealot's voice was heard to observe.
+
+"You can't get advertisements by Cabalah," drily interrupted Guedalyah,
+the greengrocer, a practical man, as everybody knew.
+
+"No, indeed," protested Sampson. "The advertisement canvasser is a more
+important man than the editor."
+
+Ebenezer pricked up his ears.
+
+"I thought _you_ undertook to do some canvassing for your money," said
+De Haan.
+
+"So I will, so I will; rely on me for that. I shouldn't be surprised if
+I get the capitalists who are backing up my opera to give you the
+advertisements of the tour, and I'll do all I can in my spare time. But
+I feel sure you'll want another man--only, you must pay him well and
+give him a good commission. It'll pay best in the long run to have a
+good man, there are so many seedy duffers about," said little Sampson,
+drawing his faded cloak loftily around him. "You want an eloquent,
+persuasive man, with a gift of the gab--"
+
+"Didn't I tell you so?" interrupted Pinchas, putting his finger to his
+nose. "I vill go to the advertisers and speak burning words to them. I
+vill--"
+
+"Garn! They'd kick you out!" croaked Ebenezer. "They'll only listen to
+an Englishman." His coarse-featured face glistened with spite.
+
+"My Ebenezer has a good appearance," said old Sugarman, "and his English
+is fine, and dat is half de battle."
+
+Schlesinger, appealed to, intimated that Ebenezer might try, but that
+they could not well spare him any percentage at the start. After much
+haggling, Ebenezer consented to waive his commission, if the committee
+would consent to allow an original tale of his to appear in the paper.
+
+The stipulation having been agreed to, he capered joyously about the
+office and winked periodically at Pinchas from behind the battery of his
+blue spectacles. The poet was, however, rapt in a discussion as to the
+best printer. The Committee were for having Gluck, who had done odd jobs
+for most of them, but Pinchas launched into a narrative of how, when he
+edited a great organ in Buda-Pesth, he had effected vast economies by
+starting a little printing-office of his own in connection with the
+paper.
+
+"You vill set up a little establishment," he said. "I vill manage it for
+a few pounds a veek. Then I vill not only print your paper, I vill get
+you large profits from extra printing. Vith a man of great business
+talent at the head of it--"
+
+De Haan made a threatening movement, and Pinchas edged away from the
+proximity of the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Gluck's our printer!" said De Haan peremptorily. "He has Hebrew type.
+We shall want a lot of that. We must have a lot of Hebrew
+quotations--not spell Hebrew words in English like the other papers. And
+the Hebrew date must come before the English. The public must see at
+once that our principles are superior. Besides, Gluck's a Jew, which
+will save us from the danger of having any of the printing done on
+Saturdays."
+
+"But shan't we want a publisher?" asked Sampson.
+
+"That's vat I say," cried Pinchas. "If I set up this office, I can be
+your publisher too. Ve must do things business-like."
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense! We are our own publishers," said De Haan. "Our
+clerks will send out the invoices and the subscription copies, and an
+extra office-boy can sell the papers across the counter."
+
+Sampson smiled in his sleeve.
+
+"All right. That will do--for the first number," he said cordially. "Ta
+ra ra ta."
+
+"Now then, Mr. Leon, everything is settled," said De Haan, stroking his
+beard briskly. "I think I'll ask you to help us to draw up the posters.
+We shall cover all London, sir, all London."
+
+"But wouldn't that be wasting money?" said Raphael.
+
+"Oh, we're going to do the thing properly. I don't believe in meanness."
+
+"It'll be enough if we cover the East End," said Schlesinger, drily.
+
+"Quite so. The East End _is_ London as far as we're concerned," said De
+Haan readily.
+
+Raphael took the pen and the paper which De Haan tendered him and wrote
+_The Flag of Judah_, the title having been fixed at their first
+interview.
+
+"The only orthodox paper!" dictated De Haan. "Largest circulation of any
+Jewish paper in the world!"
+
+"No, how can we say that?" said Raphael, pausing.
+
+"No, of course not," said De Haan. "I was thinking of the subsequent
+posters. Look out for the first number--on Friday, January 1st. The best
+Jewish writers! The truest Jewish teachings! Latest Jewish news and
+finest Jewish stories. Every Friday. Twopence."
+
+"Twopence?" echoed Raphael, looking up. "I thought you wanted to appeal
+to the masses. I should say it must be a penny."
+
+"It _will_ be a penny," said De Haan oracularly.
+
+"We have thought it all over," interposed Gradkoski. "The first number
+will be bought up out of curiosity, whether at a penny or at twopence.
+The second will go almost as well, for people will be anxious to see how
+it compares with the first. In that number we shall announce that owing
+to the enormous success we have been able to reduce it to a penny;
+meantime we make all the extra pennies."
+
+"I see," said Raphael dubiously.
+
+"We must have _Chochma_" said De Haan. "Our sages recommend that."
+
+Raphael still had his doubts, but he had also a painful sense of his
+lack of the "practical wisdom" recommended by the sages cited. He
+thought these men were probably in the right. Even religion could not be
+pushed on the masses without business methods, and so long as they were
+in earnest about the doctrines to be preached, he could even feel a dim
+admiration for their superior shrewdness in executing a task in which he
+himself would have hopelessly broken down. Raphael's mind was large; and
+larger by being conscious of its cloistral limitations. And the men were
+in earnest; not even their most intimate friends could call this into
+question.
+
+"We are going to save London," De Haan put it in one of his dithyrambic
+moments. "Orthodoxy has too long been voiceless, and yet it is
+five-sixths of Judaea. A small minority has had all the say. We must
+redress the balance. We must plead the cause of the People against the
+Few."
+
+Raphael's breast throbbed with similar hopes. His Messianic emotions
+resurged. Sugarman's solicitous request that he should buy a Hamburg
+Lottery Ticket scarcely penetrated his consciousness. Carrying the copy
+of the poster, he accompanied De Haan to Gluck's. It was a small shop in
+a back street with jargon-papers and hand-bills in the window and a
+pervasive heavy oleaginous odor. A hand-press occupied the centre of the
+interior, the back of which was partitioned of and marked "Private."
+Gluck came forward, grinning welcome. He wore an unkempt beard and a
+dusky apron.
+
+"Can you undertake to print an eight-page paper?" inquired De Haan.
+
+"If I can print at all, I can print anything," responded Gluck
+reproachfully. "How many shall you want?"
+
+"It's the orthodox paper we've been planning so long," said De Haan
+evasively.
+
+Gluck nodded his head.
+
+"There are seventy thousand orthodox Jews in London alone," said De
+Haan, with rotund enunciation. "So you see what you may have to print.
+It'll be worth your while to do it extra cheap."
+
+Gluck agreed readily, naming a low figure. After half an hour's
+discussion it was reduced by ten per cent.
+
+"Good-bye, then," said De Haan. "So let it stand. We shall start with a
+thousand copies of the first number, but where we shall end, the Holy
+One, blessed be He, alone knows. I will now leave you and the editor to
+talk over the rest. To-day's Monday. We must have the first number out
+by Friday week. Can you do that, Mr. Leon?"
+
+"Oh, that will be ample," said Raphael, shooting out his arms.
+
+He did not remain of that opinion. Never had he gone through such an
+awful, anxious time, not even in his preparations for the stiffest
+exams. He worked sixteen hours a day at the paper. The only evening he
+allowed himself off was when he dined with Mrs. Henry Goldsmith and met
+Esther. First numbers invariably take twice as long to produce as second
+numbers, even in the best regulated establishments. All sorts of
+mysterious sticks and leads, and fonts and forms, are found wanting at
+the eleventh hour. As a substitute for gray hair-dye there is nothing in
+the market to compete with the production of first numbers. But in
+Gluck's establishment, these difficulties were multiplied by a hundred.
+Gluck spent a great deal of time in going round the corner to get
+something from a brother printer. It took an enormous time to get a
+proof of any article out of Gluck.
+
+"My men are so careful," Gluck explained. "They don't like to pass
+anything till it's free from typos."
+
+The men must have been highly disappointed, for the proofs were
+invariably returned bristling with corrections and having a highly
+hieroglyphic appearance. Then Gluck would go in and slang his men. He
+kept them behind the partition painted "Private."
+
+The fatal Friday drew nearer and nearer. By Thursday not a single page
+had been made up. Still Gluck pointed out that there were only eight,
+and the day was long. Raphael had not the least idea in the world how to
+make up a paper, but about eleven little Sampson kindly strolled into
+Gluck's, and explained to his editor his own method of pasting the
+proofs on sheets of paper of the size of the pages. He even made up one
+page himself to a blithe vocal accompaniment. When the busy composer and
+acting-manager hurried off to conduct a rehearsal, Raphael expressed his
+gratitude warmly. The hours flew; the paper evolved as by geologic
+stages. As the fateful day wore on, Gluck was scarcely visible for a
+moment. Raphael was left alone eating his heart out in the shop, and
+solacing himself with huge whiffs of smoke. At immense intervals Gluck
+appeared from behind the partition bearing a page or a galley slip. He
+said his men could not be trusted to do their work unless he was
+present. Raphael replied that he had not seen the compositors come
+through the shop to get their dinners, and he hoped Gluck would not find
+it necessary to cut off their meal-times. Gluck reassured him on this
+point; he said his men were so loyal that they preferred to bring their
+food with them rather than have the paper delayed. Later on he casually
+mentioned that there was a back entrance. He would not allow Raphael to
+talk to his workmen personally, arguing that it spoiled their
+discipline. By eleven o'clock at night seven pages had been pulled and
+corrected: but the eighth page was not forthcoming. The _Flag_ had to be
+machined, dried, folded, and a number of copies put into wrappers and
+posted by three in the morning. The situation looked desperate. At a
+quarter to twelve, Gluck explained that a column of matter already set
+up had been "pied" by a careless compositor. It happened to be the
+column containing the latest news and Raphael had not even seen a proof
+of it. Still, Gluck conjured him not to trouble further: he would give
+his reader strict injunctions not to miss the slightest error. Raphael
+had already seen and passed the first column of this page, let him leave
+it to Gluck to attend to this second column; all would be well without
+his remaining later, and he would receive a copy of the _Flag_ by the
+first post. The poor editor, whose head was splitting, weakly yielded;
+he just caught the midnight train to the West End and he went to bed
+feeling happy and hopeful.
+
+At seven o'clock the next morning the whole Leon household was roused by
+a thunderous double rat-tat at the door. Addie was even heard to scream.
+A housemaid knocked at Raphael's door and pushed a telegram under it.
+Raphael jumped out of bed and read: "Third of column more matter wanted.
+Come at once. Gluck."
+
+"How can that be?" he asked himself in consternation. "If the latest
+news made a column when it was first set up before the accident, how can
+it make less now?"
+
+He dashed up to Gluck's office in a hansom and put the conundrum to him.
+
+"You see we had no time to distribute the 'pie,' and we had no more type
+of that kind, so we had to reset it smaller," answered Gluck glibly. His
+eyes were blood-shot, his face was haggard. The door of the private
+compartment stood open.
+
+"Your men are not come yet, I suppose," said Raphael.
+
+"No," said Gluck. "They didn't go away till two, poor fellows. Is that
+the copy?" he asked, as Raphael handed him a couple of slips he had
+distractedly scribbled in the cab under the heading of "Talmudic Tales."
+"Thank you, it's just about the size. I shall have to set it myself."
+
+"But won't we be terribly late?" said poor Raphael.
+
+"We shall be out to-day," responded Gluck cheerfully. "We shall be in
+time for the Sabbath, and that's the important thing. Don't you see
+they're half-printed already?" He indicated a huge pile of sheets.
+Raphael examined them with beating heart. "We've only got to print 'em
+on the other side and the thing's done," said Gluck.
+
+"Where are your machines?"
+
+"There," said Gluck, pointing.
+
+"That hand-press!" cried Raphael, astonished. "Do you mean to say you
+print them all with your own hand?"
+
+"Why not?" said the dauntless Gluck. "I shall wrap them up for the
+post, too." And he shut himself up with the last of the "copy."
+
+Raphael having exhausted his interest in the half-paper, fell to
+striding about the little shop, when who should come in but Pinchas,
+smoking a cigar of the Schlesinger brand.
+
+"Ah, my Prince of Rédacteurs," said Pinchas, darting at Raphael's hand
+and kissing it. "Did I not say you vould produce the finest paper in the
+kingdom? But vy have I not my copy by post? You must not listen to
+Ebenezer ven he says I must not be on the free list, the blackguard."
+
+Raphael explained to the incredulous poet that Ebenezer had not said
+anything of the kind. Suddenly Pinchas's eye caught sight of the sheets.
+He swooped down upon them like a hawk. Then he uttered a shriek of
+grief.
+
+"Vere's my poem, my great poesie?"
+
+Raphael looked embarrassed.
+
+"This is only half the paper," he said evasively.
+
+"Ha, then it vill appear in the other half, _hein_?" he said with hope
+tempered by a terrible suspicion.
+
+"N--n--o," stammered Raphael timidly.
+
+"No?" shrieked Pinchas.
+
+"You see--the--fact is, it wouldn't scan. Your Hebrew poetry is perfect,
+but English poetry is made rather differently and I've been too busy to
+correct it."
+
+"But it is exactly like Lord Byron's!" shrieked Pinchas. "Mein Gott! All
+night I lie avake--vaiting for the post. At eight o'clock the post
+comes--but _The Flag of Judah_ she vaves not! I rush round here--and now
+my beautiful poem vill not appear." He seized the sheet again, then
+cried fiercely: "You have a tale, 'The Waters of Babylon,' by Ebenezer
+the fool-boy, but my poesie have you not. _Gott in Himmel_!" He tore the
+sheet frantically across and rushed from the shop. In five minutes he
+reappeared. Raphael was absorbed in reading the last proof. Pinchas
+plucked timidly at his coat-tails.
+
+"You vill put it in next veek?" he said winningly.
+
+"I dare say," said Raphael gently.
+
+"Ah, promise me. I vill love you like a brother, I vill be grateful to
+you for ever and ever. I vill never ask another favor of you in all my
+life. Ve are already like brothers--_hein_? I and you, the only two
+men--"
+
+"Yes, yes," interrupted Raphael, "it shall appear next week."
+
+"God bless you!" said Pinchas, kissing Raphael's coat-tails passionately
+and rushing without.
+
+Looking up accidentally some minutes afterwards, Raphael was astonished
+to see the poet's carneying head thrust through the half-open door with
+a finger laid insinuatingly on the side of the nose. The head was fixed
+there as if petrified, waiting to catch the editor's eye.
+
+The first number of _The Flag of Judah_ appeared early in the afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE TROUBLES OF AN EDITOR.
+
+
+The new organ did not create a profound impression. By the rival party
+it was mildly derided, though many fair-minded persons were impressed by
+the rather unusual combination of rigid orthodoxy with a high spiritual
+tone and Raphael's conception of Judaism as outlined in his first
+leader, his view of it as a happy human compromise between an empty
+unpractical spiritualism and a choked-up over-practical formalism,
+avoiding the opposite extremes of its offshoots, Christianity and
+Mohammedanism, was novel to many of his readers, unaccustomed to think
+about their faith. Dissatisfied as Raphael was with the number, he felt
+he had fluttered some of the dove-cotes at least. Several people of
+taste congratulated him during Saturday and Sunday, and it was with a
+continuance of Messianic emotions and with agreeable anticipations that
+he repaired on Monday morning to the little den which had been
+inexpensively fitted up for him above the offices of Messrs. Schlesinger
+and De Haan. To his surprise he found it crammed with the committee; all
+gathered round little Sampson, who, with flushed face and cloak
+tragically folded, was expostulating at the top of his voice. Pinchas
+stood at the back in silent amusement. As Raphael entered jauntily,
+from a dozen lips, the lowering faces turned quickly towards him.
+Involuntarily Raphael started back in alarm, then stood rooted to the
+threshold. There was a dread ominous silence. Then the storm burst.
+
+"_Du Shegetz! Du Pasha Yisroile!_" came from all quarters of the
+compass.
+
+To be called a graceless Gentile and a sinner in Israel is not pleasant
+to a pious Jew: but all Raphael's minor sensations were swallowed up in
+a great wonderment.
+
+"We are ruined!" moaned the furniture-dealer, who was always failing.
+
+"You have ruined us!" came the chorus from the thick, sensuous lips, and
+swarthy fists were shaken threateningly. Sugarman's hairy paw was almost
+against his face. Raphael turned cold, then a rush of red-hot blood
+flooded his veins. He put out his good right hand and smote the nearest
+fist aside. Sugarman blenched and skipped back and the line of fists
+wavered.
+
+"Don't be fools, gentlemen," said De Haan, his keen sense of humor
+asserting itself. "Let Mr. Leon sit down."
+
+Raphael, still dazed, took his seat on the editorial chair. "Now, what
+can I do for you?" he said courteously. The fists dropped at his calm.
+
+"Do for us," said Schlesinger drily. "You've done for the paper. It's
+not worth twopence."
+
+"Well, bring it out at a penny at once then," laughed little Sampson,
+reinforced by the arrival of his editor.
+
+Guedalyah the greengrocer glowered at him.
+
+"I am very sorry, gentlemen, I have not been able to satisfy you," said
+Raphael. "But in a first number one can't do much."
+
+"Can't they?" said De Haan. "You've done so much damage to orthodoxy
+that we don't know whether to go on with the paper."
+
+"You're joking," murmured Raphael.
+
+"I wish I was," laughed De Haan bitterly.
+
+"But you astonish me." persisted Raphael. "Would you be so good as to
+point out where I have gone wrong?"
+
+"With pleasure. Or rather with pain," said De Haan. Each of the
+committee drew a tattered copy from his pocket, and followed De Haan's
+demonstration with a murmured accompaniment of lamentation.
+
+"The paper was founded to inculcate the inspection of cheese, the better
+supervision of the sale of meat, the construction of ladies' baths, and
+all the principles of true Judaism," said De Haan gloomily, "and there's
+not one word about these things, but a great deal about spirituality and
+the significance of the ritual. But I will begin at the beginning. Page
+1--"
+
+"But that's advertisements," muttered Raphael.
+
+"The part surest to be read! The very first line of the paper is simply
+shocking. It reads:
+
+"Death: On the 59th ult., at 22 Buckley St., the Rev. Abraham Barnett,
+in his fifty-fourth--"
+
+"But death is always shocking; what's wrong about that?" interposed
+little Sampson.
+
+"Wrong!" repeated De Haan, witheringly. "Where did you get that from?
+That was never sent in."
+
+"No, of course not," said the sub-editor. "But we had to have at least
+one advertisement of that kind; just to show we should be pleased to
+advertise our readers' deaths. I looked in the daily papers to see if
+there were any births or marriages with Jewish names, but I couldn't
+find any, and that was the only Jewish-sounding death I could see."
+
+"But the Rev. Abraham Barnett was a _Meshumad_," shrieked Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_. Raphael turned pale. To have inserted an advertisement about
+an apostate missionary was indeed terrible. But little Sampson's
+audacity did not desert him.
+
+"I thought the orthodox party would be pleased to hear of the death of a
+_Meshumad_," he said suavely, screwing his eyeglass more tightly into
+its orbit, "on the same principle that anti-Semites take in the Jewish
+papers to hear of the death of Jews."
+
+For a moment De Haan was staggered. "That would be all very well," he
+said; "let him be an atonement for us all, but then you've gone and put
+'May his soul he bound up in the bundle of life.'"
+
+It was true. The stock Hebrew equivalent for R.I.P. glared from the
+page.
+
+"Fortunately, that taking advertisement of _kosher_ trousers comes just
+underneath," said De Haan, "and that may draw off the attention. On page
+2 you actually say in a note that Rabbenu Bachja's great poem on
+repentance should be incorporated in the ritual and might advantageously
+replace the obscure _Piyut_ by Kalir. But this is rank Reform--it's
+worse than the papers we come to supersede."
+
+"But surely you know it is only the Printing Press that has stereotyped
+our liturgy, that for Maimonides and Ibn Ezra, for David Kimchi and
+Joseph Albo, the contents were fluid, that--"
+
+"We don't deny that," interrupted Schlesinger drily. "But we can't have
+any more alterations now-a-days. Who is there worthy to alter them?
+You?"
+
+"Certainly not. I merely suggest."
+
+"You are playing into the hands of our enemies," said De Haan, shaking
+his head. "We must not let our readers even imagine that the prayer-book
+can be tampered with. It's the thin end of the wedge. To trim our
+liturgy is like trimming living flesh; wherever you cut, the blood
+oozes. The four cubits of the _Halacha_--that is what is wanted, not
+changes in the liturgy. Once touch anything, and where are you to stop?
+Our religion becomes a flux. Our old Judaism is like an old family
+mansion, where each generation has left a memorial and where every room
+is hallowed with traditions of merrymaking and mourning. We do not want
+our fathers' home decorated in the latest style; the next step will be
+removal to a new dwelling altogether. On page 3 you refer to the second
+Isaiah."
+
+"But I deny that there were two Isaiahs."
+
+"So you do; but it is better for our readers not to hear of such impious
+theories. The space would be much better occupied in explaining the
+Portion for the week. The next leaderette has a flippant tone, which has
+excited unfavorable comment among some of the most important members of
+the Dalston Synagogue. They object to humor in a religious paper. On
+page 4 you have deliberately missed an opportunity of puffing the Kosher
+Co-operative Society. Indeed, there is not a word throughout about our
+Society. But I like Mr. Henry Goldsmith's letter on this page, though;
+he is a good orthodox man and he writes from a good address. It will
+show we are not only read in the East End. Pity he's such a
+Man-of-the-Earth, though. Yes, and that's good--the communication from
+the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. I think he's a bit of an _Epikouros_ but it
+looks as if the whole of the Kensington Synagogue was with us. I
+understand he is a friend of yours: it will be as well for you to
+continue friendly. Several of us here knew him well in _Olov Hasholom_
+times, but he is become so grand and rarely shows himself at the Holy
+Land League Meetings. He can help us a lot if he will."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure he will," said Raphael.
+
+"That's good," said De Haan, caressing his white beard. Then growing
+gloomy again, he went on, "On page 5 you have a little article by
+Gabriel Hamburg, a well-known _Epikouros_."
+
+"Oh, but he's one of the greatest scholars in Europe!" broke in Raphael.
+"I thought you'd be extra pleased to have it. He sent it to me from
+Stockholm as a special favor." He did not mention he had secretly paid
+for it. "I know some of his views are heterodox, and I don't agree with
+half he says, but this article is perfectly harmless."
+
+"Well, let it pass--very few of our readers have ever heard of him. But
+on the same page you have a Latin quotation. I don't say there's
+anything wrong in that, but it smacks of Reform. Our readers don't
+understand it and it looks as if our Hebrew were poor. The Mishna
+contains texts suited for all purposes. We are in no need of Roman
+writers. On page 6 you speak of the Reform _Shool_, as if it were to be
+reasoned with. Sir, if we mention these freethinkers at all, it must be
+in the strongest language. By worshipping bare-headed and by seating the
+sexes together they have denied Judaism."
+
+"Stop a minute!" interrupted Raphael warmly. "Who told you the Reformers
+do this?"
+
+"Who told me, indeed? Why, it's common knowledge. That's how they've
+been going on for the last fifty years." "Everybody knows it," said the
+Committee in chorus.
+
+"Has one of you ever been there?" said Raphael, rising in excitement.
+
+"God forbid!" said the chorus.
+
+"Well, I have, and it's a lie," said Raphael. His arms whirled round to
+the discomfort of the Committee.
+
+"You ought not to have gone there," said Schlesinger severely. "Besides,
+will you deny they have the organ in their Sabbath services?"
+
+"No, I won't!"
+
+"Well, then!" said De Haan, triumphantly. "If they are capable of that,
+they are capable of any wickedness. Orthodox people can have nothing to
+do with them."
+
+"But orthodox immigrants take their money," said Raphael.
+
+"Their money is _kosher_', they are _tripha_," said De Haan
+sententiously. "Page 7, now we get to the most dreadful thing of all!" A
+solemn silence fell on the room, Pinchas sniggered unobtrusively.
+
+"You have a little article headed, 'Talmudic Tales.' Why in heaven's
+name you couldn't have finished the column with bits of news I don't
+know. Satan himself must have put the thought into your head. Just at
+the end of the paper, too! For I can't reckon page 8, which is simply
+our own advertisement."
+
+"I thought it would be amusing," said Raphael.
+
+"Amusing! If you had simply told the tales, it might have been. But look
+how you introduce them! 'These amusing tales occur in the fifth chapter
+of Baba Bathra, and are related by Rabbi Bar Bar Channah. Our readers
+will see that they are parables or allegories rather than actual
+facts.'"
+
+"But do you mean to say you look upon them as facts?" cried Raphael,
+sawing the air wildly and pacing about on the toes of the Committee.
+
+"Surely!" said De Haan, while a low growl at his blasphemous doubts ran
+along the lips of the Committee.
+
+"Was it treacherously to undermine Judaism that you so eagerly offered
+to edit for nothing?" said the furniture-dealer who was always failing.
+
+"But listen here!" cried Raphael, exasperated. "Harmez, the son of
+Lilith, a demon, saddled two mules and made them stand on opposite sides
+of the River Doneg. He then jumped from the back of one to that of the
+other. He had, at the time, a cup of wine in each hand, and as he
+jumped, he threw the wine from each cup into the other without spilling
+a drop, although a hurricane was blowing at the time. When the King of
+demons heard that Harmez had been thus showing off to mortals, he slew
+him. Does any of you believe that?"
+
+"Vould our Sages (their memories for a blessing) put anything into the
+Talmud that vasn't true?" queried Sugarman. "Ve know there are demons
+because it stands that Solomon knew their language."
+
+"But then, what about this?" pursued Raphael. "'I saw a frog which was
+as big as the district of Akra Hagronia. A sea-monster came and
+swallowed the frog, and a raven came and ate the sea-monster. The raven
+then went and perched on a tree' Consider how strong that tree must have
+been. R. Papa ben Samuel remarks, 'Had I not been present, I should not
+have believed it.' Doesn't this appendix about ben Samuel show that it
+was never meant to be taken seriously?"
+
+"It has some high meaning we do not understand in these degenerate
+times," said Guedalyah the greengrocer. "It is not for our paper to
+weaken faith in the Talmud."
+
+"Hear, hear!" said De Haan, while "_Epikouros_" rumbled through the air,
+like distant thunder.
+
+"Didn't I say an Englishman could never master the Talmud?" Sugarman
+asked in triumph.
+
+This reminder of Raphael's congenital incompetence softened their minds
+towards him, so that when he straightway resigned his editorship, their
+self-constituted spokesman besought him to remain. Perhaps they
+remembered, too, that he was cheap.
+
+"But we must all edit the paper," said De Haan enthusiastically, when
+peace was re-established. "We must have meetings every day and every
+article must he read aloud before it is printed."
+
+Little Sampson winked cynically, passing his hand pensively through his
+thick tangled locks, but Raphael saw no objection to the arrangement. As
+before, he felt his own impracticability borne in upon him, and he
+decided to sacrifice himself for the Cause as far as conscience
+permitted. Excessive as it was the zeal of these men, it was after all
+in the true groove. His annoyance returned for a while, however, when
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ seized the auspicious moment of restored amity
+to inquire insinuatingly if his sister was engaged. Pinchas and little
+Sampson went down the stairs, quivering with noiseless laughter, which
+became boisterous when they reached the street. Pinchas was in high
+feather.
+
+"The fool-men!" he said, as he led the sub-editor into a public-house
+and regaled him on stout and sandwiches. "They believe any
+_Narrischkeit_. I and you are the only two sensible Jews in England. You
+vill see that my poesie goes in next week--promise me that! To your
+life!" here they touched glasses. "Ah, it is beautiful poesie. Such high
+tragic ideas! You vill kiss me when you read them!" He laughed in
+childish light-heartedness. "Perhaps I write you a comic opera for your
+company--_hein_? Already I love you like a brother. Another glass stout?
+Bring us two more, thou Hebe of the hops-nectar. You have seen my comedy
+'The Hornet of Judah'--No?--Ah, she vas a great comedy, Sampson. All
+London talked of her. She has been translated into every tongue. Perhaps
+I play in your company. I am a great actor--_hein_? You know not my
+forte is voman's parts--I make myself so lovely complexion vith red
+paint, I fall in love vith me." He sniggered over his stout. "The
+Rédacteur vill not redact long, _hein_?" he said presently. "He is a
+fool-man. If he work for nothing they think that is what he is worth.
+They are orthodox, he, he!"
+
+"But he is orthodox too," said little Sampson.
+
+"Yes," replied Pinchas musingly. "It is strange. It is very strange. I
+cannot understand him. Never in all my experience have I met another
+such man. There vas an Italian exile I talked vith once in the island
+of Chios, his eyes were like Leon's, soft vith a shining splendor like
+the stars vich are the eyes of the angels of love. Ah, he is a good man,
+and he writes sharp; he has ideas, not like an English Jew at all. I
+could throw my arms round him sometimes. I love him like a brother." His
+voice softened. "Another glass stout; ve vill drink to him."
+
+Raphael did not find the editing by Committee feasible. The friction was
+incessant, the waste of time monstrous. The second number cost him even
+more headaches than the first, and this, although the gallant Gluck
+abandoning his single-handed emprise fortified himself with a real live
+compositor and had arranged for the paper to be printed by machinery.
+The position was intolerable. It put a touch of acid into his
+dulciferous mildness! Just before going to press he was positively rude
+to Pinchas. It would seem that little Sampson sheltering himself behind
+his capitalists had refused to give the poet a commission for a comic
+opera, and Pinchas raved at Gideon, M.P., who he was sure was Sampson's
+financial backer, and threatened to shoot him and danced maniacally
+about the office.
+
+"I have written an attack on the Member for Vitechapel," he said,
+growing calmer, "to hand him down to the execration of posterity, and I
+have brought it to the _Flag_. It must go in this veek."
+
+"We have already your poem," said Raphael.
+
+"I know, but I do not grudge my work, I am not like your money-making
+English Jews."
+
+"There is no room. The paper is full."
+
+"Leave out Ebenezer's tale--with the blue spectacles."
+
+"There is none. It was completed in one number."
+
+"Well, must you put in your leader?"
+
+"Absolutely; please go away. I have this page to read."
+
+"But you can leave out some advertisements?"
+
+"I must not. We have too few as it is."
+
+The poet put his finger alongside his nose, but Raphael was adamant.
+
+"Do me this one favor," he pleaded. "I love you like a brother; just
+this one little thing. I vill never ask another favor of you all my
+life."
+
+"I would not put it in, even if there was room. Go away," said Raphael,
+almost roughly.
+
+The unaccustomed accents gave Pinchas a salutary shock. He borrowed two
+shillings and left, and Raphael was afraid to look up lest he should see
+his head wedged in the doorway. Soon after Gluck and his one compositor
+carried out the forms to be machined. Little Sampson, arriving with a
+gay air on his lips, met them at the door.
+
+On the Friday, Raphael sat in the editorial chair, utterly dispirited, a
+battered wreck. The Committee had just left him. A heresy had crept into
+a bit of late news not inspected by them, and they declared that the
+paper was not worth twopence and had better be stopped. The demand for
+this second number was, moreover, rather poor, and each man felt his ten
+pound share melting away, and resolved not to pay up the half yet
+unpaid. It was Raphael's first real experience of men--after the
+enchanted towers of Oxford, where he had foregathered with dreamers.
+
+His pipe hung listless in his mouth; an extinct volcano. His first fit
+of distrust in human nature, nay, even in the purifying powers of
+orthodoxy, was racking him. Strangely enough this wave of scepticism
+tossed up the thought of Esther Ansell, and stranger still on the top of
+this thought, in walked Mr. Henry Goldsmith. Raphael jumped up and
+welcomed his late host, whose leathery countenance shone with the polish
+of a sweet smile. It appeared that the communal pillar had been passing
+casually, and thought he'd look Raphael up.
+
+"So you don't pull well together," he said, when he had elicited an
+outline of the situation from the editor.
+
+"No, not altogether," admitted Raphael.
+
+"Do you think the paper'll live?"
+
+"I can't say," said Raphael, dropping limply into his chair. "Even if it
+does. I don't know whether it will do much good if run on their lines,
+for although it is of great importance that we get _kosher_ food and
+baths. I hardly think they go about it in the right spirit. I may be
+wrong. They are older men than I and have seen more of actual life, and
+know the class we appeal to better."
+
+"No, no, you are not wrong," said Mr. Goldsmith vehemently. "I am
+myself dissatisfied with some of the Committee's contributions to this
+second number. It is a great opportunity to save English Judaism, but it
+is being frittered away."
+
+"I am afraid it is," said Raphael, removing his empty pipe from his
+mouth, and staring at it blankly.
+
+Mr. Goldsmith brought his fist down sharp on the soft litter that
+covered the editorial table.
+
+"It shall not be frittered away!" he cried. "No, not if I have to buy
+the paper!"
+
+Raphael looked up eagerly.
+
+"What do you say?" said Goldsmith. "Shall I buy it up and let you work
+it on your lines?"
+
+"I shall be very glad," said Raphael, the Messianic look returning to
+his face.
+
+"How much will they want for it?"
+
+"Oh, I think they'll be glad to let you take it over. They say it's not
+worth twopence, and I'm sure they haven't got the funds to carry it on,"
+replied Raphael, rising. "I'll go down about it at once. The Committee
+have just been here, and I dare say they are still in Schlesinger's
+office."
+
+"No, no," said Goldsmith, pushing him down into his seat. "It will never
+do if people know I'm the proprietor."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Oh, lots of reasons. I'm not a man to brag; if I want to do a good
+thing for Judaism, there's no reason for all the world to know it. Then
+again, from my position on all sorts of committees I shall be able to
+influence the communal advertisements in a way I couldn't if people knew
+I had any connection with the paper. So, too, I shall be able to
+recommend it to my wealthy friends (as no doubt it will deserve to be
+recommended) without my praise being discounted."
+
+"Well, but then what am I to say to the Committee?"
+
+"Can't you say you want to buy it for yourself? They know you can afford
+it."
+
+Raphael hesitated. "But why shouldn't I buy it for myself?"
+
+"Pooh! Haven't you got better use for your money?"
+
+It was true. Raphael had designs more tangibly philanthropic for the
+five thousand pounds left him by his aunt. And he was business-like
+enough to see that Mr. Goldsmith's money might as well be utilized for
+the good of Judaism. He was not quite easy about the little fiction that
+would he necessary for the transaction, but the combined assurances of
+Mr. Goldsmith and his own common sense that there was no real deception
+or harm involved in it, ultimately prevailed. Mr. Goldsmith left,
+promising to call again in an hour, and Raphael, full of new hopes,
+burst upon the Committee.
+
+But his first experience of bargaining was no happier than the rest of
+his worldly experience. When he professed his willingness to relieve
+them of the burden of carrying on the paper they first stared, then
+laughed, then shook their fists. As if they would leave him to corrupt
+the Faith! When they understood he was willing to pay something, the
+value of _The Flag of Judah_ went up from less than twopence to more
+than two hundred pounds. Everybody was talking about it, its reputation
+was made, they were going to print double next week.
+
+"But it has not cost you forty pounds yet?" said the astonished Raphael.
+
+"What are you saying? Look at the posters alone!" said Sugarman.
+
+"But you don't look at it fairly," argued De Haan, whose Talmudical
+studies had sharpened wits already super-subtle. "Whatever it has cost
+us, it would have cost as much more if we had had to pay our editor, and
+it is very unfair of you to leave that out of account."
+
+Raphael was overwhelmed. "It's taking away with the left hand what you
+gave us with the right," added De Haan, with infinite sadness. "I had
+thought better of you, Mr. Leon."
+
+"But you got a good many twopences back," murmured Raphael.
+
+"It's the future profits that we're losing," explained Schlesinger.
+
+In the end Raphael agreed to give a hundred pounds, which made the
+members inwardly determine to pay up the residue on their shares at
+once. De Haan also extorted a condition that the _Flag_ should continue
+to be the organ of the Kosher Co-operative Society, for at least six
+months, doubtless perceiving that should the paper live and thrive over
+that period, it would not then pay the proprietor to alter its
+principles. By which bargain the Society secured for itself a sum of
+money together with an organ, gratis, for six months and, to all
+seeming, in perpetuity, for at bottom they knew well that Raphael's
+heart was sound. They were all on the free list, too, and they knew he
+would not trouble to remove them.
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith, returning, was rather annoyed at the price, but did
+not care to repudiate his agent.
+
+"Be economical," he said. "I will get you a better office and find a
+proper publisher and canvasser. But cut it as close as you can."
+
+Raphael's face beamed with joy. "Oh, depend upon me," he said.
+
+"What is your own salary?" asked Goldsmith.
+
+"Nothing," said Raphael.
+
+A flash passed across Goldsmith's face, then he considered a moment.
+
+"I wish you would let it be a guinea," he said. "Quite nominal, you
+know. Only I like to have things in proper form. And if you ever want to
+go, you know, you'll give me a month's notice and," here he laughed
+genially, "I'll do ditto when I want to get rid of you. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is
+that a bargain?"
+
+Raphael smiled in reply and the two men's hands met in a hearty clasp.
+
+"Miss Ansell will help you, I know," said Goldsmith cheerily. "That
+girl's got it in her, I can tell you. She'll take the shine out of some
+of our West Enders. Do you know I picked her out of the gutter, so to
+speak?"
+
+"Yes, I know," said Raphael. "It was very good and discriminating of
+you. How is she?"
+
+"She's all right. Come up and see her about doing something for you. She
+goes to the Museum sometimes in the afternoons, but you'll always find
+her in on Sundays, or most Sundays. Come up and dine with us again
+soon, will you? Mrs. Goldsmith will be so pleased."
+
+"I will," said Raphael fervently. And when the door closed upon the
+communal pillar, he fell to striding feverishly about his little den.
+His trust in human nature was restored and the receding wave of
+scepticism bore off again the image of Esther Ansell. Now to work for
+Judaism!
+
+The sub-editor made his first appearance that day, carolling joyously.
+
+"Sampson," said Raphael abruptly, "your salary is raised by a guinea a
+week."
+
+The joyous song died away on little Sampson's lips. His eyeglass
+dropped. He let himself fall backwards, impinging noiselessly upon a
+heap of "returns" of number one.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A WOMAN'S GROWTH.
+
+
+The sloppy Sunday afternoon, which was the first opportunity Raphael had
+of profiting by Mr. Henry Goldsmith's general invitation to call and see
+Esther, happened to be that selected by the worthy couple for a round of
+formal visits. Esther was left at home with a headache, little expecting
+pleasanter company. She hesitated about receiving Raphael, but on
+hearing that he had come to see her rather than her patrons, she
+smoothed her hair, put on a prettier frock, and went down into the
+drawing-room, where she found him striding restlessly in bespattered
+boots and moist overcoat. When he became aware of her presence, he went
+towards her eagerly, and shook her hand with jerky awkwardness.
+
+"How are you?" he said heartily.
+
+"Very well, thank you," she replied automatically. Then a twinge, as of
+reproach at the falsehood, darted across her brow, and she added, "A
+trifle of the usual headache. I hope you are well."
+
+"Quite, thank you," he rejoined.
+
+His face rather contradicted him. It looked thin, pale, and weary.
+Journalism writes lines on the healthiest countenance. Esther looked at
+him disapprovingly; she had the woman's artistic instinct if not the
+artist's, and Raphael, with his damp overcoat, everlastingly crumpled at
+the collar, was not an aesthetic object. Whether in her pretty moods or
+her plain, Esther was always neat and dainty. There was a bit of ruffled
+lace at her throat, and the heliotrope of her gown contrasted agreeably
+with the dark skin of the vivid face.
+
+"Do take off your overcoat and dry yourself at the fire," she said.
+
+While he was disposing of it, she poked the fire into a big cheerful
+blaze, seating herself opposite him in a capacious arm-chair, where the
+flame picked her out in bright tints upon the dusky background of the
+great dim room.
+
+"And how is _The Flag of Judah_?" she said.
+
+"Still waving," he replied. "It is about that that I have come."
+
+"About that?" she said wonderingly. "Oh, I see; you want to know if the
+one person it is written at has read it. Well, make your mind easy. I
+have. I have read it religiously--No, I don't mean that; yes, I do; it's
+the appropriate word."
+
+"Really?" He tried to penetrate behind the bantering tone.
+
+"Yes, really. You put your side of the case eloquently and well. I look
+forward to Friday with interest. I hope the paper is selling?"
+
+"So, so," he said. "It is uphill work. The Jewish public looks on
+journalism as a branch of philanthropy, I fear, and Sidney suggests
+publishing our free-list as a 'Jewish Directory.'"
+
+She smiled. "Mr. Graham is very amusing. Only, he is too well aware of
+it. He has been here once since that dinner, and we discussed you. He
+says he can't understand how you came to be a cousin of his, even a
+second cousin. He says he is _L'Homme qui rit_, and you are _L'Homme qui
+prie_."
+
+"He has let that off on me already, supplemented by the explanation that
+every extensive Jewish family embraces a genius and a lunatic. He
+admits that he is the genius. The unfortunate part for me," ended
+Raphael, laughing, "is, that he _is_ a genius."
+
+"I saw two of his little things the other day at the Impressionist
+Exhibition in Piccadilly. They are very clever and dashing."
+
+"I am told he draws ballet-girls," said Raphael, moodily.
+
+"Yes, he is a disciple of Degas."
+
+"You don't like that style of art?" he said, a shade of concern in his
+voice.
+
+"I do not," said Esther, emphatically. "I am a curious mixture. In art,
+I have discovered in myself two conflicting tastes, and neither is for
+the modern realism, which I yet admire in literature. I like poetic
+pictures, impregnated with vague romantic melancholy; and I like the
+white lucidity of classic statuary. I suppose the one taste is the
+offspring of temperament, the other of thought; for intellectually, I
+admire the Greek ideas, and was glad to hear you correct Sidney's
+perversion of the adjective. I wonder," she added, reflectively, "if one
+can worship the gods of the Greeks without believing in them."
+
+"But you wouldn't make a cult of beauty?"
+
+"Not if you take beauty in the narrow sense in which I should fancy your
+cousin uses the word; but, in a higher and broader sense, is it not the
+one fine thing in life which is a certainty, the one ideal which is not
+illusion?"
+
+"Nothing is illusion," said Raphael, earnestly. "At least, not in your
+sense. Why should the Creator deceive us?"
+
+"Oh well, don't let us get into metaphysics. We argue from different
+platforms," she said. "Tell me what you really came about in connection
+with the _Flag_."
+
+"Mr. Goldsmith was kind enough to suggest that you might write for it."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Esther, sitting upright in her arm-chair. "I? I write
+for an orthodox paper?"
+
+"Yes, why not?"
+
+"Do you mean I'm to take part in my own conversion?"
+
+"The paper is not entirely religious," he reminded her.
+
+"No, there are the advertisements." she said slily.
+
+"Pardon me," he said. "We don't insert any advertisements contrary to
+the principles of orthodoxy. Not that we are much tempted."
+
+"You advertise soap," she murmured.
+
+"Oh, please! Don't you go in for those cheap sarcasms."
+
+"Forgive me," she said. "Remember my conceptions of orthodoxy are drawn
+mainly from the Ghetto, where cleanliness, so far from being next to
+godliness, is nowhere in the vicinity. But what can I do for you?"
+
+"I don't know. At present the staff, the _Flag_-staff as Sidney calls
+it, consists of myself and a sub-editor, who take it in turn to
+translate the only regular outside contributor's articles into English."
+
+"Who's that?"
+
+"Melchitsedek Pinchas, the poet I told you of."
+
+"I suppose he writes in Hebrew."
+
+"No, if he did the translation would be plain sailing enough. The
+trouble is that he will write in English. I must admit, though, he
+improves daily. Our correspondents, too, have the same weakness for the
+vernacular, and I grieve to add that when they do introduce a Hebrew
+word, they do not invariably spell it correctly."
+
+She smiled; her smile was never so fascinating as by firelight.
+
+Raphael rose and paced the room nervously, flinging out his arms in
+uncouth fashion to emphasize his speech.
+
+"I was thinking you might introduce a secular department of some sort
+which would brighten up the paper. My articles are so plaguy dull."
+
+"Not so dull, for religious articles," she assured him.
+
+"Could you treat Jewish matters from a social standpoint--gossipy sort
+of thing."
+
+She shook her head. "I'm afraid to trust myself to write on Jewish
+subjects. I should be sure to tread on somebody's corns."
+
+"Oh, I have it!" he cried, bringing his arms in contact with a small
+Venetian vase which Esther, with great presence of mind, just managed to
+catch ere it reached the ground.
+
+"No, I have it," she said, laughing. "Do sit down, else nobody can
+answer for the consequences."
+
+She half pushed him into his chair, where he fell to warming his hands
+contemplatively.
+
+"Well?" she said after a pause. "I thought you had an idea."
+
+"Yes, yes," he said, rousing himself. "The subject we were just
+discussing--Art."
+
+"But there is nothing Jewish about art."
+
+"All noble work has its religious aspects. Then there are Jewish
+artists."
+
+"Oh yes! your contemporaries do notice their exhibits, and there seem to
+be more of them than the world ever hears of. But if I went to a
+gathering for you how should I know which were Jews?"
+
+"By their names, of course."
+
+"By no means of course. Some artistic Jews have forgotten their own
+names."
+
+"That's a dig at Sidney."
+
+"Really, I wasn't thinking of him for the moment," she said a little
+sharply. "However, in any case there's nothing worth doing till May, and
+that's some months ahead. I'll do the Academy for you if you like."
+
+"Thank you. Won't Sidney stare if you pulverize him in _The Flag of
+Judah_? Some of the pictures have also Jewish subjects, you know."
+
+"Yes, but if I mistake not, they're invariably done by Christian
+artists."
+
+"Nearly always," he admitted pensively. "I wish we had a Jewish
+allegorical painter to express the high conceptions of our sages."
+
+"As he would probably not know what they are,"--she murmured. Then,
+seeing him rise as if to go, she said: "Won't you have a cup of tea?"
+
+"No, don't trouble," he answered.
+
+"Oh yes, do!" she pleaded. "Or else I shall think you're angry with me
+for not asking you before." And she rang the bell. She discovered, to
+her amusement, that Raphael took two pieces of sugar per cup, but that
+if they were not inserted, he did not notice their absence. Over tea,
+too, Raphael had a new idea, this time fraught with peril to the Sčvres
+tea-pot.
+
+"Why couldn't you write us a Jewish serial story?" he said suddenly.
+"That would be a novelty in communal journalism."
+
+Esther looked startled by the proposition.
+
+"How do you know I could?" she said after a silence.
+
+"I don't know," he replied. "Only I fancy you could. Why not?" he said
+encouragingly. "You don't know what you can do till you try. Besides you
+write poetry."
+
+"The Jewish public doesn't like the looking-glass," she answered him,
+shaking her head.
+
+"Oh, you can't say that. They've only objected as yet to the distorting
+mirror. You're thinking of the row over that man Armitage's book. Now,
+why not write an antidote to that book? There now, there's an idea for
+you."
+
+"It _is_ an idea!" said Esther with overt sarcasm. "You think art can be
+degraded into an antidote."
+
+"Art is not a fetish," he urged. "What degradation is there in art
+teaching a noble lesson?"
+
+"Ah, that is what you religious people will never understand," she said
+scathingly. "You want everything to preach."
+
+"Everything does preach something," he retorted. "Why not have the
+sermon good?"
+
+"I consider the original sermon _was_ good," she said defiantly. "It
+doesn't need an antidote."
+
+"How can you say that? Surely, merely as one who was born a Jewess, you
+wouldn't care for the sombre picture drawn by this Armitage to stand as
+a portrait of your people."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders--the ungraceful shrug of the Ghetto. "Why
+not? It is one-sided, but it is true."
+
+"I don't deny that; probably the man was sincerely indignant at certain
+aspects. I am ready to allow he did not even see he was one-sided. But
+if _you_ see it, why not show the world the other side of the shield?"
+
+She put her hand wearily to her brow.
+
+"Do not ask me," she said. "To have my work appreciated merely because
+the moral tickled the reader's vanity would be a mockery. The suffrages
+of the Jewish public--I might have valued them once; now I despise
+them." She sank further back on the chair, pale and silent.
+
+"Why, what harm have they done you?" he asked.
+
+"They are so stupid," she said, with a gesture of distaste.
+
+"That is a new charge against the Jews."
+
+"Look at the way they have denounced this Armitage, saying his book is
+vulgar and wretched and written for gain, and all because it does not
+flatter them."
+
+"Can you wonder at it? To say 'you're another' may not be criticism, but
+it is human nature."
+
+Esther smiled sadly. "I cannot make you out at all," she said.
+
+"Why? What is there strange about me?"
+
+"You say such shrewd, humorous things sometimes; I wonder how you can
+remain orthodox."
+
+"Now I can't understand _you_," he said, puzzled.
+
+"Oh well. Perhaps if you could, you wouldn't be orthodox. Let us remain
+mutual enigmas. And will you do me a favor?"
+
+"With pleasure," he said, his face lighting up.
+
+"Don't mention Mr. Armitage's book to me again. I am sick of hearing
+about it."
+
+"So am I," he said, rather disappointed. "After that dinner I thought it
+only fair to read it, and although I detect considerable crude power in
+it, still I am very sorry it was ever published. The presentation of
+Judaism is most ignorant. All the mystical yearnings of the heroine
+might have found as much satisfaction in the faith of her own race as
+they find expression in its poetry."
+
+He rose to go. "Well, I am to take it for granted you will not write
+that antidote?"
+
+"I'm afraid it would be impossible for me to undertake it," she said
+more mildly than before, and pressed her hand again to her brow.
+
+"Pardon me," he said in much concern. "I am too selfish. I forgot you
+are not well. How is your head feeling now?"
+
+"About the same, thank you," she said, forcing a grateful smile. "You
+may rely on me for art; yes, and music, too, if you like."
+
+"Thank you," he said. "You read a great deal, don't you?"
+
+She nodded her head. "Well, every week books are published of more or
+less direct Jewish interest. I should be glad of notes about such to
+brighten up the paper."
+
+"For anything strictly unorthodox you may count on me. If that antidote
+turns up, I shall not fail to cackle over it in your columns. By the by,
+are you going to review the poison? Excuse so many mixed metaphors," she
+added, with a rather forced laugh.
+
+"No, I shan't say anything about it. Why give it an extra advertisement
+by slating it?"
+
+"Slating," she repeated with a faint smile. "I see you have mastered all
+the slang of your profession."
+
+"Ah, that's the influence of my sub-editor," he said, smiling in return.
+"Well, good-bye."
+
+"You're forgetting your overcoat," she said, and having smoothed out
+that crumpled collar, she accompanied him down the wide soft-carpeted
+staircase into the hall with its rich bronzes and glistening statues.
+
+"How are your people in America?" he bethought himself to ask on the way
+down.
+
+"They are very well, thank you," she said. "I send my brother Solomon
+_The Flag of Judah_. He is also, I am afraid, one of the unregenerate.
+You see I am doing my best to enlarge your congregation."
+
+He could not tell whether it was sarcasm or earnest.
+
+"Well, good-bye," he said, holding out his hand. "Thank you for your
+promise."
+
+"Oh, that's not worth thanking me for," she said, touching his long
+white fingers for an instant. "Look at the glory of seeing myself in
+print. I hope you're not annoyed with me for refusing to contribute
+fiction," she ended, growing suddenly remorseful at the moment of
+parting.
+
+"Of course not. How could I be?"
+
+"Couldn't your sister Adelaide do you a story?"
+
+"Addle?" he repeated laughing, "Fancy Addie writing stories! Addie has
+no literary ability."
+
+"That's always the way with brothers. Solomon says--" She paused
+suddenly.
+
+"I don't remember for the moment that Solomon has any proverb on the
+subject," he said, still amused at the idea of Addie as an authoress.
+
+"I was thinking of something else. Good-bye. Remember me to your sister,
+please."
+
+"Certainly," he said. Then he exclaimed, "Oh, what a block-head I am! I
+forgot to remember her to you. She says she would be so pleased if you
+would come and have tea and a chat with her some day. I should like you
+and Addie to know each other."
+
+"Thanks, I will. I will write to her some day. Good-bye, once more."
+
+He shook hands with her and fumbled at the door.
+
+"Allow me!" she said, and opened it upon the gray dulness of the
+dripping street. "When may I hope for the honor of another visit from a
+real live editor?"
+
+"I don't know," he said, smiling. "I'm awfully busy, I have to read a
+paper on Ibn Ezra at Jews' College to-day fortnight."
+
+"Outsiders admitted?" she asked.
+
+"The lectures _are_ for outsiders," he said. "To spread the knowledge of
+our literature. Only they won't come. Have you never been to one?"
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"There!" he said. "You complain of our want of culture, and you don't
+even know what's going on."
+
+She tried to take the reproof with a smile, but the corners of her mouth
+quivered. He raised his hat and went down the steps.
+
+She followed him a little way along the Terrace, with eyes growing dim
+with tears she could not account for. She went back to the drawing-room
+and threw herself into the arm-chair where he had sat, and made her
+headache worse by thinking of all her unhappiness. The great room was
+filling with dusk, and in the twilight pictures gathered and dissolved.
+What girlish dreams and revolts had gone to make that unfortunate book,
+which after endless boomerang-like returns from the publishers, had
+appeared, only to be denounced by Jewry, ignored by its journals and
+scantily noticed by outside criticisms. _Mordecai Josephs_ had fallen
+almost still-born from the press; the sweet secret she had hoped to tell
+her patroness had turned bitter like that other secret of her dead love
+for Sidney, in the reaction from which she had written most of her book.
+How fortunate at least that her love had flickered out, had proved but
+the ephemeral sentiment of a romantic girl for the first brilliant man
+she had met. Sidney had fascinated her by his verbal audacities in a
+world of narrow conventions; he had for the moment laughed away
+spiritual aspirations and yearnings with a raillery that was almost like
+ozone to a young woman avid of martyrdom for the happiness of the world.
+How, indeed, could she have expected the handsome young artist to feel
+the magic that hovered about her talks with him, to know the thrill that
+lay in the formal hand-clasp, to be aware that he interpreted for her
+poems and pictures, and incarnated the undefined ideal of girlish
+day-dreams? How could he ever have had other than an intellectual
+thought of her; how could any man, even the religious Raphael? Sickly,
+ugly little thing that she was! She got up and looked in the glass now
+to see herself thus, but the shadows had gathered too thickly. She
+snatched up a newspaper that lay on a couch, lit it, and held it before
+the glass; it flared up threateningly and she beat it out, laughing
+hysterically and asking herself if she was mad. But she had seen the
+ugly little face; its expression frightened her. Yes, love was not for
+her; she could only love a man of brilliancy and culture, and she was
+nothing but a Petticoat Lane girl, after all. Its coarseness, its
+vulgarity underlay all her veneer. They had got into her book; everybody
+said so. Raphael said so. How dared she write disdainfully of Raphael's
+people? She an upstart, an outsider? She went to the library, lit the
+gas, got down a volume of Graetz's history of the Jews, which she had
+latterly taken to reading, and turned over its wonderful pages. Then she
+wandered restlessly back to the great dim drawing-room and played
+amateurish fantasias on the melancholy Polish melodies of her childhood
+till Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith returned. They had captured the Rev.
+Joseph Strelitski and brought him back to dinner, Esther would have
+excused herself from the meal, but Mrs. Goldsmith insisted the minister
+would think her absence intentionally discourteous. In point of fact,
+Mrs. Goldsmith, like all Jewesses a born match-maker, was not
+disinclined to think of the popular preacher as a sort of adopted
+son-in-law. She did not tell herself so, but she instinctively resented
+the idea of Esther marrying into the station of her patroness.
+Strelitski, though his position was one of distinction for a Jewish
+clergyman, was, like Esther, of humble origin; it would be a match which
+she could bless from her pedestal in genuine good-will towards both
+parties.
+
+The fashionable minister was looking careworn and troubled. He had aged
+twice ten years since his outburst at the Holy Land League. The black
+curl hung disconsolately on his forehead. He sat at Esther's side, but
+rarely looking at her, or addressing her, so that her taciturnity and
+scarcely-veiled dislike did not noticeably increase his gloom. He
+rallied now and again out of politeness to his hostess, flashing out a
+pregnant phrase or two. But prosperity did not seem to have brought
+happiness to the whilom, poor Russian student, even though he had fought
+his way to it unaided.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?
+
+
+The weeks went on and Passover drew nigh. The recurrence of the feast
+brought no thrill to Esther now. It was no longer a charmed time, with
+strange things to eat and drink, and a comparative plenty of
+them--stranger still. Lack of appetite was the chief dietary want now.
+Nobody had any best clothes to put on in a world where everything was
+for the best in the way of clothes. Except for the speckled Passover
+cakes, there was hardly any external symptom of the sacred Festival.
+While the Ghetto was turning itself inside out, the Kensington Terrace
+was calm in the dignity of continuous cleanliness. Nor did Henry
+Goldsmith himself go prowling about the house in quest of vagrant
+crumbs. Mary O'Reilly attended to all that, and the Goldsmiths had
+implicit confidence in her fidelity to the traditions of their faith.
+Wherefore, the evening of the day before Passover, instead of being
+devoted to frying fish and provisioning, was free for more secular
+occupations; Esther, for example, had arranged to go to see the _début_
+of a new Hamlet with Addie. Addie had asked her to go, mentioned that
+Raphael, who was taking her, had suggested that she should bring her
+friend. For they had become great friends, had Addie and Esther, ever
+since Esther had gone to take that cup of tea, with the chat that is
+more essential than milk or sugar.
+
+The girls met or wrote every week. Raphael, Esther never met nor heard
+from directly. She found Addie a sweet, lovable girl, full of frank
+simplicity and unquestioning piety. Though dazzlingly beautiful, she had
+none of the coquetry which Esther, with a touch of jealousy, had been
+accustomed to associate with beauty, and she had little of the petty
+malice of girlish gossip. Esther summed her up as Raphael's heart
+without his head. It was unfair, for Addie's own head was by no means
+despicable. But Esther was not alone in taking eccentric opinions as the
+touchstone of intellectual vigor. Anyhow, she was distinctly happier
+since Addie had come into her life, and she admired her as a mountain
+torrent might admire a crystal pool--half envying her happier
+temperament.
+
+The Goldsmiths were just finishing dinner, when the expected ring came.
+To their surprise, the ringer was Sidney. He was shown into the
+dining-room.
+
+"Good evening, all," he said. "I've come as a substitute for Raphael."
+
+Esther grew white. "Why, what has happened to him?" she asked.
+
+"Nothing, I had a telegram to say he was unexpectedly detained in the
+city, and asking me to take Addie and to call for you."
+
+Esther turned from white to red. How rude of Raphael! How disappointing
+not to meet him, after all! And did he think she could thus
+unceremoniously be handed over to somebody else? She was about to beg to
+be excused, when it struck her a refusal would look too pointed.
+Besides, she did not fear Sidney now. It would be a test of her
+indifference. So she murmured instead, "What can detain him?"
+
+"Charity, doubtless. Do you know, that after he is fagged out with
+upholding the _Flag_ from early morning till late eve, he devotes the
+later eve to gratuitous tuition, lecturing and the like."
+
+"No," said Esther, softened. "I knew he came home late, but I thought he
+had to report communal meetings."
+
+"That, too. But Addie tells me he never came home at all one night last
+week. He was sitting up with some wretched dying pauper."
+
+"He'll kill himself," said Esther, anxiously.
+
+"People are right about him. He is quite hopeless," said Percy Saville,
+the solitary guest, tapping his forehead significantly.
+
+"Perhaps it is we who are hopeless," said Esther, sharply.
+
+"I wish we were all as sensible," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, turning on
+the unhappy stockbroker with her most superior air. "Mr. Leon always
+reminds me of Judas Maccabaeus."
+
+He shrank before the blaze of her mature beauty, the fulness of her
+charms revealed by her rich evening dress, her hair radiating strange,
+subtle perfume. His eye sought Mr. Goldsmith's for refuge and
+consolation.
+
+"That is so," said Mr. Goldsmith, rubbing his red chin. "He is an
+excellent young man."
+
+"May I trouble you to put on your things at once, Miss Ansell?" said
+Sidney. "I have left Addie in the carriage, and we are rather late. I
+believe it is usual for ladies to put on 'things,' even when in evening
+dress. I may mention that there is a bouquet for you in the carriage,
+and, however unworthy a substitute I may be for Raphael, I may at least
+claim he would have forgotten to bring you that."
+
+Esther smiled despite herself as she left the room to get her cloak. She
+was chagrined and disappointed, but she resolved not to inflict her
+ill-humor on her companions.
+
+She had long since got used to carriages, and when they arrived at the
+theatre, she took her seat in the box without heart-fluttering. It was
+an old discovery now that boxes had no connection with oranges nor
+stalls with costers' barrows.
+
+The house was brilliant. The orchestra was playing the overture.
+
+"I wish Mr. Shakspeare would write a new play," grumbled Sidney. "All
+these revivals make him lazy. Heavens! what his fees must tot up to! If
+I were not sustained by the presence of you two girls, I should no more
+survive the fifth act than most of the characters. Why don't they
+brighten the piece up with ballet-girls?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose you blessed Mr. Leon when you got his telegram," said
+Esther. "What a bore it must be to you to be saddled with his duties!"
+
+"Awful!" admitted Sidney gravely. "Besides, it interferes with my work."
+
+"Work?" said Addie. "You know you only work by sunlight."
+
+"Yes, that's the best of my profession--in England. It gives you such
+opportunities of working--at other professions."
+
+"Why, what do you work at?" inquired Esther, laughing.
+
+"Well, there's amusement, the most difficult of all things to achieve!
+Then there's poetry. You don't know what a dab I am at rondeaux and
+barcarolles. And I write music, too, lovely little serenades to my
+lady-loves and reveries that are like dainty pastels."
+
+"All the talents!" said Addie, looking at him with a fond smile. "But if
+you have any time to spare from the curling of your lovely silken
+moustache, which is entirely like a delicate pastel, will you kindly
+tell me what celebrities are present?"
+
+"Yes, do," added Esther, "I have only been to two first nights, and then
+I had nobody to point out the lions."
+
+"Well, first of all I see a very celebrated painter in a box--a man who
+has improved considerably on the weak draughtsmanship displayed by
+Nature in her human figures, and the amateurishness of her glaring
+sunsets."
+
+"Who's that?" inquired Addie and Esther eagerly.
+
+"I think he calls himself Sidney Graham--but that of course is only a
+_nom de pinceau_."
+
+"Oh!" said, the girls, with a reproachful smile.
+
+"Do be serious!" said Esther. "Who is that stout gentleman with the bald
+head?" She peered down curiously at the stalls through her opera-glass.
+
+"What, the lion without the mane? That's Tom Day, the dramatic critic of
+a dozen papers. A terrible Philistine. Lucky for Shakspeare he didn't
+flourish in Elizabethan times."
+
+He rattled on till the curtain rose and the hushed audience settled down
+to the enjoyment of the tragedy.
+
+"This looks as if it is going to be the true Hamlet," said Esther, after
+the first act.
+
+"What do you mean by the true Hamlet?" queried Sidney cynically.
+
+"The Hamlet for whom life is at once too big and too little," said
+Esther.
+
+"And who was at once mad and sane," laughed Sidney. "The plain truth is
+that Shakspeare followed the old tale, and what you take for subtlety is
+but the blur of uncertain handling. Aha! You look shocked. Have I found
+your religion at last?"
+
+"No; my reverence for our national bard is based on reason," rejoined
+Esther seriously. "To conceive Hamlet, the typical nineteenth-century
+intellect, in that bustling picturesque Elizabethan time was a creative
+feat bordering on the miraculous. And then, look at the solemn
+inexorable march of destiny in his tragedies, awful as its advance in
+the Greek dramas. Just as the marvels of the old fairy-tales were an
+instinctive prevision of the miracles of modern science, so this idea
+of destiny seems to me an instinctive anticipation of the formulas of
+modern science. What we want to-day is a dramatist who shall show us the
+great natural silent forces, working the weal and woe of human life
+through the illusions of consciousness and free will."
+
+"What you want to-night, Miss Ansell, is black coffee," said Sidney,
+"and I'll tell the attendant to get you a cup, for I dragged you away
+from dinner before the crown and climax of the meal; I have always
+noticed myself that when I am interrupted in my meals, all sorts of
+bugbears, scientific or otherwise, take possession of my mind."
+
+He called the attendant.
+
+"Esther has the most nonsensical opinions," said Addie gravely. "As if
+people weren't responsible for their actions! Do good and all shall be
+well with thee, is sound Bible teaching and sound common sense."
+
+"Yes, but isn't it the Bible that says, 'The fathers have eaten a sour
+grape and the teeth of the children are set on edge'?" Esther retorted.
+
+Addie looked perplexed. "It sounds contradictory," she said honestly.
+
+"Not at all, Addie," said Esther. "The Bible is a literature, not a
+book. If you choose to bind Tennyson and Milton in one volume that
+doesn't make them a book. And you can't complain if you find
+contradictions in the text. Don't you think the sour grape text the
+truer, Mr. Graham?"
+
+"Don't ask me, please. I'm prejudiced against anything that appears in
+the Bible."
+
+In his flippant way Sidney spoke the truth. He had an almost physical
+repugnance for his fathers' ways of looking at things.
+
+"I think you're the two most wicked people in the world," exclaimed
+Addie gravely.
+
+"We are," said Sidney lightly. "I wonder you consent to sit in the same
+box with us. How you can find my company endurable I can never make
+out."
+
+Addie's lovely face flushed and her lip quivered a little.
+
+"It's your friend who's the wickeder of the two," pursued Sidney. "For
+she's in earnest and I'm not. Life's too short for us to take the
+world's troubles on our shoulders, not to speak of the unborn millions.
+A little light and joy, the flush of sunset or of a lovely woman's face,
+a fleeting strain of melody, the scent of a rose, the flavor of old
+wine, the flash of a jest, and ah, yes, a cup of coffee--here's yours,
+Miss Ansell--that's the most we can hope for in life. Let us start a
+religion with one commandment: 'Enjoy thyself.'"
+
+"That religion has too many disciples already," said Esther, stirring
+her coffee.
+
+"Then why not start it if you wish to reform the world," asked Sidney.
+"All religions survive merely by being broken. With only one commandment
+to break, everybody would jump at the chance. But so long as you tell
+people they mustn't enjoy themselves, they will, it's human nature, and
+you can't alter that by Act of Parliament or Confession of Faith. Christ
+ran amuck at human nature, and human nature celebrates his birthday with
+pantomimes."
+
+"Christ understood human nature better than the modern young man," said
+Esther scathingly, "and the proof lies in the almost limitless impress
+he has left on history."
+
+"Oh, that was a fluke," said Sidney lightly. "His real influence is only
+superficial. Scratch the Christian and you find the Pagan--spoiled."
+
+"He divined by genius what science is slowly finding out," said Esther,
+"when he said, 'Forgive them for they know not what they do'!--"
+
+Sidney laughed heartily. "That seems to be your King Charles's
+head--seeing divinations of modern science in all the old ideas.
+Personally I honor him for discovering that the Sabbath was made for
+man, not man for the Sabbath. Strange he should have stopped half-way to
+the truth!"
+
+"What is the truth?" asked Addie curiously.
+
+"Why, that morality was made for man, not man for morality," said
+Sidney. "That chimera of meaningless virtue which the Hebrew has brought
+into the world is the last monster left to slay. The Hebrew view of life
+is too one-sided. The Bible is a literature without a laugh in it. Even
+Raphael thinks the great Radical of Galilee carried spirituality too
+far."
+
+"Yes, he thinks he would have been reconciled to the Jewish doctors and
+would have understood them better," said Addie, "only he died so young."
+
+"That's a good way of putting it!" said Sidney admiringly. "One can see
+Raphael is my cousin despite his religious aberrations. It opens up new
+historical vistas. Only it is just like Raphael to find excuses for
+everybody, and Judaism in everything. I am sure he considers the devil a
+good Jew at heart; if he admits any moral obliquity in him, he puts it
+down to the climate."
+
+This made Esther laugh outright, even while there were tears for Raphael
+in the laugh. Sidney's intellectual fascination reasserted itself over
+her; there seemed something inspiring in standing with him on the free
+heights that left all the clogging vapors and fogs of moral problems
+somewhere below; where the sun shone and the clear wind blew and talk
+was a game of bowls with Puritan ideals for ninepins. He went on amusing
+her till the curtain rose, with a pretended theory of Mohammedology
+which he was working at. Just as for the Christian Apologist the Old
+Testament was full of hints of the New, so he contended was the New
+Testament full of foreshadowings of the Koran, and he cited as a most
+convincing text, "In Heaven, there shall be no marrying, nor giving in
+marriage." He professed to think that Mohammedanism was the dark horse
+that would come to the front in the race of religions and win in the
+west as it had won in the east.
+
+"There's a man staring dreadfully at you, Esther," said Addie, when the
+curtain fell on the second act.
+
+"Nonsense!" said Esther, reluctantly returning from the realities of the
+play to the insipidities of actual life. "Whoever it is, it must be at
+you."
+
+She looked affectionately at the great glorious creature at her side,
+tall and stately, with that winning gentleness of expression which
+spiritualizes the most voluptuous beauty. Addie wore pale sea-green, and
+there were lilies of the valley at her bosom, and a diamond star in her
+hair. No man could admire her more than Esther, who felt quite vain of
+her friend's beauty and happy to bask in its reflected sunshine. Sidney
+followed her glance and his cousin's charms struck him with almost novel
+freshness. He was so much with Addie that he always took her for
+granted. The semi-unconscious liking he had for her society was based on
+other than physical traits. He let his eyes rest upon her for a moment
+in half-surprised appreciation, figuring her as half-bud, half-blossom.
+Really, if Addie had not been his cousin and a Jewess! She was not much
+of a cousin, when he came to cipher it out, but then she was a good deal
+of a Jewess!
+
+"I'm sure it's you he's staring at," persisted Addie.
+
+"Don't be ridiculous," persisted Esther. "Which man do you mean?"
+
+"There! The fifth row of stalls, the one, two, four, seven, the seventh
+man from the end! He's been looking at you all through, but now he's
+gone in for a good long stare. There! next to that pretty girl in pink."
+
+"Do you mean the young man with the dyed carnation in his buttonhole and
+the crimson handkerchief in his bosom?"
+
+"Yes, that's the one. Do you know him?"
+
+"No," said Esther, lowering her eyes and looking away. But when Addie
+informed her that the young man had renewed his attentions to the girl
+in pink, she levelled her opera-glass at him. Then she shook her head.
+
+"There seems something familiar about his face, but I cannot for the
+life of me recall who it is."
+
+"The something familiar about his face is his nose," said Addie
+laughing, "for it is emphatically Jewish."
+
+"At that rate," said Sidney, "nearly half the theatre would be familiar,
+including a goodly proportion of the critics, and Hamlet and Ophelia
+themselves. But I know the fellow."
+
+"You do? Who is he?" asked the girls eagerly.
+
+"I don't know. He's one of the mashers of the _Frivolity_. I'm another,
+and so we often meet. But we never speak as we pass by. To tell the
+truth, I resent him."
+
+"It's wonderful how fond Jews are of the theatre," said Esther, "and
+how they resent other Jews going."
+
+"Thank you," said Sidney. "But as I'm not a Jew the arrow glances off."
+
+"Not a Jew?" repeated Esther in amaze.
+
+"No. Not in the current sense. I always deny I'm a Jew."
+
+"How do you justify that?" said Addie incredulously.
+
+"Because it would be a lie to say I was. It would be to produce a false
+impression. The conception of a Jew in the mind of the average Christian
+is a mixture of Fagin, Shylock, Rothschild and the caricatures of the
+American comic papers. I am certainly not like that, and I'm not going
+to tell a lie and say I am. In conversation always think of your
+audience. It takes two to make a truth. If an honest man told an old
+lady he was an atheist, that would be a lie, for to her it would mean he
+was a dissolute reprobate. To call myself 'Abrahams' would be to live a
+daily lie. I am not a bit like the picture called up by Abrahams. Graham
+is a far truer expression of myself."
+
+"Extremely ingenious," said Esther smiling. "But ought you not rather to
+utilize yourself for the correction of the portrait of Abrahams?"
+
+Sidney shrugged his shoulders. "Why should I subject myself to petty
+martyrdom for the sake of an outworn creed and a decaying sect?"
+
+"We are not decaying," said Addie indignantly.
+
+"Personally you are blossoming," said Sidney, with a mock bow. "But
+nobody can deny that our recent religious history has been a series of
+dissolving views. Look at that young masher there, who is still ogling
+your fascinating friend; rather, I suspect, to the annoyance of the
+young lady in pink, and compare him with the old hard-shell Jew. When I
+was a lad named Abrahams, painfully training in the way I wasn't going
+to go, I got an insight into the lives of my ancestors. Think of the
+people who built up the Jewish prayer-book, who added line to line and
+precept to precept, and whose whole thought was intertwined with
+religion, and then look at that young fellow with the dyed carnation and
+the crimson silk handkerchief, who probably drives a drag to the Derby,
+and for aught I know runs a music hall. It seems almost incredible he
+should come of that Puritan old stock."
+
+"Not at all," said Esther. "If you knew more of our history, you would
+see it is quite normal. We were always hankering after the gods of the
+heathen, and we always loved magnificence; remember our Temples. In
+every land we have produced great merchants and rulers, prime-ministers,
+viziers, nobles. We built castles in Spain (solid ones) and palaces in
+Venice. We have had saints and sinners, free livers and ascetics,
+martyrs and money-lenders. Polarity, Graetz calls the self-contradiction
+which runs through our history. I figure the Jew as the eldest-born of
+Time, touching the Creation and reaching forward into the future, the
+true _blasé_ of the Universe; the Wandering Jew who has been everywhere,
+seen everything, done everything, led everything, thought everything and
+suffered everything."
+
+"Bravo, quite a bit of Beaconsfieldian fustian," said Sidney laughing,
+yet astonished. "One would think you were anxious to assert yourself
+against the ancient peerage of this mushroom realm."
+
+"It is the bare historical truth," said Esther, quietly. "We are so
+ignorant of our own history--can we wonder at the world's ignorance of
+it? Think of the part the Jew has played--Moses giving the world its
+morality, Jesus its religion, Isaiah its millennial visions, Spinoza its
+cosmic philosophy, Ricardo its political economy, Karl Marx and Lassalle
+its socialism, Heine its loveliest poetry, Mendelssohn its most restful
+music, Rachael its supreme acting--and then think of the stock Jew of
+the American comic papers! There lies the real comedy, too deep for
+laughter."
+
+"Yes, but most of the Jews you mention were outcasts or apostates,"
+retorted Sidney. "There lies the real tragedy, too deep for tears. Ah,
+Heine summed it up best: 'Judaism is not a religion; it is a
+misfortune.' But do you wonder at the intolerance of every nation
+towards its Jews? It is a form of homage. Tolerate them and they spell
+'Success,' and patriotism is an ineradicable prejudice. Since when have
+you developed this extraordinary enthusiasm for Jewish history? I
+always thought you were an anti-Semite."
+
+Esther blushed and meditatively sniffed at her bouquet, but fortunately
+the rise of the curtain relieved her of the necessity far a reply. It
+was only a temporary relief, however, for the quizzical young artist
+returned to the subject immediately the act was over.
+
+"I know you're in charge of the aesthetic department of the _Flag_," he
+said. "I had no idea you wrote the leaders."
+
+"Don't be absurd!" murmured Esther.
+
+"I always told Addie Raphael could never write so eloquently; didn't I,
+Addie? Ah, I see you're blushing to find it fame, Miss Ansell."
+
+Esther laughed, though a bit annoyed. "How can you suspect me of writing
+orthodox leaders?" she asked.
+
+"Well, who else _is_ there?" urged Sidney, with mock _naďveté_. "I went
+down there once and saw the shanty. The editorial sanctum was crowded.
+Poor Raphael was surrounded by the queerest looking set of creatures I
+ever clapped eyes on. There was a quaint lunatic in a check suit,
+describing his apocalyptic visions; a dragoman with sore eyes and a
+grievance against the Board of Guardians; a venerable son of Jerusalem
+with a most artistic white beard, who had covered the editorial table
+with carved nick-nacks in olive and sandal-wood; an inventor who had
+squared the circle and the problem of perpetual motion, but could not
+support himself; a Roumanian exile with a scheme for fertilizing
+Palestine; and a wild-eyed hatchet-faced Hebrew poet who told me I was a
+famous patron of learning, and sent me his book soon after with a Hebrew
+inscription which I couldn't read, and a request for a cheque which I
+didn't write. I thought I just capped the company of oddities, when in
+came a sallow red-haired chap, with the extraordinary name of
+Karlkammer, and kicked up a deuce of a shine with Raphael for altering
+his letter. Raphael mildly hinted that the letter was written in such
+unintelligible English that he had to grapple with it for an hour before
+he could reduce it to the coherence demanded of print. But it was no
+use; it seems Raphael had made him say something heterodox he didn't
+mean, and he insisted on being allowed to reply to his own letter! He
+had brought the counter-blast with him; six sheets of foolscap with all
+the t's uncrossed, and insisted on signing it with his own name. I said,
+'Why not? Set a Karlkammer to answer to a Karlkammer.' But Raphael said
+it would make the paper a laughing-stock, and between the dread of that
+and the consciousness of having done the man a wrong, he was quite
+unhappy. He treats all his visitors with angelic consideration, when in
+another newspaper office the very office-boy would snub them. Of course,
+nobody has a bit of consideration for him or his time or his purse."
+
+"Poor Raphael!" murmured Esther, smiling sadly at the grotesque images
+conjured up by Sidney's description.
+
+"I go down there now whenever I want models," concluded Sidney gravely.
+
+"Well, it is only right to hear what those poor people have to say,"
+Addie observed. "What is a paper for except to right wrongs?"
+
+"Primitive person!" said Sidney. "A paper exists to make a profit."
+
+"Raphael's doesn't," retorted Addie.
+
+"Of course not," laughed Sidney. "It never will, so long as there's a
+conscientious editor at the helm. Raphael flatters nobody and reserves
+his praises for people with no control of the communal advertisements.
+Why, it quite preys upon his mind to think that he is linked to an
+advertisement canvasser with a gorgeous imagination, who goes about
+representing to the unwary Christian that the _Flag_ has a circulation
+of fifteen hundred."
+
+"Dear me!" said Addie, a smile of humor lighting up her beautiful
+features.
+
+"Yes," said Sidney, "I think he salves his conscience by an extra hour's
+slumming in the evening. Most religious folks do their moral
+book-keeping by double entry. Probably that's why he's not here
+to-night."
+
+"It's too bad!" said Addie, her face growing grave again. "He comes home
+so late and so tired that he always falls asleep over his books."
+
+"I don't wonder," laughed Sidney. "Look what he reads! Once I found him
+nodding peacefully over Thomas ŕ Kempis."
+
+"Oh, he often reads that," said Addie. "When we wake him up and tell him
+to go to bed, he says he wasn't sleeping, but thinking, turns over a
+page and falls asleep again."
+
+They all laughed.
+
+"Oh, he's a famous sleeper," Addie continued. "It's as difficult to get
+him out of bed as into it. He says himself he's an awful lounger and
+used to idle away whole days before he invented time-tables. Now, he has
+every hour cut and dried--he says his salvation lies in regular hours."
+
+"Addie, Addie, don't tell tales out of school," said Sidney.
+
+"Why, what tales?" asked Addie, astonished. "Isn't it rather to his
+credit that he has conquered his bad habits?"
+
+"Undoubtedly; but it dissipates the poetry in which I am sure Miss
+Ansell was enshrouding him. It shears a man of his heroic proportions,
+to hear he has to be dragged out of bed. These things should be kept in
+the family."
+
+Esther stared hard at the house. Her cheeks glowed as if the limelight
+man had turned his red rays on them. Sidney chuckled mentally over his
+insight. Addie smiled.
+
+"Oh, nonsense. I'm sure Esther doesn't think less of him because he
+keeps a time-table."
+
+"You forget your friend has what you haven't--artistic instinct. It's
+ugly. A man should be a man, not a railway system. If I were you, Addie,
+I'd capture that time-table, erase lecturing and substitute
+'cricketing.' Raphael would never know, and every afternoon, say at 2
+P.M., he'd consult his time-table, and seeing he had to cricket, he'd
+take up his stumps and walk to Regent's Park."
+
+"Yes, but he can't play cricket," said Esther, laughing and glad of the
+opportunity.
+
+"Oh, can't he?" Sidney whistled. "Don't insult him by telling him that.
+Why, he was in the Harrow eleven and scored his century in the match
+with Eton; those long arms of his send the ball flying as if it were a
+drawing-room ornament."
+
+"Oh yes," affirmed Addie. "Even now, cricket is his one temptation."
+
+Esther was silent. Her Raphael seemed toppling to pieces. The silence
+seemed to communicate itself to her companions. Addie broke it by
+sending Sidney to smoke a cigarette in the lobby. "Or else I shall feel
+quite too selfish," she said. "I know you're just dying to talk to some
+sensible people. Oh, I beg your pardon, Esther."
+
+The squire of dames smiled but hesitated.
+
+"Yes, do go," said Esther. "There's six or seven minutes more interval.
+This is the longest wait."
+
+"Ladies' will is my law," said Sidney, gallantly, and, taking a
+cigarette case from his cloak, which was hung on a peg at the back of a
+box, he strolled out. "Perhaps," he said, "I shall skip some Shakspeare
+if I meet a congenial intellectual soul to gossip with."
+
+He had scarce been gone two minutes when there came a gentle tapping at
+the door and, the visitor being invited to come in, the girls were
+astonished to behold the young gentleman with the dyed carnation and the
+crimson silk handkerchief. He looked at Esther with an affable smile.
+
+"Don't you remember me?" he said. The ring of his voice woke some
+far-off echo in her brain. But no recollection came to her.
+
+"I remembered you almost at once," he went on, in a half-reproachful
+tone, "though I didn't care about coming up while you had another fellow
+in the box. Look at me carefully, Esther."
+
+The sound of her name on the stranger's lips set all the chords of
+memory vibrating--she looked again at the dark oval face with the
+aquiline nose, the glittering eyes, the neat black moustache, the
+close-shaved cheeks and chin, and in a flash the past resurged and she
+murmured almost incredulously, "Levi!"
+
+The young man got rather red. "Ye-e-s!" he stammered. "Allow me to
+present you my card." He took it out of a little ivory case and handed
+it to her. It read, "Mr. Leonard James."
+
+An amused smile flitted over Esther's face, passing into one of welcome.
+She was not at all displeased to see him.
+
+"Addie," she said. "This is Mr. Leonard James, a friend I used to know
+in my girlhood."
+
+"Yes, we were boys together, as the song says," said Leonard James,
+smiling facetiously.
+
+Addie inclined her head in the stately fashion which accorded so well
+with her beauty and resumed her investigation of the stalls. Presently
+she became absorbed in a tender reverie induced by the passionate waltz
+music and she forgot all about Esther's strange visitor, whose words
+fell as insensibly on her ears as the ticking of a familiar clock. But
+to Esther, Leonard James's conversation was full of interest. The two
+ugly ducklings of the back-pond had become to all appearance swans of
+the ornamental water, and it was natural that they should gabble of auld
+lang syne and the devious routes by which they had come together again.
+
+"You see, I'm like you, Esther," explained the young man. "I'm not
+fitted for the narrow life that suits my father and mother and my
+sister. They've got no ideas beyond the house, and religion, and all
+that sort of thing. What do you think my father wanted me to be? A
+minister! Think of it! Ha! ha! ha! Me a minister! I actually did go for
+a couple of terms to Jews' College. Oh, yes, you remember! Why, I was
+there when you were a school-teacher and got taken up by the swells. But
+our stroke of fortune came soon after yours. Did you never hear of it?
+My, you must have dropped all your old acquaintances if no one ever told
+you that! Why, father came in for a couple of thousand pounds! I thought
+I'd make you stare. Guess who from?"
+
+"I give it up," said Esther.
+
+"Thank you. It was never yours to give," said Leonard, laughing jovially
+at his wit. "Old Steinwein--you remember his death. It was in all the
+papers; the eccentric old buffer, who was touched in the upper story,
+and used to give so much time and money to Jewish affairs, setting up
+lazy old rabbis in Jerusalem to shake themselves over their Talmuds. You
+remember his gifts to the poor--six shillings sevenpence each because he
+was seventy-nine years old and all that. Well, he used to send the
+pater a basket of fruit every _Yomtov_. But he used to do that to every
+Rabbi, all around, and my old man had not the least idea he was the
+object of special regard till the old chap pegged out. Ah, there's
+nothing like Torah, after all."
+
+"You don't know what you may have lost through not becoming a minister,"
+suggested Esther slily.
+
+"Ah, but I know what I've gained. Do you think I could stand having my
+hands and feet tied with phylacteries?" asked Leonard, becoming vividly
+metaphoric in the intensity of his repugnance to the galling bonds of
+orthodoxy. "Now, I do as I like, go where I please, eat what I please.
+Just fancy not being able to join fellows at supper, because you mustn't
+eat oysters or steak? Might as well go into a monastery at once. All
+very well in ancient Jerusalem, where everybody was rowing in the same
+boat. Have you ever tasted pork, Esther?"
+
+"No," said Esther, with a faint smile.
+
+"I have," said Leonard. "I don't say it to boast, but I have had it
+times without number. I didn't like it the first time--thought it would
+choke me, you know, but that soon wears off. Now I breakfast off ham and
+eggs regularly. I go the whole hog, you see. Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"If I didn't see from your card you're not living at home, that would
+have apprised me of it," said Esther.
+
+"Of course, I couldn't live at home. Why the guvnor couldn't bear to let
+me shave. Ha! ha! ha! Fancy a religion that makes you keep your hair on
+unless you use a depilatory. I was articled to a swell solicitor. The
+old man resisted a long time, but he gave in at last, and let me live
+near the office."
+
+"Ah, then I presume you came in for some of the two thousand, despite
+your non-connection with Torah?"
+
+"There isn't much left of it now," said Leonard, laughing. "What's two
+thousand in seven years in London? There were over four hundred guineas
+swallowed up by the premium, and the fees, and all that."
+
+"Well, let us hope it'll all come back in costs."
+
+"Well, between you and me," said Leonard, seriously, "I should be
+surprised if it does. You see, I haven't yet scraped through the Final;
+they're making the beastly exam. stiffer every year. No, it isn't to
+that quarter I look to recoup myself for the outlay on my education."
+
+"No?" said Esther.
+
+"No. Fact is--between you and me--I'm going to be an actor."
+
+"Oh!" said Esther.
+
+"Yes. I've played several times in private theatricals; you know we Jews
+have a knack for the stage; you'd be surprised to know how many pros are
+Jews. There's heaps of money to be made now-a-days on the boards. I'm in
+with lots of 'em, and ought to know. It's the only profession where you
+don't want any training, and these law books are as dry as the Mishna
+the old man used to make me study. Why, they say to-night's 'Hamlet' was
+in a counting-house four years ago."
+
+"I wish you success," said Esther, somewhat dubiously. "And how is your
+sister Hannah? Is she married yet?"
+
+"Married! Not she! She's got no money, and you know what our Jewish
+young men are. Mother wanted her to have the two thousand pounds for a
+dowry, but fortunately Hannah had the sense to see that it's the man
+that's got to make his way in the world. Hannah is always certain of her
+bread and butter, which is a good deal in these hard times. Besides,
+she's naturally grumpy, and she doesn't go out of her way to make
+herself agreeable to young men. It's my belief she'll die an old maid.
+Well, there's no accounting for tastes."
+
+"And your father and mother?"
+
+"They're all right, I believe. I shall see them to-morrow
+night--Passover, you know. I haven't missed a single _Seder_ at home,"
+he said, with conscious virtue. "It's an awful bore, you know. I often
+laugh to think of the chappies' faces if they could see me leaning on a
+pillow and gravely asking the old man why we eat Passover cakes." He
+laughed now to think of it. "But I never miss; they'd cut up rough, I
+expect, if I did."
+
+"Well, that's something in your favor," murmured Esther gravely.
+
+He looked at her sharply; suddenly suspecting that his auditor was not
+perfectly sympathetic. She smiled a little at the images passing through
+her mind, and Leonard, taking her remark for badinage, allowed his own
+features to relax to their original amiability.
+
+"You're not married, either, I suppose," he remarked.
+
+"No," said Esther. "I'm like your sister Hannah."
+
+He shook his head sceptically.
+
+"Ah, I expect you'll be looking very high," he said.
+
+"Nonsense," murmured Esther, playing with her bouquet.
+
+A flash passed across his face, but he went on in the same tone. "Ah,
+don't tell me. Why shouldn't you? Why, you're looking perfectly charming
+to-night."
+
+"Please, don't," said Esther, "Every girl looks perfectly charming when
+she's nicely dressed. Who and what am I? Nothing. Let us drop the
+subject."
+
+"All right; but you _must_ have grand ideas, else you'd have sometimes
+gone to see my people as in the old days."
+
+"When did I visit your people? You used to come and see me sometimes." A
+shadow of a smile hovered about the tremulous lips. "Believe me, I
+didn't consciously drop any of my old acquaintances. My life changed; my
+family went to America; later on I travelled. It is the currents of
+life, not their wills, that bear old acquaintances asunder."
+
+He seemed pleased with her sentiments and was about to say something,
+but she added: "The curtain's going up. Hadn't you better go down to
+your friend? She's been looking up at us impatiently."
+
+"Oh, no, don't bother about her." said Leonard, reddening a little.
+"She--she won't mind. She's only--only an actress, you know, I have to
+keep in with the profession in case any opening should turn up. You
+never know. An actress may become a lessee at any moment. Hark! The
+orchestra is striking up again; the scene isn't set yet. Of course I'll
+go if you want me to!"
+
+"No, stay by all means if you want to," murmured Esther. "We have a
+chair unoccupied."
+
+"Do you expect that fellow Sidney Graham back?"
+
+"Yes, sooner or later. But how do you know his name?" queried Esther in
+surprise.
+
+"Everybody about town knows Sidney Graham, the artist. Why, we belong to
+the same club--the Flamingo--though he only turns up for the great
+glove-fights. Beastly cad, with all due respect to your friends, Esther.
+I was introduced to him once, but he stared at me next time so haughtily
+that I cut him dead. Do you know, ever since then I've suspected he's
+one of us; perhaps you can tell me, Esther? I dare say he's no more
+Sidney Graham than I am."
+
+"Hush!" said Esther, glancing warningly towards Addie, who, however,
+betrayed no sign of attention.
+
+"Sister?" asked Leonard, lowering his voice to a whisper.
+
+Esther shook her head. "Cousin; but Mr. Graham is a friend of mine as
+well and you mustn't talk of him like that."
+
+"Ripping fine girl!" murmured Leonard irrelevantly. "Wonder at his
+taste." He took a long stare at the abstracted Addie.
+
+"What do you mean?" said Esther, her annoyance increasing. Her old
+friend's tone jarred upon her.
+
+"Well, I don't know what he could see in the girl he's engaged to."
+
+Esther's face became white. She looked anxiously towards the unconscious
+Addie.
+
+"You are talking nonsense," she said, in a low cautious tone. "Mr.
+Graham is too fond of his liberty to engage himself to any girl."
+
+"Oho!" said Leonard, with a subdued whistle. "I hope you're not sweet on
+him yourself."
+
+Esther gave an impatient gesture of denial. She resented Leonard's rapid
+resumption of his olden familiarity.
+
+"Then take care not to be," he said. "He's engaged privately to Miss
+Hannibal, a daughter of the M.P. Tom Sledge, the sub-editor of the
+_Cormorant_, told me. You know they collect items about everybody and
+publish them at what they call the psychological moment. Graham goes to
+the Hannibals' every Saturday afternoon. They're very strict people; the
+father, you know, is a prominent Wesleyan and she's not the sort of girl
+to be played with."
+
+"For Heaven's sake speak more softly," said Esther, though the
+orchestra was playing _fortissimo_ now and they had spoken so quietly
+all along that Addie could scarcely have heard without a special effort.
+"It can't be true; you are repeating mere idle gossip."
+
+"Why, they know everything at the _Cormorant_," said Leonard,
+indignantly. "Do you suppose a man can take such a step as that without
+its getting known? Why, I shall be chaffed--enviously--about you two
+to-morrow! Many a thing the world little dreams of is an open secret in
+Club smoking-rooms. Generally more discreditable than Graham's, which
+must be made public of itself sooner or later."
+
+To Esther's relief, the curtain rose. Addie woke up and looked round,
+but seeing that Sidney had not returned, and that Esther was still in
+colloquy with the invader, she gave her attention to the stage. Esther
+could no longer bend her eye on the mimic tragedy; her eyes rested
+pityingly upon Addie's face, and Leonard's eyes rested admiringly upon
+Esther's. Thus Sidney found the group, when he returned in the middle of
+the act, to his surprise and displeasure. He stood silently at the back
+of the box till the act was over. Leonard James was the first to
+perceive him; knowing he had been telling tales about him, he felt
+uneasy under his supercilious gaze. He bade Esther good-bye, asking and
+receiving permission to call upon her. When he was gone, constraint fell
+upon the party. Sidney was moody; Addie pensive, Esther full of stifled
+wrath and anxiety. At the close of the performance Sidney took down the
+girls' wrappings from the pegs. He helped Esther courteously, then
+hovered over his cousin with a solicitude that brought a look of calm
+happiness into Addie's face, and an expression of pain into Esther's. As
+they moved slowly along the crowded corridors, he allowed Addie to get a
+few paces in advance. It was his last opportunity of saying a word to
+Esther alone.
+
+"If I were you, Miss Ansell, I would not allow that cad to presume on
+any acquaintance he may have."
+
+All the latent irritation in Esther's breast burst into flame at the
+idea of Sidney's constituting himself a judge.
+
+"If I had not cultivated his acquaintance I should not have had the
+pleasure of congratulating you on your engagement," she replied, almost
+in a whisper. To Sidney it sounded like a shout. His color heightened;
+he was visibly taken aback.
+
+"What are you talking about?" he murmured automatically.
+
+"About your engagement to Miss Hannibal."
+
+"That blackguard told you!" he whispered angrily, half to himself.
+"Well, what of it? I am not bound to advertise it, am I? It's my private
+business, isn't it? You don't expect me to hang a placard round my
+breast like those on concert-room chairs--'Engaged'!"
+
+"Certainly not," said Esther. "But you might have told your friends, so
+as to enable them to rejoice sympathetically."
+
+"You turn your sarcasm prettily," he said mildly, "but the sympathetic
+rejoicing was just what I wanted to avoid. You know what a Jewish
+engagement is, how the news spreads like wildfire from Piccadilly to
+Petticoat Lane, and the whole house of Israel gathers together to
+discuss the income and the prospects of the happy pair. I object to
+sympathetic rejoicing from the slums, especially as in this case it
+would probably be exchanged for curses. Miss Hannibal is a Christian,
+and for a Jew to embrace a Christian is, I believe, the next worse thing
+to his embracing Christianity, even when the Jew is a pagan." His wonted
+flippancy rang hollow. He paused suddenly and stole a look at his
+companion's face, in search of a smile, but it was pale and sorrowful.
+The flush on his own face deepened; his features expressed internal
+conflict. He addressed a light word to Addie in front. They were nearing
+the portico; it was raining outside and a cold wind blew in to meet
+them; he bent his head down to the delicate little face at his side, and
+his tones were changed.
+
+"Miss Ansell," he said tremulously, "if I have in any way misled you by
+my reticence, I beg you to believe it was unintentionally. The memory of
+the pleasant quarters of an hour we have spent together will always--"
+
+"Good God!" said Esther hoarsely, her cheeks flaming, her ears tingling.
+"To whom are you apologising?" He looked at her perplexed. "Why have
+you not told Addie?" she forced herself to say.
+
+In the press of the crowd, on the edge of the threshold, he stood still.
+Dazzled as by a flash of lightning, he gazed at his cousin, her
+beautifully poised head, covered with its fleecy white shawl, dominating
+the throng. The shawl became an aureole to his misty vision.
+
+"Have you told her?" he whispered with answering hoarseness.
+
+"No," said Esther.
+
+"Then don't tell her," he whispered eagerly.
+
+"I must. She must hear it soon. Such things must ooze out sooner or
+later."
+
+"Then let it be later. Promise me this."
+
+"No good can come of concealment."
+
+"Promise me, for a little while, till I give you leave."
+
+His pleading, handsome face was close to hers. She wondered how she
+could ever have cared for a creature so weak and pitiful.
+
+"So be it," she breathed.
+
+"Miss Leon's carriage," bawled the commissionaire. There was a confusion
+of rain-beaten umbrellas, gleaming carriage-lamps, zigzag rejections on
+the black pavements, and clattering omnibuses full inside. But the air
+was fresh.
+
+"Don't go into the rain, Addie," said Sidney, pressing forwards
+anxiously. "You're doing all my work to-night. Hallo! where did _you_
+spring from?"
+
+It was Raphael who had elicited the exclamation. He suddenly loomed upon
+the party, bearing a decrepit dripping umbrella. "I thought I should be
+in time to catch you--and to apologize," he said, turning to Esther.
+
+"Don't mention it," murmured Esther, his unexpected appearance
+completing her mental agitation.
+
+"Hold the umbrella over the girls, you beggar," said Sidney.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Raphael, poking the rim against a
+policeman's helmet in his anxiety to obey.
+
+"Don't mention it," said Addie smiling.
+
+"All right, sir," growled the policeman good-humoredly.
+
+Sidney laughed heartily.
+
+"Quite a general amnesty," he said. "Ah! here's the carriage. Why didn't
+you get inside it out of the rain or stand in the entrance--you're
+wringing wet."
+
+"I didn't think of it," said Raphael. "Besides, I've only been here a
+few minutes. The 'busses are so full when it rains I had to walk all the
+way from Whitechapel."
+
+"You're incorrigible," grumbled Sidney. "As if you couldn't have taken a
+hansom."
+
+"Why waste money?" said Raphael. They got into the carriage.
+
+"Well, did you enjoy yourselves?" he asked cheerfully.
+
+"Oh yes, thoroughly," said Sidney. "Addie wasted two
+pocket-handkerchiefs over Ophelia; almost enough to pay for that hansom.
+Miss Ansell doated on the finger of destiny and I chopped logic and
+swopped cigarettes with O'Donovan. I hope you enjoyed yourself equally."
+
+Raphael responded with a melancholy smile. He was seated opposite
+Esther, and ever and anon some flash of light from the street revealed
+clearly his sodden, almost shabby, garments and the weariness of his
+expression. He seemed quite out of harmony with the dainty
+pleasure-party, but just on that account the more in harmony with
+Esther's old image, the heroic side of him growing only more lovable for
+the human alloy. She bent towards him at last and said: "I am sorry you
+were deprived of your evening's amusement. I hope the reason didn't add
+to the unpleasantness."
+
+"It was nothing," he murmured awkwardly. "A little unexpected work. One
+can always go to the theatre."
+
+"Ah, I am afraid you overwork yourself too much. You mustn't. Think of
+your own health."
+
+His look softened. He was in a harassed, sensitive state. The sympathy
+of her gentle accents, the concern upon the eager little face, seemed to
+flood his own soul with a self-compassion new to him.
+
+"My health doesn't matter," he faltered. There were sweet tears in his
+eyes, a colossal sense of gratitude at his heart. He had always meant
+to pity her and help her; it was sweeter to be pitied, though of course
+she could not help him. He had no need of help, and on second thoughts
+he wondered what room there was for pity.
+
+"No, no, don't talk like that," said Esther. "Think of your parents--and
+Addle."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+WHAT THE YEARS BROUGHT.
+
+
+The next morning Esther sat in Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's boudoir, filling
+up some invitation forms for her patroness, who often took advantage of
+her literary talent in this fashion. Mrs. Goldsmith herself lay back
+languidly upon a great easy-chair before an asbestos fire and turned
+over the leaves of the new number of the _Acadaeum_. Suddenly she
+uttered a little exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" said Esther.
+
+"They've got a review here of that Jewish novel."
+
+"Have they?" said Esther, glancing up eagerly. "I'd given up looking for
+it."
+
+"You seem very interested in it," said Mrs. Goldsmith, with a little
+surprise.
+
+"Yes, I--I wanted to know what they said about it," explained Esther
+quickly; "one hears so many worthless opinions."
+
+"Well, I'm glad to see we were all right about it," said Mrs. Goldsmith,
+whose eye had been running down the column. "Listen here. 'It is a
+disagreeable book at best; what might have been a powerful tragedy being
+disfigured by clumsy workmanship and sordid superfluous detail. The
+exaggerated unhealthy pessimism, which the very young mistake for
+insight, pervades the work and there are some spiteful touches of
+observation which seem to point to a woman's hand. Some of the minor
+personages have the air of being sketched from life. The novel can
+scarcely be acceptable to the writer's circle. Readers, however, in
+search of the unusual will find new ground broken in this immature study
+of Jewish life.'"
+
+"There, Esther, isn't that just what I've been saying in other words?"
+
+"It's hardly worth bothering about the book now," said Esther in low
+tones, "it's such a long time ago now since it came out. I don't know
+what's the good of reviewing it now. These literary papers always seem
+so cold and cruel to unknown writers."
+
+"Cruel, it isn't half what he deserves," said Mrs. Goldsmith, "or ought
+I to say she? Do you think there's anything, Esther, in that idea of its
+being a woman?"
+
+"Really, dear, I'm sick to death of that book," said Esther. "These
+reviewers always try to be very clever and to see through brick walls.
+What does it matter if it's a he, or a she?"
+
+"It doesn't matter, but it makes it more disgraceful, if it's a woman. A
+woman has no business to know the seamy side of human nature."
+
+At this instant, a domestic knocked and announced that Mr. Leonard James
+had called to see Miss Ansell. Annoyance, surprise and relief struggled
+to express themselves on Esther's face.
+
+"Is the gentleman waiting to see me?" she said.
+
+"Yes, miss, he's in the hall."
+
+Esther turned to Mrs. Goldsmith. "It's a young man I came across
+unexpectedly last night at the theatre. He's the son of Reb Shemuel, of
+whom you may have heard. I haven't met him since we were boy and girl
+together. He asked permission to call, but I didn't expect him so soon."
+
+"Oh, see him by all means, dear. He is probably anxious to talk over old
+times."
+
+"May I ask him up here?"
+
+"No--unless you particularly want to introduce him to me. I dare say he
+would rather have you to himself." There was a touch of superciliousness
+about her tone, which Esther rather resented, although not particularly
+anxious for Levi's social recognition.
+
+"Show him into the library," she said to the servant. "I will be down
+in a minute." She lingered a few indifferent remarks with her companion
+and then went down, wondering at Levi's precipitancy in renewing the
+acquaintance. She could not help thinking of the strangeness of life.
+That time yesterday she had not dreamed of Levi, and now she was about
+to see him for the second time and seemed to know him as intimately as
+if they had never been parted.
+
+Leonard James was pacing the carpet. His face was perturbed, though his
+stylishly cut clothes were composed and immaculate. A cloak was thrown
+loosely across his shoulders. In his right hand he held a bouquet of
+Spring flowers, which he transferred to his left in order to shake hands
+with her.
+
+"Good afternoon, Esther," he said heartily. "By Jove, you have got among
+tip-top people. I had no idea. Fancy you ordering Jeames de la Pluche
+about. And how happy you must be among all these books! I've brought you
+a bouquet. There! Isn't it a beauty? I got it at Covent Garden this
+morning."
+
+"It's very kind of you," murmured Esther, not so pleased as she might
+have been, considering her love of beautiful things. "But you really
+ought not to waste your money like that."
+
+"What nonsense, Esther! Don't forget I'm not in the position my father
+was. I'm going to be a rich man. No, don't put it into a vase; put it in
+your own room where it will remind you of me. Just smell those violets,
+they are awfully sweet and fresh. I flatter myself, it's quite as swell
+and tasteful as the bouquet you had last night. Who gave you that.
+Esther?" The "Esther" mitigated the off-handedness of the question, but
+made the sentence jar doubly upon her ear. She might have brought
+herself to call him "Levi" in exchange, but then she was not certain he
+would like it. "Leonard" was impossible. So she forbore to call him by
+any name.
+
+"I think Mr. Graham brought it. Won't you sit down?" she said
+indifferently.
+
+"Thank you. I thought so. Luck that fellow's engaged. Do you know,
+Esther. I didn't sleep all night."
+
+"No?" said Esther. "You seemed quite well when I saw you."
+
+"So I was, but seeing you again, so unexpectedly, excited me. You have
+been whirling in my brain ever since. I hadn't thought of you for
+years--"
+
+"I hadn't thought of you," Esther echoed frankly.
+
+"No, I suppose not," he said, a little ruefully. "But, anyhow, fate has
+brought us together again. I recognized you the moment I set eyes on
+you, for all your grand clothes and your swell bouquets. I tell you I
+was just struck all of a heap; of course, I knew about your luck, but I
+hadn't realized it. There wasn't any one in the whole theatre who looked
+the lady more--'pon honor; you'd have no cause to blush in the company
+of duchesses. In fact I know a duchess or two who don't look near so
+refined. I was quite surprised. Do you know, if any one had told me you
+used to live up in a garret--"
+
+"Oh, please don't recall unpleasant things," interrupted Esther,
+petulantly, a little shudder going through her, partly at the picture he
+called up, partly at his grating vulgarity. Her repulsion to him was
+growing. Why had he developed so disagreeably? She had not disliked him
+as a boy, and he certainly had not inherited his traits of coarseness
+from his father, whom she still conceived as a courtly old gentleman.
+
+"Oh well, if you don't like it, I won't. I see you're like me; I never
+think of the Ghetto if I can help it. Well, as I was saying, I haven't
+had a wink of sleep since I saw you. I lay tossing about, thinking all
+sorts of things, till I could stand it no longer, and I got up and
+dressed and walked about the streets and strayed into Covent Garden
+Market, where the inspiration came upon me to get you this bouquet. For,
+of course, it was about you that I had been thinking."
+
+"About me?" said Esther, turning pale.
+
+"Yes, of course. Don't make _Schnecks_--you know what I mean. I can't
+help using the old expression when I look at you; the past seems all
+come back again. They were happy days, weren't they, Esther, when I used
+to come up to see you in Royal Street; I think you were a little sweet
+on me in those days, Esther, and I know I was regular mashed on you."
+
+He looked at her with a fond smile.
+
+"I dare say you were a silly boy," said Esther, coloring uneasily under
+his gaze. "However, you needn't reproach yourself now."
+
+"Reproach myself, indeed! Never fear that. What I have been reproaching
+myself with all night is never having looked you up. Somehow, do you
+know, I kept asking myself whether I hadn't made a fool of myself
+lately, and I kept thinking things might have been different if--"
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense," interrupted Esther with an embarrassed laugh.
+"You've been doing very well, learning to know the world and studying
+law and mixing with pleasant people."
+
+"Ah, Esther," he said, shaking his head, "it's very good of you to say
+that. I don't say I've done anything particularly foolish or out of the
+way. But when a man is alone, he sometimes gets a little reckless and
+wastes his time, and you know what it is. I've been thinking if I had
+some one to keep me steady, some one I could respect, it would be the
+best thing that could happen to me."
+
+"Oh, but surely you ought to have sense enough to take care of yourself.
+And there is always your father. Why don't you see more of him?"
+
+"Don't chaff a man when you see he's in earnest. You know what I mean.
+It's you I am thinking of."
+
+"Me? Oh well, if you think my friendship can be of any use to you I
+shall be delighted. Come and see me sometimes and tell me of your
+struggles."
+
+"You know I don't mean that," he said desperately. "Couldn't we be more
+than friends? Couldn't we commence again--where we left off"
+
+"How do you mean?" she murmured.
+
+"Why are you so cold to me?" he burst out. "Why do you make it so hard
+for me to speak? You know I love you, that I fell in love with you all
+over again last night. I never really forgot you; you were always deep
+down in my breast. All that I said about steadying me wasn't a lie. I
+felt that, too. But the real thing I feel is the need of you. I want you
+to care for me as I care for you. You used to, Esther; you know you
+did."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind," said Esther, "and I can't understand why a
+young fellow like you wants to bother his head with such ideas. You've
+got to make your way in the world--"
+
+"I know, I know; that's why I want you. I didn't tell you the exact
+truth last night, Esther, but I must really earn some money soon. All
+that two thousand is used up, and I only get along by squeezing some
+money out of the old man every now and again. Don't frown; he got a rise
+of screw three years ago and can well afford it. Now that's what I said
+to myself last night; if I were engaged, it would be an incentive to
+earning something."
+
+"For a Jewish young man, you are fearfully unpractical," said Esther,
+with a forced smile. "Fancy proposing to a girl without even prospects
+of prospects."
+
+"Oh, but I _have_ got prospects. I tell you I shall make no end of money
+on the stage."
+
+"Or no beginning," she said, finding the facetious vein easiest.
+
+"No fear. I know I've got as much talent as Bob Andrews (he admits it
+himself), and _he_ draws his thirty quid a week."
+
+"Wasn't that the man who appeared at the police-court the other day for
+being drunk and disorderly?"
+
+"Y-e-es," admitted Leonard, a little disconcerted. "He is a very good
+fellow, but he loses his head when he's in liquor."
+
+"I wonder you can care for society of that sort," said Esther.
+
+"Perhaps you're right. They're not a very refined lot. I tell you
+what--I'd like to go on the stage, but I'm not mad on it, and if you
+only say the word I'll give it up. There! And I'll go on with my law
+studies; honor bright, I will."
+
+"I should, if I were you," she said.
+
+"Yes, but I can't do it without encouragement. Won't you say 'yes'?
+Let's strike the bargain. I'll stick to law and you'll stick to me."
+
+She shook her head. "I am afraid I could not promise anything you mean.
+As I said before, I shall be always glad to see you. If you do well, no
+one will rejoice more than I."
+
+"Rejoice! What's the good of that to me? I want you to care for me; I
+want to took forward to your being my wife."
+
+"Really, I cannot take advantage of a moment of folly like this. You
+don't know what you're saying. You saw me last night, after many years,
+and in your gladness at seeing an old friend you flare up and fancy
+you're in love with me. Why, who ever heard of such foolish haste? Go
+back to your studies, and in a day or two you will find the flame
+sinking as rapidly as it leaped up."
+
+"No, no! Nothing of the kind!" His voice was thicker and there was real
+passion in it. She grew dearer to him as the hope of her love receded.
+"I couldn't forget you. I care for you awfully. I realized last night
+that my feeling for you is quite unlike what I have ever felt towards
+any other girl. Don't say no! Don't send me away despairing. I can
+hardly realize that you have grown so strange and altered. Surely you
+oughtn't to put on any side with me. Remember the times we have had
+together."
+
+"I remember," she said gently. "But I do not want to marry any one:
+indeed, I don't."
+
+"Then if there is no one else in your thoughts, why shouldn't it be me?
+There! I won't press you for an answer now. Only don't say it's out of
+the question."
+
+"I'm afraid I must."
+
+"No, you mustn't, Esther, you mustn't," he exclaimed excitedly. "Think
+of what it means for me. You are the only Jewish girl I shall ever care
+for; and father would be pleased if I were to marry you. You know if I
+wanted to marry a _Shiksah_ there'd be awful rows. Don't treat me as if
+I were some outsider with no claim upon you. I believe we should get on
+splendidly together, you and me. We've been through the same sort of
+thing in childhood, we should understand each other, and be in sympathy
+with each other in a way I could never be with another girl and I doubt
+if you could with another fellow."
+
+The words burst from him like a torrent, with excited foreign-looking
+gestures. Esther's headache was coming on badly.
+
+"What would be the use of my deceiving you?" she said gently. "I don't
+think I shall ever marry. I'm sure I could never make you--or any one
+else--happy. Won't you let me be your friend?"
+
+"Friend!" he echoed bitterly. "I know what it is; I'm poor. I've got no
+money bags to lay at your feet. You're like all the Jewish girls after
+all. But I only ask you to wait; I shall have plenty of money by and by.
+Who knows what more luck my father might drop in for? There are lots of
+rich religious cranks. And then I'll work hard, honor bright I will."
+
+"Pray be reasonable," said Esther quietly. "You know you are talking at
+random. Yesterday this time you had no idea of such a thing. To-day you
+are all on fire. To-morrow you will forget all about it."
+
+"Never! Never!" he cried. "Haven't I remembered you all these years?
+They talk of man's faithlessness and woman's faithfulness. It seems to
+me, it's all the other way. Women are a deceptive lot."
+
+"You know you have no right whatever to talk like that to me," said
+Esther, her sympathy beginning to pass over into annoyance. "To-morrow
+you will be sorry. Hadn't you better go before you give yourself--and
+me--more cause for regret?"
+
+"Ho, you're sending me away, are you?" he said in angry surprise.
+
+"I am certainly suggesting it as the wisest course."
+
+"Oh, don't give me any of your fine phrases!" he said brutally. "I see
+what it is--I've made a mistake. You're a stuck-up, conceited little
+thing. You think because you live in a grand house nobody is good enough
+for you. But what are you after all? a _Schnorrer_--that's all. A
+_Schnorrer_ living on the charity of strangers. If I mix with grand
+folks, it is as an independent man and an equal. But you, rather than
+marry any one who mightn't be able to give you carriages and footmen,
+you prefer to remain a _Schnorrer_."
+
+Esther was white and her lips trembled. "Now I must ask you to go," she
+said.
+
+"All right, don't flurry yourself!" he said savagely. "You don't impress
+me with your airs. Try them on people who don't know what you were--a
+_Schnorrer's_ daughter. Yes, your father was always a _Schnorrer_ and
+you are his child. It's in the blood. Ha! Ha! Ha! Moses Ansell's
+daughter! Moses Ansell's daughter--a peddler, who went about the country
+with brass jewelry and stood in the Lane with lemons and _schnorred_
+half-crowns of my father. You took jolly good care to ship him off to
+America, but 'pon my honor, you can't expect others to forget him as
+quickly as you. It's a rich joke, you refusing me. You're not fit for me
+to wipe my shoes on. My mother never cared for me to go to your garret;
+she said I must mix with my equals and goodness knew what disease I
+might pick up in the dirt; 'pon my honor the old girl was right."
+
+"She _was_ right," Esther was stung into retorting. "You must mix only
+with your equals. Please leave the room now or else I shall."
+
+His face changed. His frenzy gave way to a momentary shock of
+consternation as he realized what he had done.
+
+"No, no, Esther. I was mad, I didn't know what I was saying. I didn't
+mean it. Forget it."
+
+"I cannot. It was quite true," she said bitterly. "I am only a
+_Schnorrer's_ daughter. Well, are you going or must I?"
+
+He muttered something inarticulate, then seized his hat sulkily and went
+to the door without looking at her.
+
+"You have forgotten something," she said.
+
+He turned; her forefinger pointed to the bouquet on the table. He had a
+fresh access of rage at the sight of it, jerked it contemptuously to the
+floor with a sweep of his hat and stamped upon it. Then he rushed from
+the room and an instant after she heard the hall door slam.
+
+She sank against the table sobbing nervously. It was her first
+proposal! A _Schnorrer_ and the daughter of a _Schnorrer_. Yes,
+that-was what she was. And she had even repaid her benefactors with
+deception! What hopes could she yet cherish? In literature she was a
+failure; the critics gave her few gleams of encouragement, while all her
+acquaintances from Raphael downwards would turn and rend her, should she
+dare declare herself. Nay, she was ashamed of herself for the mischief
+she had wrought. No one in the world cared for her; she was quite alone.
+The only man in whose breast she could excite love or the semblance of
+it was a contemptible cad. And who was she, that she should venture to
+hope for love? She figured herself as an item in a catalogue; "a little,
+ugly, low-spirited, absolutely penniless young woman, subject to nervous
+headaches." Her sobs were interrupted by a ghastly burst of
+self-mockery. Yes, Levi was right. She ought to think herself lucky to
+get him. Again, she asked herself what had existence to offer her.
+Gradually her sobs ceased; she remembered to-night would be _Seder_
+night, and her thoughts, so violently turned Ghetto-wards, went back to
+that night, soon after poor Benjamin's death, when she sat before the
+garret fire striving to picture the larger life of the future. Well,
+this was the future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ENDS OF A GENERATION.
+
+
+The same evening Leonard James sat in the stalls of the Colosseum Music
+Hall, sipping champagne and smoking a cheroot. He had not been to his
+chambers (which were only round the corner) since the hapless interview
+with Esther, wandering about in the streets and the clubs in a spirit
+compounded of outraged dignity, remorse and recklessness. All men must
+dine; and dinner at the _Flamingo Club_ soothed his wounded soul and
+left only the recklessness, which is a sensation not lacking in
+agreeableness. Through the rosy mists of the Burgundy there began to
+surge up other faces than that cold pallid little face which had
+hovered before him all the afternoon like a tantalizing phantom; at the
+Chartreuse stage he began to wonder what hallucination, what aberration
+of sense had overcome him, that he should have been stirred to his
+depths and distressed so hugely. Warmer faces were these that swam
+before him, faces fuller of the joy of life. The devil take all stuck-up
+little saints!
+
+About eleven o'clock, when the great ballet of _Venetia_ was over,
+Leonard hurried round to the stage-door, saluted the door-keeper with a
+friendly smile and a sixpence, and sent in his card to Miss Gladys
+Wynne, on the chance that she might have no supper engagement. Miss
+Wynne was only a humble _coryphée_, but the admirers of her talent were
+numerous, and Leonard counted himself fortunate in that she was able to
+afford him the privilege of her society to-night. She came out to him in
+a red fur-lined cloak, for the air was keen. She was a majestic being
+with a florid complexion not entirely artificial, big blue eyes and
+teeth of that whiteness which is the practical equivalent of a sense of
+humor in evoking the possessor's smiles. They drove to a restaurant a
+few hundred yards distant, for Miss Wynne detested using her feet except
+to dance with. It was a fashionable restaurant, where the prices
+obligingly rose after ten, to accommodate the purses of the
+supper-_clientčle_. Miss Wynne always drank champagne, except when
+alone, and in politeness Leonard had to imbibe more of this frothy
+compound. He knew he would have to pay for the day's extravagance by a
+week of comparative abstemiousness, but recklessness generally meant
+magnificence with him. They occupied a cosy little corner behind a
+screen, and Miss Wynne bubbled over with laughter like an animated
+champagne bottle. One or two of his acquaintances espied him and winked
+genially, and Leonard had the satisfaction of feeling that he was not
+dissipating his money without purchasing enhanced reputation. He had not
+felt in gayer spirits for months than when, with Gladys Wynne on his arm
+and a cigarette in his mouth, he sauntered out of the brilliantly-lit
+restaurant into the feverish dusk of the midnight street, shot with
+points of fire.
+
+"Hansom, sir!"
+
+"_Levi_!"
+
+A great cry of anguish rent the air--Leonard's cheeks burned.
+Involuntarily he looked round. Then his heart stood still. There, a few
+yards from him, rooted to the pavement, with stony staring face, was Reb
+Shemuel. The old man wore an unbrushed high hat and an uncouth
+unbuttoned overcoat. His hair and beard were quite white now, and the
+strong countenance lined with countless wrinkles was distorted with pain
+and astonishment. He looked a cross between an ancient prophet and a
+shabby street lunatic. The unprecedented absence of the son from the
+_Seder_ ceremonial had filled the Reb's household with the gravest
+alarm. Nothing short of death or mortal sickness could be keeping the
+boy away. It was long before the Reb could bring himself to commence the
+_Hagadah_ without his son to ask the time-honored opening question; and
+when he did he paused every minute to listen to footsteps or the voice
+of the wind without. The joyous holiness of the Festival was troubled, a
+black cloud overshadowed the shining table-cloth, at supper the food
+choked him. But _Seder_ was over and yet no sign of the missing guest;
+no word of explanation. In poignant anxiety, the old man walked the
+three miles that lay between him and tidings of the beloved son. At his
+chambers he learned that their occupant had not been in all day. Another
+thing he learned there, too; for the _Mezuzah_ which he had fixed up on
+the door-post when his boy moved in had been taken down, and it filled
+his mind with a dread suspicion that Levi had not been eating at the
+_kosher_ restaurant in Hatton Garden, as he had faithfully vowed to do.
+But even this terrible thought was swallowed up in the fear that some
+accident had happened to him. He haunted the house for an hour, filling
+up the intervals of fruitless inquiry with little random walks round the
+neighborhood, determined not to return home to his wife without news of
+their child. The restless life of the great twinkling streets was almost
+a novelty to him; it was rarely his perambulations in London extended
+outside the Ghetto, and the radius of his life was proportionately
+narrow,--with the intensity that narrowness forces on a big soul. The
+streets dazzled him, he looked blinkingly hither and thither in the
+despairing hope of finding his boy. His lips moved in silent prayer; he
+raised his eyes beseechingly to the cold glittering heavens. Then, all
+at once--as the clocks pointed to midnight--he found him. Found him
+coming out of an unclean place, where he had violated the Passover.
+Found him--fit climax of horror--with the "strange woman" of _The
+Proverbs_, for whom the faithful Jew has a hereditary hatred.
+
+His son--his. Reb Shemuel's! He, the servant of the Most High, the
+teacher of the Faith to reverential thousands, had brought a son into
+the world to profane the Name! Verily his gray hairs would go down with
+sorrow to a speedy grave! And the sin was half his own; he had weakly
+abandoned his boy in the midst of a great city. For one awful instant,
+that seemed an eternity, the old man and the young faced each other
+across the chasm which divided their lives. To the son the shock was
+scarcely less violent than to the father. The _Seder_, which the day's
+unwonted excitement had clean swept out of his mind, recurred to him in
+a flash, and by the light of it he understood the puzzle of his father's
+appearance. The thought of explaining rushed up only to be dismissed.
+The door of the restaurant had not yet ceased swinging behind him--there
+was too much to explain. He felt that all was over between him and his
+father. It was unpleasant, terrible even, for it meant the annihilation
+of his resources. But though he still had an almost physical fear of the
+old man, far more terrible even than the presence of his father was the
+presence of Miss Gladys Wynne. To explain, to brazen it out, either
+course was equally impossible. He was not a brave man, but at that
+moment he felt death were preferable to allowing her to be the witness
+of such a scene as must ensue. His resolution was taken within a few
+brief seconds of the tragic rencontre. With wonderful self-possession,
+he nodded to the cabman who had put the question, and whose vehicle was
+drawn up opposite the restaurant. Hastily he helped the unconscious
+Gladys into the hansom. He was putting his foot on the step himself when
+Reb Shemuel's paralysis relaxed suddenly. Outraged by this final
+pollution of the Festival, he ran forward and laid his hand on Levi's
+shoulder. His face was ashen, his heart thumped painfully; the hand on
+Levi's cloak shook as with palsy.
+
+Levi winced; the old awe was upon him. Through a blinding whirl he saw
+Gladys staring wonderingly at the queer-looking intruder. He gathered
+all his mental strength together with a mighty effort, shook off the
+great trembling hand and leaped into the hansom.
+
+"Drive on!" came in strange guttural tones from his parched throat.
+
+The driver lashed the horse; a rough jostled the old man aside and
+slammed the door to; Leonard mechanically threw him a coin; the hansom
+glided away.
+
+"Who was that, Leonard?" said Miss Wynne, curiously.
+
+"Nobody; only an old Jew who supplies me with cash."
+
+Gladys laughed merrily--a rippling, musical laugh.
+
+She knew the sort of person.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FLAG FLUTTERS.
+
+
+The _Flag of Judah_, price one penny, largest circulation of any Jewish
+organ, continued to flutter, defying the battle, the breeze and its
+communal contemporaries. At Passover there had been an illusive
+augmentation of advertisements proclaiming the virtues of unleavened
+everything. With the end of the Festival, most of these fell out,
+staying as short a time as the daffodils. Raphael was in despair at the
+meagre attenuated appearance of the erst prosperous-looking pages. The
+weekly loss on the paper weighed upon his conscience.
+
+"We shall never succeed," said the sub-editor, shaking his romantic
+hair, "till we run it for the Upper Ten. These ten people can make the
+paper, just as they are now killing it by refusing their countenance."
+
+"But they must surely reckon with us sooner or later," said Raphael.
+
+"It will he a long reckoning. I fear: you take my advice and put in more
+butter. It'll be _kosher_ butter, coming from us." The little Bohemian
+laughed as heartily as his eyeglass permitted.
+
+"No; we must stick to our guns. After all, we have had some very good
+things lately. Those articles of Pinchas's are not bad either."
+
+"They're so beastly egotistical. Still his theories are ingenious and
+far more interesting than those terribly dull long letters of Henry
+Goldsmith, which you will put in."
+
+Raphael flushed a little and began to walk up and down the new and
+superior sanctum with his ungainly strides, puffing furiously at his
+pipe The appearance of the room was less bare; the floor was carpeted
+with old newspapers and scraps of letters. A huge picture of an Atlantic
+Liner, the gift of a Steamship Company, leaned cumbrously against a
+wall.
+
+"Still, all our literary excellencies," pursued Sampson, "are outweighed
+by our shortcomings in getting births, marriages and deaths. We are
+gravelled for lack of that sort of matter What is the use of your
+elaborate essay on the Septuagint, when the public is dying to hear
+who's dead?"
+
+"Yes, I am afraid it is so." said Raphael, emitting a huge volume of
+smoke.
+
+"I'm sure it is so. If you would only give me a freer hand, I feel sure
+I could work up that column. We can at least make a better show: I would
+avoid the danger of discovery by shifting the scene to foreign parts. I
+could marry some people in Born-bay and kill some in Cape Town,
+redressing the balance by bringing others into existence at Cairo and
+Cincinnati. Our contemporaries would score off us in local interest, but
+we should take the shine out of them in cosmopolitanism."
+
+"No, no; remember that _Meshumad_" said Raphael, smiling.
+
+"He was real; if you had allowed me to invent a corpse, we should have
+been saved that _contretemps_. We have one 'death' this week
+fortunately, and I am sure to fish out another in the daily papers. But
+we haven't had a 'birth' for three weeks running; it's just ruining our
+reputation. Everybody knows that the orthodox are a fertile lot, and it
+looks as if we hadn't got the support even of our own party. Ta ra ra
+ta! Now you must really let me have a 'birth.' I give you my word,
+nobody'll suspect it isn't genuine. Come now. How's this?" He scribbled
+on a piece of paper and handed it to Raphael, who read:
+
+"BIRTH, on the 15th inst. at 17 East Stuart Lane, Kennington, the wife
+of Joseph Samuels of a son."
+
+"There!" said Sampson proudly, "Who would believe the little beggar had
+no existence? Nobody lives in Kennington, and that East Stuart Lane is a
+master-stroke. You might suspect Stuart Lane, but nobody would ever
+dream there's no such place as _East_ Stuart Lane. Don't say the little
+chap must die. I begin to take quite a paternal interest in him. May I
+announce him? Don't be too scrupulous. Who'll be a penny the worse for
+it?" He began to chirp, with bird-like trills of melody.
+
+Raphael hesitated: his moral fibre had been weakened. It is impossible
+to touch print and not be denied.
+
+Suddenly Sampson ceased to whistle and smote his head with his chubby
+fist. "Ass that I am!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What new reasons have you discovered to think so?" said Raphael.
+
+"Why, we dare not create boys. We shall be found out; boys must be
+circumcised and some of the periphrastically styled 'Initiators into the
+Abrahamic Covenant' may spot us. It was a girl that Mrs. Joseph Samuels
+was guilty of." He amended the sex.
+
+Raphael laughed heartily. "Put it by; there's another day yet; we shall
+see."
+
+"Very well," said Sampson resignedly. "Perhaps by to-morrow we shall be
+in luck and able to sing 'unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
+given.' By the way, did you see the letter complaining of our using that
+quotation, on the ground it was from the New Testament?"
+
+"Yes," said Raphael smiling. "Of course the man doesn't know his Old
+Testament, but I trace his misconception to his having heard Handel's
+Messiah. I wonder he doesn't find fault with the Morning Service for
+containing the Lord's Prayer, or with Moses for saying 'Thou shalt love
+thy neighbor as thyself.'"
+
+"Still, that's the sort of man newspapers have to cater for," said the
+sub-editor. "And we don't. We have cut down our Provincial Notes to a
+column. My idea would be to make two pages of them, not cutting out any
+of the people's names and leaving in more of the adjectives. Every man's
+name we mention means at least one copy sold. Why can't we drag in a
+couple of thousand names every week?"
+
+"That would make our circulation altogether nominal," laughed Raphael,
+not taking the suggestion seriously.
+
+Little Sampson was not only the Mephistopheles of the office, debauching
+his editor's guileless mind with all the wily ways of the old
+journalistic hand; he was of real use in protecting Raphael against the
+thousand and one pitfalls that make the editorial chair as perilous to
+the occupant as Sweeney Todd's; against the people who tried to get
+libels inserted as news or as advertisements, against the self-puffers
+and the axe-grinders. He also taught Raphael how to commence interesting
+correspondence and how to close awkward. The _Flag_ played a part in
+many violent discussions. Little Sampson was great in inventing communal
+crises, and in getting the public to believe it was excited. He also won
+a great victory over the other party every three weeks; Raphael did not
+wish to have so many of these victories, but little Sampson pointed out
+that if he did not have them, the rival newspaper would annex them. One
+of the earliest sensations of the _Flag_ was a correspondence exposing
+the misdeeds of some communal officials; but in the end the very persons
+who made the allegations ate humble pie. Evidently official pressure had
+been brought to bear, for red tape rampant might have been the heraldic
+device of Jewish officialdom. In no department did Jews exhibit more
+strikingly their marvellous powers of assimilation to their neighbors.
+
+Among the discussions which rent the body politic was the question of
+building a huge synagogue for the poor. The _Flag_ said it would only
+concentrate them, and its word prevailed. There were also the grave
+questions of English and harmoniums in the synagogue, of the
+confirmation of girls and their utilization in the choir. The Rabbinate,
+whose grave difficulties in reconciling all parties to its rule, were
+augmented by the existence of the _Flag_, pronounced it heinous to
+introduce English excerpts into the liturgy; if, however, they were not
+read from the central platform, they were legitimate; harmoniums were
+permissible, but only during special services; and an organization of
+mixed voices was allowable, but not a mixed choir; children might be
+confirmed, but the word "confirmation" should be avoided. Poor
+Rabbinate! The politics of the little community were extremely complex.
+What with rabid zealots yearning for the piety of the good old times,
+spiritually-minded ministers working with uncomfortable earnestness for
+a larger Judaism, radicals dropping out, moderates clamoring for quiet,
+and schismatics organizing new and tiresome movements, the Rabbinate
+could scarcely do aught else than emit sonorous platitudes and remain in
+office.
+
+And beneath all these surface ruffles was the steady silent drift of the
+new generation away from the old landmarks. The synagogue did not
+attract; it spoke Hebrew to those whose mother-tongue was English; its
+appeal was made through channels which conveyed nothing to them; it was
+out of touch with their real lives; its liturgy prayed for the
+restoration of sacrifices which they did not want and for the welfare of
+Babylonian colleges that had ceased to exist. The old generation merely
+believed its beliefs; if the new as much as professed them, it was only
+by virtue of the old home associations and the inertia of indifference.
+Practically, it was without religion. The Reform Synagogue, though a
+centre of culture and prosperity, was cold, crude and devoid of
+magnetism. Half a century of stagnant reform and restless dissolution
+had left Orthodoxy still the Established Doxy. For, as Orthodoxy
+evaporated in England, it was replaced by fresh streams from Russia, to
+be evaporated and replaced in turn, England acting as an automatic
+distillery. Thus the Rabbinate still reigned, though it scarcely
+governed either the East End or the West. For the East End formed a
+Federation of the smaller synagogues to oppose the dominance of the
+United Synagogue, importing a minister of superior orthodoxy from the
+Continent, and the _Flag_ had powerful leaders on the great struggle
+between plutocracy and democracy, and the voice of Mr. Henry Goldsmith
+was heard on behalf of Whitechapel. And the West, in so far as it had
+spiritual aspirations, fed them on non-Jewish literature and the higher
+thought of the age. The finer spirits, indeed, were groping for a
+purpose and a destiny, doubtful even, if the racial isolation they
+perpetuated were not an anachronism. While the community had been
+battling for civil and religious liberty, there had been a unifying,
+almost spiritualizing, influence in the sense of common injustice, and
+the question _cui bono_ had been postponed. Drowning men do not ask if
+life is worth living. Later, the Russian persecutions came to interfere
+again with national introspection, sending a powerful wave of racial
+sympathy round the earth. In England a backwash of the wave left the
+Asmonean Society, wherein, for the first time in history, Jews gathered
+with nothing in common save blood--artists, lawyers, writers,
+doctors--men who in pre-emancipation times might have become Christians
+like Heine, but who now formed an effective protest against the popular
+conceptions of the Jew, and a valuable antidote to the disproportionate
+notoriety achieved by less creditable types. At the Asmonean Society,
+brilliant free-lances, each thinking himself a solitary exception to a
+race of bigots, met one another in mutual astonishment. Raphael
+alienated several readers by uncompromising approval of this
+characteristically modern movement. Another symptom of the new intensity
+of national brotherhood was the attempt towards amalgamating the Spanish
+and German communities, but brotherhood broke down under the disparity
+of revenue, the rich Spanish sect displaying once again the
+exclusiveness which has marked its history.
+
+Amid these internal problems, the unspeakable immigrant was an added
+thorn. Very often the victim of Continental persecution was assisted on
+to America, but the idea that he was hurtful to native labor rankled in
+the minds of Englishmen, and the Jewish leaders were anxious to remove
+it, all but proving him a boon. In despair, it was sought to 'anglicize
+him by discourses in Yiddish. With the Poor Alien question was connected
+the return to Palestine. The Holy Land League still pinned its faith to
+Zion, and the _Flag_ was with it to the extent of preferring the ancient
+father-land, as the scene of agricultural experiments, to the South
+American soils selected by other schemes. It was generally felt that the
+redemption of Judaism lay largely in a return to the land, after several
+centuries of less primitive and more degrading occupations. When South
+America was chosen, Strelitski was the first to counsel the League to
+co-operate in the experiment, on the principle that half a loaf is
+better than no bread. But, for the orthodox the difficulties of
+regeneration by the spade were enhanced by the Sabbatical Year Institute
+of the Pentateuch, ordaining that land must lie fallow in the seventh
+year. It happened that this septennial holiday was just going on, and
+the faithful Palestine farmers were starving in voluntary martyrdom. The
+_Flag_ raised a subscription for their benefit. Raphael wished to head
+the list with twenty pounds, but on the advice of little Sampson he
+broke it up into a variety of small amounts, spread over several weeks,
+and attached to imaginary names and initials. Seeing so many other
+readers contributing, few readers felt called upon to tax themselves.
+The _Flag_ received the ornate thanks of a pleiad of Palestine Rabbis
+for its contribution of twenty-five guineas, two of which were from Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith. Gideon, the member for Whitechapel, remained callous to
+the sufferings of his brethren in the Holy Land. In daily contact with
+so many diverse interests, Raphael's mind widened as imperceptibly
+as the body grows. He learned the manners of many men and
+committees--admired the genuine goodness of some of the Jewish
+philanthropists and the fluent oratory of all; even while he realized
+the pettiness of their outlook and their reluctance to face facts. They
+were timorous, with a dread of decisive action and definitive speech,
+suggesting the differential, deprecatory corporeal wrigglings of the
+mediaeval few. They seemed to keep strict ward over the technical
+privileges of the different bodies they belonged to, and in their
+capacity of members of the Fiddle-de-dee to quarrel with themselves as
+members of the Fiddle-de-dum, and to pass votes of condolence or
+congratulation twice over as members of both. But the more he saw of his
+race the more he marvelled at the omnipresent ability, being tempted at
+times to allow truth to the view that Judaism was a successful
+sociological experiment, the moral and physical training of a chosen
+race whose very dietary had been religiously regulated.
+
+And even the revelations of the seamy side of human character which
+thrust themselves upon the most purblind of editors were blessings in
+disguise. The office of the _Flag_ was a forcing-house for Raphael; many
+latent thoughts developed into extraordinary maturity. A month of the
+_Flag_ was equal to a year of experience in the outside world. And not
+even little Sampson himself was keener to appreciate the humors of the
+office when no principle was involved; though what made the sub-editor
+roar with laughter often made the editor miserable for the day. For
+compensation, Raphael had felicities from which little Sampson was cut
+off; gladdened by revelations of earnestness and piety in letters that
+were merely bad English to the sub-editor.
+
+A thing that set them both laughing occurred on the top of their
+conversation about the reader who objected to quotations from the Old
+Testament. A package of four old _Flags_ arrived, accompanied by a
+letter. This was the letter:
+
+     "DEAR SIR:
+
+     "Your man called upon me last night, asking for payment for four
+     advertisements of my Passover groceries. But I have changed my mind
+     about them and do not want them; and therefore beg to return the
+     four numbers sent me You will see I have not opened them or soiled
+     them in any way, so please cancel the claim in your books.
+
+     "Yours truly,
+
+     "ISAAC WOLLBERG."
+
+"He evidently thinks the vouchers sent him _are_ the advertisements,"
+screamed little Sampson.
+
+"But if he is as ignorant as all that, how could he have written the
+letter?" asked Raphael.
+
+"Oh, it was probably written for him for twopence by the Shalotten
+_Shammos_, the begging-letter writer."
+
+"This is almost as funny as Karlkammer!" said Raphael.
+
+Karlkammer had sent in a long essay on the Sabbatical Year question,
+which Raphael had revised and published with Karlkammer's title at the
+head and Karlkammer's name at the foot. Yet, owing to the few
+rearrangements and inversions of sentences, Karlkammer never identified
+it as his own, and was perpetually calling to inquire when his article
+would appear. He brought with him fresh manuscripts of the article as
+originally written. He was not the only caller; Raphael was much
+pestered by visitors on kindly counsel bent or stern exhortation. The
+sternest were those who had never yet paid their subscriptions. De Haan
+also kept up proprietorial rights of interference. In private life
+Raphael suffered much from pillars of the Montagu Samuels type, who
+accused him of flippancy, and no communal crisis invented by little
+Sampson ever equalled the pother and commotion that arose when Raphael
+incautiously allowed him to burlesque the notorious _Mordecai Josephs_
+by comically exaggerating its exaggerations. The community took it
+seriously, as an attack upon the race. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith were
+scandalized, and Raphael had to shield little Sampson by accepting the
+whole responsibility for its appearance.
+
+"Talking of Karlkammer's article, are you ever going to use up Herman's
+scientific paper?" asked little Sampson.
+
+"I'm afraid so," said Raphael; "I don't know how we can get out of it.
+But his eternal _kosher_ meat sticks in my throat. We are Jews for the
+love of God, not to be saved from consumption bacilli. But I won't use
+it to-morrow; we have Miss Cissy Levine's tale. It's not half bad. What
+a pity she has the expenses of her books paid! If she had to achieve
+publication by merit, her style might be less slipshod."
+
+"I wish some rich Jew would pay the expenses of my opera tour," said
+little Sampson, ruefully. "My style of doing the thing would be
+improved. The people who are backing me up are awfully stingy, actually
+buying up battered old helmets for my chorus of Amazons."
+
+Intermittently the question of the sub-editor's departure for the
+provinces came up: it was only second in frequency to his "victories."
+About once a month the preparations for the tour were complete, and he
+would go about in a heyday of jubilant vocalization; then his comic
+prima-donna would fall ill or elope, his conductor would get drunk, his
+chorus would strike, and little Sampson would continue to sub-edit _The
+Flag of Judah_.
+
+Pinchas unceremoniously turned the handle of the door and came in. The
+sub-editor immediately hurried out to get a cup of tea. Pinchas had
+fastened upon him the responsibility for the omission of an article last
+week, and had come to believe that he was in league with rival
+Continental scholars to keep Melchitsedek Pinchas's effusions out of
+print, and so little Sampson dared not face the angry savant. Raphael,
+thus deserted, cowered in his chair. He did not fear death, but he
+feared Pinchas, and had fallen into the cowardly habit of bribing him
+lavishly not to fill the paper. Fortunately, the poet was in high
+feather.
+
+"Don't forget the announcement that I lecture at the Club on Sunday. You
+see all the efforts of Reb Shemuel, of the Rev. Joseph Strelitski, of
+the Chief Rabbi, of Ebenezer vid his blue spectacles, of Sampson, of all
+the phalanx of English Men-of-the-Earth, they all fail. Ab, I am a great
+man."
+
+"I won't forget," said Raphael wearily. "The announcement is already in
+print."
+
+"Ah, I love you. You are the best man in the vorld. It is you who have
+championed me against those who are thirsting for my blood. And now I
+vill tell you joyful news. There is a maiden coming up to see you--she
+is asking in the publisher's office--oh such a lovely maiden!"
+
+Pinchas grinned all over his face, and was like to dig his editor in the
+ribs.
+
+"What maiden?"
+
+"I do not know; but vai-r-r-y beaudiful. Aha, I vill go. Have you not
+been good to _me_? But vy come not beaudiful maidens to _me_?"
+
+"No, no, you needn't go," said Raphael, getting red.
+
+Pinchas grinned as one who knew better, and struck a match to rekindle a
+stump of cigar. "No, no, I go write my lecture--oh it vill be a great
+lecture. You vill announce it in the paper! You vill not leave it out
+like Sampson left out my article last week." He was at the door now,
+with his finger alongside his nose.
+
+Raphael shook himself impatiently, and the poet threw the door wide open
+and disappeared.
+
+For a full minute Raphael dared not look towards the door for fear of
+seeing the poet's cajoling head framed in the opening. When he did, he
+was transfixed to see Esther Ansell's there, regarding him pensively.
+
+His heart beat painfully at the shock; the room seemed flooded with
+sunlight.
+
+"May I come in?" she said, smiling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ESTHER DEFIES THE UNIVERSE.
+
+
+Esther wore a neat black mantle, and looked taller and more womanly than
+usual in a pretty bonnet and a spotted veil. There was a flush of color
+in her cheeks, her eyes sparkled. She had walked in cold sunny weather
+from the British Museum (where she was still supposed to be), and the
+wind had blown loose a little wisp of hair over the small shell-like
+ear. In her left hand she held a roll of manuscript. It contained her
+criticisms of the May Exhibitions. Whereby hung a tale.
+
+In the dark days that followed the scene with Levi, Esther's resolution
+had gradually formed. The position had become untenable. She could no
+longer remain a _Schnorrer_; abusing the bounty of her benefactors into
+the bargain. She must leave the Goldsmiths, and at once. That was
+imperative; the second step could be thought over when she had taken
+the first. And yet she postponed taking the first. Once she drifted out
+of her present sphere, she could not answer for the future, could not be
+certain, for instance, that she would be able to redeem her promise to
+Raphael to sit in judgment upon the Academy and other picture galleries
+that bloomed in May. At any rate, once she had severed connection with
+the Goldsmith circle, she would not care to renew it, even in the case
+of Raphael. No, it was best to get this last duty off her shoulders,
+then to say farewell to him and all the other human constituents of her
+brief period of partial sunshine. Besides, the personal delivery of the
+precious manuscript would afford her the opportunity of this farewell to
+him. With his social remissness, it was unlikely he would call soon upon
+the Goldsmiths, and she now restricted her friendship with Addie to
+receiving Addie's visits, so as to prepare for its dissolution. Addie
+amused her by reading extracts from Sidney's letters, for the brilliant
+young artist had suddenly gone off to Norway the morning after the
+_début_ of the new Hamlet. Esther felt that it might be as well if she
+stayed on to see how the drama of these two lives developed. These
+things she told herself in the reaction from the first impulse of
+instant flight.
+
+Raphael put down his pipe at the sight of her and a frank smile of
+welcome shone upon his flushed face.
+
+"This is so kind of you!" he said; "who would have thought of seeing you
+here? I am so glad. I hope you are well. You look better." He was
+wringing her little gloved hand violently as he spoke.
+
+"I feel better, too, thank you. The air is so exhilarating. I'm glad to
+see you're still in the land of the living. Addie has told me of your
+debauches of work."
+
+"Addie is foolish. I never felt better. Come inside. Don't be afraid of
+walking on the papers. They're all old."
+
+"I always heard literary people were untidy," said Esther smiling.
+"_You_ must be a regular genius."
+
+"Well, you see we don't have many ladies coming here," said Raphael
+deprecatingly, "though we have plenty of old women."
+
+"It's evident you don't. Else some of them would go down on their hands
+and knees and never get up till this litter was tidied up a bit."
+
+"Never mind that now, Miss Ansell. Sit down, won't you? You must be
+tired. Take the editorial chair. Allow me a minute." He removed some
+books from it.
+
+"Is that the way you sit on the books sent in for review?" She sat down.
+"Dear me! It's quite comfortable. You men like comfort, even the most
+self-sacrificing. But where is your fighting-editor? It would be awkward
+if an aggrieved reader came in and mistook me for the editor, wouldn't
+it? It isn't safe for me to remain in this chair."
+
+"Oh, yes it is! We've tackled our aggrieved readers for to-day," he
+assured her.
+
+She looked curiously round. "Please pick up your pipe. It's going out. I
+don't mind smoke, indeed I don't. Even if I did, I should be prepared to
+pay the penalty of bearding an editor in his den."
+
+Raphael resumed his pipe gratefully.
+
+"I wonder though you don't set the place on fire," Esther rattled on,
+"with all this mass of inflammable matter about."
+
+"It is very dry, most of it," he admitted, with a smile.
+
+"Why don't you have a real fire? It must be quite cold sitting here all
+day. What's that great ugly picture over there?"
+
+"That steamer! It's an advertisement."
+
+"Heavens! What a decoration. I should like to have the criticism of that
+picture. I've brought you those picture-galleries, you know; that's what
+I've come for."
+
+"Thank you! That's very good of you. I'll send it to the printers at
+once." He took the roll and placed it in a pigeon-hole, without taking
+his eyes off her face.
+
+"Why don't you throw that awful staring thing away?" she asked,
+contemplating the steamer with a morbid fascination, "and sweep away the
+old papers, and have a few little water-colors hung up and put a vase of
+flowers on your desk. I wish I had the control of the office for a
+week."
+
+"I wish you had," he said gallantly. "I can't find time to think of
+those things. I am sure you are brightening it up already."
+
+The little blush on her cheek deepened. Compliment was unwonted with
+him; and indeed, he spoke as he felt. The sight of her seated so
+strangely and unexpectedly in his own humdrum sanctum; the imaginary
+picture of her beautifying it and evolving harmony out of the chaos with
+artistic touches of her dainty hands, filled him with pleasant, tender
+thoughts, such as he had scarce known before. The commonplace editorial
+chair seemed to have undergone consecration and poetic transformation.
+Surely the sunshine that streamed through the dusty window would for
+ever rest on it henceforwards. And yet the whole thing appeared
+fantastic and unreal.
+
+"I hope you are speaking the truth," replied Esther with a little laugh.
+"You need brightening, you old dry-as-dust philanthropist, sitting
+poring over stupid manuscripts when you ought to be in the country
+enjoying the sunshine." She spoke in airy accents, with an undercurrent
+of astonishment at her attack of high spirits on an occasion she had
+designed to be harrowing.
+
+"Why, I haven't _looked_ at your manuscript yet," he retorted gaily, but
+as he spoke there flashed upon him a delectable vision of blue sea and
+waving pines with one fair wood-nymph flitting through the trees, luring
+him on from this musty cell of never-ending work to unknown ecstasies of
+youth and joyousness. The leafy avenues were bathed in sacred sunlight,
+and a low magic music thrilled through the quiet air. It was but the
+dream of a second--the dingy walls closed round him again, the great
+ugly steamer, that never went anywhere, sailed on. But the wood-nymph
+did not vanish; the sunbeam was still on the editorial chair, lighting
+up the little face with a celestial halo. And when she spoke again, it
+was as if the music that filled the visionary glades was a reality, too.
+
+"It's all very well your treating reproof as a jest," she said, more
+gravely. "Can't you see that it's false economy to risk a break-down
+even if you use yourself purely for others? You're looking far from
+well. You are overtaxing human strength. Come now, admit my sermon is
+just. Remember I speak not as a Pharisee, but as one who made the
+mistake herself--a fellow-sinner." She turned her dark eyes
+reproachfully upon him.
+
+"I--I--don't sleep very well," he admitted, "but otherwise I assure you
+I feel all right."
+
+It was the second time she had manifested concern for his health. The
+blood coursed deliciously in his veins; a thrill ran through his whole
+form. The gentle anxious face seemed to grow angelic. Could she really
+care if his health gave way? Again he felt a rash of self-pity that
+filled his eyes with tears. He was grateful to her for sharing his sense
+of the empty cheerlessness of his existence. He wondered why it had
+seemed so full and cheery just before.
+
+"And you used to sleep so well," said Esther, slily, remembering Addie's
+domestic revelations. "My stupid manuscript should come in useful."
+
+"Oh, forgive my stupid joke!" he said remorsefully.
+
+"Forgive mine!" she answered. "Sleeplessness is too terrible to joke
+about. Again I speak as one who knows."
+
+"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that!" he said, his egoistic tenderness instantly
+transformed to compassionate solicitude.
+
+"Never mind me; I am a woman and can take care of myself. Why don't you
+go over to Norway and join Mr. Graham?"
+
+"That's quite out of the question," he said, puffing furiously at his
+pipe. "I can't leave the paper."
+
+"Oh, men always say that. Haven't you let your pipe go out? I don't see
+any smoke."
+
+He started and laughed. "Yes, there's no more tobacco in it." He laid it
+down.
+
+"No, I insist on your going on or else I shall feel uncomfortable.
+Where's your pouch?"
+
+He felt all over his pockets. "It must be on the table."
+
+She rummaged among the mass of papers. "Ha! There are your scissors'"
+she said scornfully, turning them up. She found the pouch in time and
+handed it to him. "I ought to have the management of this office for a
+day," she remarked again.
+
+"Well, fill my pipe for me," he said, with an audacious inspiration. He
+felt an unreasoning impulse to touch her hand, to smooth her soft cheek
+with his fingers and press her eyelids down over her dancing eyes. She
+filled the pipe, full measure and running over; he took it by the stem,
+her warm gloved fingers grazing his chilly bare hand and suffusing him
+with a delicious thrill.
+
+"Now you must crown your work," he said. "The matches are somewhere
+about."
+
+She hunted again, interpolating exclamations of reproof at the risk of
+fire.
+
+"They're safety matches, I think," he said. They proved to be wax
+vestas. She gave him a liquid glance of mute reproach that filled him
+with bliss as overbrimmingly as his pipe had been filled with bird's
+eye; then she struck a match, protecting the flame scientifically in the
+hollow of her little hand. Raphael had never imagined a wax vesta could
+be struck so charmingly. She tip-toed to reach the bowl in his mouth,
+but he bent his tall form and felt her breath upon his face. The volumes
+of smoke curled up triumphantly, and Esther's serious countenance
+relaxed in a smile of satisfaction. She resumed the conversation where
+it had been broken off by the idyllic interlude of the pipe.
+
+"But if you can't leave London, there's plenty of recreation to be had
+in town. I'll wager you haven't yet been to see _Hamlet_ in lieu of the
+night you disappointed us."
+
+"Disappointed myself, you mean," he said with a retrospective
+consciousness of folly. "No, to tell the truth, I haven't been out at
+all lately. Life is so short."
+
+"Then, why waste it?"
+
+"Oh come, I can't admit I waste it," he said, with a gentle smile that
+filled her with a penetrating emotion. "You mustn't take such material
+views of life." Almost in a whisper he quoted: "To him that hath the
+kingdom of God all things shall be added," and went on: "Socialism is at
+least as important as Shakspeare."
+
+"Socialism," she repeated. "Are you a Socialist, then?"
+
+"Of a kind," he answered. "Haven't you detected the cloven hoof in my
+leaders? I'm not violent, you know; don't be alarmed. But I have been
+doing a little mild propagandism lately in the evenings; land
+nationalization and a few other things which would bring the world more
+into harmony with the Law of Moses."
+
+"What! do you find Socialism, too, in orthodox Judaism?"
+
+"It requires no seeking."
+
+"Well, you're almost as bad as my father, who found every thing in the
+Talmud. At this rate you will certainly convert me soon; or at least I
+shall, like M. Jourdain, discover I've been orthodox all my life without
+knowing it."
+
+"I hope so," he said gravely. "But have you Socialistic sympathies?"
+
+She hesitated. As a girl she had felt the crude Socialism which is the
+unreasoned instinct of ambitious poverty, the individual revolt
+mistaking itself for hatred of the general injustice. When the higher
+sphere has welcomed the Socialist, he sees he was but the exception to a
+contented class. Esther had gone through the second phase and was in the
+throes of the third, to which only the few attain.
+
+"I used to be a red-hot Socialist once," she said. "To-day I doubt
+whether too much stress is not laid on material conditions. High
+thinking is compatible with the plainest living. 'The soul is its own
+place and can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.' Let the people
+who wish to build themselves lordly treasure-houses do so, if they can
+afford it, but let us not degrade our ideals by envying them."
+
+The conversation had drifted into seriousness. Raphael's thoughts
+reverted to their normal intellectual cast, but he still watched with
+pleasure the play of her mobile features as she expounded her opinions.
+
+"Ah, yes, that is a nice abstract theory," he said. "But what if the
+mechanism of competitive society works so that thousands don't even get
+the plainest living? You should just see the sights I have seen, then
+you would understand why for some time the improvement of the material
+condition of the masses must be the great problem. Of course, you won't
+suspect me of underrating the moral and religious considerations."
+
+Esther smiled almost Imperceptibly. The idea of Raphael, who could not
+see two inches before his nose, telling _her_ to examine the spectacle
+of human misery would have been distinctly amusing, even if her early
+life had been passed among the same scenes as his. It seemed a part of
+the irony of things and the paradox of fate that Raphael, who had never
+known cold or hunger, should be so keenly sensitive to the sufferings of
+others, while she who had known both had come to regard them with
+philosophical tolerance. Perhaps she was destined ere long to renew her
+acquaintance with them. Well, that would test her theories at any rate.
+
+"Who is taking material views of life now?" she asked.
+
+"It is by perfect obedience to the Mosaic Law that the kingdom of God is
+to be brought about on earth," he answered. "And in spirit, orthodox
+Judaism is undoubtedly akin to Socialism." His enthusiasm set him pacing
+the room as usual, his arms working like the sails of a windmill.
+
+Esther shook her head. "Well, give me Shakspeare," she said. "I had
+rather see _Hamlet_ than a world of perfect prigs." She laughed at the
+oddity of her own comparison and added, still smiling: "Once upon a time
+I used to think Shakspeare a fraud. But that was merely because he was
+an institution. It is a real treat to find one superstition that will
+stand analysis."
+
+"Perhaps you will find the Bible turn out like that," he said hopefully.
+
+"I _have_ found it. Within the last few months I have read it right
+through again--Old and New. It is full of sublime truths, noble
+apophthegms, endless touches of nature, and great poetry. Our tiny race
+may well be proud of having given humanity its greatest as well as its
+most widely circulated books. Why can't Judaism take a natural view of
+things and an honest pride in its genuine history, instead of building
+its synagogues on shifting sand?"
+
+"In Germany, later in America, the reconstruction of Judaism has been
+attempted in every possible way; inspiration has been sought not only in
+literature, but in archaeology, and even in anthropology; it is these
+which have proved the shifting sand. You see your scepticism is not
+even original." He smiled a little, serene in the largeness of his
+faith. His complacency grated upon her. She jumped up. "We always seem
+to get into religion, you and I," she said. "I wonder why. It is certain
+we shall never agree. Mosaism is magnificent, no doubt, but I cannot
+help feeling Mr. Graham is right when he points out its limitations.
+Where would the art of the world be if the second Commandment had been
+obeyed? Is there any such thing as an absolute system of morality? How
+is it the Chinese have got on all these years without religion? Why
+should the Jews claim the patent in those moral ideas which you find
+just as well in all the great writers of antiquity? Why--?" she stopped
+suddenly, seeing his smile had broadened.
+
+"Which of all these objections am I to answer?" he asked merrily. "Some
+I'm sure you don't mean."
+
+"I mean all those you can't answer. So please don't try. After all,
+you're not a professional explainer of the universe, that I should
+heckle you thus."
+
+"Oh, but I set up to be," he protested.
+
+"No, you don't. You haven't called me a blasphemer once. I'd better go
+before you become really professional. I shall be late for dinner."
+
+"What nonsense! It is only four o'clock," he pleaded, consulting an
+old-fashioned silver watch.
+
+"As late as that!" said Esther in horrified tones. "Good-bye! Take care
+to go through my 'copy' in case any heresies have filtered into it."
+
+"Your copy? Did you give it me?" he inquired.
+
+"Of course I did. You took it from me. Where did you put it? Oh, I hope
+you haven't mixed it up with those papers. It'll be a terrible task to
+find it," cried Esther excitedly.
+
+"I wonder if I could have put it in the pigeon-hole for 'copy,'" he
+said. "Yes! what luck!"
+
+Esther laughed heartily. "You seem tremendously surprised to find
+anything in its right place."
+
+The moment of solemn parting had come, yet she found herself laughing
+on. Perhaps she was glad to find the farewell easier than she had
+foreseen, it had certainly been made easier by the theological passage
+of arms, which brought out all her latent antagonism to the prejudiced
+young pietist. Her hostility gave rather a scornful ring to the laugh,
+which ended with a suspicion of hysteria.
+
+"What a lot of stuff you've written," he said. "I shall never be able to
+get this into one number."
+
+"I didn't intend you should. It's to be used in instalments, if it's
+good enough. I did it all in advance, because I'm going away."
+
+"Going away!" he cried, arresting himself in the midst of an inhalation
+of smoke. "Where?"
+
+"I don't know," she said wearily.
+
+He looked alarm and interrogation.
+
+"I am going to leave the Goldsmiths," she said. "I haven't decided
+exactly what to do next."
+
+"I hope you haven't quarrelled with them."
+
+"No, no, not at all. In fact they don't even know I am going. I only
+tell you in confidence. Please don't say anything to anybody. Good-bye.
+I may not come across you again. So this may be a last good-bye." She
+extended her hand; he took it mechanically.
+
+"I have no right to pry into your confidence," he said anxiously, "but
+you make me very uneasy." He did not let go her hand, the warm touch
+quickened his sympathy. He felt he could not part with her and let her
+drift into Heaven knew what. "Won't you tell me your trouble?" he went
+on. "I am sure it is some trouble. Perhaps I can help you. I should be
+so glad if you would give me the opportunity."
+
+The tears struggled to her eyes, but she did not speak. They stood in
+silence, with their hands still clasped, feeling very near to each
+other, and yet still so far apart.
+
+"Cannot you trust me?" he asked. "I know you are unhappy, but I had
+hoped you had grown cheerfuller of late. You told me so much at our
+first meeting, surely you might trust me yet a little farther."
+
+"I have told you enough," she said at last "I cannot any longer eat the
+bread of charity; I must go away and try to earn my own living."
+
+"But what will you do?"
+
+"What do other girls do? Teaching, needlework, anything. Remember, I'm
+an experienced teacher and a graduate to boot." Her pathetic smile lit
+up the face with tremulous tenderness.
+
+"But you would be quite alone in the world," he said, solicitude
+vibrating in every syllable.
+
+"I am used to being quite alone in the world."
+
+The phrase threw a flash of light along the backward vista of her life
+with the Goldsmiths, and filled his soul with pity and yearning.
+
+"But suppose you fail?"
+
+"If I fail--" she repeated, and rounded off the sentence with a shrug.
+It was the apathetic, indifferent shrug of Moses Ansell; only his was
+the shrug of faith in Providence, hers of despair. It filled Raphael's
+heart with deadly cold and his soul with sinister forebodings. The
+pathos of her position seemed to him intolerable.
+
+"No, no, this must not be!" he cried, and his hand gripped hers
+fiercely, as if he were afraid of her being dragged away by main force.
+He was terribly agitated; his whole being seemed to be undergoing
+profound and novel emotions. Their eyes met; in one and the same instant
+the knowledge broke upon her that she loved him, and that if she chose
+to play the woman he was hers, and life a Paradisian dream. The
+sweetness of the thought intoxicated her, thrilled her veins with fire.
+But the next instant she was chilled as by a gray cold fog. The
+realities of things came back, a whirl of self-contemptuous thoughts
+blent with a hopeless sense of the harshness of life. Who was she to
+aspire to such a match? Had her earlier day-dream left her no wiser than
+that? The _Schnorrer's_ daughter setting her cap at the wealthy Oxford
+man, forsooth! What would people say? And what would they say if they
+knew how she had sought him out in his busy seclusion to pitch a tale of
+woe and move him by his tenderness of heart to a pity he mistook
+momentarily for love? The image of Levi came back suddenly; she
+quivered, reading herself through his eyes. And yet would not his crude
+view be right? Suppress the consciousness as she would in her maiden
+breast, had she not been urged hither by an irresistible impulse?
+Knowing what she felt now, she could not realize she had been ignorant
+of it when she set out. She was a deceitful, scheming little thing.
+Angry with herself, she averted her gaze from the eyes that hungered for
+her, though they were yet unlit by self-consciousness; she loosed her
+hand from his, and as if the cessation of the contact restored her
+self-respect, some of her anger passed unreasonably towards him.
+
+"What right, have you to say it must not be?" she inquired haughtily.
+"Do you think I can't take care of myself, that I need any one to
+protect me or to help me?"
+
+"No--I--I--only mean--" he stammered in infinite distress, feeling
+himself somehow a blundering brute.
+
+"Remember I am not like the girls you are used to meet. I have known the
+worst that life can offer. I can stand alone, yes, and face the whole
+world. Perhaps you don't know that I wrote _Mordecai Josephs_, the book
+you burlesqued so mercilessly!"
+
+"_You_ wrote it!"
+
+"Yes, I. I am Edward Armitage. Did those initials never strike you? I
+wrote it and I glory in it. Though all Jewry cry out 'The picture is
+false,' I say it is true. So now you know the truth. Proclaim it to all
+Hyde Park and Maida Vale, tell it to all your narrow-minded friends and
+acquaintances, and let them turn and rend me. I can live without them or
+their praise. Too long they have cramped my soul. Now at last I am going
+to cut myself free. From them and from you and all your petty prejudices
+and interests. Good-bye, for ever."
+
+She went out abruptly, leaving the room dark and Raphael shaken and
+dumbfounded; she went down the stairs and into the keen bright air, with
+a fierce exultation at her heart, an intoxicating sense of freedom and
+defiance. It was over. She had vindicated herself to herself and to the
+imaginary critics. The last link that bound her to Jewry was snapped; it
+was impossible it could ever be reforged. Raphael knew her in her true
+colors at last. She seemed to herself a Spinoza the race had cast out.
+
+The editor of _The Flag of Judah_ stood for some minutes as if
+petrified; then he turned suddenly to the litter on his table and
+rummaged among it feverishly. At last, as with a happy recollection, he
+opened a drawer. What he sought was there. He started reading _Mordecai
+Josephs_, forgetting to close the drawer. Passage after passage suffused
+his eyes with tears; a soft magic hovered about the nervous sentences;
+he read her eager little soul in every line. Now he understood. How
+blind he had been! How could he have missed seeing? Esther stared at him
+from every page. She was the heroine of her own book; yes, and the hero,
+too, for he was but another side of herself translated into the
+masculine. The whole book was Esther, the whole Esther and nothing but
+Esther, for even the satirical descriptions were but the revolt of
+Esther's soul against mean and evil things. He turned to the great
+love-scene of the book, and read on and on, fascinated, without getting
+further than the chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+GOING HOME.
+
+
+No need to delay longer; every need for instant flight. Esther had found
+courage to confess her crime against the community to Raphael; there was
+no seething of the blood to nerve her to face Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. She
+retired to her room soon after dinner on the plea (which was not a
+pretext) of a headache. Then she wrote:
+
+     "DEAR MRS. GOLDSMITH:
+
+     "When you read this, I shall have left your house, never to return.
+     It would be idle to attempt to explain my reasons. I could not hope
+     to make you see through my eyes. Suffice it to say that I cannot
+     any longer endure a life of dependence, and that I feel I have
+     abused your favor by writing that Jewish novel of which you
+     disapprove so vehemently. I never intended to keep the secret from
+     you, after publication. I thought the book would succeed and you
+     would be pleased; at the same time I dimly felt that you might
+     object to certain things and ask to have them altered, and I have
+     always wanted to write my own ideas, and not other people's. With
+     my temperament, I see now that it was a mistake to fetter myself by
+     obligations to anybody, but the mistake was made in my girlhood
+     when I knew little of the world and perhaps less of myself.
+     Nevertheless, I wish you to believe, dear Mrs. Goldsmith, that all
+     the blame for the unhappy situation which has arisen I put upon my
+     own shoulders, and that I have nothing for you but the greatest
+     affection and gratitude for all the kindnesses I have received at
+     your hands. I beg you not to think that I make the slightest
+     reproach against you; on the contrary, I shall always henceforth
+     reproach myself with the thought that I have made you so poor a
+     return for your generosity and incessant thoughtfulness. But the
+     sphere in which you move is too high for me; I cannot assimilate
+     with it and I return, not without gladness, to the humble sphere
+     whence you took me. With kindest regards and best wishes,
+
+     "I am,
+
+     "Yours ever gratefully,
+
+     "ESTHER ANSELL."
+
+There were tears in Esther's eyes when she finished, and she was
+penetrated with admiration of her own generosity in so freely admitting
+Mrs. Goldsmith's and in allowing that her patron got nothing out of the
+bargain. She was doubtful whether the sentence about the high sphere was
+satirical or serious. People do not know what they mean almost as often
+as they do not say it.
+
+Esther put the letter into an envelope and placed it on the open
+writing-desk she kept on her dressing-table. She then packed a few
+toilette essentials in a little bag, together with some American
+photographs of her brother and sisters in various stages of adolescence.
+She was determined to go back empty-handed as she came, and was
+reluctant to carry off the few sovereigns of pocket-money in her purse,
+and hunted up a little gold locket she had received, while yet a
+teacher, in celebration of the marriage of a communal magnate's
+daughter. Thrown aside seven years ago, it now bade fair to be the
+corner-stone of the temple; she had meditated pledging it and living on
+the proceeds till she found work, but when she realized its puny
+pretensions to cozen pawnbrokers, it flashed upon her that she could
+always repay Mrs. Goldsmith the few pounds she was taking away. In a
+drawer there was a heap of manuscript carefully locked away; she took it
+and looked through it hurriedly, contemptuously. Some of it was music,
+some poetry, the bulk prose. At last she threw it suddenly on the bright
+fire which good Mary O'Reilly had providentially provided in her room;
+then, as it flared up, stricken with remorse, she tried to pluck the
+sheets from the flames; only by scorching her fingers and raising
+blisters did she succeed, and then, with scornful resignation, she
+instantly threw them back again, warming her feverish hands merrily at
+the bonfire. Rapidly looking through all her drawers, lest perchance in
+some stray manuscript she should leave her soul naked behind her, she
+came upon a forgotten faded rose. The faint fragrance was charged with
+strange memories of Sidney. The handsome young artist had given it her
+in the earlier days of their acquaintanceship. To Esther to-night it
+seemed to belong to a period infinitely more remote than her childhood.
+When the shrivelled rose had been further crumpled into a little ball
+and then picked to bits, it only remained to inquire where to go; what
+to do she could settle when there. She tried to collect her thoughts.
+Alas! it was not so easy as collecting her luggage. For a long time she
+crouched on the fender and looked into the fire, seeing in it only
+fragmentary pictures of the last seven years--bits of scenery, great
+Cathedral interiors arousing mysterious yearnings, petty incidents of
+travel, moments with Sidney, drawing-room episodes, strange passionate
+scenes with herself as single performer, long silent watches of study
+and aspiration, like the souls of the burned manuscripts made visible.
+Even that very afternoon's scene with Raphael was part of the "old
+unhappy far-off things" that could only live henceforwards in fantastic
+arcades of glowing coal, out of all relation to future realities. Her
+new-born love for Raphael appeared as ancient and as arid as the girlish
+ambitions that had seemed on the point of blossoming when she was
+transplanted from the Ghetto. That, too, was in the flames, and should
+remain there.
+
+At last she started up with a confused sense of wasted time and began to
+undress mechanically, trying to concentrate her thoughts the while on
+the problem that faced her. But they wandered back to her first night in
+the fine house, when a separate bedroom was a new experience and she was
+afraid to sleep alone, though turned fifteen. But she was more afraid of
+appearing a great baby, and so no one in the world ever knew what the
+imaginative little creature had lived down.
+
+In the middle of brushing her hair she ran to the door and locked it,
+from a sudden dread that she might oversleep herself and some one would
+come in and see the letter on the writing-desk. She had not solved the
+problem even by the time she got into bed; the fire opposite the foot
+was burning down, but there was a red glow penetrating the dimness. She
+had forgotten to draw the blind, and she saw the clear stars shining
+peacefully in the sky. She looked and looked at them and they led her
+thoughts away from the problem once more. She seemed to be lying in
+Victoria Park, looking up with innocent mystic rapture and restfulness
+at the brooding blue sky. The blood-and-thunder boys' story she had
+borrowed from Solomon had fallen from her hand and lay unheeded on the
+grass. Solomon was tossing a ball to Rachel, which he had acquired by a
+colossal accumulation of buttons, and Isaac and Sarah were rolling and
+wrangling on the grass. Oh, why had she deserted them? What were they
+doing now, without her mother-care, out and away beyond the great seas?
+For weeks together, the thought of them had not once crossed her mind;
+to-night she stretched her arms involuntarily towards her loved ones,
+not towards the shadowy figures of reality, scarcely less phantasmal
+than the dead Benjamin, but towards the childish figures of the past.
+What happy times they had had together in the dear old garret!
+
+In her strange half-waking hallucination, her outstretched arms were
+clasped round little Sarah. She was putting her to bed and the tiny
+thing was repeating after her, in broken Hebrew, the children's
+night-prayer: "Suffer me to lie down in peace, and let me rise up in
+peace. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one," with its
+unauthorized appendix in baby English: "Dod teep me, and mate me a dood
+dirl, orways."
+
+She woke to full consciousness with a start; her arms chilled, her face
+wet. But the problem was solved.
+
+She would go back to them, back to her true home, where loving faces
+waited to welcome her, where hearts were open and life was simple and
+the weary brain could find rest from the stress and struggle of
+obstinate questionings of destiny. Life was so simple at bottom; it was
+she that was so perversely complex. She would go back to her father
+whose naďve devout face swam glorified upon a sea of tears; yea, and
+back to her father's primitive faith like a tired lost child that spies
+its home at last. The quaint, monotonous cadence of her father's prayers
+rang pathetically in her ears; and a great light, the light that Raphael
+had shown her, seemed to blend mystically with the once meaningless
+sounds. Yea, all things were from Him who created light and darkness,
+good and evil; she felt her cares falling from her, her soul absorbing
+itself in the sense of a Divine Love, awful, profound, immeasurable,
+underlying and transcending all things, incomprehensibly satisfying the
+soul and justifying and explaining the universe. The infinite fret and
+fume of life seemed like the petulance of an infant in the presence of
+this restful tenderness diffused through the great spaces. How holy the
+stars seemed up there in the quiet sky, like so many Sabbath lights
+shedding visible consecration and blessing!
+
+Yes, she would go back to her loved ones, back from this dainty room,
+with its white laces and perfumed draperies, back if need be to a Ghetto
+garret. And in the ecstasy of her abandonment of all worldly things, a
+great peace fell upon her soul.
+
+In the morning the nostalgia of the Ghetto was still upon her, blent
+with a passion of martyrdom that made her yearn for a lower social depth
+than was really necessary. But the more human aspects of the situation
+were paramount in the gray chillness of a bleak May dawn. Her resolution
+to cross the Atlantic forthwith seemed a little hasty, and though she
+did not flinch from it, she was not sorry to remember that she had not
+money enough for the journey. She must perforce stay in London till she
+had earned it; meantime she would go back to the districts and the
+people she knew so well, and accustom herself again to the old ways, the
+old simplicities of existence.
+
+She dressed herself in her plainest apparel, though she could not help
+her spring bonnet being pretty. She hesitated between a hat and a
+bonnet, but decided that her solitary position demanded as womanly an
+appearance as possible. Do what she would, she could not prevent herself
+looking exquisitely refined, and the excitement of adventure had lent
+that touch of color to her face which made it fascinating. About seven
+o'clock she left her room noiselessly and descended the stairs
+cautiously, holding her little black bag in her hand.
+
+"Och, be the holy mother, Miss Esther, phwat a turn you gave me," said
+Mary O'Reilly, emerging unexpectedly from the dining-room and meeting
+her at the foot of the stairs. "Phwat's the matther?"
+
+"I'm going out, Mary," she said, her heart beating violently.
+
+"Sure an' it's rale purty ye look, Miss Esther; but it's divil a bit the
+marnin' for a walk, it looks a raw kind of a day, as if the weather was
+sorry for bein' so bright yisterday."
+
+"Oh, but I must go, Mary."
+
+"Ah, the saints bliss your kind heart!" said Mary, catching sight of the
+bag. "Sure, then, it's a charity irrand you're bent on. I mind me how my
+blissed old masther, Mr. Goldsmith's father, _Olov Hasholom_, who's gone
+to glory, used to walk to _Shool_ in all winds and weathers; sometimes
+it was five o'clock of a winter's marnin' and I used to get up and make
+him an iligant cup of coffee before he wint to _Selichoth_; he niver
+would take milk and sugar in it, becaz that would be atin' belike, poor
+dear old ginthleman. Ah the Holy Vargin be kind to him!"
+
+"And may she be kind to you, Mary," said Esther. And she impulsively
+pressed her lips to the old woman's seamed and wrinkled cheek, to the
+astonishment of the guardian of Judaism. Virtue was its own reward, for
+Esther profited by the moment of the loquacious creature's
+breathlessness to escape. She opened the hall door and passed into the
+silent streets, whose cold pavements seemed to reflect the bleak stony
+tints of the sky.
+
+For the first few minutes she walked hastily, almost at a run. Then her
+pace slackened; she told herself there was no hurry, and she shook her
+head when a cabman interrogated her. The omnibuses were not running yet.
+When they commenced, she would take one to Whitechapel. The signs of
+awakening labor stirred her with new emotions; the early milkman with
+his cans, casual artisans with their tools, a grimy sweep, a work-girl
+with a paper lunch-package, an apprentice whistling. Great sleeping
+houses lined her path like gorged monsters drowsing voluptuously. The
+world she was leaving behind her grew alien and repulsive, her heart
+went out to the patient world of toil. What had she been doing all these
+years, amid her books and her music and her rose-leaves, aloof from
+realities?
+
+The first 'bus overtook her half-way and bore her back to the Ghetto.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Ghetto was all astir, for it was half-past eight of a work-a-day
+morning. But Esther had not walked a hundred yards before her breast was
+heavy with inauspicious emotions. The well-known street she had entered
+was strangely broadened. Instead of the dirty picturesque houses rose an
+appalling series of artisans' dwellings, monotonous brick barracks,
+whose dead, dull prose weighed upon the spirits. But, as in revenge,
+other streets, unaltered, seemed incredibly narrow. Was it possible it
+could have taken even her childish feet six strides to cross them, as
+she plainly remembered? And they seemed so unspeakably sordid and
+squalid. Could she ever really have walked them with light heart,
+unconscious of the ugliness? Did the gray atmosphere that overhung them
+ever lift, or was it their natural and appropriate mantle? Surely the
+sun could never shine upon these slimy pavements, kissing them to warmth
+and life.
+
+Great magic shops where all things were to be had; peppermints and
+cotton, china-faced dolls and lemons, had dwindled into the front
+windows of tiny private dwelling-houses; the black-wigged crones, the
+greasy shambling men, were uglier and greasier than she had ever
+conceived them. They seemed caricatures of humanity; scarecrows in
+battered hats or draggled skirts. But gradually, as the scene grew upon
+her, she perceived that in spite of the "model dwellings" builder, it
+was essentially unchanged. No vestige of improvement had come over
+Wentworth Street: the narrow noisy market street, where serried barrows
+flanked the reeking roadway exactly as of old, and where Esther trod on
+mud and refuse and babies. Babies! They were everywhere; at the breasts
+of unwashed women, on the knees of grandfathers smoking pipes, playing
+under the barrows, sprawling in the gutters and the alleys. All the
+babies' faces were sickly and dirty with pathetic, childish prettinesses
+asserting themselves against the neglect and the sallowness. One female
+mite in a dingy tattered frock sat in an orange-box, surveying the
+bustling scene with a preternaturally grave expression, and realizing
+literally Esther's early conception of the theatre. There was a sense of
+blankness in the wanderer's heart, of unfamiliarity in the midst of
+familiarity. What had she in common with all this mean wretchedness,
+with this semi-barbarous breed of beings? The more she looked, the more
+her heart sank. There was no flaunting vice, no rowdiness, no
+drunkenness, only the squalor of an oriental city without its quaintness
+and color. She studied the posters and the shop-windows, and caught old
+snatches of gossip from the groups in the butchers' shops--all seemed as
+of yore. And yet here and there the hand of Time had traced new
+inscriptions. For Baruch Emanuel the hand of Time had written a new
+placard. It was a mixture of German, bad English and Cockneyese,
+phonetically spelt in Hebrew letters:
+
+    Mens Solen Und Eelen, 2/6
+    Lydies Deeto, 1/6
+    Kindersche Deeto, 1/6
+    Hier wird gemacht
+    Aller Hant Sleepers
+      Fur Trebbelers
+    Zu De Billigsten Preissen.
+
+Baruch Emanuel had prospered since the days when he wanted "lasters and
+riveters" without being able to afford them. He no longer gratuitously
+advertised _Mordecai Schwartz_ in envious emulation, for he had several
+establishments and owned five two-story houses, and was treasurer of his
+little synagogue, and spoke of Socialists as an inferior variety of
+Atheists. Not that all this bourgeoning was to be counted to leather,
+for Baruch had developed enterprises in all directions, having all the
+versatility of Moses Ansell without his catholic capacity for failure.
+
+The hand of Time had also constructed a "working-men's Métropole" almost
+opposite Baruch Emanuel's shop, and papered its outside walls with moral
+pictorial posters, headed, "Where have you been to, Thomas Brown?" "Mike
+and his moke," and so on. Here, single-bedded cabins could be had as low
+as fourpence a night. From the journals in a tobacconist's window Esther
+gathered that the reading-public had increased, for there were
+importations from New York, both in jargon and in pure Hebrew, and from
+a large poster in Yiddish and English, announcing a public meeting, she
+learned of the existence of an off-shoot of the Holy Land League--"The
+Flowers of Zion Society--established by East-End youths for the study of
+Hebrew and the propagation of the Jewish National Idea." Side by side
+with this, as if in ironic illustration of the other side of the life of
+the Ghetto, was a seeming royal proclamation headed V.R., informing the
+public that by order of the Secretary of State for War a sale of
+wrought-and cast-iron, zinc, canvas, tools and leather would take place
+at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.
+
+As she wandered on, the great school-bell began to ring; involuntarily,
+she quickened her step and joined the chattering children's procession.
+She could have fancied the last ten years a dream. Were they, indeed,
+other children, or were they not the same that jostled her when she
+picked her way through this very slush in her clumsy masculine boots?
+Surely those little girls in lilac print frocks were her classmates! It
+was hard to realize that Time's wheel had been whirling on, fashioning
+her to a woman; that, while she had been living and learning and seeing
+the manners of men and cities, the Ghetto, unaffected by her
+experiences, had gone on in the same narrow rut. A new generation of
+children had arisen to suffer and sport in room of the old, and that was
+all. The thought overwhelmed her, gave her a new and poignant sense of
+brute, blind forces; she seemed to catch in this familiar scene of
+childhood the secret of the gray atmosphere of her spirit, it was here
+she had, all insensibly, absorbed those heavy vapors that formed the
+background of her being, a permanent sombre canvas behind all the
+iridescent colors of joyous emotion. _What_ had she in common with all
+this mean wretchedness? Why, everything. This it was with which her soul
+had intangible affinities, not the glory of sun and sea and forest, "the
+palms and temples of the South."
+
+The heavy vibrations of the bell ceased; the street cleared; Esther
+turned back and walked instinctively homewards--to Royal Street. Her
+soul was full of the sense of the futility of life; yet the sight of the
+great shabby house could still give her a chill. Outside the door a
+wizened old woman with a chronic sniff had established a stall for
+wizened old apples, but Esther passed her by heedless of her stare, and
+ascended the two miry steps that led to the mud-carpeted passage.
+
+The apple-woman took her for a philanthropist paying a surprise visit to
+one of the families of the house, and resented her as a spy. She was
+discussing the meanness of the thing with the pickled-herring dealer
+next door, while Esther was mounting the dark stairs with the confidence
+of old habit. She was making automatically for the garret, like a
+somnambulist, with no definite object--morbidly drawn towards the old
+home. The unchanging musty smells that clung to the staircase flew to
+greet her nostrils, and at once a host of sleeping memories started to
+life, besieging her and pressing upon her on every side. After a
+tumultuous intolerable moment a childish figure seemed to break from the
+gloom ahead--the figure of a little girl with a grave face and candid
+eyes, a dutiful, obedient shabby little girl, so anxious to please her
+schoolmistress, so full of craving to learn and to be good, and to be
+loved by God, so audaciously ambitious of becoming a teacher, and so
+confident of being a good Jewess always. Satchel in hand, the little
+girl sped up the stairs swiftly, despite her cumbrous, slatternly boots,
+and Esther, holding her bag, followed her more slowly, as if she feared
+to contaminate her by the touch of one so weary-worldly-wise, so full of
+revolt and despair.
+
+All at once Esther sidled timidly towards the balustrade, with an
+instinctive movement, holding her bag out protectingly. The figure
+vanished, and Esther awoke to the knowledge that "Bobby" was not at his
+post. Then with a flash came the recollection of Bobby's mistress--the
+pale, unfortunate young seamstress she had so unconscionably neglected.
+She wondered if she were alive or dead. A waft of sickly odors surged
+from below; Esther felt a deadly faintness coming over her; she had
+walked far, and nothing had yet passed her lips since yesterday's
+dinner, and at this moment, too, an overwhelming terrifying feeling of
+loneliness pressed like an icy hand upon her heart. She felt that in
+another instant she must swoon, there, upon the foul landing. She sank
+against the door, beating passionately at the panels. It was opened from
+within; she had just strength enough to clutch the door-post so as not
+to fall. A thin, careworn woman swam uncertainly before her eyes. Esther
+could not recognize her, but the plain iron bed, almost corresponding in
+area with that of the room, was as of old, and so was the little round
+table with a tea-pot and a cup and saucer, and half a loaf standing out
+amid a litter of sewing, as if the owner had been interrupted in the
+middle of breakfast. Stay--what was that journal resting against the
+half-loaf as for perusal during the meal? Was it not the _London
+Journal_? Again she looked, but with more confidence, at the woman's
+face. A wave of curiosity, of astonishment at the stylishly dressed
+visitor, passed over it, but in the curves of the mouth, in the movement
+of the eyebrows, Esther renewed indescribably subtle memories.
+
+"Debby!" she cried hysterically. A great flood of joy swamped her soul.
+She was not alone in the world, after all! Dutch Debby uttered a little
+startled scream. "I've come back, Debby, I've come back," and the next
+moment the brilliant girl-graduate fell fainting into the seamstress's
+arms.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A SHEAF OF SEQUELS.
+
+
+Within half an hour Esther was smiling pallidly and drinking tea out of
+Debby's own cup, to Debby's unlimited satisfaction. Debby had no spare
+cup, but she had a spare chair without a back, and Esther was of course
+seated on the other. Her bonnet and cloak were on the bed.
+
+"And where is Bobby?" inquired the young lady visitor.
+
+Debby's joyous face clouded.
+
+"Bobby is dead," she said softly. "He died four years ago, come next
+_Shevuos_."
+
+"I'm so sorry," said Esther, pausing in her tea-drinking with a pang of
+genuine emotion. "At first I was afraid of him, but that was before I
+knew him."
+
+"There never beat a kinder heart on God's earth," said Debby,
+emphatically. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
+
+Esther had often seen him snapping at flies, but she could not smile.
+
+"I buried him secretly in the back yard," Debby confessed. "See! there,
+where the paving stone is loose."
+
+Esther gratified her by looking through the little back window into the
+sloppy enclosure where washing hung. She noticed a cat sauntering
+quietly over the spot without any of the satisfaction it might have felt
+had it known it was walking over the grave of an hereditary enemy.
+
+"So I don't feel as if he was far away," said Debby. "I can always look
+out and picture him squatting above the stone instead of beneath it."
+
+"But didn't you get another?"
+
+"Oh, how can you talk so heartlessly?"
+
+"Forgive me, dear; of course you couldn't replace him. And haven't you
+had any other friends?"
+
+"Who would make friends with me, Miss Ansell?" Debby asked quietly.
+
+"I shall 'make out friends' with you, Debby, if you call me that," said
+Esther, half laughing, half crying. "What was it we used to say in
+school? I forget, but I know we used to wet our little fingers in our
+mouths and jerk them abruptly toward the other party. That's what I
+shall have to do with you."
+
+"Oh well, Esther, don't be cross. But you do look such a real lady. I
+always said you would grow up clever, didn't I, though?"
+
+"You did, dear, you did. I can never forgive myself for not having
+looked you up."
+
+"Oh, but you had so much to do, I have no doubt," said Debby
+magnanimously, though she was not a little curious to hear all Esther's
+wonderful adventures and to gather more about the reasons of the girl's
+mysterious return than had yet been vouchsafed her. All she had dared to
+ask was about the family in America.
+
+"Still, it was wrong of me," said Esther, in a tone that brooked no
+protest. "Suppose you had been in want and I could have helped you?"
+
+"Oh, but you know I never take any help," said Debby stiffly.
+
+"I didn't know that," said Esther, touched. "Have you never taken soup
+at the Kitchen?"
+
+"I wouldn't dream of such a thing. Do you ever remember me going to the
+Board of Guardians? I wouldn't go there to be bullied, not if I was
+starving. It's only the cadgers who don't want it who get relief. But,
+thank God, in the worst seasons I have always been able to earn a crust
+and a cup of tea. You see I am only a small family," concluded Debby
+with a sad smile, "and the less one has to do with other people the
+better."
+
+Esther started slightly, feeling a strange new kinship with this lonely
+soul.
+
+"But surely you would have taken help of me," she said. Debby shook her
+head obstinately.
+
+"Well, I'm not so proud," said Esther with a tremulous smile, "for see,
+I have come to take help of you."
+
+Then the tears welled forth and Debby with an impulsive movement
+pressed the little sobbing form against her faded bodice bristling with
+pin-heads. Esther recovered herself in a moment and drank some more tea.
+
+"Are the same people living here?" she said.
+
+"Not altogether. The Belcovitches have gone up in the world. They live
+on the first floor now."
+
+"Not much of a rise that," said Esther smiling, for the Belcovitches had
+always lived on the third floor.
+
+"Oh, they could have gone to a better street altogether," explained
+Debby, "only Mr. Belcovitch didn't like the expense of a van."
+
+"Then, Sugarman the _Shadchan_ must have moved, too," said Esther. "He
+used to have the first floor."
+
+"Yes, he's got the third now. You see, people get tired of living in the
+same place. Then Ebenezer, who became very famous through writing a book
+(so he told me), went to live by himself, so they didn't want to be so
+grand. The back apartment at the top of the house you used once to
+inhabit,"--Debby put it as delicately as she could--"is vacant. The last
+family had the brokers in."
+
+"Are the Belcovitches all well? I remember Fanny married and went to
+Manchester before I left here."
+
+"Oh yes, they are all well."
+
+"What? Even Mrs. Belcovitch?"
+
+"She still takes medicine, but she seems just as strong as ever."
+
+"Becky married yet?"
+
+"Oh no, but she has won two breach of promise cases."
+
+"She must be getting old."
+
+"She is a fine young woman, but the young men are afraid of her now."
+
+"Then they don't sit on the stairs in the morning any more?"
+
+"No, young men seem so much less romantic now-a-days," said Debby,
+sighing. "Besides there's one flight less now and half the stairs face
+the street door. The next flight was so private."
+
+"I suppose I shall look in and see them all," said Esther, smiling. "But
+tell me. Is Mrs. Simons living here still?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Where, then? I should like to see her. She was so very kind to little
+Sarah, you know. Nearly all our fried fish came from her."
+
+"She is dead. She died of cancer. She suffered a great deal."
+
+"Oh!" Esther put her cup down and sat back with face grown white.
+
+"I am afraid to ask about any one else," she said at last. "I suppose
+the Sons of the Covenant are getting on all right; _they_ can't be dead,
+at least not all of them."
+
+"They have split up," said Debby gravely, "into two communities. Mr.
+Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_ quarrelled about the sale of the
+_Mitzvahs_ at the Rejoicing of the Law two years ago. As far as I could
+gather, the carrying of the smallest scroll of the Law was knocked down
+to the Shalotten _Shammos_, for eighteenpence, but Mr. Belcovitch, who
+had gone outside a moment, said he had bought up the privilege in
+advance to present to Daniel Hyams, who was a visitor, and whose old
+father had just died in Jerusalem. There was nearly a free fight in the
+_Shool_. So the Shalotten _Shammos_ seceded with nineteen followers and
+their wives and set up a rival _Chevrah_ round the corner. The other
+twenty-five still come here. The deserters tried to take Greenberg the
+_Chazan_ with them, but Greenberg wanted a stipulation that they
+wouldn't engage an extra Reader to do his work during the High
+Festivals; he even offered to do it cheaper if they would let him do all
+the work, but they wouldn't consent. As a compromise, they proposed to
+replace him only on the Day of Atonement, as his voice was not agreeable
+enough for that. But Greenberg was obstinate. Now I believe there is a
+movement for the Sons of the Covenant to connect their _Chevrah_ with
+the Federation of minor synagogues, but Mr. Belcovitch says he won't
+join the Federation unless the term 'minor' is omitted. He is a great
+politician now."
+
+"Ah, I dare say he reads _The Flag of Judah_," said Esther, laughing,
+though Debby recounted all this history quite seriously. "Do you ever
+see that paper?"
+
+"I never heard of it before," said Debby simply. "Why should I waste
+money on new papers when I can always forget the _London journal_
+sufficiently?" Perhaps Mr. Belcovitch buys it: I have seen him with a
+Yiddish paper. The 'hands' say that instead of breaking off suddenly in
+the middle of a speech, as of old, he sometimes stops pressing for five
+minutes together to denounce Gideon, the member for Whitechapel, and to
+say that Mr. Henry Goldsmith is the only possible saviour of Judaism in
+the House of Commons."
+
+"Ah, then he does read _The flag of Judah_! His English must have
+improved."
+
+"I was glad to hear him say that," added Debby, when she had finished
+struggling with the fit of coughing brought on by too much monologue,
+"because I thought it must be the husband of the lady who was so good to
+you. I never forgot her name."
+
+Esther took up the _London Journal_ to hide her reddening cheeks.
+
+"Oh, read some of it aloud," cried Dutch Debby. "It'll be like old
+times."
+
+Esther hesitated, a little ashamed of such childish behavior. But,
+deciding to fall in for a moment with the poor woman's humor, and glad
+to change the subject, she read: "Soft scents steeped the dainty
+conservatory in delicious drowsiness. Reclining on a blue silk couch,
+her wonderful beauty rather revealed than concealed by the soft clinging
+draperies she wore, Rosaline smiled bewitchingly at the poor young peer,
+who could not pluck up courage to utter the words of flame that were
+scorching his lips. The moon silvered the tropical palms, and from the
+brilliant ball-room were wafted the sweet penetrating strains of the
+'Blue Danube' waltz--"
+
+Dutch Debby heaved a great sigh of rapture.
+
+"And you have seen such sights!" she said in awed admiration.
+
+"I have been in brilliant ball-rooms and moonlit conservatories," said
+Esther evasively. She did not care to rob Dutch Debby of her ideals by
+explaining that high life was not all passion and palm-trees.
+
+"I am so glad," said Debby affectionately. "I have often wished to
+myself, only a make-believe wish, you know, not a real wish, if you
+understand what I mean, for of course I know it's impossible. I
+sometimes sit at that window before going to bed and look at the moon as
+it silvers the swaying clothes-props, and I can easily imagine they are
+great tropical palms, especially when an organ is playing round the
+corner. Sometimes the moon shines straight down on Bobby's tombstone,
+and then I am glad. Ah, now you're smiling. I know you think me a crazy
+old thing."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, dear, I think you're the darlingest creature in the
+world," and Esther jumped up and kissed her to hide her emotion. "But I
+mustn't waste your time," she said briskly. "I know you have your sewing
+to do. It's too long to tell you my story now; suffice it to say (as the
+_London Journal_ says) that I am going to take a lodging in the
+neighborhood. Oh, dear, don't make those great eyes! I want to live in
+the East End."
+
+"You want to live here like a Princess in disguise. I see."
+
+"No you don't, you romantic old darling. I want to live here like
+everybody else. I'm going to earn my own living."
+
+"Oh, but you can never live by yourself."
+
+"Why not? Now from romantic you become conventional. _You've_ lived by
+yourself."
+
+"Oh, but I'm different," said Debby, flushing.
+
+"Nonsense, I'm just as good as you. But if you think it improper," here
+Esther had a sudden idea, "come and live with me."
+
+"What, be your chaperon!" cried Debby in responsive excitement; then her
+voice dropped again. "Oh, no, how could I?"
+
+"Yes, yes, you must," said Esther eagerly.
+
+Debby's obstinate shake of the head repelled the idea. "I couldn't leave
+Bobby," she said. After a pause, she asked timidly: "Why not stay here?"
+
+"Don't be ridiculous," Esther answered. Then she examined the bed. "Two
+couldn't sleep here," she said.
+
+"Oh yes, they could," said Debby, thoughtfully bisecting the blanket
+with her hand. "And the bed's quite clean or I wouldn't venture to ask
+you. Maybe it's not so soft as you've been used to."
+
+Esther pondered; she was fatigued and she had undergone too many
+poignant emotions already to relish the hunt for a lodging. It was
+really lucky this haven offered itself. "I'll stay for to-night,
+anyhow," she announced, while Debby's face lit up as with a bonfire of
+joy. "To-morrow we'll discuss matters further. And now, dear, can I help
+you with your sewing?"
+
+"No, Esther, thank you kindly. You see there's only enough for one,"
+said Debby apologetically. "To-morrow there may be more. Besides you
+were never as clever with your needle as your pen. You always used to
+lose marks for needlework, and don't you remember how you herring-boned
+the tucks of those petticoats instead of feather-stitching them? Ha, ha,
+ha! I have often laughed at the recollection."
+
+"Oh, that was only absence of mind," said Esther, tossing her head in
+affected indignation. "If my work isn't good enough for you, I think
+I'll go down and help Becky with her machine." She put on her bonnet,
+and, not without curiosity, descended a flight, of stairs and knocked at
+a door which, from the steady whirr going on behind it, she judged to be
+that of the work-room.
+
+"Art thou a man or a woman?" came in Yiddish the well-remembered tones
+of the valetudinarian lady.
+
+"A woman!" answered Esther in German. She was glad she learned German;
+it would be the best substitute for Yiddish in her new-old life.
+
+"_Herein_!" said Mrs. Belcovitch, with sentry-like brevity.
+
+Esther turned the handle, and her surprise was not diminished when she
+found herself not in the work-room, but in the invalid's bedroom. She
+almost stumbled over the pail of fresh water, the supply of which was
+always kept there. A coarse bouncing full-figured young woman, with
+frizzly black hair, paused, with her foot on the treadle of her machine,
+to stare at the newcomer. Mrs. Belcovitch, attired in a skirt and a
+night-cap, stopped aghast in the act of combing out her wig, which hung
+over an edge of the back of a chair, that served as a barber's block.
+Like the apple-woman, she fancied the apparition a lady
+philanthropist--and though she had long ceased to take charity, the old
+instincts leaped out under the sudden shock.
+
+"Becky, quick rub my leg with liniment, the thick one," she whispered in
+Yiddish.
+
+"It's only me, Esther Ansell!" cried the visitor.
+
+"What! Esther!" cried Mrs. Belcovitch. "_Gott in Himmel!"_ and, throwing
+down the comb, she fell in excess of emotion upon Esther's neck. "I have
+so often wanted to see you," cried the sickly-looking little woman who
+hadn't altered a wrinkle. "Often have I said to my Becky, where is
+little Esther?--gold one sees and silver one sees, but Esther sees one
+not. Is it not so, Becky? Oh, how fine you look! Why, I mistook you for
+a lady! You are married--not? Ah well, you'll find wooers as thick as
+the street dogs. And how goes it with the father and the family in
+America?"
+
+"Excellently," answered Esther. "How are you, Becky?"
+
+Becky murmured something, and the two young women shook hands. Esther
+had an olden awe of Becky, and Becky was now a little impressed by
+Esther.
+
+"I suppose Mr. Weingott is getting a good living now in Manchester?"
+Esther remarked cheerfully to Mrs. Belcovitch.
+
+"No, he has a hard struggle," answered his mother-in-law, "but I have
+seven grandchildren, God be thanked, and I expect an eighth. If my poor
+lambkin had been alive now, she would have been a great-grandmother. My
+eldest grandchild, Hertzel, has a talent for the fiddle. A gentleman is
+paying for his lessons, God be thanked. I suppose you have heard I won
+four pounds on the lotter_ee_. You see I have not tried thirty years for
+nothing! If I only had my health, I should have little to grumble at.
+Yes, four pounds, and what think you I have bought with it? You shall
+see it inside. A cupboard with glass doors, such as we left behind in
+Poland, and we have hung the shelves with pink paper and made loops for
+silver forks to rest in--it makes me feel as if I had just cut off my
+tresses. But then I look on my Becky and I remember that--go thou
+inside, Becky, my life! Thou makest it too hard for him. Give him a
+word while I speak with Esther."
+
+Becky made a grimace and shrugged her shoulders, but disappeared through
+the door that led to the real workshop.
+
+"A fine maid!" said the mother, her eyes following the girl with pride.
+"No wonder she is so hard to please. She vexes him so that he eats out
+his heart. He comes every morning with a bag of cakes or an orange or a
+fat Dutch herring, and now she has moved her machine to my bedroom,
+where he can't follow her, the unhappy youth."
+
+"Who is it now?" inquired Esther in amusement.
+
+"Shosshi Shmendrik."
+
+"Shosshi Shmendrik! Wasn't that the young man who married the Widow
+Finkelstein?"
+
+"Yes--a very honorable and seemly youth. But she preferred her first
+husband," said Mrs. Belcovitch laughing, "and followed him only four
+years after Shosshi's marriage. Shosshi has now all her money--a very
+seemly and honorable youth."
+
+"But will it come to anything?"
+
+"It is already settled. Becky gave in two days ago. After all, she will
+not always be young. The _Tanaim_ will be held next Sunday. Perhaps you
+would like to come and see the betrothal contract signed. The Kovna
+_Maggid_ will be here, and there will be rum and cakes to the heart's
+desire. Becky has Shosshi in great affection; they are just suited. Only
+she likes to tease, poor little thing. And then she is so shy. Go in and
+see them, and the cupboard with glass doors."
+
+Esther pushed open the door, and Mrs. Belcovitch resumed her loving
+manipulation of the wig.
+
+The Belcovitch workshop was another of the landmarks of the past that
+had undergone no change, despite the cupboard with glass doors and the
+slight difference in the shape of the room. The paper roses still
+bloomed in the corners of the mirror, the cotton-labels still adorned
+the wall around it. The master's new umbrella still stood unopened in a
+corner. The "hands" were other, but then Mr. Belcovitch's hands were
+always changing. He never employed "union-men," and his hirelings never
+stayed with him longer than they could help. One of the present batch,
+a bent, middle-aged man, with a deeply-lined face, was Simon Wolf, long
+since thrown over by the labor party he had created, and fallen lower
+and lower till he returned to the Belcovitch workshop whence he sprang.
+Wolf, who had a wife and six children, was grateful to Mr. Belcovitch in
+a dumb, sullen way, remembering how that capitalist had figured in his
+red rhetoric, though it was an extra pang of martyrdom to have to listen
+deferentially to Belcovitch's numerous political and economical
+fallacies. He would have preferred the curter dogmatism of earlier days.
+Shosshi Shmendrik was chatting quite gaily with Becky, and held her
+finger-tips cavalierly in his coarse fist, without obvious objection on
+her part. His face was still pimply, but it had lost its painful shyness
+and its readiness to blush without provocation. His bearing, too, was
+less clumsy and uncouth. Evidently, to love the Widow Finkelstein had
+been a liberal education to him. Becky had broken the news of Esther's
+arrival to her father, as was evident from the odor of turpentine
+emanating from the opened bottle of rum on the central table. Mr.
+Belcovitch, whose hair was gray now, but who seemed to have as much
+stamina as ever, held out his left hand (the right was wielding the
+pressing-iron) without moving another muscle.
+
+"_Nu_, it gladdens me to see you are better off than of old," he said
+gravely in Yiddish.
+
+"Thank you. I am glad to see you looking so fresh and healthy," replied
+Esther in German.
+
+"You were taken away to be educated, was it not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And how many tongues do you know?"
+
+"Four or five," said Esther, smiling.
+
+"Four or five!" repeated Mr. Belcovitch, so impressed that he stopped
+pressing. "Then you can aspire to be a clerk! I know several firms where
+they have young women now."
+
+"Don't be ridiculous, father," interposed Becky. "Clerks aren't so grand
+now-a-days as they used to be. Very likely she would turn up her nose at
+a clerkship."
+
+"I'm sure I wouldn't," said Esther.
+
+"There! thou hearest!" said Mr. Belcovitch, with angry satisfaction.
+"It is thou who hast too many flies in thy nostrils. Thou wouldst throw
+over Shosshi if thou hadst thine own way. Thou art the only person in
+the world who listens not to me. Abroad my word decides great matters.
+Three times has my name been printed in _The Flag of Judah_. Little
+Esther had not such a father as thou, but never did she make mock of
+him."
+
+"Of course, everybody's better than me," said Becky petulantly, as she
+snatched her fingers away from Shosshi.
+
+"No, thou art better than the whole world," protested Shosshi Shmendrik,
+feeling for the fingers.
+
+"Who spoke to thee?" demanded Belcovitch, incensed.
+
+"Who spoke to thee?" echoed Becky. And when Shosshi, with empurpled
+pimples, cowered before both, father and daughter felt allies again, and
+peace was re-established at Shosshi's expense. But Esther's curiosity
+was satisfied. She seemed to see the whole future of this domestic
+group: Belcovitch accumulating gold-pieces and Mrs. Belcovitch
+medicine-bottles till they died, and the lucky but henpecked Shosshi
+gathering up half the treasure on behalf of the buxom Becky. Refusing
+the glass of rum, she escaped.
+
+The dinner which Debby (under protest) did not pay for, consisted of
+viands from the beloved old cook-shop, the potatoes and rice of
+childhood being supplemented by a square piece of baked meat, likewise
+knives and forks. Esther was anxious to experience again the magic taste
+and savor of the once coveted delicacies. Alas! the preliminary sniff
+failed to make her mouth water, the first bite betrayed the inferiority
+of the potatoes used. Even so the unattainable tart of infancy mocks the
+moneyed but dyspeptic adult. But she concealed her disillusionment
+bravely.
+
+"Do you know," said Debby, pausing in her voluptuous scouring of the
+gravy-lined plate with a bit of bread, "I can hardly believe my eyes. It
+seems a dream that you are sitting at dinner with me. Pinch me, will
+you?"
+
+"You have been pinched enough," said Esther sadly. Which shows that one
+can pun with a heavy heart. This is one of the things Shakspeare knew
+and Dr. Johnson didn't.
+
+In the afternoon, Esther went round to Zachariah Square. She did not
+meet any of the old faces as she walked through the Ghetto, though a
+little crowd that blocked her way at one point turned out to be merely
+spectators of an epileptic performance by Meckisch. Esther turned away,
+in amused disgust. She wondered whether Mrs. Meckisch still flaunted it
+in satins and heavy necklaces, or whether Meckisch had divorced her, or
+survived her, or something equally inconsiderate. Hard by the old Ruins
+(which she found "ruined" by a railway) Esther was almost run over by an
+iron hoop driven by a boy with a long swarthy face that irresistibly
+recalled Malka's.
+
+"Is your grandmother in town?" she said at a venture.
+
+"Y--e--s," said the driver wonderingly. "She is over in her own house."
+
+Esther did not hasten towards it.
+
+"Your name's Ezekiel, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes," replied the boy; and then Esther was sure it was the Redeemed Son
+of whom her father had told her.
+
+"Are your mother and father well?"
+
+"Father's away travelling." Ezekiel's tone was a little impatient, his
+feet shuffled uneasily, itching to chase the flying hoop.
+
+"How's your aunt--your aunt--I forget her name."
+
+"Aunt Leah. She's gone to Liverpool."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"She lives there; she has opened a branch store of granma's business.
+Who are you?" concluded Ezekiel candidly.
+
+"You won't remember me," said Esther. "Tell me, your aunt is called Mrs.
+Levine, isn't she?"
+
+"Oh yes, but," with a shade of contempt, "she hasn't got any children."
+
+"How many brothers and sisters have _you_ got?" said Esther with a
+little laugh.
+
+"Heaps. Oh, but you won't see them if you go in; they're in school, most
+of 'em."
+
+"And why aren't you at school?"
+
+The Redeemed Son became scarlet. "I've got a bad leg," ran mechanically
+off his tongue. Then, administering a savage thwack to his hoop, he set
+out in pursuit of it. "It's no good calling on mother," he yelled back,
+turning his head unexpectedly. "She ain't in."
+
+Esther walked into the Square, where the same big-headed babies were
+still rocking in swings suspended from the lintels, and where the same
+ruddy-faced septuagenarians sat smoking short pipes and playing nap on
+trays in the sun. From several doorways came the reek of fish frying.
+The houses looked ineffably petty and shabby. Esther wondered how she
+could ever have conceived this a region of opulence; still more how she
+could ever have located Malka and her family on the very outskirt of the
+semi-divine classes. But the semi-divine persons themselves had long
+since shrunk and dwindled.
+
+She found Malka brooding over the fire; on the side-table was the
+clothes-brush. The great events of a crowded decade of European history
+had left Malka's domestic interior untouched. The fall of dynasties,
+philosophies and religions had not shaken one china dog from its place;
+she had not turned a hair of her wig; the black silk bodice might have
+been the same; the gold chain at her bosom was. Time had written a few
+more lines on the tan-colored equine face, but his influence had been
+only skin deep. Everybody grows old: few people grow. Malka was of the
+majority.
+
+It was only with difficulty that she recollected Esther, and she was
+visibly impressed by the young lady's appearance.
+
+"It's very good of you to come and see an old woman," she said in her
+mixed dialect, which skipped irresponsibly from English to Yiddish and
+back again. "It's more than my own _Kinder_ do. I wonder they let you
+come across and see me."
+
+"I haven't been to see them yet," Esther interrupted.
+
+"Ah, that explains it," said Malka with satisfaction. "They'd have told
+you, 'Don't go and see the old woman, she's _meshuggah_, she ought to be
+in the asylum.' I bring children into the world and buy them husbands
+and businesses and bed-clothes, and this is my profit. The other day my
+Milly--the impudent-face! I would have boxed her ears if she hadn't been
+suckling Nathaniel. Let her tell me again that ink isn't good for the
+ring-worm, and my five fingers shall leave a mark on her face worse than
+any of Gabriel's ring-worms. But I have washed my hands of her; she can
+go her way and I'll go mine. I've taken an oath I'll have nothing to do
+with her and her children--no, not if I live a thousand years. It's all
+through Milly's ignorance she has had such heavy losses."
+
+"What! Mr. Phillips's business been doing badly? I'm so sorry."
+
+"No, no! my family never does bad business. It's my Milly's children.
+She lost two. As for my Leah, God bless her, she's been more unfortunate
+still; I always said that old beggar-woman had the Evil Eye! I sent her
+to Liverpool with her Sam."
+
+"I know," murmured Esther.
+
+"But she is a good daughter. I wish I had a thousand such. She writes to
+me every week and my little Ezekiel writes back; English they learn them
+in that heathen school," Malka interrupted herself sarcastically, "and
+it was I who had to learn him to begin a letter properly with 'I write
+you these few lines hoping to find you in good health as, thank God, it
+leaves me at present;' he used to begin anyhow--"
+
+She came to a stop, having tangled the thread of her discourse and
+bethought herself of offering Esther a peppermint. But Esther refused
+and bethought herself of inquiring after Mr. Birnbaum.
+
+"My Michael is quite well, thank God," said Malka, "though he is still
+pig-headed in business matters! He buys so badly, you know; gives a
+hundred pounds for what's not worth twenty."
+
+"But you said business was all right?"
+
+"Ah, that's different. Of course he sells at a good profit,--thank God.
+If I wanted to provoke Providence I could keep my carriage like any of
+your grand West-End ladies. But that doesn't make him a good buyer. And
+the worst of it is he always thinks he has got a bargain. He won't
+listen to reason, at all," said Malka, shaking her head dolefully. "He
+might be a child of mine, instead of my husband. If God didn't send him
+such luck and blessing, we might come to want bread, coal, and meat
+tickets ourselves, instead of giving them away. Do you know I found out
+that Mrs. Isaacs, across the square, only speculates her guinea in the
+drawings to give away the tickets she wins to her poor relations, so
+that she gets all the credit of charity and her name in the papers,
+while saving the money she'd have to give to her poor relations all the
+same! Nobody can say I give my tickets to my poor relations. You should
+just see how much my Michael vows away at _Shool_--he's been _Parnass_
+for the last twelve years straight off; all the members respect him so
+much; it isn't often you see a business man with such fear of Heaven.
+Wait! my Ezekiel will be _Barmitzvah_ in a few years; then you shall see
+what I will do for that _Shool_. You shall see what an example of
+_Yiddshkeit_ I will give to a _link_ generation. Mrs. Benjamin, of the
+Ruins, purified her knives and forks for Passover by sticking them
+between the boards of the floor. Would you believe she didn't make them
+red hot first? I gave her a bit of my mind. She said she forgot. But not
+she! She's no cat's head. She's a regular Christian, that's what she is.
+I shouldn't wonder if she becomes one like that blackguard, David
+Brandon; I always told my Milly he was not the sort of person to allow
+across the threshold. It was Sam Levine who brought him. You see what
+comes of having the son of a proselyte in the family! Some say Reb
+Shemuel's daughter narrowly escaped being engaged to him. But that story
+has a beard already. I suppose it's the sight of you brings up _Olov
+Hashotom_ times. Well, and how _are_ you?" she concluded abruptly,
+becoming suddenly conscious of imperfect courtesy.
+
+"Oh, I'm very well, thank you," said Esther.
+
+"Ah, that's right. You're looking very well, _imbeshreer_. Quite a grand
+lady. I always knew you'd be one some day. There was your poor mother,
+peace be upon him! She went and married your father, though I warned her
+he was a _Schnorrer_ and only wanted her because she had a rich family;
+he'd have sent you out with matches if I hadn't stopped it. I remember
+saying to him, 'That little Esther has Aristotle's head--let her learn
+all she can, as sure as I stand here she will grow up to be a lady; I
+shall have no need to be ashamed of owning her for a cousin.' He was not
+so pig-headed as your mother, and you see the result."
+
+She surveyed the result with an affectionate smile, feeling genuinely
+proud of her share in its production. "If my Ezekiel were only a few
+years older," she added musingly.
+
+"Oh, but I am not a great lady," said Esther, hastening to disclaim
+false pretensions to the hand of the hero of the hoop, "I've left the
+Goldsmiths and come back to live in the East End."
+
+"What!" said Malka. "Left the West End!" Her swarthy face grew darker;
+the skin about her black eyebrows was wrinkled with wrath.
+
+"Are you _Meshuggah_?" she asked after an awful silence. "Or have you,
+perhaps, saved up a tidy sum of money?"
+
+Esther flushed and shook her head.
+
+"There's no use coming to me. I'm not a rich woman, far from it; and I
+have been blessed with _Kinder_ who are helpless without me. It's as I
+always said to your father. 'Méshe,' I said, 'you're a _Schnorrer_ and
+your children'll grow up _Schnorrers_.'"
+
+Esther turned white, but the dwindling of Malka's semi-divinity had
+diminished the old woman's power of annoying her.
+
+"I want to earn my own living," she said, with a smile that was almost
+contemptuous. "Do you call that being a _Schnorrer_?"
+
+"Don't argue with me. You're just like your poor mother, peace be upon
+him!" cried the irate old woman. "You God's fool! You were provided for
+in life and you have no right to come upon the family."
+
+"But isn't it _Schnorring_ to be dependent on strangers?" inquired
+Esther with bitter amusement.
+
+"Don't stand there with your impudence-face!" cried Malka, her eyes
+blazing fire. "You know as well as I do that a _Schnorrer_ is a person
+you give sixpences to. When a rich family takes in a motherless girl
+like you and clothes her and feeds her, why it's mocking Heaven to run
+away and want to earn your own living. Earn your living. Pooh! What
+living can you earn, you with your gloves? You're all by yourself in the
+world now; your father can't help you any more. He did enough for you
+when you were little, keeping you at school when you ought to have been
+out selling matches. You'll starve and come to me, that's what you'll
+do."
+
+"I may starve, but I'll never come to you," said Esther, now really
+irritated by the truth in Malka's words. What living, indeed, could she
+earn! She turned her back haughtily on the old woman; not without a
+recollection of a similar scene in her childhood. History was repeating
+itself on a smaller scale than seemed consistent with its dignity. When
+she got outside she saw Milly in conversation with a young lady at the
+door of her little house, diagonally opposite. Milly had noticed the
+strange visitor to her mother, for the rival camps carried on a system
+of espionage from behind their respective gauze blinds, and she had come
+to the door to catch a better glimpse of her when she left. Esther was
+passing through Zachariah Square without any intention of recognizing
+Milly. The daughter's flaccid personality was not so attractive as the
+mother's; besides, a visit to her might be construed into a mean revenge
+on the old woman. But, as if in response to a remark of Milly's, the
+young lady turned her face to look at Esther, and then Esther saw that
+it was Hannah Jacobs. She felt hot and uncomfortable, and half reluctant
+to renew acquaintance with Levi's family, but with another impulse she
+crossed over to the group, and went through the inevitable formulae.
+Then, refusing Milly's warm-hearted invitation to have a cup of tea, she
+shook hands and walked away.
+
+"Wait a minute, Miss Ansell," said Hannah. "I'll come with you."
+
+Milly gave her a shilling, with a facetious grimace, and she rejoined
+Esther.
+
+"I'm collecting money for a poor family of _Greeners_ just landed," she
+said. "They had a few roubles, but they fell among the usual sharks at
+the docks, and the cabman took all the rest of their money to drive them
+to the Lane. I left them all crying and rocking themselves to and fro in
+the street while I ran round to collect a little to get them a lodging."
+
+"Poor things!" said Esther.
+
+"Ah, I can see you've been away from the Jews," said Hannah smiling. "In
+the olden days you would have said _Achi-nebbich_."
+
+"Should I?" said Esther, smiling in return and beginning to like Hannah.
+She had seen very little of her in those olden days, for Hannah had been
+an adult and well-to-do as long as Esther could remember; it seemed
+amusing now to walk side by side with her in perfect equality and
+apparently little younger. For Hannah's appearance had not aged
+perceptibly, which was perhaps why Esther recognized her at once. She
+had not become angular like her mother, nor coarse and stout like other
+mothers. She remained slim and graceful, with a virginal charm of
+expression. But the pretty face had gained in refinement; it looked
+earnest, almost spiritual, telling of suffering and patience, not
+unblent with peace.
+
+Esther silently extracted half-a-crown from her purse and handed it to
+Hannah.
+
+"I didn't mean to ask you, indeed I didn't," said Hannah.
+
+"Oh, I am glad you told me," said Esther tremulously.
+
+The idea of _her_ giving charity, after the account of herself she had
+just heard, seemed ironical enough. She wished the transfer of the coin
+had taken place within eyeshot of Malka; then dismissed the thought as
+unworthy.
+
+"You'll come in and have a cup of tea with us, won't you, after we've
+lodged the _Greeners_?" said Hannah. "Now don't say no. It'll brighten
+up my father to see 'Reb Moshe's little girl.'"
+
+Esther tacitly assented.
+
+"I heard of all of you recently," she said, when they had hurried on a
+little further. "I met your brother at the theatre."
+
+Hannah's face lit up.
+
+"How long was that ago?" she said anxiously.
+
+"I remember exactly. It was the night before the first _Seder_ night."
+
+"Was he well?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad."
+
+She told Esther of Levi's strange failure to appear at the annual family
+festival. "My father went out to look for him. Our anxiety was
+intolerable. He did not return until half-past one in the morning. He
+was in a terrible state. 'Well,' we asked, 'have you seen him?' 'I have
+seen him,' he answered. 'He is dead.'"
+
+Esther grew pallid. Was this the sequel to the strange episode in Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith's library?
+
+"Of course he wasn't really dead," pursued Hannah to Esther's relief.
+"My father would hardly speak a word more, but we gathered he had seen
+him doing something very dreadful, and that henceforth Levi would be
+dead to him. Since then we dare not speak his name. Please don't refer
+to him at tea. I went to his rooms on the sly a few days afterwards, but
+he had left them, and since then I haven't been able to hear anything of
+him. Sometimes I fancy he's gone off to the Cape."
+
+"More likely to the provinces with a band of strolling players. He told
+me he thought of throwing up the law for the boards, and I know you
+cannot make a beginning in London."
+
+"Do you think that's it?" said Hannah, looking relieved in her turn.
+
+"I feel sure that's the explanation, if he's not in London. But what in
+Heaven's name can your father have seen him doing?"
+
+"Nothing very dreadful, depend upon it," said Hannah, a slight shade of
+bitterness crossing her wistful features. "I know he's inclined to be
+wild, and he should never have been allowed to get the bit between his
+teeth, but I dare say it was only some ceremonial crime Levi was caught
+committing."
+
+"Certainly. That would be it," said Esther. "He confessed to me that he
+was very _link_. Judging by your tone, you seem rather inclined that way
+yourself," she said, smiling and a little surprised.
+
+"Do I? I don't know," said Hannah, simply. "Sometimes I think I'm very
+_froom_."
+
+"Surely you know what you are?" persisted Esther. Hannah shook her head.
+
+"Well, you know whether you believe in Judaism or not?"
+
+"I don't know what I believe. I do everything a Jewess ought to do, I
+suppose. And yet--oh, I don't know."
+
+Esther's smile faded; she looked at her companion with fresh interest.
+Hannah's face was full of brooding thought, and she had unconsciously
+come to a standstill. "I wonder whether anybody understands herself,"
+she said reflectively. "Do you?"
+
+Esther flushed at the abrupt question without knowing why. "I--I don't
+know," she stammered.
+
+"No, I don't think anybody does, quite," Hannah answered. "I feel sure I
+don't. And yet--yes, I do. I must be a good Jewess. I must believe my
+life."
+
+Somehow the tears came into her eyes; her face had the look of a saint.
+Esther's eyes met hers in a strange subtle glance. Then their souls were
+knit. They walked on rapidly.
+
+"Well, I do hope you'll hear from him soon," said Esther.
+
+"It's cruel of him not to write," replied Hannah, knowing she meant
+Levi; "he might easily send me a line in a disguised hand. But then, as
+Miriam Hyams always says, brothers are so selfish."
+
+"Oh, how is Miss Hyams? I used to be in her class."
+
+"I could guess that from your still calling her Miss," said Hannah with
+a gentle smile.
+
+"Why, is she married?"
+
+"No, no; I don't mean that. She still lives with her brother and his
+wife; he married Sugarman the _Shadchan's_ daughter, you know."
+
+"Bessie, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes; they are a devoted couple, and I suspect Miriam is a little
+jealous; but she seems to enjoy herself anyway. I don't think there is a
+piece at the theatres she can't tell you about, and she makes Daniel
+take her to all the dances going."
+
+"Is she still as pretty?" asked Esther. "I know all her girls used to
+rave over her and throw her in the faces of girls with ugly teachers.
+She certainly knew how to dress."
+
+"She dresses better than ever," said Hannah evasively.
+
+"That sounds ominous," observed Esther, laughingly.
+
+"Oh, she's good-looking enough! Her nose seems to have turned up more;
+but perhaps that's an optical illusion; she talks so sarcastically
+now-a-days that I seem to see it." Hannah smiled a little. "She doesn't
+think much of Jewish young men. By the way, are you engaged yet,
+Esther?"
+
+"What an idea!" murmured Esther, blushing beneath her spotted veil.
+
+"Well, you're very young," said Hannah, glancing down at the smaller
+figure with a sweet matronly smile.
+
+"I shall never marry," Esther said in low tones.
+
+"Don't be ridiculous, Esther! There's no happiness for a woman without
+it. You needn't talk like Miriam Hyams--at least not yet. Oh yes, I know
+what you're thinking--"
+
+"No, I'm not," faintly protested Esther
+
+"Yes, you are," said Hannah, smiling at the paradoxical denial. "But
+who'd have _me_? Ah, here are the _Greeners_!" and her smile softened to
+angelic tenderness.
+
+It was a frowzy, unsightly group that sat on the pavement, surrounded by
+a semi-sympathetic crowd--the father in a long grimy coat, the mother
+covered, as to her head, with a shawl, which also contained the baby.
+But the elders were naively childish and the children uncannily elderly;
+and something in Esther's breast seemed to stir with a strange sense of
+kinship. The race instinct awoke to consciousness of itself. Dulled by
+contact with cultured Jews, transformed almost to repulsion by the
+spectacle of the coarsely prosperous, it leaped into life at the appeal
+of squalor and misery. In the morning the Ghetto had simply chilled her;
+her heart had turned to it as to a haven, and the reality was dismal.
+Now that the first ugliness had worn off, she felt her heart warming.
+Her eyes moistened. She thrilled from head to foot with the sense of a
+mission--of a niche in the temple of human service which she had been
+predestined to fill. Who could comprehend as she these stunted souls,
+limited in all save suffering? Happiness was not for her; but service
+remained. Penetrated by the new emotion, she seemed to herself to have
+found the key to Hannah's holy calm.
+
+With the money now in hand, the two girls sought a lodging for the poor
+waifs. Esther suddenly remembered the empty back garret in No. 1 Royal
+Street, and here, after due negotiations with the pickled-herring dealer
+next door, the family was installed. Esther's emotions at the sight of
+the old place were poignant; happily the bustle of installation, of
+laying down a couple of mattresses, of borrowing Dutch Debby's
+tea-things, and of getting ready a meal, allayed their intensity. That
+little figure with the masculine boots showed itself but by fits and
+flashes. But the strangeness of the episode formed the undercurrent of
+all her thoughts; it seemed to carry to a climax the irony of her
+initial gift to Hannah.
+
+Escaping from the blessings of the _Greeners_, she accompanied her new
+friend to Reb Shemuel's. She was shocked to see the change in the
+venerable old man; he looked quite broken up. But he was chivalrous as
+of yore: the vein of quiet humor was still there, though his voice was
+charged with gentle melancholy. The Rebbitzin's nose had grown sharper
+than ever; her soul seemed to have fed on vinegar. Even in the presence
+of a stranger the Rebbitzin could not quite conceal her dominant
+thought. It hardly needed a woman to divine how it fretted Mrs. Jacobs
+that Hannah was an old maid; it needed a woman like Esther to divine
+that Hannah's renunciation was voluntary, though even Esther could not
+divine her history nor understand that her mother's daily nagging was
+the greater because the pettier part of her martyrdom.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+They all jumbled themselves into grotesque combinations, the things of
+to-day and the things of endless yesterdays, as Esther slept in the
+narrow little bed next to Dutch Debby, who squeezed herself into the
+wall, pretending to revel in exuberant spaciousness. It was long before
+she could get to sleep. The excitement of the day had brought on her
+headache; she was depressed by restriking the courses of so many narrow
+lives; the glow of her new-found mission had already faded in the
+thought that she was herself a pauper, and she wished she had let the
+dead past lie in its halo, not peered into the crude face of reality.
+But at bottom she felt a subtle melancholy joy in understanding herself
+at last, despite Hannah's scepticism; in penetrating the secret of her
+pessimism, in knowing herself a Child of the Ghetto.
+
+And yet Pesach Weingott played the fiddle merrily enough when she went
+to Becky's engagement-party in her dreams, and galoped with Shosshi
+Shmendrik, disregarding the terrible eyes of the bride to be: when
+Hannah, wearing an aureole like a bridal veil, paired off with Meckisch,
+frothing at the mouth with soap, and Mrs. Belcovitch, whirling a
+medicine-bottle, went down the middle on a pair of huge stilts, one a
+thick one and one a thin one, while Malka spun round like a teetotum,
+throwing Ezekiel in long clothes through a hoop; what time Moses Ansell
+waltzed superbly with the dazzling Addie Leon, quite cutting out Levi
+and Miriam Hyams, and Raphael awkwardly twisted the Widow Finkelstein,
+to the evident delight of Sugarman the _Shadchan_, who had effected the
+introduction. It was wonderful how agile they all were, and how
+dexterously they avoided treading on her brother Benjamin, who lay
+unconcernedly in the centre of the floor, taking assiduous notes in a
+little copy-book for incorporation in a great novel, while Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith stooped down to pat his brown hair patronizingly.
+
+Esther thought it very proper of the grateful _Greeners_ to go about
+offering the dancers rum from Dutch Debby's tea-kettle, and very selfish
+of Sidney to stand in a corner, refusing to join in the dance and making
+cynical remarks about the whole thing for the amusement of the earnest
+little figure she had met on the stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE DEAD MONKEY AGAIN.
+
+
+Esther woke early, little refreshed. The mattress was hard, and in her
+restricted allowance of space she had to deny herself the luxury of
+tossing and turning lest she should arouse Debby. To open one's eyes on
+a new day is not pleasant when situations have to be faced. Esther felt
+this disagreeable duty could no longer be shirked. Malka's words rang in
+her ears. How, indeed, could she earn a living? Literature had failed
+her; with journalism she had no point of contact save _The Flag of
+Judah_, and that journal was out of the question. Teaching--the last
+resort of the hopeless--alone remained. Maybe even in the Ghetto there
+were parents who wanted their children to learn the piano, and who would
+find Esther's mediocre digital ability good enough. She might teach as
+of old in an elementary school. But she would not go back to her
+own--all the human nature in her revolted at the thought of exposing
+herself to the sympathy of her former colleagues. Nothing was to be
+gained by lying sleepless in bed, gazing at the discolored wallpaper and
+the forlorn furniture. She slipped out gently and dressed herself, the
+absence of any apparatus for a bath making her heart heavier with
+reminders of the realities of poverty. It was not easy to avert her
+thoughts from her dainty bedroom of yesterday. But she succeeded; the
+cheerlessness of the little chamber turned her thoughts backwards to the
+years of girlhood, and when she had finished dressing she almost
+mechanically lit the fire and put the kettle to boil. Her childish
+dexterity returned, unimpaired by disuse. When Debby awoke, she awoke to
+a cup of tea ready for her to drink in bed--an unprecedented luxury,
+which she received with infinite consternation and pleasure.
+
+"Why, it's like the duchesses who have lady's-maids," she said, "and
+read French novels before getting up." To complete the picture, her
+hand dived underneath the bed and extracted a _London Journal_, at the
+risk of upsetting the tea. "But it's you who ought to be in bed, not
+me."
+
+"I've been a sluggard too often," laughed Esther, catching the contagion
+of good spirits from Debby's radiant delight. Perhaps the capacity for
+simple pleasures would come back to her, too.
+
+At breakfast they discussed the situation.
+
+"I'm afraid the bed's too small," said Esther, when Debby kindly
+suggested a continuance of hospitality.
+
+"Perhaps I took up too much room," said the hostess.
+
+"No, dear; you took up too little. We should have to have a wider bed
+and, as it is, the bed is almost as big as the room."
+
+"There's the back garret overhead! It's bigger, and it looks on the back
+yard just as well. I wouldn't mind moving there," said Debby, "though I
+wouldn't let old Guggenheim know that I value the view of the back yard,
+or else he'd raise the rent."
+
+"You forget the _Greeners_ who moved in yesterday."
+
+"Oh, so I do!" answered Debby with a sigh.
+
+"Strange," said Esther, musingly, "that I should have shut myself out of
+my old home."
+
+The postman's knuckles rapping at the door interrupted her reflections.
+In Royal Street the poor postmen had to mount to each room separately;
+fortunately, the tenants got few letters. Debby was intensely surprised
+to get one.
+
+"It isn't for me at all," she cried, at last, after a protracted
+examination of the envelope; "it's for you, care of me."
+
+"But that's stranger still." said Esther. "Nobody in the world knows my
+address."
+
+The mystery was not lessened by the contents. There was simply a blank
+sheet of paper, and when this was unfolded a half-sovereign rolled out.
+The postmark was Houndsditch. After puzzling herself in vain, and
+examining at length the beautiful copy-book penmanship of the address,
+Esther gave up the enigma. But it reminded her that it would be
+advisable to apprise her publishers of her departure from the old
+address, and to ask them to keep any chance letter till she called. She
+betook herself to their offices, walking. The day was bright, but
+Esther walked in gloom, scarcely daring to think of her position. She
+entered the office, apathetically hopeless. The junior partner welcomed
+her heartily.
+
+"I suppose you've come about your account," he said. "I have been
+intending to send it you for some months, but we are so busy bringing
+out new things before the dead summer season comes on." He consulted his
+books. "Perhaps you would rather not be bothered," he said, "with a
+formal statement. I have it all clearly here--the book's doing fairly
+well--let me write you a cheque at once!"
+
+She murmured assent, her cheeks blanching, her heart throbbing with
+excitement and surprise.
+
+"There you are--sixty-two pounds ten," he said. "Our profits are just
+one hundred and twenty-five. If you'll endorse it, I'll send a clerk to
+the bank round the corner and get it cashed for you at once."
+
+The pen scrawled an agitated autograph that would not have been accepted
+at the foot of a cheque, if Esther had had a banking account of her own.
+
+"But I thought you said the book was a failure," she said.
+
+"So it was," he answered cheerfully, "so it was at first. But gradually,
+as its nature leaked out, the demand increased. I understand from
+Mudie's that it was greatly asked for by their Jewish clients. You see,
+when there's a run on a three-volume book, the profits are pretty fair.
+I believed in it myself, or I should never have given you such good
+terms nor printed seven hundred and fifty copies. I shouldn't be
+surprised if we find ourselves able to bring it out in one-volume form
+in the autumn. We shall always be happy to consider any further work of
+yours; something on the same lines, I should recommend."
+
+The recommendation did not convey any definite meaning to her at the
+moment. Still in a pleasant haze, she stuffed the twelve five-pound
+notes and the three gold-pieces into her purse, scribbled a receipt, and
+departed. Afterwards the recommendation rang mockingly in her ears. She
+felt herself sterile, written out already. As for writing again on the
+same lines, she wondered what Raphael would think if he knew of the
+profits she had reaped by bespattering his people. But there! Raphael
+was a prig like the rest. It was no use worrying about _his_ opinions.
+Affluence had come to her--that was the one important and exhilarating
+fact. Besides, had not the hypocrites really enjoyed her book? A new
+wave of emotion swept over her--again she felt strong enough to defy the
+whole world.
+
+When she got "home," Debby said, "Hannah Jacobs called to see you."
+
+"Oh, indeed, what did she want?"
+
+"I don't know, but from something she said I believe I can guess who
+sent the half-sovereign."
+
+"Not Reb Shemuel?" said Esther, astonished.
+
+"No, _your_ cousin Malka. It seems that she saw Hannah leaving Zachariah
+Square with you, and so went to her house last night to get your
+address."
+
+Esther did not know whether to laugh or be angry; she compromised by
+crying. People were not so bad, after all, nor the fates so hard to her.
+It was only a little April shower of tears, and soon she was smiling and
+running upstairs to give the half-sovereign to the _Greeners_. It would
+have been ungracious to return it to Malka, and she purchased all the
+luxury of doing good, including the effusive benedictions of the whole
+family, on terms usually obtainable only by professional almoners.
+
+Then she told Debby of her luck with the publishers. Profound was
+Debby's awe at the revelation that Esther was able to write stories
+equal to those in the _London Journal_. After that, Debby gave up the
+idea of Esther living or sleeping with her; she would as soon have
+thought of offering a share of her bed to the authoresses of the tales
+under it. Debby suffered scarce any pang when her one-night companion
+transferred herself to Reb Shemuel's.
+
+For it was to suggest this that Hannah had called. The idea was her
+father's; it came to him when she told him of Esther's strange position.
+But Esther said she was going to America forthwith, and she only
+consented on condition of being allowed to pay for her keep during her
+stay. The haggling was hard, but Esther won. Hannah gave up her room to
+Esther, and removed her own belongings to Levi's bedroom, which except
+at Festival seasons had been unused for years, though the bed was always
+kept ready for him. Latterly the women had had to make the bed from time
+to time, and air the room, when Reb Shemuel was at synagogue. Esther
+sent her new address to her brothers and sisters, and made inquiries as
+to the prospects of educated girls in the States. In reply she learned
+that Rachel was engaged to be married. Her correspondents were too taken
+up with this gigantic fact to pay satisfactory attention to her
+inquiries. The old sense of protecting motherhood came back to Esther
+when she learned the news. Rachel was only eighteen, but at once Esther
+felt middle-aged. It seemed of the fitness of things that she should go
+to America and resume her interrupted maternal duties. Isaac and Sarah
+were still little more than children, perhaps they had not yet ceased
+bickering about their birthdays. She knew her little ones would jump for
+joy, and Isaac still volunteer sleeping accommodation in his new bed,
+even though the necessity for it had ceased. She cried when she received
+the cutting from the American Jewish paper; under other circumstances
+she would have laughed. It was one of a batch headed "Personals," and
+ran: "Sam Wiseberg, the handsome young drummer, of Cincinnati, has
+become engaged to Rachel Ansell, the fair eighteen-year-old type-writer
+and daughter of Moses Ansell, a well-known Chicago Hebrew. Life's
+sweetest blessings on the pair! The marriage will take place in the
+Fall." Esther dried her eyes and determined to be present at the
+ceremony. It is so grateful to the hesitant soul to be presented with a
+landmark. There was nothing to be gained now by arriving before the
+marriage; nay, her arrival just in time for it would clench the
+festivities. Meantime she attached herself to Hannah's charitable
+leading-strings, alternately attracted to the Children of the Ghetto by
+their misery, and repulsed by their failings. She seemed to see them now
+in their true perspective, correcting the vivid impressions of childhood
+by the insight born of wider knowledge of life. The accretion of pagan
+superstition was greater than she had recollected. Mothers averted
+fever by a murmured charm and an expectoration, children in new raiment
+carried bits of coal or salt in their pockets to ward off the evil-eve.
+On the other hand, there was more resourcefulness, more pride of
+independence. Her knowledge of Moses Ansell had misled her into too
+sweeping a generalization. And she was surprised to realize afresh how
+much illogical happiness flourished amid penury, ugliness and pain.
+After school-hours the muggy air vibrated with the joyous laughter of
+little children, tossing their shuttlecocks, spinning their tops,
+turning their skipping-ropes, dancing to barrel-organs or circling
+hand-in-hand in rings to the sound of the merry traditional chants of
+childhood. Esther often purchased a pennyworth of exquisite pleasure by
+enriching some sad-eyed urchin. Hannah (whose own scanty surplus was
+fortunately augmented by an anonymous West-End Reform Jew, who
+employed her as his agent) had no prepossessions to correct, no
+pendulum-oscillations to distract her, no sentimental illusions to
+sustain her. She knew the Ghetto as it was; neither expected gratitude
+from the poor, nor feared she might "pauperize them," knowing that the
+poor Jew never exchanges his self-respect for respect for his
+benefactor, but takes by way of rightful supplement to his income. She
+did not drive families into trickery, like ladies of the West, by being
+horrified to find them eating meat. If she presided at a stall at a
+charitable sale of clothing, she was not disheartened if articles were
+snatched from under her hand, nor did she refuse loans because borrowers
+sometimes merely used them to evade the tallyman by getting their
+jewelry at cash prices. She not only gave alms to the poor, but made
+them givers, organizing their own farthings into a powerful auxiliary of
+the institutions which helped them. Hannah's sweet patience soothed
+Esther, who had no natural aptitude for personal philanthropy; the
+primitive, ordered pieties of the Reb's household helping to give her
+calm. Though she accepted the inevitable, and had laughed in melancholy
+mockery at the exaggerated importance given to love by the novelists
+(including her cruder self), she dreaded meeting Raphael Leon. It was
+very unlikely her whereabouts would penetrate to the West; and she
+rarely went outside of the Ghetto by day, or even walked within it in
+the evening. In the twilight, unless prostrated by headache, she played
+on Hannah's disused old-fashioned grand piano. It had one cracked note
+which nearly always spoiled the melody; she would not have the note
+repaired, taking a morbid pleasure in a fantastic analogy between the
+instrument and herself. On Friday nights after the Sabbath-hymns she
+read _The Flag of Judah_. She was not surprised to find Reb Shemuel
+beginning to look askance at his favorite paper. She noted a growing
+tendency in it to insist mainly on the ethical side of Judaism,
+salvation by works being contrasted with the salvation by spasm of
+popular Christianity. Once Kingsley's line, "Do noble things, not dream
+them all day long," was put forth as "Judaism _versus_ Christianity in a
+nut-shell;" and the writer added, "for so thy dreams shall become noble,
+too." Sometimes she fancied phrases and lines of argument were aimed at
+her. Was it the editor's way of keeping in touch with her, using his
+leaders as a medium of communication--a subtly sweet secret known only
+to him and her? Was it fair to his readers? Then she would remember his
+joke about the paper being started merely to convert her, and she would
+laugh. Sometimes he repeated what he already said to her privately, so
+that she seemed to hear him talking.
+
+Then she would shake her head, and say, "I love you for your blindness,
+but I have the terrible gift of vision."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SIDNEY SETTLES DOWN.
+
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's newest seaside resort had the artistic charm
+which characterized everything she selected. It was a straggling, hilly,
+leafy village, full of archaic relics--human as well as
+architectural--sloping down to a gracefully curved bay, where the blue
+waves broke in whispers, for on summer days a halcyon calm overhung this
+magic spot, and the great sea stretched away, unwrinkled, ever young.
+There were no neutral tones in the colors of this divine picture--the
+sea was sapphire, the sky amethyst. There were dark-red houses nestling
+amid foliage, and green-haired monsters of gray stone squatted about on
+the yellow sand, which was strewn with quaint shells and mimic
+earth-worms, cunningly wrought by the waves. Half a mile to the east a
+blue river rippled into the bay. The white bathing tents which Mrs.
+Goldsmith had pitched stood out picturesquely, in harmonious contrast
+with the rich boscage that began to climb the hills in the background.
+
+Mrs. Goldsmith's party lived in the Manse; it was pretty numerous, and
+gradually overflowed into the bedrooms of the neighboring cottages. Mr.
+Goldsmith only came down on Saturday, returning on Monday. One Friday
+Mr. Percy Saville, who had been staying for the week, left suddenly for
+London, and next day the beautiful hostess poured into her husband's
+projecting ears a tale that made him gnash his projecting teeth, and cut
+the handsome stockbroker off his visiting-list for ever. It was only an
+indiscreet word that the susceptible stockbroker had spoken--under the
+poetic influences of the scene. His bedroom came in handy, for Sidney
+unexpectedly dropped down from Norway, _via_ London, on the very Friday.
+The poetic influences of the scene soon infected the newcomer, too. On
+the Saturday he was lost for hours, and came up smiling, with Addie on
+his arm. On the Sunday afternoon the party went boating up the river--a
+picturesque medley of flannels and parasols. Once landed, Sidney and
+Addie did not return for tea, prior to re-embarking. While Mr. Montagu
+Samuels was gallantly handing round the sugar, they were sitting
+somewhere along the bank, half covered with leaves, like babes in the
+wood. The sunset burned behind the willows--a fiery rhapsody of crimson
+and orange. The gay laughter of the picnic-party just reached their
+ears; otherwise, an almost solemn calm prevailed--not a bird twittered,
+not a leaf stirred.
+
+"It'll be all over London to-morrow," said Sidney in a despondent tone.
+
+"I'm afraid so," said Addie, with a delicious laugh.
+
+The sweet English meadows over which her humid eyes wandered were
+studded with simple wild-flowers. Addie vaguely felt the angels had
+planted such in Eden. Sidney could not take his eyes off his terrestrial
+angel clad in appropriate white. Confessed love had given the last touch
+to her intoxicating beauty. She gratified his artistic sense almost
+completely. But she seemed to satisfy deeper instincts, too. As he
+looked into her limpid, trustful eyes, he felt he had been a weak fool.
+An irresistible yearning to tell her all his past and crave forgiveness
+swept over him.
+
+"Addie," he said, "isn't it funny I should be marrying a Jewish girl,
+after all?"
+
+He wanted to work round to it like that, to tell her of his engagement
+to Miss Hannibal at least, and how, on discovering with whom he was
+really in love, he had got out of it simply by writing to the Wesleyan
+M.P. that he was a Jew--a fact sufficient to disgust the disciple of
+Dissent and the claimant champion of religious liberty. But Addie only
+smiled at the question.
+
+"You smile," he said: "I see you do think it funny."
+
+"That's not why I am smiling."
+
+"Then why are you smiling?" The lovely face piqued him; he kissed the
+lips quickly with a bird-like peck.
+
+"Oh--I--no, you wouldn't understand."
+
+"That means _you_ don't understand. But there! I suppose when a girl is
+in love, she's not accountable for her expression. All the same, it is
+strange. You know, Addie dear, I have come to the conclusion that
+Judaism exercises a strange centrifugal and centripetal effect on its
+sons--sometimes it repulses them, sometimes it draws them; only it never
+leaves them neutral. Now, here had I deliberately made up my mind not to
+marry a Jewess."
+
+"Oh! Why not?" said Addie, pouting.
+
+"Merely because she would be a Jewess. It's a fact."
+
+"And why have you broken your resolution?" she said, looking up naively
+into his face, so that the scent of her hair thrilled him.
+
+"I don't know." he said frankly, scarcely giving the answer to be
+expected. "_C'est plus fort que moi_. I've struggled hard, but I'm
+beaten. Isn't there something of the kind in Esther--in Miss Ansell's
+book? I know I've read it somewhere--and anything that's beastly subtle
+I always connect with her."
+
+"Poor Esther!" murmured Addie.
+
+Sidney patted her soft warm hand, and smoothed the finely-curved arm,
+and did not seem disposed to let the shadow of Esther mar the moment,
+though he would ever remain grateful to her for the hint which had
+simultaneously opened his eyes to Addie's affection for him, and to his
+own answering affection so imperceptibly grown up. The river glided on
+softly, glorified by the sunset.
+
+"It makes one believe in a dogged destiny," he grumbled, "shaping the
+ends of the race, and keeping it together, despite all human volition.
+To think that I should be doomed to fall in love, not only with a Jewess
+but with a pious Jewess! But clever men always fall in love with
+conventional women. I wonder what makes you so conventional, Addie."
+
+Addie, still smiling, pressed his hand in silence, and gazed at him in
+fond admiration.
+
+"Ah, well, since you are so conventional, you may as well kiss me."
+
+Addie's blush deepened, her eyes sparkled ere she lowered them, and
+subtly fascinating waves of expression passed across the lovely face.
+
+"They'll be wondering what on earth has become of us," she said.
+
+"It shall be nothing on earth--something in heaven," he answered. "Kiss
+me, or I shall call you unconventional."
+
+She touched his cheek hurriedly with her soft lips.
+
+"A very crude and amateur kiss," he said critically. "However, after
+all, I have an excuse for marrying you--which all clever Jews who marry
+conventional Jewesses haven't got--you're a fine model. That is another
+of the many advantages of my profession. I suppose you'll be a model
+wife, in the ordinary sense, too. Do you know, my darling, I begin to
+understand that I could not love you so much if you were not so
+religious, if you were not so curiously like a Festival Prayer-Book,
+with gilt edges and a beautiful binding."
+
+"Ah, I am so glad, dear, to hear you say that," said Addie, with the
+faintest suspicion of implied past disapproval.
+
+"Yes," he said musingly. "It adds the last artistic touch to your
+relation to me."
+
+"But you will reform!" said Addie, with girlish confidence.
+
+"Do you think so? I might commence by becoming a vegetarian--that would
+prevent me eating forbidden flesh. Have I ever told you my idea that
+vegetarianism is the first step in a great secret conspiracy for
+gradually converting the world to Judaism? But I'm afraid I can't be
+caught as easily as the Gentiles, Addie dear. You see, a Jewish sceptic
+beats all others. _Corruptio optimi pessima_, probably. Perhaps you
+would like me to marry in a synagogue?"
+
+"Why, of course! Where else?"
+
+"Heavens!" said Sidney, in comic despair. "I feared it would come to
+that. I shall become a pillar of the synagogue when I am married, I
+suppose."
+
+"Well, you'll have to take a seat," said Addie seriously, "because
+otherwise you can't get buried."
+
+"Gracious, what ghoulish thoughts for an embryo bride! Personally, I
+have no objection to haunting the Council of the United Synagogue till
+they give me a decently comfortable grave. But I see what it will be! I
+shall be whitewashed by the Jewish press, eulogized by platform orators
+as a shining light in Israel, the brilliant impressionist painter, and
+all that. I shall pay my synagogue bill and never go. In short, I shall
+be converted to Philistinism, and die in the odor of respectability. And
+Judaism will continue to flourish. Oh, Addie, Addie, if I had thought of
+all that, I should never have asked you to be my wife."
+
+"I am glad you didn't think of it," laughed Addie, ingenuously.
+
+"There! You never will take me seriously!" he grumbled. "Nobody ever
+takes me seriously--I suppose because I speak the truth. The only time
+you ever took me seriously in my life was a few minutes ago. So you
+actually think I'm going to submit to the benedictions of a Rabbi."
+
+"You must," said Addie.
+
+"I'll be blest If I do," he said.
+
+"Of course you will," said Addie, laughing merrily.
+
+"Thanks--I'm glad you appreciate my joke. You perhaps fancy it's yours.
+However, I'm in earnest. I won't be a respectable high-hatted member of
+the community--not even for your sake, dear. Why, I might as well go
+back to my ugly real name, Samuel Abrahams, at once."
+
+"So you might, dear," said Addie boldly, and smiled into his eyes to
+temper her audacity.
+
+"Ah, well, I think it'll be quite enough if _you_ change your name," he
+said, smiling back.
+
+"It's just as easy for me to change it to Abrahams as to Graham," she
+said with charming obstinacy.
+
+He contemplated her for some moments in silence, with a whimsical look
+on his face. Then he looked up at the sky--the brilliant color harmonies
+were deepening into a more sober magnificence.
+
+"I'll tell you what I will do. Ill join the Asmoneans. There! that's a
+great concession to your absurd prejudices. But you must make a
+concession to mine. You know how I hate the Jewish canvassing of
+engagements. Let us keep ours entirely _entre nous_ a fortnight--so that
+the gossips shall at least get their material stale, and we shall be
+hardened. I wonder why you're so conventional," he said again, when she
+had consented without enthusiasm. "You had the advantage of Esther--of
+Miss Ansell's society."
+
+"Call her Esther if you like; I don't mind," said Addie.
+
+"I wonder Esther didn't convert you," he went on musingly. "But I
+suppose you had Raphael on your right hand, as some prayer or other
+says. And so you really don't know what's become of her?"
+
+"Nothing beyond what I wrote to you. Mrs. Goldsmith discovered she had
+written the nasty book, and sent her packing. I have never liked to
+broach the subject myself to Mrs. Goldsmith, knowing how unpleasant it
+must be to her. Raphael's version is that Esther went away of her own
+accord; but I can't see what grounds he has for judging."
+
+"I would rather trust Raphael's version," said Sidney, with an
+adumbration of a wink in his left eyelid. "But didn't you look for her?"
+
+"Where? If she's in London, she's swallowed up. If she's gone to another
+place, it's still more difficult to find her."
+
+"There's the Agony Column!"
+
+"If Esther wanted us to know her address, what can prevent her sending
+it?" asked Addie, with dignity.
+
+"I'd find her soon enough, if I wanted to," murmured Sidney.
+
+"Yes; but I'm not sure we want to. After all, she cannot be so nice as I
+thought. She certainly behaved very ungratefully to Mrs. Goldsmith. You
+see what becomes of wild opinions."
+
+"Addie! Addie!" said Sidney reproachfully, "how _can_ you be so
+conventional?"
+
+"I'm _not_ conventional!" protested Addie, provoked at last. "I always
+liked Esther very much. Even now, nothing would give me greater pleasure
+than to have her for a bridesmaid. But I can't help feeling she deceived
+us all."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" said Sidney warmly. "An author has a right to be
+anonymous. Don't you think I'd paint anonymously if I dared? Only, if I
+didn't put my name to my things no one would buy them. That's another of
+the advantages of my profession. Once make your name as an artist, and
+you can get a colossal income by giving up art."
+
+"It was a vulgar book!" persisted Addie, sticking to the point.
+
+"Fiddlesticks! It was an artistic book--bungled."
+
+"Oh, well!" said Addie, as the tears welled from her eyes, "if you're so
+fond of unconventional girls, you'd better marry them."
+
+"I would," said Sidney, "but for the absurd restriction against
+polygamy."
+
+Addie got up with an indignant jerk. "You think I'm a child to be played
+with!"
+
+She turned her back upon him. His face changed instantly; he stood
+still a moment, admiring the magnificent pose. Then he recaptured her
+reluctant hand.
+
+"Don't be jealous already, Addie," he said. "It's a healthy sign of
+affection, is a storm-cloud, but don't you think it's just a wee, tiny,
+weeny bit too previous?"
+
+A pressure of the hand accompanied each of the little adjectives. Addie
+sat down again, feeling deliriously happy. She seemed to be lapped in a
+great drowsy ecstasy of bliss.
+
+The sunset was fading into sombre grays before Sidney broke the silence;
+then his train of thought revealed itself.
+
+"If you're so down on Esther, I wonder how you can put up with me! How
+is it?"
+
+Addie did not hear the question.
+
+"You think I'm a very wicked, blasphemous boy," he insisted. "Isn't that
+the thought deep down in your heart of hearts?"
+
+"I'm sure tea must be over long ago," said Addie anxiously.
+
+"Answer me," said Sidney inexorably.
+
+"Don't bother. Aren't they cooeying for us?"
+
+"Answer me."
+
+"I do believe that was a water-rat. Look! the water is still eddying."
+
+"I'm a very wicked, blasphemous boy. Isn't that the thought deep down in
+your heart of hearts?"
+
+"You are there, too," she breathed at last, and then Sidney forgot her
+beauty for an instant, and lost himself in unaccustomed humility. It
+seemed passing wonderful to him--that he should be the deity of such a
+spotless shrine. Could any man deserve the trust of this celestial soul?
+
+Suddenly the thought that he had not told her about Miss Hannibal after
+all, gave him a chilling shock. But he rallied quickly. Was it really
+worth while to trouble the clear depths of her spirit with his turbid
+past? No; wiser to inhale the odor of the rose at her bosom, sweeter to
+surrender himself to the intoxicating perfume of her personality, to the
+magic of a moment that must fade like the sunset, already grown gray.
+
+So Addie never knew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FROM SOUL TO SOUL.
+
+
+On the Friday that Percy Saville returned to town, Raphael, in a state
+of mental prostration modified by tobacco, was sitting in the editorial
+chair. He was engaged in his pleasing weekly occupation of discovering,
+from a comparison with the great rival organ, the deficiencies of _The
+Flag of Judah_ in the matter of news, his organization for the
+collection of which partook of the happy-go-lucky character of little
+Sampson. Fortunately, to-day there were no flagrant omissions, no
+palpable shortcomings such as had once and again thrown the office of
+the _Flag_ into mourning when communal pillars were found dead in the
+opposition paper.
+
+The arrival of a visitor put an end to the invidious comparison.
+
+"Ah, Strelitski!" cried Raphael, jumping up in glad surprise. "What an
+age it is since I've seen you!" He shook the black-gloved hand of the
+fashionable minister heartily; then his face grew rueful with a sudden
+recollection. "I suppose you have come to scold me for not answering the
+invitation to speak at the distribution of prizes to your religion
+class?" he said; "but I _have_ been so busy. My conscience has kept up a
+dull pricking on the subject, though, for ever so many weeks. You're
+such an epitome of all the virtues that you can't understand the
+sensation, and even I can't understand why one submits to this
+undercurrent of reproach rather than take the simple step it exhorts one
+to. But I suppose it's human nature." He puffed at his pipe in humorous
+sadness.
+
+"I suppose it is," said Strelitski wearily.
+
+"But of course I'll come. You know that, my dear fellow. When my
+conscience was noisy, the _advocatus diaboli_ used to silence it by
+saying, 'Oh, Strelitski'll take it for granted.' You can never catch the
+_advocatus diaboli_ asleep," concluded Raphael, laughing.
+
+"No," assented Strelitski. But he did not laugh.
+
+"Oh!" said Raphael, his laugh ceasing suddenly and his face growing
+long. "Perhaps the prize-distribution is over?"
+
+Strelitski's expression seemed so stern that for a second it really
+occurred to Raphael that he might have missed the great event. But
+before the words were well out of his mouth he remembered that it was an
+event that made "copy," and little Sampson would have arranged with him
+as to the reporting thereof.
+
+"No; it's Sunday week. But I didn't come to talk about my religion class
+at all," he said pettishly, while a shudder traversed his form. "I came
+to ask if you know anything about Miss Ansell."
+
+Raphael's heart stood still, then began to beat furiously. The sound of
+her name always affected him incomprehensibly. He began to stammer, then
+took his pipe out of his mouth and said more calmly;
+
+"How should I know anything about Miss Ansell?"
+
+"I thought you would," said Strelitski, without much disappointment in
+his tone.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Wasn't she your art-critic?"
+
+"Who told you that?"
+
+"Mrs. Henry Goldsmith."
+
+"Oh!" said Raphael.
+
+"I thought she might possibly be writing for you still, and so, as I was
+passing, I thought I'd drop in and inquire. Hasn't anything been heard
+of her? Where is she? Perhaps one could help her."
+
+"I'm sorry, I really know nothing, nothing at all," said Raphael
+gravely. "I wish I did. Is there any particular reason why you want to
+know?"
+
+As he spoke, a strange suspicion that was half an apprehension came into
+his head. He had been looking the whole time at Strelitski's face with
+his usual unobservant gaze, just seeing it was gloomy. Now, as in a
+sudden flash, he saw it sallow and careworn to the last degree. The eyes
+were almost feverish, the black curl on the brow was unkempt, and there
+was a streak or two of gray easily visible against the intense sable.
+What change had come over him? Why this new-born interest in Esther?
+Raphael felt a vague unreasoning resentment rising in him, mingled with
+distress at Strelitski's discomposure.
+
+"No; I don't know that there is any _particular_ reason why I want to
+know," answered his friend slowly. "She was a member of my congregation.
+I always had a certain interest in her, which has naturally not been
+diminished by her sudden departure from our midst, and by the knowledge
+that she was the author of that sensational novel. I think it was cruel
+of Mrs. Henry Goldsmith to turn her adrift; one must allow for the
+effervescence of genius."
+
+"Who told you Mrs. Henry Goldsmith turned her adrift?" asked Raphael
+hotly.
+
+"Mrs. Henry Goldsmith," said Strelitski with a slight accent of wonder.
+
+"Then it's a lie!" Raphael exclaimed, thrusting out his arms in intense
+agitation. "A mean, cowardly lie! I shall never go to see that woman
+again, unless it is to let her know what I think of her."
+
+"Ah, then you do know something about Miss Ansell?" said Strelitski,
+with growing surprise. Raphael in a rage was a new experience. There
+were those who asserted that anger was not among his gifts.
+
+"Nothing about her life since she left Mrs. Goldsmith; but I saw her
+before, and she told me it was her intention to cut herself adrift.
+Nobody knew about her authorship of the book; nobody would have known to
+this day if she had not chosen to reveal it."
+
+The minister was trembling.
+
+"She cut herself adrift?" he repeated interrogatively. "But why?"
+
+"I will tell you," said Raphael in low tones. "I don't think it will be
+betraying her confidence to say that she found her position of
+dependence extremely irksome; it seemed to cripple her soul. Now I see
+what Mrs. Goldsmith is. I can understand better what life in her society
+meant for a girl like that."
+
+"And what has become of her?" asked the Russian. His face was agitated,
+the lips were almost white.
+
+"I do not know," said Raphael, almost in a whisper, his voice failing in
+a sudden upwelling of tumultuous feeling. The ever-whirling wheel of
+journalism--that modern realization of the labor of Sisyphus--had
+carried him round without giving him even time to remember that time was
+flying. Day had slipped into week and week into month, without his
+moving an inch from his groove in search of the girl whose unhappiness
+was yet always at the back of his thoughts. Now he was shaken with
+astonished self-reproach at his having allowed her to drift perhaps
+irretrievably beyond his ken.
+
+"She is quite alone in the world, poor thing!" he said after a pause.
+"She must be earning her own living, somehow. By journalism, perhaps.
+But she prefers to live her own life. I am afraid it will be a hard
+one." His voice trembled again. The minister's breast, too, was laboring
+with emotion that checked his speech, but after a moment utterance came
+to him--a strange choked utterance, almost blasphemous from those
+clerical lips.
+
+"By God!" he gasped. "That little girl!"
+
+He turned his back upon his friend and covered his face with his hands,
+and Raphael saw his shoulders quivering. Then his own vision grew dim.
+Conjecture, resentment, wonder, self-reproach, were lost in a new and
+absorbing sense of the pathos of the poor girl's position.
+
+Presently the minister turned round, showing a face that made no
+pretence of calm.
+
+"That was bravely done," he said brokenly. "To cut herself adrift! She
+will not sink; strength will be given her even as she gives others
+strength. If I could only see her and tell her! But she never liked me;
+she always distrusted me. I was a hollow windbag in her eyes--a thing of
+shams and cant--she shuddered to look at me. Was it not so? You are a
+friend of hers, you know what she felt."
+
+"I don't think it was you she disliked," said Raphael in wondering pity.
+"Only your office."
+
+"Then, by God, she was right!" cried the Russian hoarsely. "It was
+this--this that made me the target of her scorn." He tore off his white
+tie madly as he spoke, threw it on the ground, and trampled upon it.
+"She and I were kindred in suffering; I read it in her eyes, averted as
+they were at the sight of this accursed thing! You stare at me--you
+think I have gone mad. Leon, you are not as other men. Can you not guess
+that this damnable white tie has been choking the life and manhood out
+of me? But it is over now. Take your pen, Leon, as you are my friend,
+and write what I shall dictate."
+
+Silenced by the stress of a great soul, half dazed by the strange,
+unexpected revelation, Raphael seated himself, took his pen, and wrote:
+
+"We understand that the Rev. Joseph Strelitski has resigned his position
+in the Kensington Synagogue."
+
+Not till he had written it did the full force of the paragraph overwhelm
+his soul.
+
+"But you will not do this?" he said, looking up almost incredulously at
+the popular minister.
+
+"I will; the position has become impossible. Leon, do you not
+understand? I am not what I was when I took it. I have lived, and life
+is change. Stagnation is death. Surely you can understand, for you, too,
+have changed. Cannot I read between the lines of your leaders?"
+
+"Cannot you read in them?" said Raphael with a wan smile. "I have
+modified some opinions, it is true, and developed others; but I have
+disguised none."
+
+"Not consciously, perhaps, but you do not speak all your thought."
+
+"Perhaps I do not listen to it," said Raphael, half to himself. "But
+you--whatever your change--you have not lost faith in primaries?"
+
+"No; not in what I consider such."
+
+"Then why give up your platform, your housetop, whence you may do so
+much good? You are loved, venerated."
+
+Strelitski placed his palms over his ears.
+
+"Don't! don't!" he cried. "Don't you be the _advocatus diaboli_! Do you
+think I have not told myself all these things a thousand times? Do you
+think I have not tried every kind of opiate? No, no, be silent if you
+can say nothing to strengthen me in my resolution: am I not weak enough
+already? Promise me, give me your hand, swear to me that you will put
+that paragraph in the paper. Saturday. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
+Wednesday, Thursday--in six days I shall change a hundred times. Swear
+to me, so that I may leave this room at peace, the long conflict ended.
+Promise me you will insert it, though I myself should ask you to cancel
+it."
+
+"But--" began Raphael.
+
+Strelitski turned away impatiently and groaned.
+
+"My God!" he cried hoarsely. "Leon, listen to me," he said, turning
+round suddenly. "Do you realize what sort of a position you are asking
+me to keep? Do you realize how it makes me the fief of a Rabbinate that
+is an anachronism, the bondman of outworn forms, the slave of the
+_Shulcan Aruch_ (a book the Rabbinate would not dare publish in
+English), the professional panegyrist of the rich? Ours is a generation
+of whited sepulchres." He had no difficulty about utterance now; the
+words flowed in a torrent. "How can Judaism--and it alone--escape going
+through the fire of modern scepticism, from which, if religion emerge at
+all, it will emerge without its dross? Are not we Jews always the first
+prey of new ideas, with our alert intellect, our swift receptiveness,
+our keen critical sense? And if we are not hypocrites, we are
+indifferent--which is almost worse. Indifference is the only infidelity
+I recognize, and it is unfortunately as conservative as zeal.
+Indifference and hypocrisy between them keep orthodoxy alive--while they
+kill Judaism."
+
+"Oh, I can't quite admit that," said Raphael. "I admit that scepticism
+is better than stagnation, but I cannot see why orthodoxy is the
+antithesis to Judaism Purified--and your own sermons are doing something
+to purify it--orthodoxy--"
+
+"Orthodoxy cannot be purified unless by juggling with words,"
+interrupted Strelitski vehemently. "Orthodoxy is inextricably entangled
+with ritual observance; and ceremonial religion is of the ancient world,
+not the modern."
+
+"But our ceremonialism is pregnant with sublime symbolism, and its
+discipline is most salutary. Ceremony is the casket of religion."
+
+"More often its coffin," said Strelitski drily. "Ceremonial religion is
+so apt to stiffen in a _rigor mortis_. It is too dangerous an element;
+it creates hypocrites and Pharisees. All cast-iron laws and dogmas do.
+Not that I share the Christian sneer at Jewish legalism. Add the Statute
+Book to the New Testament, and think of the network of laws hampering
+the feet of the Christian. No; much of our so-called ceremonialism is
+merely the primitive mix-up of everything with religion in a theocracy.
+The Mosaic code has been largely embodied in civil law, and superseded
+by it."
+
+"That is just the flaw of the modern world, to keep life and religion
+apart," protested Raphael; "to have one set of principles for week-days
+and another for Sundays; to grind the inexorable mechanism of supply and
+demand on pagan principles, and make it up out of the poor-box."
+
+Strelitski shook his head.
+
+"We must make broad our platform, not our phylacteries. It is because I
+am with you in admiring the Rabbis that I would undo much of their work.
+Theirs was a wonderful statesmanship, and they built wiser than they
+knew; just as the patient labors of the superstitious zealots who
+counted every letter of the Law preserved the text unimpaired for the
+benefit of modern scholarship. The Rabbis constructed a casket, if you
+will, which kept the jewel safe, though at the cost of concealing its
+lustre. But the hour has come now to wear the jewel on our breasts
+before all the world. The Rabbis worked for their time--we must work
+for ours. Judaism was before the Rabbis. Scientific criticism shows its
+thoughts widening with the process of the suns--even as its God, Yahweh,
+broadened from a local patriotic Deity to the ineffable Name. For
+Judaism was worked out from within--Abraham asked, 'Shall not the Judge
+of all the earth do right?'--the thunders of Sinai were but the
+righteous indignation of the developed moral consciousness. In every age
+our great men have modified and developed Judaism. Why should it not be
+trimmed into concordance with the culture of the time? Especially when
+the alternative is death. Yes, death! We babble about petty minutiae of
+ritual while Judaism is dying! We are like the crew of a sinking ship,
+holy-stoning the deck instead of being at the pumps. No, I must speak
+out; I cannot go on salving my conscience by unsigned letters to the
+press. Away with all this anonymous apostleship!"
+
+He moved about restlessly with animated gestures as he delivered his
+harangue at tornado speed, speech bursting from him like some dynamic
+energy which had been accumulating for years, and could no longer be
+kept in. It was an upheaval of the whole man under the stress of pent
+forces. Raphael was deeply moved. He scarcely knew how to act in this
+unique crisis. Dimly he foresaw the stir and pother there would be in
+the community. Conservative by instinct, apt to see the elements of good
+in attacked institutions--perhaps, too, a little timid when it came to
+take action in the tremendous realm of realities--he was loth to help
+Strelitski to so decisive a step, though his whole heart went out to him
+in brotherly sympathy.
+
+"Do not act so hastily," he pleaded. "Things are not so black as you see
+them--you are almost as bad as Miss Ansell. Don't think that I see them
+rosy: I might have done that three months ago. But don't you--don't all
+idealists--overlook the quieter phenomena? Is orthodoxy either so
+inefficacious or so moribund as you fancy? Is there not a steady,
+perhaps semi-conscious, stream of healthy life, thousands of cheerful,
+well-ordered households, of people neither perfect nor cultured, but
+more good than bad? You cannot expect saints and heroes to grow like
+blackberries."
+
+"Yes; but look what Jews set up to be--God's witnesses!" interrupted
+Strelitski. "This mediocrity may pass in the rest of the world."
+
+"And does lack of modern lights constitute ignorance?" went on Raphael,
+disregarding the interruption. He began walking up and down, and
+thrashing the air with his arms. Hitherto he had remained comparatively
+quiet, dominated by Strelitski's superior restlessness. "I cannot help
+thinking there is a profound lesson in the Bible story of the oxen who,
+unguided, bore safely the Ark of the Covenant. Intellect obscures more
+than it illumines."
+
+"Oh, Leon, Leon, you'll turn Catholic, soon!" said Strelitski
+reprovingly.
+
+"Not with a capital C," said Raphael, laughing a little. "But I am so
+sick of hearing about culture, I say more than I mean. Judaism is so
+human--that's why I like it. No abstract metaphysics, but a lovable way
+of living the common life, sanctified by the centuries. Culture is all
+very well--doesn't the Talmud say the world stands on the breath of the
+school-children?--but it has become a cant. Too often it saps the moral
+fibre."
+
+"You have all the old Jewish narrowness," said Strelitski.
+
+"I'd rather have that than the new Parisian narrowness--the cant of
+decadence. Look at my cousin Sidney. He talks as if the Jew only
+introduced moral-headache into the world--in face of the corruptions of
+paganism which are still flagrant all over Asia and Africa and
+Polynesia--the idol worship, the abominations, the disregard of human
+life, of truth, of justice."
+
+"But is the civilized world any better? Think of the dishonesty of
+business, the self-seeking of public life, the infamies and hypocrisies
+of society, the prostitutions of soul and body! No, the Jew has yet to
+play a part in history. Supplement his Hebraism by what Hellenic ideals
+you will, but the Jew's ideals must ever remain the indispensable ones,"
+said Strelitski, becoming exalted again. "Without righteousness a
+kingdom cannot stand. The world is longing for a broad simple faith that
+shall look on science as its friend and reason as its inspirer. People
+are turning in their despair even to table-rappings and Mahatmas. Now,
+for the first time in history, is the hour of Judaism. Only it must
+enlarge itself; its platform must be all-inclusive. Judaism is but a
+specialized form of Hebraism; even if Jews stick to their own special
+historical and ritual ceremonies, it is only Hebraism--the pure
+spiritual kernel--that they can offer the world."
+
+"But that is quite the orthodox Jewish idea on the subject," said
+Raphael.
+
+"Yes, but orthodox ideas have a way of remaining ideas," retorted
+Strelitski. "Where I am heterodox is in thinking the time has come to
+work them out. Also in thinking that the monotheism is not the element
+that needs the most accentuation. The formula of the religion of the
+future will be a Jewish formula--Character, not Creed. The provincial
+period of Judaism is over though even its Dark Ages are still lingering
+on in England. It must become cosmic, universal. Judaism is too timid,
+too apologetic, too deferential. Doubtless this is the result of
+persecution, but it does not tend to diminish persecution. We may as
+well try the other attitude. It is the world the Jewish preacher should
+address, not a Kensington congregation. Perhaps, when the Kensington
+congregation sees the world is listening, it will listen, too," he said,
+with a touch of bitterness.
+
+"But it listens to you now," said Raphael.
+
+"A pleasing illusion which has kept me too long in my false position.
+With all its love and reverence, do you think it forgets I am its
+hireling? I may perhaps have a little more prestige than the bulk of my
+fellows--though even that is partly due to my congregants being rich and
+fashionable--but at bottom everybody knows I am taken like a house--on a
+three years' agreement. And I dare not speak, I cannot, while I wear the
+badge of office; it would be disloyal; my own congregation would take
+alarm. The position of a minister is like that of a judicious
+editor--which, by the way, you are not; he is led, rather than leads. He
+has to feel his way, to let in light wherever he sees a chink, a cranny.
+But let them get another man to preach to them the echo of their own
+voices; there will be no lack of candidates for the salary. For my part,
+I am sick of this petty jesuitry; in vain I tell myself it is spiritual
+statesmanship like that of so many Christian clergymen who are silently
+bringing Christianity back to Judaism."
+
+"But it _is_ spiritual statesmanship," asserted Raphael.
+
+"Perhaps. You are wiser, deeper, calmer than I. You are an Englishman, I
+am a Russian. I am all for action, action, action! In Russia I should
+have been a Nihilist, not a philosopher. I can only go by my feelings,
+and I feel choking. When I first came to England, before the horror of
+Russia wore off, I used to go about breathing in deep breaths of air,
+exulting in the sense of freedom. Now I am stifling again. Do you not
+understand? Have you never guessed it? And yet I have often said things
+to you that should have opened your eyes. I must escape from the house
+of bondage--must be master of myself, of my word and thought. Oh, the
+world is so wide, so wide--and we are so narrow! Only gradually did the
+web mesh itself about me. At first my fetters were flowery bands, for I
+believed all I taught and could teach all I believed. Insensibly the
+flowers changed to iron chains, because I was changing as I probed
+deeper into life and thought, and saw my dreams of influencing English
+Judaism fading in the harsh daylight of fact. And yet at moments the
+iron links would soften to flowers again. Do you think there is no
+sweetness in adulation, in prosperity--no subtle cajolery that soothes
+the conscience and coaxes the soul to take its pleasure in a world of
+make-believe? Spiritual statesmanship, forsooth!" He made a gesture of
+resolution. "No, the Judaism of you English weighs upon my spirits. It
+is so parochial. Everything turns on finance; the United Synagogue keeps
+your community orthodox because it has the funds and owns the
+burying-grounds. Truly a dismal allegory--a creed whose strength lies in
+its cemeteries. Money is the sole avenue to distinction and to
+authority; it has its coarse thumb over education, worship, society. In
+my country--even in your own Ghetto--the Jews do not despise money, but
+at least piety and learning are the titles to position and honor. Here
+the scholar is classed with the _Schnorrer_; if an artist or an author
+is admired, it is for his success. You are right; it is oxen that carry
+your Ark of the Covenant--fat oxen. You admire them, Leon; you are an
+Englishman, and cannot stand outside it all. But I am stifling under
+this weight of moneyed mediocrity, this _régime_ of dull respectability.
+I want the atmosphere of ideas and ideals."
+
+He tore at his high clerical collar as though suffocating literally.
+
+Raphael was too moved to defend English Judaism. Besides, he was used
+to these jeremiads now--had he not often heard them from Sidney? Had he
+not read them in Esther's book? Nor was it the first time he had
+listened to the Russian's tirades, though he had lacked the key to the
+internal conflict that embittered them.
+
+"But how will you live?" he asked, tacitly accepting the situation. "You
+will not, I suppose, go over to the Reform Synagogue?"
+
+"That fossil, so proud of its petty reforms half a century ago that it
+has stood still ever since to admire them! It is a synagogue for
+snobs--who never go there."
+
+Raphael smiled faintly. It was obvious that Strelitski on the war-path
+did not pause to weigh his utterances.
+
+"I am glad you are not going over, anyhow. Your congregation would--"
+
+"Crucify me between two money-lenders?"
+
+"Never mind. But how will you live?"'
+
+"How does Miss Ansell live? I can always travel with cigars--I know the
+line thoroughly." He smiled mournfully. "But probably I shall go to
+America--the idea has been floating in my mind for months. There Judaism
+is grander, larger, nobler. There is room for all parties. The dead
+bones are not worshipped as relics. Free thought has its vent-holes--it
+is not repressed into hypocrisy as among us. There is care for
+literature, for national ideals. And one deals with millions, not petty
+thousands. This English community, with its squabbles about rituals, its
+four Chief Rabbis all in love with one another, its stupid Sephardim,
+its narrow-minded Reformers, its fatuous self-importance, its invincible
+ignorance, is but an ant-hill, a negligible quantity in the future of
+the faith. Westward the course of Judaism as of empire takes its
+way--from the Euphrates and Tigris it emigrated to Cordova and Toledo,
+and the year that saw its expulsion from Spain was the year of the
+Discovery of America. _Ex Oriente lux_. Perhaps it will return to you
+here by way of the Occident. Russia and America are the two strongholds
+of the race, and Russia is pouring her streams into America, where they
+will be made free men and free thinkers. It is in America, then, that
+the last great battle of Judaism will be fought out; amid the temples of
+the New World it will make its last struggle to survive. It is there
+that the men who have faith in its necessity must be, so that the
+psychical force conserved at such a cost may not radiate uselessly away.
+Though Israel has sunk low, like a tree once green and living, and has
+become petrified and blackened, there is stored-up sunlight in him. Our
+racial isolation is a mere superstition unless turned to great purposes.
+We have done nothing _as Jews_ for centuries, though our Old Testament
+has always been an arsenal of texts for the European champions of civil
+and religious liberty. We have been unconsciously pioneers of modern
+commerce, diffusers of folk-lore and what not. Cannot we be a conscious
+force, making for nobler ends? Could we not, for instance, be the link
+of federation among the nations, acting everywhere in favor of Peace?
+Could we not be the centre of new sociologic movements in each country,
+as a few American Jews have been the centre of the Ethical Culture
+movement?"
+
+"You forget," said Raphael, "that, wherever the old Judaism has not been
+overlaid by the veneer of Philistine civilization, we are already
+sociological object-lessons in good fellowship, unpretentious charity,
+domestic poetry, respect for learning, disrespect for respectability.
+Our social system is a bequest from the ancient world by which the
+modern may yet benefit. The demerits you censure in English Judaism are
+all departures from the old way of living. Why should we not revive or
+strengthen that, rather than waste ourselves on impracticable novelties?
+And in your prognostications of the future of the Jews have you not
+forgotten the all-important factor of Palestine?"
+
+"No; I simply leave it out of count. You know how I have persuaded the
+Holy Land League to co-operate with the movements for directing the
+streams of the persecuted towards America. I have alleged with truth
+that Palestine is impracticable for the moment. I have not said what I
+have gradually come to think--that the salvation of Judaism is not in
+the national idea at all. That is the dream of visionaries--and young
+men," he added with a melancholy smile. "May we not dream nobler dreams
+than political independence? For, after all, political independence is
+only a means to an end, not an end in itself, as it might easily become,
+and as it appears to other nations. To be merely one among the
+nations--that is not, despite George Eliot, so satisfactory an ideal.
+The restoration to Palestine, or the acquisition of a national centre,
+may be a political solution, but it is not a spiritual idea. We must
+abandon it--it cannot be held consistently with our professed attachment
+to the countries in which our lot is cast--and we have abandoned it. We
+have fought and slain one another in the Franco-German war, and in the
+war of the North and the South. Your whole difficulty with your pauper
+immigrants arises from your effort to keep two contradictory ideals
+going at once. As Englishmen, you may have a right to shelter the exile;
+but not as Jews. Certainly, if the nations cast us out, we could, draw
+together and form a nation as of yore. But persecution, expulsion, is
+never simultaneous; our dispersal has saved Judaism, and it may yet save
+the world. For I prefer the dream that we are divinely dispersed to
+bless it, wind-sown seeds to fertilize its waste places. To be a nation
+without a fatherland, yet with a mother-tongue, Hebrew--there is the
+spiritual originality, the miracle of history. Such has been the real
+kingdom of Israel in the past--we have been 'sons of the Law' as other
+men have been sons of France, of Italy, of Germany. Such may our
+fatherland continue, with 'the higher life' substituted for 'the law'--a
+kingdom not of space, not measured by the vulgar meteyard of an
+Alexander, but a great spiritual Republic, as devoid of material form as
+Israel's God, and congruous with his conception of the Divine. And the
+conquest of this kingdom needs no violent movement--if Jews only
+practised what they preach, it would be achieved to-morrow; for all
+expressions of Judaism, even to the lowest, have common sublimities. And
+this kingdom--as it has no space, so it has no limits; it must grow till
+all mankind, are its subjects. The brotherhood of Israel will be the
+nucleus of the brotherhood of man."
+
+"It is magnificent," said Raphael; "but it is not Judaism. If the Jews
+have the future you dream of, the future will have no Jews. America is
+already decimating them with Sunday-Sabbaths and English Prayer-Books.
+Your Judaism is as eviscerated as the Christianity I found in vogue when
+I was at Oxford, which might be summed up: There is no God, but Jesus
+Christ is His Son. George Eliot was right. Men are men, not pure spirit.
+A fatherland focusses a people. Without it we are but the gypsies of
+religion. All over the world, at every prayer, every Jew turns towards
+Jerusalem. We must not give up the dream. The countries we live in can
+never be more than 'step-fatherlands' to us. Why, if your visions were
+realized, the prophecy of Genesis, already practically fulfilled, 'Thou
+shalt spread abroad to the west and to the east, and to the north and to
+the south; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the
+earth be blessed,' would be so remarkably consummated that we might
+reasonably hope to come to our own again according to the promises."
+
+"Well, well," said Strelitski, good-humoredly, "so long as you admit it
+is not within the range of practical politics now."
+
+"It is your own dream that is premature," retorted Raphael; "at any
+rate, the cosmic part of it. You are thinking of throwing open the
+citizenship of your Republic to the world. But to-day's task is to make
+its citizens by blood worthier of their privilege."
+
+"You will never do it with the old generation," said Strelitski. "My
+hope is in the new. Moses led the Jews forty years through the
+wilderness merely to eliminate the old. Give me young men, and I will
+move the world."
+
+"You will do nothing by attempting too much," said Raphael; "you will
+only dissipate your strength. For my part, I shall be content to raise
+Judaea an inch."
+
+"Go on, then," said Strelitski. "That will give me a barley-corn. But
+I've wasted too much' of your time, I fear. Good-bye. Remember your
+promise."
+
+He held out his hand. He had grown quite calm, now his decision was
+taken.
+
+"Good-bye," said Raphael, shaking it warmly. "I think I shall cable to
+America, 'Behold, Joseph the dreamer cometh.'"
+
+"Dreams are our life," replied Strelitski. "Lessing was
+right--aspiration is everything."
+
+"And yet you would rob the orthodox Jew of his dream of Jerusalem! Well,
+if you must go, don't go without your tie," said Raphael, picking it up,
+and feeling a stolid, practical Englishman in presence of this
+enthusiast. "It is dreadfully dirty, but you must wear it a little
+longer."
+
+"Only till the New Year, which is bearing down upon us," said
+Strelitski, thrusting it into his pocket. "Cost what it may, I shall no
+longer countenance the ritual and ceremonial of the season of
+Repentance. Good-bye again. If you should be writing to Miss Ansell, I
+should like her to know how much I owe her."
+
+"But I tell you I don't know her address," said Raphael, his uneasiness
+reawakening.
+
+"Surely you can write to her publishers?"
+
+And the door closed upon the Russian dreamer, leaving the practical
+Englishman dumbfounded at his never having thought of this simple
+expedient. But before he could adopt it the door was thrown open again
+by Pinchas, who had got out of the habit of knocking through Raphael
+being too polite to reprimand him. The poet, tottered in, dropped
+wearily into a chair, and buried his face in his hands, letting an
+extinct cigar-stump slip through his fingers on to the literature that
+carpeted the floor.
+
+"What is the matter?" inquired Raphael in alarm.
+
+"I am miserable--vairy miserable."
+
+"Has anything happened?"
+
+"Nothing. But I have been thinking vat have I come to after all these
+years, all these vanderings. Nothing! Vat vill be my end? Oh. I am so
+unhappy."
+
+"But you are better off than you ever were in your life. You no longer
+live amid the squalor of the Ghetto; you are clean and well dressed: you
+yourself admit that you can afford to give charity now. That looks as if
+you'd come to something--not nothing."
+
+"Yes," said the poet, looking up eagerly, "and I am famous through the
+vorld. _Metatoron's Flames_ vill shine eternally." His head drooped
+again. "I have all I vant, and you are the best man in the vorld. But I
+am the most miserable."
+
+"Nonsense! cheer up," said Raphael.
+
+"I can never cheer up any more. I vill shoot myself. I have realized the
+emptiness of life. Fame, money, love--all is Dead Sea fruit."
+
+His shoulders heaved convulsively; he was sobbing. Raphael stood by
+helpless, his respect for Pinchas as a poet and for himself as a
+practical Englishman returning. He pondered over the strange fate that
+had thrown him among three geniuses--a male idealist, a female
+pessimist, and a poet who seemed to belong to both sexes and categories.
+And yet there was not one of the three to whom he seemed able to be of
+real service. A letter brought in by the office-boy rudely snapped the
+thread of reflection. It contained three enclosures. The first was an
+epistle; the hand was the hand of Mr. Goldsmith, but the voice was the
+voice of his beautiful spouse.
+
+     "DEAR MR. LEON:
+
+     "I have perceived many symptoms lately of your growing divergency
+     from the ideas with which _The Flag of Judah_ was started. It is
+     obvious that you find yourself unable to emphasize the olden
+     features of our faith--the questions of _kosher_ meat, etc.--as
+     forcibly as our readers desire. You no doubt cherish ideals which
+     are neither practical nor within the grasp of the masses to whom we
+     appeal. I fully appreciate the delicacy that makes you
+     reluctant--in the dearth of genius and Hebrew learning--to saddle
+     me with the task of finding a substitute, but I feel it is time for
+     me to restore your peace of mind even at the expense of my own. I
+     have been thinking that, with your kind occasional supervision, it
+     might be possible for Mr. Pinchas, of whom you have always spoken
+     so highly, to undertake the duties of editorship, Mr. Sampson
+     remaining sub-editor as before. Of course I count on you to
+     continue your purely scholarly articles, and to impress upon the
+     two gentlemen who will now have direct relations with me my wish to
+     remain in the background.
+
+     "Yours sincerely,
+
+     "HENRY GOLDSMITH.
+
+     "P.S.--On second thoughts I beg to enclose a cheque for four
+     guineas, which will serve instead of a formal month's notice, and
+     will enable you to accept at once my wife's invitation, likewise
+     enclosed herewith. Your sister seconds Mrs. Goldsmith in the hope
+     that you will do so. Our tenancy of the Manse only lasts a few
+     weeks longer, for of course we return for the New Year holidays."
+
+This was the last straw. It was not so much the dismissal that staggered
+him, but to be called a genius and an idealist himself--to have his own
+orthodoxy impugned--just at this moment, was a rough shock.
+
+"Pinchas!" he said, recovering himself. Pinchas would not look up. His
+face was still hidden in his hands. "Pinchas, listen! You are appointed
+editor of the paper, instead of me. You are to edit the next number."
+
+Pinchas's head shot up like a catapult. He bounded to his feet, then
+bent down again to Raphael's coat-tail and kissed it passionately.
+
+"Ah, my benefactor, my benefactor!" he cried, in a joyous frenzy. "Now
+vill I give it to English Judaism. She is in my power. Oh, my
+benefactor!"
+
+"No, no," said Raphael, disengaging himself. "I have nothing to do with
+it."
+
+"But de paper--she is yours!" said the poet, forgetting his English in
+his excitement.
+
+"No, I am only the editor. I have been dismissed, and you are appointed
+instead of me."
+
+Pinchas dropped back into his chair like a lump of lead. He hung his
+head again and folded his arms.
+
+"Then they get not me for editor," he said moodily.
+
+"Nonsense, why not?" said Raphael, flushing.
+
+"Vat you think me?" Pinchas asked indignantly. "Do you think I have a
+stone for a heart like Gideon M.P. or your English stockbrokers and
+Rabbis? No, you shall go on being editor. They think you are not able
+enough, not orthodox enough--they vant me--but do not fear. I shall not
+accept."
+
+"But then what will become of the next number?" remonstrated Raphael,
+touched. "I must not edit it."
+
+"Vat you care? Let her die!" cried Pinchas, in gloomy complacency. "You
+have made her; vy should she survive you? It is not right another should
+valk in your shoes--least of all, _I_."
+
+"But I don't mind--I don't mind a bit," Raphael assured him. Pinchas
+shook his head obstinately. "If the paper dies, Sampson will have
+nothing to live upon," Raphael reminded him.
+
+"True, vairy true," said the poet, patently beginning to yield. "That
+alters things. Ve cannot let Sampson starve."
+
+"No, you see!" said Raphael. "So you must keep it alive."
+
+"Yes, but," said Pinchas, getting up thoughtfully, "Sampson is going off
+soon on tour vith his comic opera. He vill not need the _Flag_."
+
+"Oh, well, edit it till then."
+
+"Be it so," said the poet resignedly. "Till Sampson's comic-opera tour."
+
+"Till Sampson's comic-opera tour," repeated Raphael contentedly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+LOVE'S TEMPTATION.
+
+
+Raphael walked out of the office, a free man. Mountains of
+responsibility seemed to roll off his shoulders. His Messianic emotions
+were conscious of no laceration at the failure of this episode of his
+life; they were merged in greater. What a fool he had been to waste so
+much time, to make no effort to find the lonely girl! Surely, Esther
+must have expected him, if only as a friend, to give some sign that he
+did not share in the popular execration. Perchance she had already left
+London or the country, only to be found again by protracted knightly
+quest! He felt grateful to Providence for setting him free for her
+salvation. He made at once for the publishers' and asked for her
+address. The junior partner knew of no such person. In vain Raphael
+reminded him that they had published _Mordecai Josephs_. That was by Mr.
+Edward Armitage. Raphael accepted the convention, and demanded this
+gentleman's address instead. That, too, was refused, but all letters
+would be forwarded. Was Mr. Armitage in England? All letters would be
+forwarded. Upon that the junior partner stood, inexpugnable.
+
+Raphael went out, not uncomforted. He would write to her at once. He got
+letter-paper at the nearest restaurant and wrote, "Dear Miss Ansell."
+The rest was a blank. He had not the least idea how to renew the
+relationship after what seemed an eternity of silence. He stared
+helplessly round the mirrored walls, seeing mainly his own helpless
+stare. The placard "Smoking not permitted till 8 P.M.," gave him a
+sudden shock. He felt for his pipe, and ultimately found it stuck, half
+full of charred bird's eye, in his breast-pocket. He had apparently not
+been smoking for some hours. That completed his perturbation. He felt he
+had undergone too much that day to be in a fit state to write a
+judicious letter. He would go home and rest a bit, and write the
+letter--very diplomatically--in the evening. When he got home, he found
+to his astonishment it was Friday evening, when letter-writing is of the
+devil. Habit carried him to synagogue, where he sang the Sabbath hymn,
+"Come, my beloved, to meet the bride," with strange sweet tears and a
+complete indifference to its sacred allegorical signification. Next
+afternoon he haunted the publishers' doorstep with the brilliant idea
+that Mr. Armitage sometimes crossed it. In this hope, he did _not_ write
+the letter; his phrases, he felt, would be better for the inspiration of
+that gentleman's presence. Meanwhile he had ample time to mature them,
+to review the situation in every possible light, to figure Esther under
+the most poetical images, to see his future alternately radiant and
+sombre. Four long summer days of espionage only left him with a
+heartache, and a specialist knowledge of the sort of persons who visit
+publishers. A temptation to bribe the office-boy he resisted as
+unworthy.
+
+Not only had he not written that letter, but Mr. Henry Goldsmith's
+edict and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's invitation were still unacknowledged.
+On Thursday morning a letter from Addie indirectly reminded him both of
+his remissness to her hostess, and of the existence of _The Flag of
+Judah_. He remembered it was the day of going to press; a vision of the
+difficulties of the day flashed vividly upon his consciousness; he
+wondered if his ex-lieutenants were finding new ones. The smell of the
+machine-room was in his nostrils; it co-operated with the appeal of his
+good-nature to draw him to his successor's help. Virtue proved its own
+reward. Arriving at eleven o'clock, he found little Sampson in great
+excitement, with the fountain of melody dried up on his lips.--
+
+"Thank God!" he cried. "I thought you'd come when you heard the news."
+
+"What news?"
+
+"Gideon the member for Whitechapel's dead. Died suddenly, early this
+morning."
+
+"How shocking!" said Raphael, growing white.
+
+"Yes, isn't it?" said little Sampson. "If he had died yesterday, I
+shouldn't have minded it so much, while to-morrow would have given us a
+clear week. He hasn't even been ill," he grumbled. "I've had to send
+Pinchas to the Museum in a deuce of a hurry, to find out about his early
+life. I'm awfully upset about it, and what makes it worse is a telegram
+from Goldsmith, ordering a page obituary at least with black rules,
+besides a leader. It's simply sickening. The proofs are awful enough as
+it is--my blessed editor has been writing four columns of his
+autobiography in his most original English, and he wants to leave out
+all the news part to make room for 'em. In one way Gideon's death is a
+boon; even Pinchas'll see his stuff must be crowded out. It's frightful
+having to edit your editor. Why wasn't he made sub?"
+
+"That would have been just as trying for you," said Raphael with a
+melancholy smile. He took up a galley-proof and began to correct it. To
+his surprise he came upon his own paragraph about Strelitski's
+resignation: it caused him fresh emotion. This great spiritual crisis
+had quite slipped his memory, so egoistic are the best of us at times.
+"Please be careful that Pinchas's autobiography does not crowd that
+out," he said.
+
+Pinchas arrived late, when little Sampson was almost in despair. "It is
+all right." he shouted, waving a roll of manuscript. "I have him from
+the cradle--the stupid stockbroker, the Man-of-the-Earth, who sent me
+back my poesie, and vould not let me teach his boy Judaism. And vhile I
+had the inspiration I wrote the leader also in the Museum--it is
+here--oh, vairy beautiful! Listen to the first sentence. 'The Angel of
+Death has passed again over Judaea; he has flown off vith our visest and
+our best, but the black shadow of his ving vill long rest upon the House
+of Israel.' And the end is vordy of the beginning. He is dead: but he
+lives for ever enshrined in the noble tribute to his genius in
+_Metatoron's Flames_."
+
+Little Sampson seized the "copy" and darted with it to the
+composing-room, where Raphael was busy giving directions. By his joyful
+face Raphael saw the crisis was over. Little Sampson handed the
+manuscript to the foreman, then drawing a deep breath of relief, he
+began to hum a sprightly march.
+
+"I say, you're a nice chap!" he grumbled, cutting himself short with a
+staccato that was not in the music.
+
+"What have I done?" asked Raphael.
+
+"Done? You've got me into a nice mess. The guvnor--the new guvnor, the
+old guvnor, it seems--called the other day to fix things with me and
+Pinchas. He asked me if I was satisfied to go on at the same screw. I
+said he might make it two pound ten. 'What, more than double?' says he.
+'No, only nine shillings extra,' says I, 'and for that I'll throw in
+some foreign telegrams the late editor never cared for.' And then it
+came out that he only knew of a sovereign, and fancied I was trying it
+on."
+
+"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Raphael, in deep scarlet distress.
+
+"You must have been paying a guinea out of your own pocket!" said little
+Sampson sharply.
+
+Raphael's confusion increased. "I--I--didn't want it myself," he
+faltered. "You see, it was paid me just for form, and you really did the
+work. Which reminds me I have a cheque of yours now," he ended boldly.
+"That'll make it right for the coming month, anyhow."
+
+He hunted out Goldsmith's final cheque, and tendered it sheepishly.
+
+"Oh no, I can't take it now," said little Sampson. He folded his arms,
+and drew his cloak around him like a toga. No August sun ever divested
+little Sampson of his cloak.
+
+"Has Goldsmith agreed to your terms, then?" inquired Raphael timidly.
+
+"Oh no, not he. But--"
+
+"Then I must go on paying the difference," said Raphael decisively. "I
+am responsible to you that you get the salary you're used to; it's my
+fault that things are changed, and I must pay the penalty," He crammed
+the cheque forcibly into the pocket of the toga.
+
+"Well, if you put it in that way," said little Sampson, "I won't say I
+couldn't do with it. But only as a loan, mind."
+
+"All right," murmured Raphael.
+
+"And you'll take it back when my comic opera goes on tour. You won't
+back out?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Give us your hand on it," said little Sampson huskily. Raphael gave him
+his hand, and little Sampson swung it up and down like a baton.
+
+"Hang it all! and that man calls himself a Jew!" he thought. Aloud he
+said: "When my comic opera goes on tour."
+
+They returned to the editorial den, where they found Pinchas raging, a
+telegram in his hand.
+
+"Ah, the Man-of-the-Earth!" he cried. "All my beautiful peroration he
+spoils." He crumpled up the telegram and threw it pettishly at little
+Sampson, then greeted Raphael with effusive joy and hilarity. Little
+Sampson read the telegram. It ran as follows:
+
+"Last sentence of Gideon leader. 'It is too early yet in this moment of
+grief to speculate as to his successor in the constituency. But,
+difficult as it will be to replace him, we may find some solace in the
+thought that it will not be impossible. The spirit of the illustrious
+dead would itself rejoice to acknowledge the special qualifications of
+one whose name will at once rise to every lip as that of a brother Jew
+whose sincere piety and genuine public spirit mark him out as the one
+worthy substitute in the representation of a district embracing so many
+of our poor Jewish brethren. Is it too much to hope that he will be
+induced to stand?' Goldsmith."
+
+"That's a cut above Henry," murmured little Sampson, who knew nearly
+everything, save the facts he had to supply to the public. "He wired to
+the wife, and it's hers. Well, it saves him from writing his own puffs,
+anyhow. I suppose Goldsmith's only the signature, not intended to be the
+last word on the subject. Wants touching up, though; can't have 'spirit'
+twice within four lines. How lucky for him Leon is just off the box
+seat! That queer beggar would never have submitted to any dictation any
+more than the boss would have dared show his hand so openly."
+
+While the sub-editor mused thus, a remark dropped from the editor's
+lips, which turned Raphael whiter than the news of the death of Gideon
+had done.
+
+"Yes, and in the middle of writing I look up and see the maiden--oh,
+vairy beautiful! How she gives it to English Judaism sharp in that
+book--the stupid heads,--the Men-of-the-Earth! I could kiss her for it,
+only I have never been introduced. Gideon, he is there! Ho! ho!" he
+sniggered, with purely intellectual appreciation of the pungency.
+
+"What maiden? What are you talking about?" asked Raphael, his breath
+coming painfully.
+
+"Your maiden," said Pinchas, surveying him with affectionate
+roguishness. "The maiden that came to see you here. She was reading; I
+walk by and see it is about America."
+
+"At the British Museum?" gasped Raphael. A thousand hammers beat "Fool!"
+upon his brain. Why had he not thought of so likely a place for a
+_littérateur_?
+
+He rushed out of the office and into a hansom. He put his pipe out in
+anticipation. In seven minutes he was at the gates, just in time--heaven
+be thanked!--to meet her abstractedly descending the steps. His heart
+gave a great leap of joy. He studied the pensive little countenance for
+an instant before it became aware of him; its sadness shot a pang of
+reproach through him. Then a great light, as of wonder and joy, came
+into the dark eyes, and glorified the pale, passionate face. But it was
+only a flash that faded, leaving the cheeks more pallid than before, the
+lips quivering.
+
+"Mr. Leon!" she muttered.
+
+He raised his hat, then held out a trembling hand that closed upon hers
+with a grip that hurt her.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you again!" he said, with unconcealed enthusiasm. "I
+have been meaning to write to you for days--care of your publishers. I
+wonder if you will ever forgive me!"
+
+"You had nothing to write to me," she said, striving to speak coldly.
+
+"Oh yes, I had!" he protested.
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"Our journalistic relations are over--there were no others."
+
+"Oh!" he said reproachfully, feeling his heart grow chill. "Surely we
+were friends?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"I wanted to write and tell you how much," he began desperately, then
+stammered, and ended--"how much I liked _Mordecai Josephs_."
+
+This time the reproachful "Oh!" came from her lips. "I thought better of
+you," she said. "You didn't say that in _The Flag of Judah_; writing it
+privately to me wouldn't do me any good in any case."
+
+He felt miserable; from the crude standpoint of facts, there was no
+answer to give. He gave none.
+
+"I suppose it is all about now?" she went on, seeing him silent.
+
+"Pretty well," he answered, understanding the question. Then, with an
+indignant accent, he said, "Mrs. Goldsmith tells everybody she found it
+out; and sent you away."
+
+"I am glad she says that," she remarked enigmatically. "And, naturally,
+everybody detests me?"
+
+"Not everybody," he began threateningly.
+
+"Don't let us stand on the steps," she interrupted. "People will be
+looking at us." They moved slowly downwards, and into the hot, bustling
+streets. "Why are you not at the _Flag_? I thought this was your busy
+day." She did not add, "And so I ventured to the Museum, knowing there
+was no chance of your turning up;" but such was the fact.
+
+"I am not the editor any longer, he replied.
+
+"Not?" She almost came to a stop. "So much for my critical faculty; I
+could have sworn to your hand in every number."
+
+"Your critical faculty equals your creative," he began.
+
+"Journalism has taught you sarcasm."
+
+"No, no! please do not be so unkind. I spoke in earnestness. I have only
+just been dismissed."
+
+"Dismissed!" she echoed incredulously. "I thought the _Flag_ was your
+own?"
+
+He grew troubled. "I bought it--but for another. We--he--has dispensed
+with my services."
+
+"Oh, how shameful!"
+
+The latent sympathy of her indignation cheered him again.
+
+"I am not sorry," he said. "I'm afraid I really was outgrowing its
+original platform."
+
+"What?" she asked, with a note of mockery in her voice. "You have left
+off being orthodox?"
+
+"I don't say that, it seems to me, rather, that I have come to
+understand I never was orthodox in the sense that the orthodox
+understand the word. I had never come into contact with them before. I
+never realized how unfair orthodox writers are to Judaism. But I do not
+abate one word of what I have ever said or written, except, of course,
+on questions of scholarship, which are always open to revision."
+
+"But what is to become of me--of my conversion?" she said, with mock
+piteousness.
+
+"You need no conversion!" he answered passionately, abandoning without a
+twinge all those criteria of Judaism for which he had fought with
+Strelitski. "You are a Jewess not only in blood, but in spirit. Deny it
+as you may, you have all the Jewish ideals,--they are implied in your
+attack on our society."
+
+She shook her head obstinately.
+
+"You read all that into me, as you read your modern thought into the old
+naďve books."
+
+"I read what is in you. Your soul is in the right, whatever your brain
+says." He went on, almost to echo Strelitski's words, "Selfishness is
+the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real
+religion. In the language of our Hillel, this is the text of the Law;
+the rest is commentary. You and I are at one in believing that, despite
+all and after all, the world turns on righteousness, on justice"--his
+voice became a whisper--"on love."
+
+The old thrill went through her, as when first they met. Once again the
+universe seemed bathed in holy joy. But she shook off the spell almost
+angrily. Her face was definitely set towards the life of the New World.
+Why should he disturb her anew?
+
+"Ah, well, I'm glad you allow me a little goodness," she said
+sarcastically. "It is quite evident how you have drifted from orthodoxy.
+Strange result of _The Flag of Judah_! Started to convert me, it has
+ended by alienating you--its editor--from the true faith. Oh, the irony
+of circumstance! But don't look so glum. It has fulfilled its mission
+all the same; it _has_ converted me--I will confess it to you." Her face
+grew grave, her tones earnest "So I haven't an atom of sympathy with
+your broader attitude. I am full of longing for the old impossible
+Judaism."
+
+His face took on a look of anxious solicitude. He was uncertain whether
+she spoke ironically or seriously. Only one thing was certain--that she
+was slipping from him again. She seemed so complex, paradoxical,
+elusive--and yet growing every moment more dear and desirable.
+
+"Where are you living?" he asked abruptly. "It doesn't matter where,"
+she answered. "I sail for America in three weeks."
+
+The world seemed suddenly empty. It was hopeless, then--she was almost
+in his grasp, yet he could not hold her. Some greater force was
+sweeping her into strange alien solitudes. A storm of protest raged in
+his heart--all he had meant to say to her rose to his lips, but he only
+said, "Must you go?"
+
+"I must. My little sister marries. I have timed my visit so as to arrive
+just for the wedding--like a fairy godmother." She smiled wistfully.
+
+"Then you will live with your people, I suppose?"
+
+"I suppose so. I dare say I shall become quite good again. Ah, your new
+Judaisms will never appeal like the old, with all its imperfections.
+They will never keep the race together through shine and shade as that
+did. They do but stave off the inevitable dissolution. It is
+beautiful--that old childlike faith in the pillar of cloud by day and
+the pillar of fire by night, that patient waiting through the centuries
+for the Messiah who even to you, I dare say, is a mere symbol." Again
+the wistful look lit up her eyes. "That's what you rich people will
+never understand--it doesn't seem to go with dinners in seven courses,
+somehow."
+
+"Oh, but I do understand," he protested. "It's what I told Strelitski,
+who is all for intellect in religion. He is going to America, too," he
+said, with a sudden pang of jealous apprehension.
+
+"On a holiday?"
+
+"No; he is going to resign his ministry here."
+
+"What! Has he got a better offer from America?"
+
+"Still so cruel to him," he said reprovingly. "He is resigning for
+conscience' sake."
+
+"After all these years?" she queried sarcastically.
+
+"Miss Ansell, you wrong him! He was not happy in his position. You were
+right so far. But he cannot endure his shackles any longer. And it is
+you who have inspired him to break them."
+
+"I?" she exclaimed, startled.
+
+"Yes, I told him why you had left Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's--it seemed to
+act like an electrical stimulus. Then and there he made me write a
+paragraph announcing his resignation. It will appear to-morrow."
+
+Esther's eyes filled with soft light. She walked on in silence; then,
+noticing she had automatically walked too much in the direction of her
+place of concealment, she came to an abrupt stop.
+
+"We must part here," she said. "If I ever come across my old shepherd in
+America, I will be nicer to him. It is really quite heroic of him--you
+must have exaggerated my own petty sacrifice alarmingly if it really
+supplied him with inspiration. What is he going to do in America?"
+
+"To preach a universal Judaism. He is a born idealist; his ideas have
+always such a magnificent sweep. Years ago he wanted all the Jews to
+return to Palestine."
+
+Esther smiled faintly, not at Strelitski, but at Raphael's calling
+another man an idealist. She had never yet done justice to the strain of
+common-sense that saved him from being a great man; he and the new
+Strelitski were of one breed to her.
+
+"He will make Jews no happier and Christians no wiser," she said
+sceptically. "The great populations will sweep on, as little affected by
+the Jews as this crowd by you and me. The world will not go back on
+itself--rather will Christianity transform itself and take the credit.
+We are such a handful of outsiders. Judaism--old or new--is a forlorn
+hope."
+
+"The forlorn hope will yet save the world," he answered quietly, "but it
+has first to be saved to the world."
+
+"Be happy in your hope," she said gently. "Good-bye." She held out her
+little hand. He had no option but to take it.
+
+"But we are not going to part like this," he said desperately. "I shall
+see you again before you go to America?"
+
+"No, why should you?"
+
+"Because I love you," rose to his lips. But the avowal seemed too plump.
+He prevaricated by retorting, "Why should I not?"
+
+"Because I fear you," was in her heart, but nothing rose to her lips. He
+looked into her eyes to read an answer there, but she dropped them. He
+saw his opportunity.
+
+"Why should I not?" he repeated.
+
+"Your time is valuable," she said faintly.
+
+"I could not spend it better than with you," he answered boldly.
+
+"Please don't insist," she said in distress.
+
+"But I shall; I am your friend. So far as I know, you are lonely. If you
+are bent upon going away, why deny me the pleasure of the society I am
+about to lose for ever?"
+
+"Oh, how can you call it a pleasure--such poor melancholy company as I
+am!"
+
+"Such poor melancholy company that I came expressly to seek it, for some
+one told me you were at the Museum. Such poor melancholy company that if
+I am robbed of it life will be a blank."
+
+He had not let go her hand; his tones were low and passionate; the
+heedless traffic of the sultry London street was all about them.
+
+Esther trembled from head to foot; she could not look at him. There was
+no mistaking his meaning now; her breast was a whirl of delicious pain.
+
+But in proportion as the happiness at her beck and call dazzled her, so
+she recoiled from it. Bent on self-effacement, attuned to the peace of
+despair, she almost resented the solicitation to be happy; she had
+suffered so much that she had grown to think suffering her natural
+element, out of which she could not breathe; she was almost in love with
+misery. And in so sad a world was there not something ignoble about
+happiness, a selfish aloofness from the life of humanity? And,
+illogically blent with this questioning, and strengthening her recoil,
+was an obstinate conviction that there could never be happiness for her,
+a being of ignominious birth, without roots in life, futile, shadowy,
+out of relation to the tangible solidities of ordinary existence. To
+offer her a warm fireside seemed to be to tempt her to be false to
+something--she knew not what. Perhaps it was because the warm fireside
+was in the circle she had quitted, and her heart was yet bitter against
+it, finding no palliative even in the thought of a triumphant return.
+She did not belong to it; she was not of Raphael's world. But she felt
+grateful to the point of tears for his incomprehensible love for a
+plain, penniless, low-born girl. Surely, it was only his chivalry. Other
+men had not found her attractive. Sidney had not; Levi only fancied
+himself in love. And yet beneath all her humility was a sense of being
+loved for the best in her, for the hidden qualities Raphael alone had
+the insight to divine. She could never think so meanly of herself or of
+humanity again. He had helped and strengthened her for her lonely
+future; the remembrance of him would always be an inspiration, and a
+reminder of the nobler side of human nature.
+
+All this contradictory medley of thought and feeling occupied but a few
+seconds of consciousness. She answered him without any perceptible
+pause, lightly enough.
+
+"Really, Mr. Leon, I don't expect _you_ to say such things. Why should
+we be so conventional, you and I? How can your life be a blank, with
+Judaism yet to be saved?"
+
+"Who am I to save Judaism? I want to save you," he said passionately.
+
+"What a descent! For heaven's sake, stick to your earlier ambition!"
+
+"No, the two are one to me. Somehow you seem to stand for Judaism, too.
+I cannot disentwine my hopes; I have come to conceive your life as an
+allegory of Judaism, the offspring of a great and tragic past with the
+germs of a rich blossoming, yet wasting with an inward canker, I have
+grown to think of its future as somehow bound up with yours. I want to
+see your eyes laughing, the shadows lifted from your brow; I want to see
+you face life courageously, not in passionate revolt nor in passionless
+despair, but in faith and hope and the joy that springs from them. I
+want you to seek peace, not in a despairing surrender of the intellect
+to the faith of childhood, but in that faith intellectually justified.
+And while I want to help you, and to fill your life with the sunshine it
+needs, I want you to help me, to inspire me when I falter, to complete
+my life, to make me happier than I had ever dreamed. Be my wife, Esther.
+Let me save you from yourself."
+
+"Let me save you from yourself, Raphael. Is it wise to wed with the gray
+spirit of the Ghetto that doubts itself?"
+
+And like a spirit she glided from his grasp and disappeared in the
+crowd.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE PRODIGAL SON.
+
+
+The New Year dawned upon the Ghetto, heralded by a month of special
+matins and the long-sustained note of the ram's horn. It was in the
+midst of the Ten Days of Repentance which find their awful climax in the
+Day of Atonement that a strange letter for Hannah came to startle the
+breakfast-table at Reb Shemuel's. Hannah read it with growing pallor and
+perturbation.
+
+"What is the matter, my dear?" asked the Reb, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, father," she cried, "read this! Bad news of Levi."
+
+A spasm of pain contorted the old man's furrowed countenance.
+
+"Mention not his name!" he said harshly "He is dead."
+
+"He may be by now!" Hannah exclaimed agitatedly. "You were right,
+Esther. He did join a strolling company, and now he is laid up with
+typhoid in the hospital in Stockbridge. One of his friends writes to
+tell us. He must have caught it in one of those insanitary
+dressing-rooms we were reading about."
+
+Esther trembled all over. The scene in the garret when the fatal
+telegram came announcing Benjamin's illness had never faded from her
+mind. She had an instant conviction that it was all over with poor Levi.
+
+"My poor lamb!" cried the Rebbitzin, the coffee-cup dropping from her
+nerveless hand.
+
+"Simcha," said Reb Shemuel sternly, "calm thyself; we have no son to
+lose. The Holy One--blessed be He!--hath taken him from us. The Lord
+giveth, and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
+
+Hannah rose. Her face was white and resolute. She moved towards the
+door.
+
+"Whither goest thou?" inquired her father in German.
+
+"I am going to my room, to put on my hat and jacket," replied Hannah
+quietly.
+
+"Whither goest thou?" repeated Reb Shemuel.
+
+"To Stockbridge. Mother, you and I must go at once."
+
+The Reb sprang to his feet. His brow was dark; his eyes gleamed with
+anger and pain.
+
+"Sit down and finish thy breakfast," he said.
+
+"How can I eat? Levi is dying," said Hannah, in low, firm tones. "Will
+you come, mother, or must I go alone?"
+
+The Rebbitzin began to wring her hands and weep. Esther stole gently to
+Hannah's side and pressed the poor girl's hand. "You and I will go," her
+clasp said.
+
+"Hannah!" said Reb Shemuel. "What madness is this? Dost thou think thy
+mother will obey thee rather than her husband?"
+
+"Levi is dying. It is our duty to go to him." Hannah's gentle face was
+rigid. But there was exaltation rather than defiance in the eyes.
+
+"It is not the duty of women," said Reb Shemuel harshly. "I will go to
+Stockbridge. If he dies (God have mercy upon his soul!) I will see that
+he is buried among his own people. Thou knowest women go not to
+funerals." He reseated himself at the table, pushing aside his scarcely
+touched meal, and began saying the grace. Dominated by his will and by
+old habit, the three trembling women remained in reverential silence.
+
+"The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His
+people with Peace," concluded the old man in unfaltering accents. He
+rose from the table and strode to the door, stern and erect "Thou wilt
+remain here, Hannah, and thou, Simcha," he said. In the passage his
+shoulders relaxed their stiffness, so that the long snow-white beard
+drooped upon his breast. The three women looked at one another.
+
+"Mother," said Hannah, passionately breaking the silence, "are you going
+to stay here while Levi is dying in a strange town?"
+
+"My husband wills it," said the Rebbitzin, sobbing. "Levi is a sinner in
+Israel. Thy father will not see him; he will not go to him till he is
+dead."
+
+"Oh yes, surely he will," said Esther. "But be comforted. Levi is young
+and strong. Let us hope he will pull through."
+
+"No, no!" moaned the Rebbitzin. "He will die, and my husband will but
+read the psalms at his death-bed. He will not forgive him; he will not
+speak to him of his mother and sister."
+
+"Let _me_ go. I will give him your messages," said Esther.
+
+"No, no," interrupted Hannah. "What are you to him? Why should you risk
+infection for our sakes?"
+
+"Go, Hannah, but secretly," said the Rebbitzin in a wailing whisper.
+"Let not thy father see thee till thou arrive; then he will not send
+thee back. Tell Levi that I--oh, my poor child, my poor lamb!" Sobs
+overpowered her speech.
+
+"No, mother," said Hannah quietly, "thou and I shall go. I will tell
+father we are accompanying him."
+
+She left the room, while the Rebbitzin fell weeping and terrified into a
+chair, and Esther vainly endeavored to soothe her. The Reb was changing
+his coat when Hannah knocked at the door and called "Father."
+
+"Speak not to me, Hannah," answered the Reb, roughly. "It is useless."
+Then, as if repentant of his tone, he threw open the door, and passed
+his great trembling hand lovingly over her hair. "Thou art a good
+daughter," he said tenderly. "Forget that thou hast had a brother."
+
+"But how can I forget?" she answered him in his own idiom. "Why should I
+forget? What hath he done?"
+
+He ceased to smooth her hair--his voice grew sad and stern.
+
+"He hath profaned the Name. He hath lived like a heathen; he dieth like
+a heathen now. His blasphemy was a by-word in the congregation. I alone
+knew it not till last Passover. He hath brought down my gray hairs in
+sorrow to the grave."
+
+"Yes, father, I know," said Hannah, more gently. "But he is not all to
+blame!"
+
+"Thou meanest that I am not guiltless; that I should have kept him at my
+side?" said the Reb, his voice faltering a little.
+
+"No, father, not that! Levi could not always be a baby. He had to walk
+alone some day."
+
+"Yes, and did I not teach him to walk alone?" asked the Reb eagerly. "My
+God, thou canst not say I did not teach him Thy Law, day and night." He
+uplifted his eyes in anguished appeal.
+
+"Yes, but he is not all to blame," she repeated. "Thy teaching did not
+reach his soul; he is of another generation, the air is different, his
+life was cast amid conditions for which the Law doth not allow."
+
+"Hannah!" Reb Shemuel's accents became harsh and chiding again. "What
+sayest thou? The Law of Moses is eternal; it will never be changed. Levi
+knew God's commandments, but he followed the desire of his own heart and
+his own eyes. If God's Word were obeyed, he should have been stoned with
+stones. But Heaven itself hath punished him; he will die, for it is
+ordained that whosoever is stubborn and disobedient, that soul shall
+surely be cut off from among his people. 'Keep My commandments, that thy
+days may be long in the land,' God Himself hath said it. Is it not
+written: 'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer
+thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart and
+in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things the
+Lord will bring thee into judgment'? But thou, my Hannah," he started
+caressing her hair again, "art a good Jewish maiden. Between Levi and
+thee there is naught in common. His touch would profane thee. Sadden not
+thy innocent eyes with the sight of his end. Think of him as one who
+died in boyhood. My God! why didst thou not take him then?" He turned
+away, stifling a sob.
+
+"Father," she put her hand on his shoulder, "we will go with thee to
+Stockbridge--I and the mother."
+
+He faced her again, stern and rigid.
+
+"Cease thy entreaties. I will go alone."
+
+"No, we will all go."
+
+"Hannah," he said, his voice tremulous with pain and astonishment, "dost
+thou, too, set light by thy father?"
+
+"Yes," she cried, and there was no answering tremor in her voice. "Now
+thou knowest! I am not a good Jewish maiden. Levi and I are brother and
+sister. His touch profane me, forsooth!" She laughed bitterly.
+
+"Thou wilt take this journey though I forbid thee?" he cried in acrid
+accents, still mingled with surprise.
+
+"Yes; would I had taken the journey thou wouldst have forbidden ten
+years ago!"
+
+"What journey? thou talkest madness."
+
+"I talk truth. Thou hast forgotten David Brandon; I have not. Ten years
+last Passover I arranged to fly with him, to marry him, in defiance of
+the Law and thee."
+
+A new pallor overspread the Reb's countenance, already ashen. He
+trembled and almost fell backwards.
+
+"But thou didst not?" he whispered hoarsely.
+
+"I did not, I know not why," she said sullenly; "else thou wouldst never
+have seen me again. It may be I respected thy religion, although thou
+didst not dream what was in my mind. But thy religion shall not keep me
+from this journey."
+
+The Reb had hidden his face in his hands. His lips were moving; was it
+in grateful prayer, in self-reproach, or merely in nervous trembling?
+Hannah never knew. Presently the Reb's arms dropped, great tears rolled
+down towards the white beard. When he spoke, his tones were hushed as
+with awe.
+
+"This man--tell me, my daughter, thou lovest him still?"
+
+She shrugged her shoulders with a gesture of reckless despair.
+
+"What does it matter? My life is but a shadow."
+
+The Reb took her to his breast, though she remained stony to his touch,
+and laid his wet face against her burning cheeks.
+
+"My child, my poor Hannah; I thought God had sent thee peace ten years
+ago; that He had rewarded thee for thy obedience to His Law."
+
+She drew her face away from his.
+
+"It was not His Law; it was a miserable juggling with texts. Thou alone
+interpretedst God's law thus. No one knew of the matter."
+
+He could not argue; the breast against which he held her was shaken by a
+tempest of grief, which swept away all save human remorse, human love.
+
+"My daughter," he sobbed, "I have ruined thy life!" After an agonized
+pause, he said: "Tell me, Hannah, is there nothing I can do to make
+atonement to thee?"
+
+"Only one thing, father," she articulated chokingly; "forgive Levi."
+
+There was a moment of solemn silence. Then the Reb spake.
+
+"Tell thy mother to put on her things and take what she needs for the
+journey. Perchance we may be away for days."
+
+They mingled their tears in sweet reconciliation. Presently, the Reb
+said:
+
+"Go now to thy mother, and see also that the boy's room be made ready as
+of old. Perchance God will hear my prayer, and he will yet be restored
+to us."
+
+A new peace fell upon Hannah's soul. "My sacrifice was not in vain after
+all," she thought, with a throb of happiness that was almost exultation.
+
+But Levi never came back. The news of his death arrived on the eve of
+_Yom Kippur_, the Day of Atonement, in a letter to Esther who had been
+left in charge of the house.
+
+"He died quietly at the end," Hannah wrote, "happy in the consciousness
+of father's forgiveness, and leaning trustfully upon his interposition
+with Heaven; but he had delirious moments, during which he raved
+painfully. The poor boy was in great fear of death, moaning prayers that
+he might be spared till after _Yom Kippur_, when he would be cleansed of
+sin, and babbling about serpents that would twine themselves round his
+arm and brow, like the phylacteries he had not worn. He made father
+repeat his 'Verse' to him over and over again, so that he might remember
+his name when the angel of the grave asked it; and borrowed father's
+phylacteries, the headpiece of which was much too large for him with his
+shaven crown. When he had them on, and the _Talith_ round him, he grew
+easier, and began murmuring the death-bed prayers with father. One of
+them runs: 'O may my death be an atonement for all the sins, iniquities
+and transgressions of which I have been guilty against Thee!' I trust it
+may be so indeed. It seems so hard for a young man full of life and high
+spirits to be cut down, while the wretched are left alive. Your name was
+often on his lips. I was glad to learn he thought so much of you. 'Be
+sure to give Esther my love,' he said almost with his last breath, 'and
+ask her to forgive me.' I know not if you have anything to forgive, or
+whether this was delirium. He looks quite calm now--but oh! so worn.
+They have closed the eyes. The beard he shocked father so by shaving
+off, has sprouted scrubbily during his illness. On the dead face it
+seems a mockery, like the _Talith_ and phylacteries that have not been
+removed."
+
+A phrase of Leonard James vibrated in Esther's ears: "If the chappies
+could see me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+HOPES AND DREAMS.
+
+
+The morning of the Great White Fast broke bleak and gray. Esther, alone
+in the house save for the servant, wandered from room to room in dull
+misery. The day before had been almost a feast-day in the
+Ghetto--everybody providing for the morrow. Esther had scarcely eaten
+anything. Nevertheless she was fasting, and would fast for over
+twenty-four hours, till the night fell. She knew not why. Her record was
+unbroken, and instinct resented a breach now. She had always
+fasted--even the Henry Goldsmiths fasted, and greater than the Henry
+Goldsmiths! Q.C.'s fasted, and peers, and prize-fighters and actors. And
+yet Esther, like many far more pious persons, did not think of her sins
+for a moment. She thought of everything but them--of the bereaved family
+in that strange provincial town; of her own family in that strange
+distant land. Well, she would soon be with them now. Her passage was
+booked--a steerage passage it was, not because she could not afford
+cabin fare, but from her morbid impulse to identify herself with
+poverty. The same impulse led her to choose a vessel in which a party of
+Jewish pauper immigrants was being shipped farther West. She thought
+also of Dutch Debby, with whom she had spent the previous evening; and
+of Raphael Leon, who had sent her, _via_ the publishers, a letter which
+she could not trust herself to answer cruelly, and which she deemed it
+most prudent to leave unanswered. Uncertain of her powers of resistance,
+she scarcely ventured outside the house for fear of his stumbling across
+her. Happily, every day diminished the chance of her whereabouts
+leaking out through some unsuspected channel.
+
+About noon, her restlessness carried her into the streets. There was a
+festal solemnity about the air. Women and children, not at synagogue,
+showed themselves at the doors, pranked in their best. Indifferently
+pious young men sought relief from the ennui of the day-long service in
+lounging about for a breath of fresh air; some even strolled towards the
+Strand, and turned into the National Gallery, satisfied to reappear for
+the twilight service. On all sides came the fervent roar of prayer which
+indicated a synagogue or a _Chevrah_, the number of places of worship
+having been indefinitely increased to accommodate those who made their
+appearance for this occasion only.
+
+Everywhere friends and neighbors were asking one another how they were
+bearing the fast, exhibiting their white tongues and generally comparing
+symptoms, the physical aspects of the Day of Atonement more or less
+completely diverting attention from the spiritual. Smelling-salts passed
+from hand to hand, and men explained to one another that, but for the
+deprivation of their cigars, they could endure _Yom Kippur_ with
+complacency.
+
+Esther passed the Ghetto school, within which free services were going
+on even in the playground, poor Russians and Poles, fanatically
+observant, fore-gathering with lax fishmongers and welshers; and without
+which hulking young men hovered uneasily, feeling too out of tune with
+religion to go in, too conscious of the terrors of the day to stay
+entirely away. From the interior came from sunrise to nightfall a
+throbbing thunder of supplication, now pealing in passionate outcry, now
+subsiding to a low rumble. The sounds of prayer that pervaded the
+Ghetto, and burst upon her at every turn, wrought upon Esther strangely;
+all her soul went out in sympathy with these yearning outbursts; she
+stopped every now and then to listen, as in those far-off days when the
+Sons of the Covenant drew her with their melancholy cadences.
+
+At last, moved by an irresistible instinct, she crossed the threshold of
+a large _Chevrah_ she had known in her girlhood, mounted the stairs and
+entered the female compartment without hostile challenge. The reek of
+many breaths and candles nearly drove her back, but she pressed forwards
+towards a remembered window, through a crowd of be-wigged women, shaking
+their bodies fervently to and fro.
+
+This room had no connection with the men's; it was simply the room above
+part of theirs, and the declamations of the unseen cantor came but
+faintly through the flooring, though the clamor of the general masculine
+chorus kept the pious _au courant_ with their husbands. When weather or
+the whims of the more important ladies permitted, the window at the end
+was opened; it gave upon a little balcony, below which the men's chamber
+projected considerably, having been built out into the back yard. When
+this window was opened simultaneously with the skylight in the men's
+synagogue, the fervid roulades of the cantor were as audible to the
+women as to their masters.
+
+Esther had always affected the balcony: there the air was comparatively
+fresh, and on fine days there was a glimpse of blue sky, and a
+perspective of sunny red tiles, where brown birds fluttered and cats
+lounged and little episodes arose to temper the tedium of endless
+invocation: and farther off there was a back view of a nunnery, with
+visions of placid black-hooded faces at windows; and from the distance
+came a pleasant drone of monosyllabic spelling from fresh young voices,
+to relieve the ear from the monotony of long stretches of meaningless
+mumbling.
+
+Here, lost in a sweet melancholy, Esther dreamed away the long gray day,
+only vaguely conscious of the stages of the service--morning dovetailing
+into afternoon service, and afternoon into evening; of the heavy-jowled
+woman behind her reciting a jargon-version of the Atonement liturgy to a
+devout coterie; of the prostrations full-length on the floor, and the
+series of impassioned sermons; of the interminably rhyming poems, and
+the acrostics with their recurring burdens shouted in devotional frenzy,
+voice rising above voice as in emulation, with special staccato phrases
+flung heavenwards; of the wailing confessions of communal sin, with
+their accompaniment of sobs and tears and howls and grimaces and
+clenchings of palms and beatings of the breast. She was lapped in a
+great ocean of sound that broke upon her consciousness like the waves
+upon a beach, now with a cooing murmur, now with a majestic crash,
+followed by a long receding moan. She lost herself in the roar, in its
+barren sensuousness, while the leaden sky grew duskier and the twilight
+crept on, and the awful hour drew nigh when God would seal what He had
+written, and the annual scrolls of destiny would be closed, immutable.
+She saw them looming mystically through the skylight, the swaying forms
+below, in their white grave-clothes, oscillating weirdly backwards and
+forwards, bowed as by a mighty wind.
+
+Suddenly there fell a vast silence; even from without no sound came to
+break the awful stillness. It was as if all creation paused to hear a
+pregnant word.
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!" sang the cantor
+frenziedly.
+
+And all the ghostly congregation answered with a great cry, closing
+their eyes and rocking frantically to and fro:
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!"
+
+They seemed like a great army of the sheeted dead risen to testify to
+the Unity. The magnetic tremor that ran through the synagogue thrilled
+the lonely girl to the core; once again her dead self woke, her dead
+ancestors that would not be shaken off lived and moved in her. She was
+sucked up into the great wave of passionate faith, and from her lips
+came, in rapturous surrender to an overmastering impulse, the
+half-hysterical protestation:
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!"
+
+And then in the brief instant while the congregation, with
+ever-ascending rhapsody, blessed God till the climax came with the
+sevenfold declaration, "the Lord, He is God," the whole history of her
+strange, unhappy race flashed through her mind in a whirl of resistless
+emotion. She was overwhelmed by the thought of its sons in every corner
+of the earth proclaiming to the sombre twilight sky the belief for which
+its generations had lived and died--the Jews of Russia sobbing it forth
+in their pale of enclosure, the Jews of Morocco in their _mellah_, and
+of South Africa in their tents by the diamond mines: the Jews of the
+New World in great free cities, in Canadian backwoods, in South American
+savannahs: the Australian Jews on the sheep-farms and the gold-fields
+and in the mushroom cities; the Jews of Asia in their reeking quarters
+begirt by barbarian populations. The shadow of a large mysterious
+destiny seemed to hang over these poor superstitious zealots, whose
+lives she knew so well in all their everyday prose, and to invest the
+unconscious shunning sons of the Ghetto with something of tragic
+grandeur. The gray dusk palpitated with floating shapes of prophets and
+martyrs, scholars and sages and poets, full of a yearning love and pity,
+lifting hands of benediction. By what great high-roads and queer by-ways
+of history had they travelled hither, these wandering Jews, "sated with
+contempt," these shrewd eager fanatics, these sensual ascetics, these
+human paradoxes, adaptive to every environment, energizing in every
+field of activity, omnipresent like sonic great natural force,
+indestructible and almost inconvertible, surviving--with the incurable
+optimism that overlay all their poetic sadness--Babylon and Carthage,
+Greece and Rome; involuntarily financing the Crusades, outliving the
+Inquisition, illusive of all baits, unshaken by all persecutions--at
+once the greatest and meanest of races? Had the Jew come so far only to
+break down at last, sinking in morasses of modern doubt, and
+irresistibly dragging down with him the Christian and the Moslem; or was
+he yet fated to outlast them both, in continuous testimony to a hand
+moulding incomprehensibly the life of humanity? Would Israel develop
+into the sacred phalanx, the nobler brotherhood that Raphael Leon had
+dreamed of, or would the race that had first proclaimed--through Moses
+for the ancient world, through Spinoza for the modern--
+
+    "One God, one Law, one Element,"
+
+become, in the larger, wilder dream of the Russian _idealist_, the main
+factor in
+
+            "One far-off divine event
+    To which the whole Creation moves"?
+
+The roar dwindled to a solemn silence, as though in answer to her
+questionings. Then the ram's horn shrilled--a stern long-drawn-out note,
+that rose at last into a mighty peal of sacred jubilation. The Atonement
+was complete.
+
+The crowd bore Esther downstairs and into the blank indifferent street.
+But the long exhausting fast, the fetid atmosphere, the strain upon her
+emotions, had overtaxed her beyond endurance. Up to now the frenzy of
+the service had sustained her, but as she stepped across the threshold
+on to the pavement she staggered and fell. One of the men pouring out
+from the lower synagogue caught her in his arms. It was Strelitski.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A group of three stood on the saloon deck of an outward-bound steamer.
+Raphael Leon was bidding farewell to the man he reverenced without
+discipleship, and the woman he loved without blindness.
+
+"Look!" he said, pointing compassionately to the wretched throng of
+Jewish emigrants huddling on the lower deck and scattered about the
+gangway amid jostling sailors and stevedores and bales and coils of
+rope; the men in peaked or fur caps, the women with shawls and babies,
+some gazing upwards with lacklustre eyes, the majority brooding,
+despondent, apathetic. "How could either of you have borne the sights
+and smells of the steerage? You are a pair of visionaries. You could not
+have breathed a day in that society. Look!"
+
+Strelitski looked at Esther instead; perhaps he was thinking he could
+have breathed anywhere in her society--nay, breathed even more freely in
+the steerage than in the cabin if he had sailed away without telling
+Raphael that he had found her.
+
+"You forget a common impulse took us into such society on the Day of
+Atonement," he answered after a moment. "You forget we are both Children
+of the Ghetto."
+
+"I can never forget that," said Raphael fervently, "else Esther would at
+this moment be lost amid the human flotsam and jetsam below, sailing
+away without you to protect her, without me to look forward to her
+return, without Addie's bouquet to assure her of a sister's love."
+
+He took Esther's little hand once more It lingered confidingly in his
+own. There was no ring of betrothal upon it, nor would be, till Rachel
+Ansell in America, and Addie Leon in England, should have passed under
+the wedding canopy, and Raphael, whose breast pocket was bulging with a
+new meerschaum too sacred to smoke, should startle the West End with his
+eccentric choice, and confirm its impression of his insanity. The trio
+had said and resaid all they had to tell one another, all the reminders
+and the recommendations. They stood without speaking now, wrapped in
+that loving silence which is sweeter than speech.
+
+The sun, which, had been shining intermittently, flooded the serried
+shipping with a burst of golden light, that coaxed the turbid waves to
+brightness, and cheered the wan emigrants, and made little children leap
+joyously in their mothers' arms. The knell of parting sounded insistent.
+
+"Your allegory seems turning in your favor, Raphael," said Esther, with
+a sudden memory.
+
+The pensive smile that made her face beautiful lit up the dark eyes.
+
+"What allegory is that of Raphael's?" said Strelitski, reflecting her
+smile on his graver visage. "The long one in his prize poem?"
+
+"No," said Raphael, catching the contagious smile. "It is our little
+secret."
+
+Strelitski turned suddenly to look at the emigrants. The smile faded
+from his quivering mouth.
+
+The last moment had come. Raphael stooped down towards the gentle
+softly-flushing face, which was raised unhesitatingly to meet his, and
+their lips met in a first kiss, diviner than it is given most mortals to
+know--a kiss, sad and sweet, troth and parting in one: _Ave et
+vale_--hail and farewell."
+
+"Good-bye, Strelitski," said Raphael huskily. "Success to your dreams."
+
+The idealist turned round with a start. His face was bright and
+resolute; the black curl streamed buoyantly on the breeze.
+
+"Good-bye," he responded, with a giant's grip of the hand. "Success to
+your hopes."
+
+Raphael darted away with his long stride. The sun was still bright, but
+for a moment everything seemed chill and dim to Esther Ansell's vision.
+With a sudden fit of nervous foreboding she stretched out her arms
+towards the vanishing figure of her lover. But she saw him once again in
+the tender, waving his handkerchief towards the throbbing vessel that
+glided with its freight of hopes and dreams across the great waters
+towards the New World.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+
+_H._  = Hebrew.
+_G._  = German.
+_Gk._ = Greek.
+_R._  = Russian.
+_S._  = Spanish.
+_c._  = corrupt.
+
+
+
+Achi-nebbich (_etymology obscure_),
+  Alas, poor thing(s).
+
+Afikuman (_Hebraicized Gk_.),
+  portion of a Passover cake taken at the end of Sedermeal (_q.v._).
+
+Agadah (_H._),
+  narrative portion of the Talmud; Passover-eve ritual.
+
+Amidah (_H._),
+  series of Benedictions said standing.
+
+Arbah Kanfus (_H._) lit.,
+  four corners; a garment consisting of two shoulder straps supporting
+  a front and back piece with fringes at each corner (Numbers xv.
+  37-41).
+
+Ashkenazim (_H._)
+  German; hence, also, Russian and Polish Jews.
+
+
+
+Badchan (_H._),
+  professional jester.
+
+Bensh (?),
+  say grace.
+
+Beth Din (_H._),
+  court of judgment.
+
+Beth Medrash (_H._),
+  college.
+
+Bube (_G._),
+  grandmother.
+
+
+
+Cabbalah (_H._), Cabbulah (_c._), lit.,
+  tradition; mystic lore.
+
+Calloh (_H._),
+  bride; _fiancée_.
+
+Chazan (_H._),
+  cantor.
+
+Chevra (_H._),
+  small congregation; a society.
+
+Chine (_H._),
+  playful humor; humorous anecdote.
+
+Chocham (_H._),
+  wise man.
+
+Chomutz (_H._),
+  leaven.
+
+Chosan (_H._),
+  bridegroom; _fiancé_.
+
+Chuppah (_H._),
+  wedding canopy.
+
+Cohen (_H._),
+  priest.
+
+
+
+Dayan (_H._),
+  rabbi who renders decisions.
+
+Din (_H._),
+  law, decision.
+
+Droshes (_H._),
+  sermons.
+
+
+
+Epikouros (_H. from Gk_.),
+  heretic, scoffer; Epicurean.
+
+
+
+Froom (_c. G._),
+  pious.
+
+
+
+Gelt (_c.G._),
+  money.
+
+Gematriyah (_Hebraicised Gk._),
+  mystic, numerical interpretation of Scripture.
+
+Gomorah (_H._),
+  part of the Talmud.
+
+Gonof (_H._),
+  thief.
+
+Goyah (_H._),
+  non-Jewess.
+
+
+
+Halacha (_H._),
+  legal portion of the Talmud.
+
+Havdolah (_H._),
+  ceremony separating conclusion of Sabbath or Festival from the
+  subsequent days of toil.
+
+
+
+Imbeshreer (_c.G. ohne beschreien_),
+  without bewitching; unbeshrewn.
+
+
+
+Kaddish (_H._),
+  prayer in praise of God; specially recited by male mourners.
+
+Kehillah (_H._),
+  congregation.
+
+Kind, Kinder (_G._),
+  child, children.
+
+Kosher (_H._),
+  ritually clean.
+
+Kotzon (_H._),
+  rich man.
+
+Link (_G._), lit.,
+  left, _i.e._ not right; hence, lax, not pious.
+
+Longë verachum (_G. and c.H._), lit.,
+  The long "and He being merciful." A long, extra prayer, said on
+  Mondays and Thursdays.
+
+Lulov (_H._),
+  palm branch dressed with myrtle and willow, and used at the Feast
+  of Tabernacles.
+
+
+
+Maaseh (_H._),
+  story, tale.
+
+Machzor (_H._),
+  Festival prayer-book.
+
+Maggid (_H._),
+  preacher.
+
+Mazzoltov (_H._),
+  good luck, congratulations.
+
+Megillah (_H._), lit.,
+  scroll. The Book of Esther.
+
+Meshuggah, Meshuggene (_H._),
+  mad.
+
+Meshumad (_H._),
+  apostate.
+
+Metsiah (_H._), lit.,
+  finding; cp. Fr., _trouvaille_; bargain.
+
+Mezuzah (_H._),
+  case containing a scroll, with Hebrew verses (Deuteronomy vi. 4-9,
+  13-21) affixed to every door-post.
+
+Midrash (_H._),
+  Biblical exposition.
+
+Mincha (_H._),
+  afternoon prayer.
+
+Minyan (_H._),
+  quorum of ten males, over thirteen, necessary for public worship.
+
+Mishpochah (_H._),
+  family.
+
+Mishna, Mishnayis (_H._),
+  collection of the Oral Law.
+
+Misheberach (_H._),
+  synagogal benediction.
+
+Mitzvah (_H._),
+  a commandment, _i.e._ a good deed.
+
+Mizrach (_H._),
+  East; a sacred picture hung on the east wall in the direction of
+  Jerusalem, to which the face is turned in praying.
+
+
+
+Narrischkeit (_c.G._),
+  foolishness.
+
+Nasch (_c.G._),
+  pilfer (dainties).
+
+Nevirah (_H._),
+  sin.
+
+Niddali (_H._),
+  Talmudical tractate on the purification of women.
+
+
+
+Nu (_R._),
+  well.
+
+
+
+Olov hasholom (_H._),
+   Peace be upon him! (loosely applied to deceased females also).
+
+Omer (_H._),
+  the seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost.
+
+
+
+Parnass (_H._),
+  president of the congregation.
+
+Pesachdik (_H._),
+  proper for Passover.
+
+Pidyun haben (_H._),
+  redemption of the first-born son.
+
+Piyut (_Hebraicized Gk_.),
+  liturgical poem.
+
+Pollack (_c.G._),
+  Polish Jew.
+
+Potch (_c.G._),
+  slap.
+
+
+
+Rashi (_H._),
+  Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, whose commentary is often printed under the
+  Hebrew text of the Bible.
+
+
+
+Schlemihl (_H._),
+  unlucky, awkward person.
+
+Schmuck (_c.G._),
+  lubberly person.
+
+Schmull (_c.G. schmollen_),
+  pout, sulk.
+
+Schnecks (? _G. Schnake_, gay nonsense),
+  affectations.
+
+Schnorrer (_c.G._),
+  beggar.
+
+Seder (_H._),
+  Passover-eve ceremony.
+
+Selaim (_H._),
+  old Jewish coins.
+
+Sephardim (_H._),
+  Spanish and Portuguese Jews.
+
+Shaaloth u tshuvoth (_H._),
+  questions and answers; casuistical treatise.
+
+Shabbos (_H._),
+  Sabbath.
+
+Shadchan (_H._),
+  professional match-maker.
+
+Shaitel (_c.G._),
+  wig worn by married women.
+
+Shammos (_c.H._),
+  beadle.
+
+Shass (_H. abbreviation_),
+  the six sections of the Talmud.
+
+Shechitah (_H._),
+  slaughter.
+
+Shemah beni (_H._),
+  Hear, my son! = Dear me!
+
+Shemang (_H._),
+  confession of the Unity of God.
+
+Shidduch (_H._),
+  match.
+
+Shiksah (_H._),
+  non-Jewish girl.
+
+Shnodar (_H._),
+  offer money to the synagogue. (An extraordinary instance of Jewish
+  jargon,--a compound Hebrew word meaning "who vows,"--being turned
+  into an English verb, and conjugated accordingly, in _ed_ and _ing_.)
+
+Shochet (_H_),
+  official slaughterer.
+
+Shofar (_H._),
+  trumpet of ram's horn, blown during the penitential season.
+
+Shool (_c. G_.),
+  synagogue.
+
+Shulchan aruch (_H._),
+  a sixteenth-century compilation, codifying Jewish law.
+
+Simchath Torah (_H._),
+  festival of the rejoicing of the Law.
+
+Snoga (_S._),
+  Sephardic synagogue.
+
+Spiel (_G._),
+  play.
+
+
+
+Takif (_H._),
+  rich man, swell.
+
+Talith (_H._),
+  a shawl with fringes, worn by men during prayer.
+
+Tanaim (_H._),
+  betrothal contract or ceremony.
+
+Térah, Torah (_H._),
+  Law of Moses.
+
+Tephillin (_H._),
+  phylacteries.
+
+Tripha (_H._),
+  ritually unclean.
+
+
+
+Wurst (_G._),
+  sausage.
+
+
+
+Yiddish, Yiddishkeit (_c.G._),
+  Jewish, Judaism.
+
+Yigdal (_H._),
+  hymn summarizing the thirteen creeds drawn up by Maimonides.
+
+Yom Kippur (_H._),
+  Day of Atonement.
+
+Yom tof (_H._), lit.,
+  good day; Festival.
+
+Yontovdik (_hybrid H_.),
+  pertaining to the Festival.
+
+Yosher-Kowach (_c.H._),
+  May your strength increase! = Thank you; a formula to express
+  gratitude--especially at the end of a reading.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 12680-8.txt or 12680-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/6/8/12680
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/old/12680-8.zip b/old/12680-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ab1f0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/12680-8.zip
diff --git a/old/12680.txt b/old/12680.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..15edab6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/12680.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,23625 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Children of the Ghetto, by I. Zangwill
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Children of the Ghetto
+
+Author: I. Zangwill
+
+Release Date: June 22, 2004  [eBook #12680]
+Last updated: April 1, 2012
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Charles Aldarondo and Project Gutenberg Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO
+
+A Study of a Peculiar People
+
+BY
+
+I. ZANGWILL
+
+Author of "The Master," "The King of Schnorrers" "Dreamers of the
+Ghetto," "Without Prejudice," etc.
+
+1914
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Preface to the Third Edition.
+
+
+The issue of a one-volume edition gives me the opportunity of thanking
+the public and the critics for their kindly reception of this chart of a
+_terra incognita_, and of restoring the original sub-title, which is a
+reply to some criticisms upon its artistic form. The book is intended as
+a study, through typical figures, of a race whose persistence is the
+most remarkable fact in the history of the world, the faith and morals
+of which it has so largely moulded. At the request of numerous readers I
+have reluctantly added a glossary of 'Yiddish' words and phrases, based
+on one supplied to the American edition by another hand. I have omitted
+only those words which occur but once and are then explained in the
+text; and to each word I have added an indication of the language from
+which it was drawn. This may please those who share Mr. Andrew Lang's
+and Miss Rosa Dartle's desire for information. It will be seen that most
+of these despised words are pure Hebrew; a language which never died off
+the lips of men, and which is the medium in which books are written all
+the world over even unto this day.
+
+I.Z.
+
+London, March, 1893.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+BOOK I. THE CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+Proem
+I.      The Bread of Affliction
+II.     The Sweater
+III.    Malka
+IV.     The Redemption of the Son and the Daughter
+V.      The Pauper Alien
+VI.     "Reb" Shemuel
+VII.    The Neo-Hebrew Poet
+VIII.   Esther and her Children
+IX.     Dutch Debby
+X.      A Silent Family
+XI.     The Purim Ball
+XII.    The Sons of the Covenant
+XIII.   Sugarman's Barmitzvah Party
+XIV.    The Hope of the Family
+XV.     The Holy Land League
+XVI.    The Courtship of Shosshi Shmendrik
+XVII.   The Hyams's Honeymoon
+XVIII.  The Hebrew's Friday Night
+XIX.    With the Strikers
+XX.     The Hope Extinct
+XXI.    The Jargon Players
+XXII.   "For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear"
+XXIII.  The Dead Monkey
+XXIV.   The Shadow of Religion
+XXV.    Seder Night
+
+BOOK II. THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+I.      The Christmas Dinner
+II.     Raphael Leon
+III.    "The Flag of Judah"
+IV.     The Troubles of an Editor
+V.      A Woman's Growth
+VI.     Comedy or Tragedy?
+VII.    What the Years brought
+VIII.   The Ends of a Generation
+IX.     The "Flag" flutters
+X.      Esther defies the Universe
+XI.     Going Home
+XII.    A Sheaf of Sequels
+XIII.   The Dead Monkey again
+XIV.    Sidney settles down
+XV.     From Soul to Soul
+XVI.    Love's Temptation
+XVII.   The Prodigal Son
+XVIII.  Hopes and Dreams
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PROEM.
+
+
+     Not here in our London Ghetto the gates and gaberdines of the olden
+     Ghetto of the Eternal City; yet no lack of signs external by which
+     one may know it, and those who dwell therein. Its narrow streets
+     have no specialty of architecture; its dirt is not picturesque. It
+     is no longer the stage for the high-buskined tragedy of massacre
+     and martyrdom; only for the obscurer, deeper tragedy that evolves
+     from the pressure of its own inward forces, and the long-drawn-out
+     tragi-comedy of sordid and shifty poverty. Natheless, this London
+     Ghetto of ours is a region where, amid uncleanness and squalor, the
+     rose of romance blows yet a little longer in the raw air of English
+     reality; a world which hides beneath its stony and unlovely surface
+     an inner world of dreams, fantastic and poetic as the mirage of the
+     Orient where they were woven, of superstitions grotesque as the
+     cathedral gargoyles of the Dark Ages in which they had birth. And
+     over all lie tenderly some streaks of celestial light shining from
+     the face of the great Lawgiver.
+
+     The folk who compose our pictures are children of the Ghetto; their
+     faults are bred of its hovering miasma of persecution, their
+     virtues straitened and intensified by the narrowness of its
+     horizon. And they who have won their way beyond its boundaries must
+     still play their parts in tragedies and comedies--tragedies of
+     spiritual struggle, comedies of material ambition--which are the
+     aftermath of its centuries of dominance, the sequel of that long
+     cruel night in Jewry which coincides with the Christian Era. If
+     they are not the Children, they are at least the Grandchildren of
+     the Ghetto.
+
+The particular Ghetto that is the dark background upon which our
+pictures will be cast, is of voluntary formation.
+
+People who have been living in a Ghetto for a couple of centuries, are
+not able to step outside merely because the gates are thrown down, nor
+to efface the brands on their souls by putting off the yellow badges.
+The isolation imposed from without will have come to seem the law of
+their being. But a minority will pass, by units, into the larger, freer,
+stranger life amid the execrations of an ever-dwindling majority. For
+better or for worse, or for both, the Ghetto will be gradually
+abandoned, till at last it becomes only a swarming place for the poor
+and the ignorant, huddling together for social warmth. Such people are
+their own Ghetto gates; when they migrate they carry them across the sea
+to lands where they are not. Into the heart of East London there poured
+from Russia, from Poland, from Germany, from Holland, streams of Jewish
+exiles, refugees, settlers, few as well-to-do as the Jew of the proverb,
+but all rich in their cheerfulness, their industry, and their
+cleverness. The majority bore with them nothing but their phylacteries
+and praying shawls, and a good-natured contempt for Christians and
+Christianity. For the Jew has rarely been embittered by persecution. He
+knows that he is in _Goluth_, in exile, and that the days of the Messiah
+are not yet, and he looks upon the persecutor merely as the stupid
+instrument of an all-wise Providence. So that these poor Jews were rich
+in all the virtues, devout yet tolerant, and strong in their reliance on
+Faith, Hope, and more especially Charity.
+
+In the early days of the nineteenth century, all Israel were brethren.
+Even the pioneer colony of wealthy Sephardim--descendants of the Spanish
+crypto-Jews who had reached England _via_ Holland--had modified its
+boycott of the poor Ashkenazic immigrants, now they were become an
+overwhelming majority. There was a superior stratum of Anglo-German Jews
+who had had time to get on, but all the Ashkenazic tribes lived very
+much like a happy family, the poor not stand-offish towards the rich,
+but anxious to afford them opportunities for well-doing. The _Schnorrer_
+felt no false shame in his begging. He knew it was the rich man's duty
+to give him unleavened bread at Passover, and coals in the winter, and
+odd half-crowns at all seasons; and he regarded himself as the Jacob's
+ladder by which the rich man mounted to Paradise. But, like all genuine
+philanthropists, he did not look for gratitude. He felt that virtue was
+its own reward, especially when he sat in Sabbath vesture at the head of
+his table on Friday nights, and thanked God in an operatic aria for the
+white cotton table-cloth and the fried sprats. He sought personal
+interviews with the most majestic magnates, and had humorous repartees
+for their lumbering censure.
+
+As for the rich, they gave charity unscrupulously--in the same Oriental,
+unscientific, informal spirit in which the _Dayanim_, those cadis of the
+East End, administered justice. The _Takif_, or man of substance, was as
+accustomed to the palm of the mendicant outside the Great Synagogue as
+to the rattling pyx within. They lived in Bury Street, and Prescott
+Street, and Finsbury--these aristocrats of the Ghetto--in mansions that
+are now but congeries of "apartments." Few relations had they with
+Belgravia, but many with Petticoat Lane and the Great _Shool_, the
+stately old synagogue which has always been illuminated by candles and
+still refuses all modern light. The Spanish Jews had a more ancient
+_snoga_, but it was within a stone's throw of the "Duke's Place"
+edifice. Decorum was not a feature of synagogue worship in those days,
+nor was the Almighty yet conceived as the holder of formal receptions
+once a week. Worshippers did not pray with bated breath, as if afraid
+that the deity would overhear them. They were at ease in Zion. They
+passed the snuff-boxes and remarks about the weather. The opportunities
+of skipping afforded by a too exuberant liturgy promoted conversation,
+and even stocks were discussed in the terrible _longueurs_ induced by
+the meaningless ministerial repetition of prayers already said by the
+congregation, or by the official recitations of catalogues of purchased
+benedictions. Sometimes, of course, this announcement of the offertory
+was interesting, especially when there was sensational competition. The
+great people bade in guineas for the privilege of rolling up the Scroll
+of the Law or drawing the Curtain of the Ark, or saying a particular
+_Kaddish_ if they were mourners, and then thrills of reverence went
+round the congregation. The social hierarchy was to some extent
+graduated by synagogal contributions, and whoever could afford only a
+little offering had it announced as a "gift"--a vague term which might
+equally be the covering of a reticent munificence.
+
+Very few persons, "called up" to the reading of the Law, escaped at the
+cost they had intended, for one is easily led on by an insinuative
+official incapable of taking low views of the donor's generosity and a
+little deaf. The moment prior to the declaration of the amount was quite
+exciting for the audience. On Sabbaths and festivals the authorities
+could not write down these sums, for writing is work and work is
+forbidden; even to write them in the book and volume of their brain
+would have been to charge their memories with an illegitimate if not an
+impossible burden. Parchment books on a peculiar system with holes in
+the pages and laces to go through the holes solved the problem of
+bookkeeping without pen and ink. It is possible that many of the
+worshippers were tempted to give beyond their means for fear of losing
+the esteem of the _Shammos_ or Beadle, a potent personage only next in
+influence to the President whose overcoat he obsequiously removed on the
+greater man's annual visit to the synagogue. The Beadle's eye was all
+over the _Shool_ at once, and he could settle an altercation about seats
+without missing a single response. His automatic amens resounded
+magnificently through the synagogue, at once a stimulus and a rebuke. It
+was probably as a concession to him that poor men, who were neither
+seat-holders nor wearers of chimney-pot hats, were penned within an iron
+enclosure near the door of the building and ranged on backless benches,
+and it says much for the authority of the _Shammos_ that not even the
+_Schnorrer_ contested it. Prayers were shouted rapidly by the
+congregation, and elaborately sung by the _Chazan_. The minister was
+_Vox et praeterea nihil_. He was the only musical instrument permitted,
+and on him devolved the whole onus of making the service attractive. He
+succeeded. He was helped by the sociability of the gathering--for the
+Synagogue was virtually a Jewish Club, the focus of the sectarian life.
+
+Hard times and bitter had some of the fathers of the Ghetto, but they
+ate their dry bread with the salt of humor, loved their wives, and
+praised God for His mercies. Unwitting of the genealogies that would be
+found for them by their prosperous grandchildren, old clo' men plied
+their trade in ambitious content. They were meek and timorous outside
+the Ghetto, walking warily for fear of the Christian. Sufferance was
+still the badge of all their tribe. Yet that there were Jews who held
+their heads high, let the following legend tell: Few men could shuffle
+along more inoffensively or cry "Old Clo'" with a meeker twitter than
+Sleepy Sol. The old man crawled one day, bowed with humility and
+clo'-bag, into a military mews and uttered his tremulous chirp. To him
+came one of the hostlers with insolent beetling brow.
+
+"Any gold lace?" faltered Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Get out!" roared the hostler.
+
+"I'll give you de best prices," pleaded Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Get out!" repeated the hostler and hustled the old man into the street.
+"If I catch you 'ere again, I'll break your neck." Sleepy Sol loved his
+neck, but the profit on gold lace torn from old uniforms was high. Next
+week he crept into the mews again, trusting to meet another hostler.
+
+"Clo'! Clo'!" he chirped faintly.
+
+Alas! the brawny bully was to the fore again and recognized him.
+
+"You dirty old Jew," he cried. "Take that, and that! The next time I
+sees you, you'll go 'ome on a shutter."
+
+The old man took that, and that, and went on his way. The next day he
+came again.
+
+"Clo'! Clo'!" he whimpered.
+
+"What!" said the ruffian, his coarse cheeks flooded with angry blood.
+"Ev yer forgotten what I promised yer?" He seized Sleepy Sol by the
+scruff of the neck.
+
+"I say, why can't you leave the old man alone?"
+
+The hostler stared at the protester, whose presence he had not noticed
+in the pleasurable excitement of the moment. It was a Jewish young man,
+indifferently attired in a pepper-and-salt suit. The muscular hostler
+measured him scornfully with his eye.
+
+"What's to do with you?" he said, with studied contempt.
+
+"Nothing," admitted the intruder. "And what harm is he doing you?"
+
+"That's my bizness," answered the hostler, and tightened his clutch of
+Sleepy Sol's nape.
+
+"Well, you'd better not mind it," answered the young man calmly. "Let
+go."'
+
+The hostler's thick lips emitted a disdainful laugh.
+
+"Let go, d'you hear?" repeated the young man.
+
+"I'll let go at your nose," said the hostler, clenching his knobby fist.
+
+"Very well," said the young man. "Then I'll pull yours."
+
+"Oho!" said the hostler, his scowl growing fiercer. "Yer means bizness,
+does yer?" With that he sent Sleepy Sol staggering along the road and
+rolled up his shirt-sleeves. His coat was already off.
+
+The young man did not remove his; he quietly assumed the defensive. The
+hostler sparred up to him with grim earnestness, and launched a terrible
+blow at his most characteristic feature. The young man blandly put it on
+one side, and planted a return blow on the hostler's ear. Enraged, his
+opponent sprang upon him. The young Jew paralyzed him by putting his
+left hand negligently into his pocket. With his remaining hand he closed
+the hostler's right eye, and sent the flesh about it into mourning. Then
+he carelessly tapped a little blood from the hostler's nose, gave him a
+few thumps on the chest as if to test the strength of his lungs, and
+laid him sprawling in the courtyard. A brother hostler ran out from the
+stables and gave a cry of astonishment.
+
+"You'd better wipe his face," said the young man curtly.
+
+The newcomer hurried back towards the stables.
+
+"Vait a moment," said Sleepy Sol "I can sell you a sponge sheap; I've
+got a beauty in my bag."
+
+There were plenty of sponges about, but the newcomer bought the
+second-hand sponge.
+
+"Do you want any more?" the young man affably inquired of his prostrate
+adversary.
+
+The hostler gave a groan. He was shamed before a friend whom he had
+early convinced of his fistic superiority.
+
+"No, I reckon he don't," said his friend, with a knowing grin at the
+conqueror.
+
+"Then I will wish you a good day," said the young man. "Come along,
+father."
+
+"Yes, ma son-in-law," said Sleepy Sol.
+
+"Do you know who that was, Joe?" said his friend, as he sponged away the
+blood.
+
+Joe shook his head.
+
+"That was Dutch Sam," said his friend in an awe-struck whisper.
+
+All Joe's body vibrated with surprise and respect. Dutch Sam was the
+champion bruiser of his time; in private life an eminent dandy and a
+prime favorite of His Majesty George IV., and Sleepy Sol had a beautiful
+daughter and was perhaps prepossessing himself when washed for the
+Sabbath.
+
+"Dutch Sam!" Joe repeated.
+
+"Dutch Sam! Why, we've got his picter hanging up inside, only he's naked
+to the waist."
+
+"Well, strike me lucky! What a fool I was not to rekkernize 'im!" His
+battered face brightened up. "No wonder he licked me!"
+
+Except for the comparative infrequency of the more bestial types of men
+and women, Judaea has always been a cosmos in little, and its
+prize-fighters and scientists, its philosophers and "fences," its
+gymnasts and money-lenders, its scholars and stockbrokers, its
+musicians, chess-players, poets, comic singers, lunatics, saints,
+publicans, politicians, warriors, poltroons, mathematicians, actors,
+foreign correspondents, have always been in the first rank. _Nihil
+alienum a se Judaeus putat_.
+
+Joe and his friend fell to recalling Dutch Sam's great feats. Each
+out-vied the other in admiration for the supreme pugilist.
+
+Next day Sleepy Sol came rampaging down the courtyard. He walked at the
+rate of five miles to the hour, and despite the weight of his bag his
+head pointed to the zenith.
+
+"Clo'!" he shrieked. "Clo'!"
+
+Joe the hostler came out. His head was bandaged, and in his hand was
+gold lace. It was something even to do business with a hero's
+father-in-law.
+
+But it is given to few men to marry their daughters to champion boxers:
+and as Dutch Sam was not a Don Quixote, the average peddler or huckster
+never enjoyed the luxury of prancing gait and cock-a-hoop business cry.
+The primitive fathers of the Ghetto might have borne themselves more
+jauntily had they foreseen that they were to be the ancestors of mayors
+and aldermen descended from Castilian hidalgos and Polish kings, and
+that an unborn historian would conclude that the Ghetto of their day was
+peopled by princes in disguise. They would have been as surprised to
+learn who they were as to be informed that they were orthodox. The great
+Reform split did not occur till well on towards the middle of the
+century, and the Jews of those days were unable to conceive that a man
+could be a Jew without eating _kosher_ meat, and they would have looked
+upon the modern distinctions between racial and religious Jews as the
+sophistries of the convert or the missionary. If their religious life
+converged to the Great _Shool_, their social life focussed on Petticoat
+Lane, a long, narrow thoroughfare which, as late as Strype's day, was
+lined with beautiful trees: vastly more pleasant they must have been
+than the faded barrows and beggars of after days. The Lane--such was its
+affectionate sobriquet--was the stronghold of hard-shell Judaism, the
+Alsatia of "infidelity" into which no missionary dared set foot,
+especially no apostate-apostle. Even in modern days the new-fangled
+Jewish minister of the fashionable suburb, rigged out, like the
+Christian clergyman, has been mistaken for such a _Meshumad_, and pelted
+with gratuitous vegetables and eleemosynary eggs. The Lane was always
+the great market-place, and every insalubrious street and alley abutting
+on it was covered with the overflowings of its commerce and its mud.
+Wentworth Street and Goulston Street were the chief branches, and in
+festival times the latter was a pandemonium of caged poultry, clucking
+and quacking and cackling and screaming. Fowls and geese and ducks were
+bought alive, and taken to have their throats cut for a fee by the
+official slaughterer. At Purim a gaiety, as of the Roman carnival,
+enlivened the swampy Wentworth Street, and brought a smile into the
+unwashed face of the pavement. The confectioners' shops, crammed with
+"stuffed monkeys" and "bolas," were besieged by hilarious crowds of
+handsome girls and their young men, fat women and their children, all
+washing down the luscious spicy compounds with cups of chocolate;
+temporarily erected swinging cradles bore a vociferous many-colored
+burden to the skies; cardboard noses, grotesque in their departure from
+truth, abounded. The Purim _Spiel_ or Purim play never took root in
+England, nor was Haman ever burnt in the streets, but _Shalachmonos_, or
+gifts of the season, passed between friend and friend, and masquerading
+parties burst into neighbors' houses. But the Lane was lively enough on
+the ordinary Friday and Sunday. The famous Sunday Fair was an event of
+metropolitan importance, and thither came buyers of every sect. The
+Friday Fair was more local, and confined mainly to edibles. The
+Ante-Festival Fairs combined something of the other two, for Jews
+desired to sport new hats and clothes for the holidays as well as to eat
+extra luxuries, and took the opportunity of a well-marked epoch to
+invest in new everythings from oil-cloth to cups and saucers. Especially
+was this so at Passover, when for a week the poorest Jew must use a
+supplementary set of crockery and kitchen utensils. A babel of sound,
+audible for several streets around, denoted Market Day in Petticoat
+Lane, and the pavements were blocked by serried crowds going both ways
+at once.
+
+It was only gradually that the community was Anglicized. Under the sway
+of centrifugal impulses, the wealthier members began to form new
+colonies, moulting their old feathers and replacing them by finer, and
+flying ever further from the centre. Men of organizing ability founded
+unrivalled philanthropic and educational institutions on British lines;
+millionaires fought for political emancipation; brokers brazenly foisted
+themselves on 'Change; ministers gave sermons in bad English; an English
+journal was started; very slowly, the conventional Anglican tradition
+was established; and on that human palimpsest which has borne the
+inscriptions of all languages and all epochs, was writ large the
+sign-manual of England. Judaea prostrated itself before the Dagon of its
+hereditary foe, the Philistine, and respectability crept on to freeze
+the blood of the Orient with its frigid finger, and to blur the vivid
+tints of the East into the uniform gray of English middle-class life. In
+the period within which our story moves, only vestiges of the old gaiety
+and brotherhood remained; the full _al fresco_ flavor was evaporated.
+
+And to-day they are alt dead--the _Takeefim_ with big hearts and bigger
+purses, and the humorous _Schnorrers_, who accepted their gold, and the
+cheerful pious peddlers who rose from one extreme to the other, building
+up fabulous fortunes in marvellous ways. The young mothers, who suckled
+their babes in the sun, have passed out of the sunshine; yea, and the
+babes, too, have gone down with gray heads to the dust. Dead are the
+fair fat women, with tender hearts, who waddled benignantly through
+life, ever ready to shed the sympathetic tear, best of wives, and cooks,
+and mothers; dead are the bald, ruddy old men, who ambled about in faded
+carpet slippers, and passed the snuff-box of peace: dead are the
+stout-hearted youths who sailed away to Tom Tiddler's ground; and dead
+are the buxom maidens they led under the wedding canopy when they
+returned. Even the great Dr. Sequira, pompous in white stockings,
+physician extraordinary to the Prince Regent of Portugal, lies
+vanquished by his life-long adversary and the Baal Shem himself, King of
+Cabalists, could command no countervailing miracle.
+
+Where are the little girls in white pinafores with pink sashes who
+brightened the Ghetto on high days and holidays? Where is the beauteous
+Betsy of the Victoria Ballet? and where the jocund synagogue dignitary
+who led off the cotillon with her at the annual Rejoicing of the Law?
+Worms have long since picked the great financier's brain, the
+embroidered waistcoats of the bucks have passed even beyond the stage of
+adorning sweeps on May Day, and Dutch Sam's fist is bonier than ever.
+The same mould covers them all--those who donated guineas and those who
+donated "gifts," the rogues and the hypocrites, and the wedding-drolls,
+the observant and the lax, the purse-proud and the lowly, the coarse and
+the genteel, the wonderful chapmen and the luckless _Schlemihls_, Rabbi
+and _Dayan_ and _Shochet_, the scribes who wrote the sacred scroll and
+the cantors who trolled it off mellifluous tongues, and the betting-men
+who never listened to it; the grimy Russians of the capotes and the
+earlocks, and the blue-blooded Dons, "the gentlemen of the Mahamad," who
+ruffled it with swords and knee-breeches in the best Christian society.
+Those who kneaded the toothsome "bolas" lie with those who ate them; and
+the marriage-brokers repose with those they mated. The olives and the
+cucumbers grow green and fat as of yore, but their lovers are mixed with
+a soil that is barren of them. The restless, bustling crowds that
+jostled laughingly in Rag Fair are at rest in the "House of Life;" the
+pageant of their strenuous generation is vanished as a dream. They died
+with the declaration of God's unity on their stiffening lips, and the
+certainty of resurrection in their pulseless hearts, and a faded Hebrew
+inscription on a tomb, or an unread entry on a synagogue brass is their
+only record. And yet, perhaps, their generation is not all dust.
+Perchance, here and there, some decrepit centenarian rubs his purblind
+eyes with the ointment of memory, and sees these pictures of the past,
+hallowed by the consecration of time, and finds his shrivelled cheek wet
+with the pathos sanctifying the joys that have been.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+
+CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE BREAD OF AFFLICTION.
+
+
+A dead and gone wag called the street "Fashion Street," and most of the
+people who live in it do not even see the joke. If it could exchange
+names with "Rotten Row," both places would be more appropriately
+designated. It is a dull, squalid, narrow thoroughfare in the East End
+of London, connecting Spitalfields with Whitechapel, and branching off
+in blind alleys. In the days when little Esther Ansell trudged its
+unclean pavements, its extremities were within earshot of the
+blasphemies from some of the vilest quarters and filthiest rookeries in
+the capital of the civilized world. Some of these clotted spiders'-webs
+have since been swept away by the besom of the social reformer, and the
+spiders have scurried off into darker crannies.
+
+There were the conventional touches about the London street-picture, as
+Esther Ansell sped through the freezing mist of the December evening,
+with a pitcher in her hand, looking in her oriental coloring like a
+miniature of Rebecca going to the well. A female street-singer, with a
+trail of infants of dubious maternity, troubled the air with a piercing
+melody; a pair of slatterns with arms a-kimbo reviled each other's
+relatives; a drunkard lurched along, babbling amiably; an organ-grinder,
+blue-nosed as his monkey, set some ragged children jigging under the
+watery rays of a street-lamp. Esther drew her little plaid shawl tightly
+around her, and ran on without heeding these familiar details, her
+chilled feet absorbing the damp of the murky pavement through the worn
+soles of her cumbrous boots. They were masculine boots, kicked off by
+some intoxicated tramp and picked up by Esther's father. Moses Ansell
+had a habit of lighting on windfalls, due, perhaps, to his meek manner
+of walking with bent head, as though literally bowed beneath the yoke of
+the Captivity. Providence rewarded him for his humility by occasional
+treasure-trove. Esther had received a pair of new boots from her school
+a week before, and the substitution, of the tramp's foot-gear for her
+own resulted in a net profit of half-a-crown, and kept Esther's little
+brothers and sisters in bread for a week. At school, under her teacher's
+eye, Esther was very unobtrusive about the feet for the next fortnight,
+but as the fear of being found out died away, even her rather morbid
+conscience condoned the deception in view of the stomachic gain.
+
+They gave away bread and milk at the school, too, but Esther and her
+brothers and sisters never took either, for fear of being thought in
+want of them. The superiority of a class-mate is hard to bear, and a
+high-spirited child will not easily acknowledge starvation in presence
+of a roomful of purse-proud urchins, some of them able to spend a
+farthing a day on pure luxuries. Moses Ansell would have been grieved
+had he known his children were refusing the bread he could not give
+them. Trade was slack in the sweating dens, and Moses, who had always
+lived from hand to mouth, had latterly held less than ever between the
+one and the other. He had applied for help to the Jewish Board of
+Guardians, but red-tape rarely unwinds as quickly as hunger coils
+itself; moreover, Moses was an old offender in poverty at the Court of
+Charity. But there was one species of alms which Moses could not be
+denied, and the existence of which Esther could not conceal from him as
+she concealed that of the eleemosynary breakfasts at the school. For it
+was known to all men that soup and bread were to be had for the asking
+thrice a week at the Institution in Fashion Street, and in the Ansell
+household the opening of the soup-kitchen was looked forward to as the
+dawn of a golden age, when it would be impossible to pass more than one
+day without bread. The vaguely-remembered smell of the soup threw a
+poetic fragrance over the coming winter. Every year since Esther's
+mother had died, the child had been sent to fetch home the provender,
+for Moses, who was the only other available member of the family, was
+always busy praying when he had nothing better to do. And so to-night
+Esther fared to the kitchen, with her red pitcher, passing in her
+childish eagerness numerous women shuffling along on the same errand,
+and bearing uncouth tin cans supplied by the institution. An
+individualistic instinct of cleanliness made Esther prefer the family
+pitcher. To-day this liberty of choice has been taken away, and the
+regulation can, numbered and stamped, serves as a soup-ticket. There was
+quite a crowd of applicants outside the stable-like doors of the kitchen
+when Esther arrived, a few with well-lined stomachs, perhaps, but the
+majority famished and shivering. The feminine element swamped the rest,
+but there were about a dozen men and a few children among the group,
+most of the men scarce taller than the children--strange, stunted,
+swarthy, hairy creatures, with muddy complexions illumined by black,
+twinkling eyes. A few were of imposing stature, wearing coarse, dusty
+felt hats or peaked caps, with shaggy beards or faded scarfs around
+their throats. Here and there, too, was a woman of comely face and
+figure, but for the most part it was a collection of crones, prematurely
+aged, with weird, wan, old-world features, slip-shod and draggle-tailed,
+their heads bare, or covered with dingy shawls in lieu of bonnets--red
+shawls, gray shawls, brick-dust shawls, mud-colored shawls. Yet there
+was an indefinable touch of romance and pathos about the tawdriness and
+witch-like ugliness, and an underlying identity about the crowd of
+Polish, Russian, German, Dutch Jewesses, mutually apathetic, and
+pressing forwards. Some of them had infants at their bare breasts, who
+drowsed quietly with intervals of ululation. The women devoid of shawls
+had nothing around their necks to protect them from the cold, the dusky
+throats were exposed, and sometimes even the first hooks and eyes of the
+bodice were unnecessarily undone. The majority wore cheap earrings and
+black wigs with preternaturally polished hair; where there was no wig,
+the hair was touzled.
+
+At half-past five the stable-doors were thrown open, and the crowd
+pressed through a long, narrow white-washed stone corridor into a
+barn-like compartment, with a white-washed ceiling traversed by wooden
+beams. Within this compartment, and leaving but a narrow, circumscribing
+border, was a sort of cattle-pen, into which the paupers crushed,
+awaiting amid discomfort and universal jabber the divine moment. The
+single jet of gas-light depending from the ceiling flared upon the
+strange simian faces, and touched them into a grotesque picturesqueness
+that would have delighted Dore.
+
+They felt hungry, these picturesque people; their near and dear ones
+were hungering at home. Voluptuously savoring in imagination the
+operation of the soup, they forgot its operation as a dole in aid of
+wages; were unconscious of the grave economical possibilities of
+pauperization and the rest, and quite willing to swallow their
+independence with the soup. Even Esther, who had read much, and was
+sensitive, accepted unquestioningly the theory of the universe that was
+held by most people about her, that human beings were distinguished from
+animals in having to toil terribly for a meagre crust, but that their
+lot was lightened by the existence of a small and semi-divine class
+called _Takeefim_, or rich people, who gave away what they didn't want.
+How these rich people came to be, Esther did not inquire; they were as
+much a part of the constitution of things as clouds and horses. The
+semi-celestial variety was rarely to be met with. It lived far away from
+the Ghetto, and a small family of it was said to occupy a whole house.
+Representatives of it, clad in rustling silks or impressive broad-cloth,
+and radiating an indefinable aroma of superhumanity, sometimes came to
+the school, preceded by the beaming Head Mistress; and then all the
+little girls rose and curtseyed, and the best of them, passing as
+average members of the class, astonished the semi-divine persons by
+their intimate acquaintance with the topography of the Pyrenees and the
+disagreements of Saul and David, the intercourse of the two species
+ending in effusive smiles and general satisfaction. But the dullest of
+the girls was alive to the comedy, and had a good-humored contempt for
+the unworldliness of the semi-divine persons who spoke to them as if
+they were not going to recommence squabbling, and pulling one another's
+hair, and copying one another's sums, and stealing one another's
+needles, the moment the semi-celestial backs were turned.
+
+To-night, semi-divine persons were to be seen in a galaxy of splendor,
+for in the reserved standing-places, behind the white deal counter, was
+gathered a group of philanthropists. The room was an odd-shaped polygon,
+partially lined with eight boilers, whose great wooden lids were raised
+by pulleys and balanced by red-painted iron balls. In the corner stood
+the cooking-engine. Cooks in white caps and blouses stirred the steaming
+soup with long wooden paddles. A tradesman besought the attention of the
+Jewish reporters to the improved boiler he had manufactured, and the
+superintendent adjured the newspaper men not to omit his name; while
+amid the soberly-clad clergymen flitted, like gorgeous humming-birds
+through a flock of crows, the marriageable daughters of an east-end
+minister.
+
+When a sufficient number of semi-divinities was gathered together, the
+President addressed the meeting at considerable length, striving to
+impress upon the clergymen and other philanthropists present that
+charity was a virtue, and appealing to the Bible, the Koran, and even
+the Vedas, for confirmation of his proposition. Early in his speech the
+sliding door that separated the cattle-pen from the kitchen proper had
+to be closed, because the jostling crowd jabbered so much and
+inconsiderate infants squalled, and there did not seem to be any general
+desire to hear the President's ethical views. They were a low material
+lot, who thought only of their bellies, and did but chatter the louder
+when the speech was shut out. They had overflowed their barriers by this
+time, and were surging cruelly to and fro, and Esther had to keep her
+elbows close to her sides lest her arms should be dislocated. Outside
+the stable doors a shifting array of boys and girls hovered hungrily and
+curiously. When the President had finished, the Rabbinate was invited to
+address the philanthropists, which it did at not less length, eloquently
+seconding the proposition that charity was a virtue. Then the door was
+slid back, and the first two paupers were admitted, the rest of the
+crowd being courageously kept at bay by the superintendent. The head
+cook filled a couple of plates with soup, dipping a great pewter pot
+into the cauldron. The Rabbinate then uplifted its eyes heavenwards, and
+said the grace:
+
+"Blessed art Thou, O Lord, King of the Universe, according to whose
+word all things exist."
+
+It then tasted a spoonful of the soup, as did also the President and
+several of the visitors, the passage of the fluid along the palate
+invariably evoking approving ecstatic smiles; and indeed, there was more
+body in it this opening night than there would be later, when, in due
+course, the bulk of the meat would take its legitimate place among the
+pickings of office. The sight of the delighted deglutition of the
+semi-divine persons made Esther's mouth water as she struggled for
+breathing space on the outskirts of Paradise. The impatience which
+fretted her was almost allayed by visions of stout-hearted Solomon and
+gentle Rachel and whimpering little Sarah and Ikey, all gulping down
+the delicious draught. Even the more stoical father and grandmother were
+a little in her thoughts. The Ansells had eaten nothing but a slice of
+dry bread each in the morning. Here before her, in the land of Goshen,
+flowing with soup, was piled up a heap of halves of loaves, while
+endless other loaves were ranged along the shelves as for a giant's
+table. Esther looked ravenously at the four-square tower built of edible
+bricks, shivering as the biting air sought out her back through a sudden
+interstice in the heaving mass. The draught reminded her more keenly of
+her little ones huddled together in the fireless garret at home. Ah!
+what a happy night was in store. She must not let them devour the two
+loaves to-night; that would be criminal extravagance. No, one would
+suffice for the banquet, the other must be carefully put by. "To-morrow
+is also a day," as the old grandmother used to say in her quaint jargon.
+But the banquet was not to be spread as fast as Esther's fancy could
+fly; the doors must be shut again, other semi-divine and wholly divine
+persons (in white ties) must move and second (with eloquence and length)
+votes of thanks to the President, the Rabbinate, and all other available
+recipients; a French visitor must express his admiration of English
+charity. But at last the turn of the gnawing stomachs came. The motley
+crowd, still babbling, made a slow, forward movement, squeezing
+painfully through the narrow aperture, and shivering a plate glass
+window pane at the side of the cattle-pen in the crush; the semi-divine
+persons rubbed their hands and smiled genially; ingenious paupers tried
+to dodge round to the cauldrons by the semi-divine entrance; the
+tropical humming-birds fluttered among the crows; there was a splashing
+of ladles and a gurgling of cascades of soup into the cans, and a hubbub
+of voices; a toothless, white-haired, blear-eyed hag lamented in
+excellent English that soup was refused her, owing to her case not
+having yet been investigated, and her tears moistened the one loaf she
+received. In like hard case a Russian threw himself on the stones and
+howled. But at last Esther was running through the mist, warmed by the
+pitcher which she hugged to her bosom, and suppressing the blind impulse
+to pinch the pair of loaves tied up in her pinafore. She almost flew up
+the dark flight of stairs to the attic in Royal Street. Little Sarah was
+sobbing querulously. Esther, conscious of being an angel of deliverance,
+tried to take the last two steps at once, tripped and tumbled
+ignominiously against the garret-door, which flew back and let her fall
+into the room with a crash. The pitcher shivered into fragments under
+her aching little bosom, the odorous soup spread itself in an irregular
+pool over the boards, and flowed under the two beds and dripped down the
+crevices into the room beneath. Esther burst into tears; her frock was
+wet and greased, her hands were cut and bleeding. Little Sarah checked
+her sobs at the disaster. Moses Ansell was not yet returned from evening
+service, but the withered old grandmother, whose wizened face loomed
+through the gloom of the cold, unlit garret, sat up on the bed and
+cursed her angrily for a _Schlemihl_. A sense of injustice made Esther
+cry more bitterly. She had never broken anything for years past. Ikey,
+an eerie-looking dot of four and a half years, tottered towards her (all
+the Ansells had learnt to see in the dark), and nestling his curly head
+against her wet bodice, murmured:
+
+"Neva mind, Estie, I lat oo teep in my new bed."
+
+The consolation of sleeping in that imaginary new bed to the possession
+of which Ikey was always looking forward was apparently adequate; for
+Esther got up from the floor and untied the loaves from her pinafore. A
+reckless spirit of defiance possessed her, as of a gambler who throws
+good money after bad. They should have a mad revelry to-night--the two
+loaves should be eaten at once. One (minus a hunk for father's supper)
+would hardly satisfy six voracious appetites. Solomon and Rachel,
+irrepressibly excited by the sight of the bread, rushed at it greedily,
+snatched a loaf from Esther's hand, and tore off a crust each with their
+fingers.
+
+"Heathen," cried the old grandmother. "Washing and benediction."
+
+Solomon was used to being called a "heathen" by the _Bube_. He put on
+his cap and went grudgingly to the bucket of water that stood in a
+corner of the room, and tipped a drop over his fingers. It is to be
+feared that neither the quantity of water nor the area of hand covered
+reached even the minimum enjoined by Rabbinical law. He murmured
+something intended for Hebrew during the operation, and was beginning to
+mutter the devout little sentence which precedes the eating of bread
+when Rachel, who as a female was less driven to the lavatory ceremony,
+and had thus got ahead of him, paused in her ravenous mastication and
+made a wry face. Solomon took a huge bite at his crust, then he uttered
+an inarticulate "pooh," and spat out his mouthful.
+
+There was no salt in the bread.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE SWEATER.
+
+
+The catastrophe was not complete. There were some long thin fibres of
+pale boiled meat, whose juices had gone to enrich the soup, lying about
+the floor or adhering to the fragments of the pitcher. Solomon, who was
+a curly-headed chap of infinite resource, discovered them, and it had
+just been decided to neutralize the insipidity of the bread by the
+far-away flavor of the meat, when a peremptory knocking was heard at the
+door, and a dazzling vision of beauty bounded into the room.
+
+"'Ere! What are you doin', leavin' things leak through our ceiling?"
+
+Becky Belcovitch was a buxom, bouncing girl, with cherry cheeks that
+looked exotic in a land of pale faces. She wore a mass of black crisp
+ringlets aggressively suggestive of singeing and curl-papers. She was
+the belle of Royal Street in her spare time, and womanly triumphs dogged
+even her working hours. She was sixteen years old, and devoted her youth
+and beauty to buttonholes. In the East End, where a spade is a spade, a
+buttonhole is a buttonhole, and not a primrose or a pansy. There are two
+kinds of buttonhole--the coarse for slop goods and the fine for
+gentlemanly wear. Becky concentrated herself on superior buttonholes,
+which are worked with fine twist. She stitched them in her father's
+workshop, which was more comfortable than a stranger's, and better
+fitted for evading the Factory Acts. To-night she was radiant in silk
+and jewelry, and her pert snub nose had the insolence of felicity which
+Agamemnon deprecated. Seeing her, you would have as soon connected her
+with Esoteric Buddhism as with buttonholes.
+
+The _Bube_ explained the situation in voluble Yiddish, and made Esther
+wince again under the impassioned invective on her clumsiness. The old
+beldame expended enough oriental metaphor on the accident to fit up a
+minor poet. If the family died of starvation, their blood would be upon
+their granddaughter's head.
+
+"Well, why don't you wipe it up, stupid?" said Becky. "'Ow would you
+like to pay for Pesach's new coat? It just dripped past his shoulder."
+
+"I'm so sorry, Becky," said Esther, striving hard to master the tremor
+in her voice. And drawing a house-cloth from a mysterious recess, she
+went on her knees in a practical prayer for pardon.
+
+Becky snorted and went back to her sister's engagement-party. For this
+was the secret of her gorgeous vesture, of her glittering earrings, and
+her massive brooch, as it was the secret of the transformation of the
+Belcovitch workshop (and living room) into a hall of dazzling light.
+Four separate gaunt bare arms of iron gas-pipe lifted hymeneal torches.
+The labels from reels of cotton, pasted above the mantelpiece as indexes
+of work done, alone betrayed the past and future of the room. At a long
+narrow table, covered with a white table-cloth spread with rum, gin,
+biscuits and fruit, and decorated with two wax candles in tall, brass
+candlesticks, stood or sat a group of swarthy, neatly-dressed Poles,
+most of them in high hats. A few women wearing wigs, silk dresses, and
+gold chains wound round half-washed necks, stood about outside the inner
+circle. A stooping black-bearded blear-eyed man in a long threadbare
+coat and a black skull cap, on either side of which hung a corkscrew
+curl, sat abstractedly eating the almonds and raisins, in the central
+place of honor which befits a _Maggid_. Before him were pens and ink and
+a roll of parchment. This was the engagement contract.
+
+The damages of breach of promise were assessed in advance and without
+respect of sex. Whichever side repented of the bargain undertook to pay
+ten pounds by way of compensation for the broken pledge. As a nation,
+Israel is practical and free from cant. Romance and moonshine are
+beautiful things, but behind the glittering veil are always the stern
+realities of things and the weaknesses of human nature. The high
+contracting parties were signing the document as Becky returned. The
+bridegroom, who halted a little on one leg, was a tall sallow man named
+Pesach Weingott. He was a boot-maker, who could expound the Talmud and
+play the fiddle, but was unable to earn a living. He was marrying Fanny
+Belcovitch because his parents-in-law would give him free board and
+lodging for a year, and because he liked her. Fanny was a plump, pulpy
+girl, not in the prime of youth. Her complexion was fair and her manner
+lymphatic, and if she was not so well-favored as her sister, she was
+more amiable and pleasant. She could sing sweetly in Yiddish and in
+English, and had once been a pantomime fairy at ten shillings a week,
+and had even flourished a cutlass as a midshipman. But she had long
+since given up the stage, to become her father's right hand woman in the
+workshop. She made coats from morning till midnight at a big machine
+with a massive treadle, and had pains in her chest even before she fell
+in love with Pesach Weingott.
+
+There was a hubbub of congratulation (_Mazzoltov, Mazzoltov_, good
+luck), and a palsy of handshaking, when the contract was signed.
+Remarks, grave and facetious, flew about in Yiddish, with phrases of
+Polish and Russian thrown in for auld lang syne, and cups and jugs were
+broken in reminder of the transiency of things mortal. The Belcovitches
+had been saving up their already broken crockery for the occasion. The
+hope was expressed that Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch would live to see
+"rejoicings" on their other daughter, and to see their daughters'
+daughters under the _Chuppah_, or wedding-canopy.
+
+Becky's hardened cheek blushed under the oppressive jocularity.
+Everybody spoke Yiddish habitually at No. 1 Royal Street, except the
+younger generation, and that spoke it to the elder.
+
+"I always said, no girl of mine should marry a Dutchman." It was a
+dominant thought of Mr. Belcovitch's, and it rose spontaneously to his
+lips at this joyful moment. Next to a Christian, a Dutch Jew stood
+lowest in the gradation of potential sons-in-law. Spanish Jews, earliest
+arrivals by way of Holland, after the Restoration, are a class apart,
+and look down on the later imported _Ashkenazim_, embracing both Poles
+and Dutchmen in their impartial contempt. But this does not prevent the
+Pole and the Dutchman from despising each other. To a Dutch or Russian
+Jew, the "Pullack," or Polish Jew, is a poor creature; and scarce
+anything can exceed the complacency with which the "Pullack" looks down
+upon the "Litvok" or Lithuanian, the degraded being whose Shibboleth is
+literally Sibboleth, and who says "ee" where rightly constituted persons
+say "oo." To mimic the mincing pronunciation of the "Litvok" affords the
+"Pullack" a sense of superiority almost equalling that possessed by the
+English Jew, whose mispronunciation of the Holy Tongue is his title to
+rank far above all foreign varieties. Yet a vein of brotherhood runs
+beneath all these feelings of mutual superiority; like the cliqueism
+which draws together old clo' dealers, though each gives fifty per cent,
+more than any other dealer in the trade. The Dutch foregather in a
+district called "The Dutch Tenters;" they eat voraciously, and almost
+monopolize the ice-cream, hot pea, diamond-cutting, cucumber, herring,
+and cigar trades. They are not so cute as the Russians. Their women are
+distinguished from other women by the flaccidity of their bodices; some
+wear small woollen caps and sabots. When Esther read in her school-books
+that the note of the Dutch character was cleanliness, she wondered. She
+looked in vain for the scrupulously scoured floors and the shining caps
+and faces. Only in the matter of tobacco-smoke did the Dutch people she
+knew live up to the geographical "Readers."
+
+German Jews gravitate to Polish and Russian; and French Jews mostly stay
+in France. _Ici on ne parle pas Francais_, is the only lingual certainty
+in the London Ghetto, which is a cosmopolitan quarter.
+
+"I always said no girl of mine should marry a Dutchman." Mr. Belcovitch
+spoke as if at the close of a long career devoted to avoiding Dutch
+alliances, forgetting that not even one of his daughters was yet secure.
+
+"Nor any girl of mine," said Mrs. Belcovitch, as if starting a separate
+proposition. "I would not trust a Dutchman with my medicine-bottle, much
+less with my Alte or my Becky. Dutchmen were not behind the door when
+the Almighty gave out noses, and their deceitfulness is in proportion to
+their noses."
+
+The company murmured assent, and one gentleman, with a rather large
+organ, concealed it in a red cotton handkerchief, trumpeting uneasily.
+
+"The Holy One, blessed be He, has given them larger noses than us," said
+the _Maggid_, "because they have to talk through them so much."
+
+A guffaw greeted this sally. The _Maggid's_ wit was relished even when
+not coming from the pulpit. To the outsider this disparagement of the
+Dutch nose might have seemed a case of pot calling kettle black. The
+_Maggid_ poured himself out a glass of rum, under cover of the laughter,
+and murmuring "Life to you." in Hebrew, gulped it down, and added, "They
+oughtn't to call it the Dutch tongue, but the Dutch nose."
+
+"Yes, I always wonder how they can understand one another," said Mrs.
+Belcovitch, "with their _chatuchayacatigewesepoopa_." She laughed
+heartily over her onomatopoetic addition to the Yiddish vocabulary,
+screwing up her nose to give it due effect. She was a small
+sickly-looking woman, with black eyes, and shrivelled skin, and the wig
+without which no virtuous wife is complete. For a married woman must
+sacrifice her tresses on the altar of home, lest she snare other men
+with such sensuous baits. As a rule, she enters into the spirit of the
+self-denying ordinance so enthusiastically as to become hideous hastily
+in every other respect. It is forgotten that a husband is also a man.
+Mrs. Belcovitch's head was not completely shaven and shorn, for a lower
+stratum of an unmatched shade of brown peeped out in front of the
+_shaitel_, not even coinciding as to the route of the central parting.
+
+Meantime Pesach Weingott and Alte (Fanny) Belcovitch held each other's
+hand, guiltily conscious of Batavian corpuscles in the young man's
+blood. Pesach had a Dutch uncle, but as he had never talked like him
+Alte alone knew. Alte wasn't her real name, by the way, and Alte was the
+last person in the world to know what it was. She was the Belcovitches'
+first successful child; the others all died before she was born. Driven
+frantic by a fate crueller than barrenness, the Belcovitches consulted
+an old Polish Rabbi, who told them they displayed too much fond
+solicitude for their children, provoking Heaven thereby; in future, they
+were to let no one but themselves know their next child's name, and
+never to whisper it till the child was safely married. In such wise,
+Heaven would not be incessantly reminded of the existence of their dear
+one, and would not go out of its way to castigate them. The ruse
+succeeded, and Alte was anxiously waiting to change both her names under
+the _Chuppah_, and to gratify her life-long curiosity on the subject.
+Meantime, her mother had been calling her "Alte," or "old 'un," which
+sounded endearing to the child, but grated on the woman arriving ever
+nearer to the years of discretion. Occasionally, Mrs. Belcovitch
+succumbed to the prevailing tendency, and called her "Fanny," just as
+she sometimes thought of herself as Mrs. Belcovitch, though her name
+was Kosminski. When Alte first went to school in London, the Head
+Mistress said, "What's your name?" The little "old 'un" had not
+sufficient English to understand the question, but she remembered that
+the Head Mistress had made the same sounds to the preceding applicant,
+and, where some little girls would have put their pinafores to their
+eyes and cried, Fanny showed herself full of resource. As the last
+little girl, though patently awe-struck, had come off with flying
+colors, merely by whimpering "Fanny Belcovitch," Alte imitated these
+sounds as well as she was able.
+
+"Fanny Belcovitch, did you say?" said the Head Mistress, pausing with
+arrested pen.
+
+Alte nodded her flaxen poll vigorously.
+
+"Fanny Belcovitch," she repeated, getting the syllables better on a
+second hearing.
+
+The Head Mistress turned to an assistant.
+
+"Isn't it astonishing how names repeat themselves? Two girls, one after
+the other, both with exactly the same name."
+
+They were used to coincidences in the school, where, by reason of the
+tribal relationship of the pupils, there was a great run on some
+half-a-dozen names. Mr. Kosminski took several years to understand that
+Alte had disowned him. When it dawned upon him he was not angry, and
+acquiesced in his fate. It was the only domestic detail in which he had
+allowed himself to be led by his children. Like his wife, Chayah, he was
+gradually persuaded into the belief that he was a born Belcovitch, or at
+least that Belcovitch was Kosminski translated into English.
+
+Blissfully unconscious of the Dutch taint in Pesach Weingott, Bear
+Belcovitch bustled about in reckless hospitality. He felt that
+engagements were not every-day events, and that even if his whole
+half-sovereign's worth of festive provision was swallowed up, he would
+not mind much. He wore a high hat, a well-preserved black coat, with a
+cutaway waistcoat, showing a quantity of glazed shirtfront and a massive
+watch chain. They were his Sabbath clothes, and, like the Sabbath they
+honored, were of immemorial antiquity. The shirt served him for seven
+Sabbaths, or a week of Sabbaths, being carefully folded after each. His
+boots had the Sabbath polish. The hat was the one he bought when he
+first set up as a _Baal Habaas_ or respectable pillar of the synagogue;
+for even in the smallest _Chevra_ the high hat comes next in sanctity to
+the Scroll of the Law, and he who does not wear it may never hope to
+attain to congregational dignities. The gloss on that hat was wonderful,
+considering it had been out unprotected in all winds and weathers. Not
+that Mr. Belcovitch did not possess an umbrella. He had two,--one of
+fine new silk, the other a medley of broken ribs and cotton rags. Becky
+had given him the first to prevent the family disgrace of the spectacle
+of his promenades with the second. But he would not carry the new one on
+week-days because it was too good. And on Sabbaths it is a sin to carry
+any umbrella. So Becky's self-sacrifice was vain, and her umbrella stood
+in the corner, a standing gratification to the proud possessor.
+Kosminski had had a hard fight for his substance, and was not given to
+waste. He was a tall, harsh-looking man of fifty, with grizzled hair, to
+whom life meant work, and work meant money, and money meant savings. In
+Parliamentary Blue-Books, English newspapers, and the Berner Street
+Socialistic Club, he was called a "sweater," and the comic papers
+pictured him with a protuberant paunch and a greasy smile, but he had
+not the remotest idea that he was other than a God-fearing, industrious,
+and even philanthropic citizen. The measure that had been dealt to him
+he did but deal to others. He saw no reason why immigrant paupers should
+not live on a crown a week while he taught them how to handle a
+press-iron or work a sewing machine. They were much better off than in
+Poland. He would have been glad of such an income himself in those
+terrible first days of English life when he saw his wife and his two
+babes starving before his eyes, and was only precluded from investing a
+casual twopence in poison by ignorance of the English name for anything
+deadly. And what did he live on now? The fowl, the pint of haricot
+beans, and the haddocks which Chayah purchased for the Sabbath
+overlapped into the middle of next week, a quarter of a pound of coffee
+lasted the whole week, the grounds being decocted till every grain of
+virtue was extracted. Black bread and potatoes and pickled herrings
+made up the bulk of the every-day diet No, no one could accuse Bear
+Belcovitch of fattening on the entrails of his employees. The furniture
+was of the simplest and shabbiest,--no aesthetic instinct urged the
+Kosminskis to overpass the bare necessities of existence, except in
+dress. The only concessions to art were a crudely-colored _Mizrach_ on
+the east wall, to indicate the direction towards which the Jew should
+pray, and the mantelpiece mirror which was bordered with yellow
+scalloped paper (to save the gilt) and ornamented at each corner with
+paper roses that bloomed afresh every Passover. And yet Bear Belcovitch
+had lived in much better style in Poland, possessing a brass wash-hand
+basin, a copper saucepan, silver spoons, a silver consecration beaker,
+and a cupboard with glass doors, and he frequently adverted to their
+fond memories. But he brought nothing away except his bedding, and that
+was pawned in Germany on the route. When he arrived in London he had
+with him three groschen and a family.
+
+"What do you think, Pesach," said Becky, as soon as she could get at her
+prospective brother-in-law through the barriers of congratulatory
+countrymen. "The stuff that came through there"--she pointed to the
+discolored fragment of ceiling--"was soup. That silly little Esther
+spilt all she got from the kitchen."
+
+"_Achi-nebbich_, poor little thing," cried Mrs. Kosminski, who was in a
+tender mood, "very likely it hungers them sore upstairs. The father is
+out of work."
+
+"Knowest thou what, mother," put in Fanny. "Suppose we give them our
+soup. Aunt Leah has just fetched it for us. Have we not a special supper
+to-night?"
+
+"But father?" murmured the little woman dubiously.
+
+"Oh, he won't notice it. I don't think he knows the soup kitchen opens
+to-night. Let me, mother."
+
+And Fanny, letting Pesach's hand go, slipped out to the room that served
+as a kitchen, and bore the still-steaming pot upstairs. Pesach, who had
+pursued her, followed with some hunks of bread and a piece of lighted
+candle, which, while intended only to illumine the journey, came in
+handy at the terminus. And the festive company grinned and winked when
+the pair disappeared, and made jocular quotations from the Old Testament
+and the Rabbis. But the lovers did not kiss when they came out of the
+garret of the Ansells; their eyes were wet, and they went softly
+downstairs hand in hand, feeling linked by a deeper love than before.
+
+Thus did Providence hand over the soup the Belcovitches took from old
+habit to a more necessitous quarter, and demonstrate in double sense
+that Charity never faileth. Nor was this the only mulct which Providence
+exacted from the happy father, for later on a townsman of his appeared
+on the scene in a long capote, and with a grimy woe-begone expression.
+He was a "greener" of the greenest order, having landed at the docks
+only a few hours ago, bringing over with him a great deal of luggage in
+the shape of faith in God, and in the auriferous character of London
+pavements. On arriving in England, he gave a casual glance at the
+metropolis and demanded to be directed to a synagogue wherein to shake
+himself after the journey. His devotions over, he tracked out Mr.
+Kosminski, whose address on a much-creased bit of paper had been his
+talisman of hope during the voyage. In his native town, where the Jews
+groaned beneath divers and sore oppressions, the fame of Kosminski, the
+pioneer, the Croesus, was a legend. Mr. Kosminski was prepared for these
+contingencies. He went to his bedroom, dragged out a heavy wooden chest
+from under the bed, unlocked it and plunged his hand into a large dirty
+linen bag, full of coins. The instinct of generosity which was upon him
+made him count out forty-eight of them. He bore them to the "greener" in
+over-brimming palms and the foreigner, unconscious how much he owed to
+the felicitous coincidence of his visit with Fanny's betrothal, saw
+fortune visibly within his grasp. He went out, his heart bursting with
+gratitude, his pocket with four dozen farthings. They took him in and
+gave him hot soup at a Poor Jews' Shelter, whither his townsman had
+directed him. Kosminski returned to the banqueting room, thrilling from
+head to foot with the approval of his conscience. He patted Becky's
+curly head and said:
+
+"Well, Becky, when shall we be dancing at your wedding?"
+
+Becky shook her curls. Her young men could not have a poorer opinion of
+one another than Becky had of them all. Their homage pleased her, though
+it did not raise them in her esteem. Lovers grew like blackberries--only
+more so; for they were an evergreen stock. Or, as her mother put it in
+her coarse, peasant manner. _Chasanim_ were as plentiful as the
+street-dogs. Becky's beaux sat on the stairs before she was up and
+became early risers in their love for her, each anxious to be the first
+to bid their Penelope of the buttonholes good morrow. It was said that
+Kosminski's success as a "sweater" was due to his beauteous Becky, the
+flower of sartorial youth gravitating to the work-room of this East
+London Laban. What they admired in Becky was that there was so much of
+her. Still it was not enough to go round, and though Becky might keep
+nine lovers in hand without fear of being set down as a flirt, a larger
+number of tailors would have been less consistent with prospective
+monogamy.
+
+"I'm not going to throw myself away like Fanny," said she confidentially
+to Pesach Weingott in the course of the evening. He smiled
+apologetically. "Fanny always had low views," continued Becky. "But I
+always said I would marry a gentleman."
+
+"And I dare say," answered Pesach, stung into the retort, "Fanny could
+marry a gentlemen, too, if she wanted."
+
+Becky's idea of a gentleman was a clerk or a school-master, who had no
+manual labor except scribbling or flogging. In her matrimonial views
+Becky was typical. She despised the status of her parents and looked to
+marry out of it. They for their part could not understand the desire to
+be other than themselves.
+
+"I don't say Fanny couldn't," she admitted. "All I say is, nobody could
+call this a luck-match."
+
+"Ah, thou hast me too many flies in thy nose," reprovingly interposed
+Mrs. Belcovitch, who had just crawled up. "Thou art too high-class."
+
+Becky tossed her head. "I've got a new dolman," she said, turning to one
+of her young men who was present by special grace. "You should see me in
+it. I look noble."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Belcovitch proudly. "It shines in the sun."
+
+"Is it like the one Bessie Sugarman's got?" inquired the young man.
+
+"Bessie Sugarman!" echoed Becky scornfully. "She gets all her things
+from the tallyman. She pretends to be so grand, but all her jewelry is
+paid for at so much a week."
+
+"So long as it is paid for," said Fanny, catching the words and turning
+a happy face on her sister.
+
+"Not so jealous, Alte," said her mother. "When I shall win on the
+lottery, I will buy thee also a dolman."
+
+Almost all the company speculated on the Hamburg lottery, which, whether
+they were speaking Yiddish or English, they invariably accentuated on
+the last syllable. When an inhabitant of the Ghetto won even his money
+back, the news circulated like wild-fire, and there was a rush to the
+agents for tickets. The chances of sudden wealth floated like dazzling
+Will o' the Wisps on the horizon, illumining the gray perspectives of
+the future. The lottery took the poor ticket-holders out of themselves,
+and gave them an interest in life apart from machine-cotton, lasts or
+tobacco-leaf. The English laborer, who has been forbidden State
+Lotteries, relieves the monotony of existence by an extremely indirect
+interest in the achievements of a special breed of horses.
+
+"_Nu_, Pesach, another glass of rum," said Mr. Belcovitch genially to
+his future son-in-law and boarder.
+
+"Yes, I will," said Pesach. "After all, this is the first time I've got
+engaged."
+
+The rum was of Mr. Belcovitch's own manufacture; its ingredients were
+unknown, but the fame of it travelled on currents of air to the remotest
+parts of the house. Even the inhabitants of the garrets sniffed and
+thought of turpentine. Pesach swallowed the concoction, murmuring "To
+life" afresh. His throat felt like the funnel of a steamer, and there
+were tears in his eyes when he put down the glass.
+
+"Ah, that was good," he murmured.
+
+"Not like thy English drinks, eh?" said Mr. Belcovitch.
+
+"England!" snorted Pesach in royal disdain. "What a country! Daddle-doo
+is a language and ginger-beer a liquor."
+
+"Daddle doo" was Pesach's way of saying "That'll do." It was one of the
+first English idioms he picked up, and its puerility made him facetious.
+It seemed to smack of the nursery; when a nation expressed its soul
+thus, the existence of a beverage like ginger-beer could occasion no
+further surprise.
+
+"You shan't have anything stronger than ginger-beer when we're married,"
+said Fanny laughingly. "I am not going to have any drinking.'"
+
+"But I'll get drunk on ginger-beer," Pesach laughed back.
+
+"You can't," Fanny said, shaking her large fond smile to and fro. "By my
+health, not."
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ha! Can't even get _shikkur_ on it. What a liquor!"
+
+In the first Anglo-Jewish circles with which Pesach had scraped
+acquaintance, ginger-beer was the prevalent drink; and, generalizing
+almost as hastily as if he were going to write a book on the country, he
+concluded that it was the national beverage. He had long since
+discovered his mistake, but the drift of the discussion reminded Becky
+of a chance for an arrow.
+
+"On the day when you sit for joy, Pesach," she said slily. "I shall send
+you a valentine."
+
+Pesach colored up and those in the secret laughed; the reference was to
+another of Pesach's early ideas. Some mischievous gossip had heard him
+arguing with another Greener outside a stationer's shop blazing with
+comic valentines. The two foreigners were extremely puzzled to
+understand what these monstrosities portended; Pesach, however, laid it
+down that the microcephalous gentlemen with tremendous legs, and the
+ladies five-sixths head and one-sixth skirt, were representations of the
+English peasants who lived in the little villages up country.
+
+"When I sit for joy," retorted Pesach, "it will not be the season for
+valentines."
+
+"Won't it though!" cried Becky, shaking her frizzly black curls. "You'll
+be a pair of comic 'uns."
+
+"All right, Becky," said Alte good-humoredly. "Your turn'll come, and
+then we shall have the laugh of you."
+
+"Never," said Becky. "What do I want with a man?"
+
+The arm of the specially invited young man was round her as she spoke.
+
+"Don't make _schnecks_," said Fanny.
+
+"It's not affectation. I mean it. What's the good of the men who visit
+father? There isn't a gentleman among them."
+
+"Ah, wait till I win on the lottery," said the special young man.
+
+"Then, vy not take another eighth of a ticket?" inquired Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_, who seemed to spring from the other end of the room. He was
+one of the greatest Talmudists in London--a lean, hungry-looking man,
+sharp of feature and acute of intellect. "Look at Mrs. Robinson--I've
+just won her over twenty pounds, and she only gave me two pounds for
+myself. I call it a _cherpah_--a shame."
+
+"Yes, but you stole another two pounds," said Becky.
+
+"How do you know?" said Sugarman startled.
+
+Becky winked and shook her head sapiently. "Never _you_ mind."
+
+The published list of the winning numbers was so complex in construction
+that Sugarman had ample opportunities of bewildering his clients.
+
+"I von't sell you no more tickets," said Sugarman with righteous
+indignation.
+
+"A fat lot I care," said Becky, tossing her curls.
+
+"Thou carest for nothing," said Mrs. Belcovitch, seizing the opportunity
+for maternal admonition. "Thou hast not even brought me my medicine
+to-night. Thou wilt find, it on the chest of drawers in the bedroom."
+
+Becky shook herself impatiently.
+
+"I will go," said the special young man.
+
+"No, it is not beautiful that a young man shall go into my bedroom in my
+absence," said Mrs. Belcovitch blushing.
+
+Becky left the room.
+
+"Thou knowest," said Mrs. Belcovitch, addressing herself to the special
+young man, "I suffer greatly from my legs. One is a thick one, and one a
+thin one."
+
+The young man sighed sympathetically.
+
+"Whence comes it?" he asked.
+
+"Do I know? I was born so. My poor lambkin (this was the way Mrs.
+Belcovitch always referred to her dead mother) had well-matched legs. If
+I had Aristotle's head I might be able to find out why my legs are
+inferior. And so one goes about."
+
+The reverence for Aristotle enshrined in Yiddish idiom is probably due
+to his being taken by the vulgar for a Jew. At any rate the theory that
+Aristotle's philosophy was Jewish was advanced by the mediaeval poet,
+Jehuda Halevi, and sustained by Maimonides. The legend runs that when
+Alexander went to Palestine, Aristotle was in his train. At Jerusalem
+the philosopher had sight of King Solomon's manuscripts, and he
+forthwith edited them and put his name to them. But it is noteworthy
+that the story was only accepted by those Jewish scholars who adopted
+the Aristotelian philosophy, those who rejected it declaring that
+Aristotle in his last testament had admitted the inferiority of his
+writings to the Mosaic, and had asked that his works should be
+destroyed.
+
+When Becky returned with the medicine, Mrs. Belcovitch mentioned that it
+was extremely nasty, and offered the young man a taste, whereat he
+rejoiced inwardly, knowing he had found favor in the sight of the
+parent. Mrs. Belcovitch paid a penny a week to her doctor, in sickness
+or health, so that there was a loss on being well. Becky used to fill up
+the bottles with water to save herself the trouble of going to fetch the
+medicine, but as Mrs. Belcovitch did not know this it made no
+difference.
+
+"Thou livest too much indoors," said Mr. Sugarman, in Yiddish.
+
+"Shall I march about in this weather? Black and slippery, and the Angel
+going a-hunting?"
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Sugarman, relapsing proudly into the vernacular, "Ve
+English valk about in all vedders."
+
+Meanwhile Moses Ansell had returned from evening service and sat down,
+unquestioningly, by the light of an unexpected candle to his expected
+supper of bread and soup, blessing God for both gifts. The rest of the
+family had supped. Esther had put the two youngest children to bed
+(Rachel had arrived at years of independent undressing), and she and
+Solomon were doing home-lessons in copy-books, the candle saving them
+from a caning on the morrow. She held her pen clumsily, for several of
+her fingers were swathed in bloody rags tied with cobweb. The
+grandmother dozed in her chair. Everything was quiet and peaceful,
+though the atmosphere was chilly. Moses ate his supper with a great
+smacking of the lips and an equivalent enjoyment. When it was over he
+sighed deeply, and thanked God in a prayer lasting ten minutes, and
+delivered in a rapid, sing-song manner. He then inquired of Solomon
+whether he had said his evening prayer. Solomon looked out of the corner
+of his eyes at his _Bube_, and, seeing she was asleep on the bed, said
+he had, and kicked Esther significantly but hurtfully under the table.
+
+"Then you had better say your night-prayer."
+
+There was no getting out of that; so Solomon finished his sum, writing
+the figures of the answer rather faint, in case he should discover from
+another boy next morning that they were wrong; then producing a Hebrew
+prayer-book from his inky cotton satchel, he made a mumbling sound, with
+occasional enthusiastic bursts of audible coherence, for a length of
+time proportioned to the number of pages. Then he went to bed. After
+that, Esther put her grandmother to bed and curled herself up at her
+side. She lay awake a long time, listening to the quaint sounds emitted
+by her father in his study of Rashi's commentary on the Book of Job, the
+measured drone blending not disagreeably with the far-away sounds of
+Pesach Weingott's fiddle.
+
+Pesach's fiddle played the accompaniment to many other people's
+thoughts. The respectable master-tailor sat behind his glazed
+shirt-front beating time with his foot. His little sickly-looking wife
+stood by his side, nodding her bewigged head joyously. To both the music
+brought the same recollection--a Polish market-place.
+
+Belcovitch, or rather Kosminski, was the only surviving son of a widow.
+It was curious, and suggestive of some grim law of heredity, that his
+parents' elder children had died off as rapidly as his own, and that his
+life had been preserved by some such expedient as Alte's. Only, in his
+case the Rabbi consulted had advised his father to go into the woods and
+call his new-born son by the name of the first animal that he saw. This
+was why the future sweater was named Bear. To the death of his brothers
+and sisters, Bear owed his exemption from military service. He grew up
+to be a stalwart, well-set-up young baker, a loss to the Russian army.
+
+Bear went out in the market-place one fine day and saw Chayah in maiden
+ringlets. She was a slim, graceful little thing, with nothing obviously
+odd about the legs, and was buying onions. Her back was towards him, but
+in another moment she turned her head and Bear's. As he caught the
+sparkle of her eye, he felt that without her life were worse than the
+conscription. Without delay, he made inquiries about the fair young
+vision, and finding its respectability unimpeachable, he sent a
+_Shadchan_ to propose to her, and they were affianced: Chayah's father
+undertaking to give a dowry of two hundred gulden. Unfortunately, he
+died suddenly in the attempt to amass them, and Chayah was left an
+orphan. The two hundred gulden were nowhere to be found. Tears rained
+down both Chayah's cheeks, on the one side for the loss of her father,
+on the other for the prospective loss of a husband. The Rabbi was full
+of tender sympathy. He bade Bear come to the dead man's chamber. The
+venerable white-bearded corpse lay on the bed, swathed in shroud, and
+_Talith_ or praying-shawl.
+
+"Bear," he said, "thou knowest that I saved thy life."
+
+"Nay," said Bear, "indeed, I know not that."
+
+"Yea, of a surety," said the Rabbi. "Thy mother hath not told thee, but
+all thy brothers and sisters perished, and, lo! thou alone art
+preserved! It was I that called thee a beast."
+
+Bear bowed his head in grateful silence.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "thou didst contract to wed this dead man's
+daughter, and he did contract to pay over to thee two hundred gulden.''
+
+"Truth." replied Bear.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "there are no two hundred gulden."
+
+A shadow flitted across Bear's face, but he said nothing.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi again, "there are not two gulden."
+
+Bear did not move.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "leave thou my side, and go over to the other
+side of the bed, facing me."
+
+So Bear left his side and went over to the other side of the bed facing
+him.
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi, "give me thy right hand."
+
+The Rabbi stretched his own right hand across the bed, but Bear kept his
+obstinately behind his back.
+
+"Bear," repeated the Rabbi, in tones of more penetrating solemnity,
+"give me thy right hand."
+
+"Nay," replied Bear, sullenly. "Wherefore should I give thee my right
+hand?"
+
+"Because," said the Rabbi, and his tones trembled, and it seemed to him
+that the dead man's face grew sterner. "Because I wish thee to swear
+across the body of Chayah's father that thou wilt marry her."
+
+"Nay, that I will not," said Bear.
+
+"Will not?" repeated the Rabbi, his lips growing white with pity.
+
+"Nay, I will not take any oaths," said Bear, hotly. "I love the maiden,
+and I will keep what I have promised. But, by my father's soul, I will
+take no oaths!"
+
+"Bear," said the Rabbi in a choking voice, "give me thy hand. Nay, not
+to swear by, but to grip. Long shalt thou live, and the Most High shall
+prepare thy seat in Gan Iden."
+
+So the old man and the young clasped hands across the corpse, and the
+simple old Rabbi perceived a smile flickering over the face of Chayah's
+father. Perhaps it was only a sudden glint of sunshine.
+
+The wedding-day drew nigh, but lo! Chayah was again dissolved in tears.
+
+"What ails thee?" said her brother Naphtali.
+
+"I cannot follow the custom of the maidens," wept Chayah. "Thou knowest
+we are blood-poor, and I have not the wherewithal to buy my Bear a
+_Talith_ for his wedding-day; nay, not even to make him a _Talith_-bag.
+And when our father (the memory of the righteous for a blessing) was
+alive, I had dreamed of making my _chosan_ a beautiful velvet satchel
+lined with silk, and I would have embroidered his initials thereon in
+gold, and sewn him beautiful white corpse-clothes. Perchance he will
+rely upon me for his wedding _Talith_, and we shall be shamed in the
+sight of the congregation."
+
+"Nay, dry thine eyes, my sister," said Naphtali. "Thou knowest that my
+Leah presented me with a costly _Talith_ when I led her under the
+canopy. Wherefore, do thou take my praying-shawl and lend it to Bear for
+the wedding-day, so that decency may be preserved in the sight of the
+congregation. The young man has a great heart, and he will understand."
+
+So Chayah, blushing prettily, lent Bear Naphtali's delicate _Talith_,
+and Beauty and the Beast made a rare couple under the wedding canopy.
+Chayah wore the gold medallion and the three rows of pearls which her
+lover had sent her the day before. And when the Rabbi had finished
+blessing husband and wife, Naphtali spake the bridegroom privily, and
+said:
+
+"Pass me my _Talith_ back."
+
+But Bear answered: "Nay, nay; the _Talith_ is in my keeping, and there
+it shall remain."
+
+"But it is my _Talith_," protested Naphtali in an angry whisper. "I only
+lent it to Chayah to lend it thee."
+
+"It concerns me not." Bear returned in a decisive whisper. "The _Talith_
+is my due and I shall keep it. What! Have I not lost enough by marrying
+thy sister? Did not thy father, peace be upon him, promise me two
+hundred gulden with her?"
+
+Naphtali retired discomfited. But he made up his mind not to go without
+some compensation. He resolved that during the progress of the wedding
+procession conducting the bridegroom to the chamber of the bride, he
+would be the man to snatch off Bear's new hat. Let the rest of the
+riotous escort essay to snatch whatever other article of the
+bridegroom's attire they would, the hat was the easiest to dislodge, and
+he, Naphtali, would straightway reimburse himself partially with that.
+But the instant the procession formed itself, behold the shifty
+bridegroom forthwith removed his hat, and held it tightly under his arm.
+
+A storm of protestations burst forth at his daring departure from
+hymeneal tradition.
+
+"Nay, nay, put it on," arose from every mouth.
+
+But Bear closed his and marched mutely on.
+
+"Heathen," cried the Rabbi. "Put on your hat."
+
+The attempt to enforce the religious sanction failed too. Bear had spent
+several gulden upon his head-gear, and could not see the joke. He
+plodded towards his blushing Chayah through a tempest of disapprobation.
+
+Throughout life Bear Belcovitch retained the contrariety of character
+that marked his matrimonial beginnings. He hated to part with money; he
+put off paying bills to the last moment, and he would even beseech his
+"hands" to wait a day or two longer for their wages. He liked to feel
+that he had all that money in his possession. Yet "at home," in Poland,
+he had always lent money to the officers and gentry, when they ran
+temporarily short at cards. They would knock him up in the middle of the
+night to obtain the means of going on with the game. And in England he
+never refused to become surety for a loan when any of his poor friends
+begged the favor of him. These loans ran from three to five pounds, but
+whatever the amount, they were very rarely paid. The loan offices came
+down upon him for the money. He paid it without a murmur, shaking his
+head compassionately over the poor ne'er do wells, and perhaps not
+without a compensating consciousness of superior practicality.
+
+Only, if the borrower had neglected to treat him to a glass of rum to
+clench his signing as surety, the shake of Bear's head would become more
+reproachful than sympathetic, and he would mutter bitterly: "Five pounds
+and not even a drink for the money." The jewelry he generously lavished
+on his womankind was in essence a mere channel of investment for his
+savings, avoiding the risks of a banking-account and aggregating his
+wealth in a portable shape, in obedience to an instinct generated by
+centuries of insecurity. The interest on the sums thus invested was the
+gratification of the other oriental instinct for gaudiness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+MALKA.
+
+
+The Sunday Fair, so long associated with Petticoat Lane, is dying hard,
+and is still vigorous; its glories were in full swing on the dull, gray
+morning when Moses Ansell took his way through the Ghetto. It was near
+eleven o'clock, and the throng was thickening momently. The vendors
+cried their wares in stentorian tones, and the babble of the buyers was
+like the confused roar of a stormy sea. The dead walls and hoardings
+were placarded with bills from which the life of the inhabitants could
+be constructed. Many were in Yiddish, the most hopelessly corrupt and
+hybrid jargon ever evolved. Even when the language was English the
+letters were Hebrew. Whitechapel, Public Meeting, Board School, Sermon,
+Police, and other modern banalities, glared at the passer-by in the
+sacred guise of the Tongue associated with miracles and prophecies,
+palm-trees and cedars and seraphs, lions and shepherds and harpists.
+
+Moses stopped to read these hybrid posters--he had nothing better to
+do--as he slouched along. He did not care to remember that dinner was
+due in two hours. He turned aimlessly into Wentworth Street, and studied
+a placard that hung in a bootmaker's window. This was the announcement
+it made in jargon:
+
+    Riveters, Clickers, Lasters, Finishers,
+      Wanted.
+
+    BARUCH EMANUEL,
+      Cobbler.
+
+    Makes and Repairs Boots.
+    Every Bit as Cheaply
+      as
+
+    MORDECAI SCHWARTZ,
+      of 12 Goulston Street.
+
+Mordecai Schwartz was written in the biggest and blackest of Hebrew
+letters, and quite dominated the little shop-window. Baruch Emanuel was
+visibly conscious of his inferiority, to his powerful rival, though
+Moses had never heard of Mordecai Schwartz before. He entered the shop
+and said in Hebrew "Peace be to you." Baruch Emanuel, hammering a sole,
+answered in Hebrew:
+
+"Peace be to you."
+
+Moses dropped into Yiddish.
+
+"I am looking for work. Peradventure have you something for me?"
+
+"What can you do?"
+
+"I have been a riveter."
+
+"I cannot engage any more riveters."
+
+Moses looked disappointed.
+
+"I have also been a clicker," he said.
+
+"I have all the clickers I can afford," Baruch answered.
+
+Moses's gloom deepened. "Two years ago I worked as a finisher."
+
+Baruch shook his head silently. He was annoyed at the man's persistence.
+There was only the laster resource left.
+
+"And before that I was a laster for a week," Moses answered.
+
+"I don't want any!" cried Baruch, losing his temper.
+
+"But in your window it stands that you do," protested Moses feebly.
+
+"I don't care what stands in my window," said Baruch hotly. "Have you
+not head enough to see that that is all bunkum? Unfortunately I work
+single-handed, but it looks good and it isn't lies. Naturally I want
+Riveters and Clickers and Lasters and Finishers. Then I could set up a
+big establishment and gouge out Mordecai Schwartz's eyes. But the Most
+High denies me assistants, and I am content to want."
+
+Moses understood that attitude towards the nature of things. He went out
+and wandered down another narrow dirty street in search of Mordecai
+Schwartz, whose address Baruch Emanuel had so obligingly given him. He
+thought of the _Maggid's_ sermon on the day before. The _Maggid_ had
+explained a verse of Habakkuk in quite an original way which gave an
+entirely new color to a passage in Deuteronomy. Moses experienced acute
+pleasure in musing upon it, and went past Mordecai's shop without going
+in, and was only awakened from his day-dream by the brazen clanging of a
+bell It was the bell of the great Ghetto school, summoning its pupils
+from the reeking courts and alleys, from the garrets and the cellars,
+calling them to come and be Anglicized. And they came in a great
+straggling procession recruited from every lane and by-way, big children
+and little children, boys in blackening corduroy, and girls in
+washed-out cotton; tidy children and ragged children; children in great
+shapeless boots gaping at the toes; sickly children, and sturdy
+children, and diseased children; bright-eyed children and hollow-eyed
+children; quaint sallow foreign-looking children, and fresh-colored
+English-looking children; with great pumpkin heads, with oval heads,
+with pear-shaped heads; with old men's faces, with cherubs' faces, with
+monkeys' faces; cold and famished children, and warm and well-fed
+children; children conning their lessons and children romping
+carelessly; the demure and the anaemic; the boisterous and the
+blackguardly, the insolent, the idiotic, the vicious, the intelligent,
+the exemplary, the dull--spawn of all countries--all hastening at the
+inexorable clang of the big school-bell to be ground in the same great,
+blind, inexorable Governmental machine. Here, too, was a miniature fair,
+the path being lined by itinerant temptations. There was brisk traffic
+in toffy, and gray peas and monkey-nuts, and the crowd was swollen by
+anxious parents seeing tiny or truant offspring safe within the
+school-gates. The women were bare-headed or be-shawled, with infants at
+their breasts and little ones toddling at their sides, the men were
+greasy, and musty, and squalid. Here a bright earnest little girl held
+her vagrant big brother by the hand, not to let go till she had seen him
+in the bosom of his class-mates. There a sullen wild-eyed mite in
+petticoats was being dragged along, screaming, towards distasteful
+durance. It was a drab picture--the bleak, leaden sky above, the sloppy,
+miry stones below, the frowsy mothers and fathers, the motley children.
+
+"Monkey-nuts! Monkey-nuts!" croaked a wizened old woman.
+
+"Oppea! Oppea!" droned a doddering old Dutchman. He bore a great can of
+hot peas in one hand and a lighthouse-looking pepper-pot in the other.
+Some of the children swallowed the dainties hastily out of miniature
+basins, others carried them within in paper packets for surreptitious
+munching.
+
+"Call that a ay-puth?" a small boy would say.
+
+"Not enough!" the old man would exclaim in surprise. "Here you are,
+then!" And he would give the peas another sprinkling from the
+pepper-pot.
+
+Moses Ansell's progeny were not in the picture. The younger children
+were at home, the elder had gone to school an hour before to run about
+and get warm in the spacious playgrounds. A slice of bread each and the
+wish-wash of a thrice-brewed pennyworth of tea had been their morning
+meal, and there was no prospect of dinner. The thought of them made
+Moses's heart heavy again; he forgot the _Maggid's_ explanation of the
+verse in Habakkuk, and he retraced his steps towards Mordecai Schwartz's
+shop. But like his humbler rival, Mordecai had no use for the many-sided
+Moses; he was "full up" with swarthy "hands," though, as there were
+rumors of strikes in the air, he prudently took note of Moses's address.
+After this rebuff, Moses shuffled hopelessly about for more than an
+hour; the dinner-hour was getting desperately near; already children
+passed him, carrying the Sunday dinners from the bakeries, and there
+were wafts of vague poetry in the atmosphere. Moses felt he could not
+face his own children.
+
+At last he nerved himself to an audacious resolution, and elbowed his
+way blusterously towards the Ruins, lest he might break down if his
+courage had time to cool.
+
+"The Ruins" was a great stony square, partly bordered by houses, and
+only picturesque on Sundays when it became a branch of the all-ramifying
+Fair. Moses could have bought anything there from elastic braces to
+green parrots in gilt cages. That is to say if he had had money. At
+present he had nothing in his pocket except holes.
+
+What he might be able to do on his way back was another matter; for it
+was Malka that Moses Ansell was going to see. She was the cousin of his
+deceased wife, and lived in Zachariah Square. Moses had not been there
+for a month, for Malka was a wealthy twig of the family tree, to be
+approached with awe and trembling. She kept a second-hand clothes store
+in Houndsditch, a supplementary stall in the Halfpenny Exchange, and a
+barrow on the "Ruins" of a Sunday; and she had set up Ephraim, her
+newly-acquired son-in-law, in the same line of business in the same
+district. Like most things she dealt in, her son-in-law was second-hand,
+having lost his first wife four years ago in Poland. But he was only
+twenty-two, and a second-hand son-in-law of twenty-two is superior to
+many brand new ones. The two domestic establishments were a few minutes
+away from the shops, facing each other diagonally across the square.
+They were small, three-roomed houses, without basements, the ground
+floor window in each being filled up with a black gauze blind (an
+invariable index of gentility) which allowed the occupants to see all
+that was passing outside, but confronted gazers with their own
+rejections. Passers-by postured at these mirrors, twisting moustaches
+perkily, or giving coquettish pats to bonnets, unwitting of the grinning
+inhabitants. Most of the doors were ajar, wintry as the air was: for the
+Zachariah Squareites lived a good deal on the door-step. In the summer,
+the housewives sat outside on chairs and gossiped and knitted, as if the
+sea foamed at their feel, and wrinkled good-humored old men played nap
+on tea-trays. Some of the doors were blocked below with sliding barriers
+of wood, a sure token of infants inside given to straying. More obvious
+tokens of child-life were the swings nailed to the lintels of a few
+doors, in which, despite the cold, toothless babes swayed like monkeys
+on a branch. But the Square, with its broad area of quadrangular
+pavement, was an ideal playing-ground for children, since other animals
+came not within its precincts, except an inquisitive dog or a local cat.
+Solomon Ansell knew no greater privilege than to accompany his father to
+these fashionable quarters and whip his humming-top across the ample
+spaces, the while Moses transacted his business with Malka. Last time
+the business was psalm-saying. Milly had been brought to bed of a son,
+but it was doubtful if she would survive, despite the charms hung upon
+the bedpost to counteract the nefarious designs of Lilith, the wicked
+first wife of Adam, and of the Not-Good Ones who hover about women in
+childbirth. So Moses was sent for, post-haste, to intercede with the
+Almighty. His piety, it was felt, would command attention. For an
+average of three hundred and sixty-two days a year Moses was a miserable
+worm, a nonentity, but on the other three, when death threatened to
+visit Malka or her little clan, Moses became a personage of prime
+importance, and was summoned at all hours of the day and night to
+wrestle with the angel Azrael. When the angel had retired, worsted,
+after a match sometimes protracted into days, Moses relapsed into his
+primitive insignificance, and was dismissed with a mouthful of rum and a
+shilling. It never seemed to him an unfair equivalent, for nobody could
+make less demand on the universe than Moses. Give him two solid meals
+and three solid services a day, and he was satisfied, and he craved more
+for spiritual snacks between meals than for physical.
+
+The last crisis had been brief, and there was so little danger that,
+when Milly's child was circumcised, Moses had not even been bidden to
+the feast, though his piety would have made him the ideal _sandek_ or
+god-father. He did not resent this, knowing himself dust--and that
+anything but gold-dust.
+
+Moses had hardly emerged from the little arched passage which led to the
+Square, when sounds of strife fell upon his ears. Two stout women
+chatting amicably at their doors, had suddenly developed a dispute. In
+Zachariah Square, when you wanted to get to the bottom of a quarrel, the
+cue was not "find the woman," but find the child. The high-spirited
+bantlings had a way of pummelling one another in fistic duels, and of
+calling in their respective mothers when they got the worse of it--which
+is cowardly, but human. The mother of the beaten belligerent would then
+threaten to wring the "year," or to twist the nose of the victorious
+party--sometimes she did it. In either case, the other mother would
+intervene, and then the two bantlings would retire into the background
+and leave their mothers to take up the duel while they resumed their
+interrupted game.
+
+Of such sort was the squabble betwixt Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs. Mrs.
+Isaacs pointed out with superfluous vehemence that her poor lamb had
+been mangled beyond recognition. Mrs. Jacobs, _per contra_, asseverated
+with superfluous gesture that it was _her_ poor lamb who had received
+irreparable injury. These statements were not in mutual contradiction,
+but Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs were, and so the point at issue was
+gradually absorbed in more personal recriminations.
+
+"By my life, and by my Fanny's life, I'll leave my seal on the first
+child of yours that comes across my way! There!" Thus Mrs. Isaacs.
+
+"Lay a linger on a hair of a child of mine, and, by my husband's life,
+I'll summons you; I'll have the law on you." Thus Mrs. Jacobs; to the
+gratification of the resident populace.
+
+Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs rarely quarrelled with each other, uniting
+rather in opposition to the rest of the Square. They were English, quite
+English, their grandfather having been born in Dresden; and they gave
+themselves airs in consequence, and called their _kinder_ "children,"
+which annoyed those neighbors who found a larger admixture of Yiddish
+necessary for conversation. These very _kinder_, again, attained
+considerable importance among their school-fellows by refusing to
+pronounce the guttural "ch" of the Hebrew otherwise than as an English
+"k."
+
+"Summons me, indeed," laughed back Mrs. Isaacs. "A fat lot I'd care for
+that. You'd jolly soon expose your character to the magistrate.
+Everybody knows what _you_ are."
+
+"Your mother!" retorted Mrs. Jacobs mechanically; the elliptical method
+of expression being greatly in vogue for conversation of a loud
+character. Quick as lightning came the parrying stroke.
+
+"Yah! And what was your father, I should like to know?"
+
+Mrs. Isaacs had no sooner made this inquiry than she became conscious of
+an environment of suppressed laughter; Mrs. Jacobs awoke to the
+situation a second later, and the two women stood suddenly dumbfounded,
+petrified, with arms akimbo, staring at each other.
+
+The wise, if apocryphal, Ecclesiasticus, sagely and pithily remarked,
+many centuries before modern civilization was invented: Jest not with a
+rude man lest thy ancestors be disgraced. To this day the oriental
+methods of insult have survived in the Ghetto. The dead past is never
+allowed to bury its dead; the genealogical dust-heap is always liable to
+be raked up, and even innocuous ancestors may be traduced to the third
+and fourth generation.
+
+Now it so happened that Mrs. Isaacs and Mrs. Jacobs were sisters. And
+when it dawned upon them into what dilemma their automatic methods of
+carte and tierce had inveigled them, they were frozen with confusion.
+They retired crestfallen to their respective parlors, and sported their
+oaks. The resources of repartee were dried up for the moment. Relatives
+are unduly handicapped in these verbal duels; especially relatives with
+the same mother and father.
+
+Presently Mrs. Isaacs reappeared. She had thought of something she ought
+to have said. She went up to her sister's closed door, and shouted into
+the key-hole: "None of my children ever had bandy-legs!"
+
+Almost immediately the window of the front bedroom was flung up, and
+Mrs. Jacobs leant out of it waving what looked like an immense streamer.
+
+"Aha," she observed, dangling it tantalizingly up and down. "Morry
+antique!"
+
+The dress fluttered in the breeze. Mrs. Jacobs caressed the stuff
+between her thumb and forefinger.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk," she announced with a long ecstatic quaver.
+
+Mrs. Isaacs stood paralyzed by the brilliancy of the repartee.
+
+Mrs. Jacobs withdrew the moire antique and exhibited a mauve gown.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk."
+
+The mauve fluttered for a triumphant instant, the next a puce and amber
+dress floated on the breeze.
+
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk." Mrs. Jacobs's fingers smoothed it lovingly,
+then it was drawn within to be instantly replaced by a green dress.
+Mrs. Jacobs passed the skirt slowly through her fingers.
+"Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw-awl silk!" she quavered mockingly.
+
+By this time Mrs. Isaacs's face was the color of the latest flag of
+victory.
+
+"The tallyman!" she tried to retort, but the words stuck in her throat.
+Fortunately just then she caught sight of her poor lamb playing with the
+other poor lamb. She dashed at her offspring, boxed its ears and crying,
+"You little blackguard, if I ever catch you playing with blackguards
+again, I'll wring your neck for you," she hustled the infant into the
+house and slammed the door viciously behind her.
+
+Moses had welcomed this every-day scene, for it put off a few moments
+his encounter with the formidable Malka. As she had not appeared at door
+or window, he concluded she was in a bad temper or out of London;
+neither alternative was pleasant.
+
+He knocked at the door of Milly's house where her mother was generally
+to be found, and an elderly char-woman opened it. There were some
+bottles of spirit, standing on a wooden side-table covered with a
+colored cloth, and some unopened biscuit bags. At these familiar
+premonitory signs of a festival, Moses felt tempted to beat a retreat.
+He could not think for the moment what was up, but whatever it was he
+had no doubt the well-to-do persons would supply him with ice. The
+char-woman, with brow darkened by soot and gloom, told him that Milly
+was upstairs, but that her mother had gone across to her own house with
+the clothes-brush.
+
+Moses's face fell. When his wife was alive, she had been a link of
+connection between "The Family" and himself, her cousin having
+generously employed her as a char-woman. So Moses knew the import of the
+clothes-brush. Malka was very particular about her appearance and loved
+to be externally speckless, but somehow or other she had no
+clothes-brush at home. This deficiency did not matter ordinarily, for
+she practically lived at Milly's. But when she had words with Milly or
+her husband, she retired to her own house to sulk or _schmull_, as they
+called it. The carrying away of the clothes-brush was, thus, a sign that
+she considered the breach serious and hostilities likely to be
+protracted. Sometimes a whole week would go by without the two houses
+ceasing to stare sullenly across at each other, the situation in Milly's
+camp being aggravated by the lack of a clothes-brush. In such moments of
+irritation, Milly's husband was apt to declare that his mother-in-law
+had abundance of clothes-brushes, for, he pertinently asked, how did she
+manage during her frequent business tours in the country? He gave it as
+his conviction that Malka merely took the clothes-brush away to afford
+herself a handle for returning. But then Ephraim Phillips was a
+graceless young fellow, the death of whose first wife was probably a
+judgment on his levity, and everybody except his second mother-in-law
+knew that he had a book of tickets for the Oxbridge Music Hall, and went
+there on Friday nights. Still, in spite of these facts, experience did
+show that whenever Milly's camp had outsulked Malka's, the old woman's
+surrender was always veiled under the formula of: "Oh Milly, I've
+brought you over your clothes-brush. I just noticed it, and thought you
+might be wanting it." After this, conversation was comparatively easy.
+
+Moses hardly cared to face Malka in such a crisis of the clothes-brush.
+He turned away despairingly, and was going back through the small
+archway which led to the Ruins and the outside world, when a grating
+voice startled his ear.
+
+"Well, Meshe, whither fliest thou? Has my Milly forbidden thee to see
+me?"
+
+He looked back. Malka was standing at her house-door. He retraced his
+steps.
+
+"N-n-o," he murmured. "I thought you still out with your stall."
+
+That was where she should have been, at any rate, till half an hour ago.
+She did not care to tell herself, much less Moses, that she had been
+waiting at home for the envoy of peace from the filial camp summoning
+her to the ceremony of the Redemption of her grandson.
+
+"Well, now thou seest me," she said, speaking Yiddish for his behoof,
+"thou lookest not outwardly anxious to know how it goes with me."
+
+"How goes it with you?"
+
+"As well as an old woman has a right to expect. The Most High is good!"
+Malka was in her most amiable mood, to emphasize to outsiders the
+injustice of her kin in quarrelling with her. She was a tall woman of
+fifty, with a tanned equine gypsy face surmounted by a black wig, and
+decorated laterally by great gold earrings. Great black eyes blazed
+beneath great black eyebrows, and the skin between them was capable of
+wrinkling itself black with wrath. A gold chain was wound thrice round
+her neck, and looped up within her black silk bodice. There were
+numerous rings on her fingers, and she perpetually smelt of peppermint.
+
+"_Nu_, stand not chattering there," she went on. "Come in. Dost thou
+wish me to catch my death of cold?"
+
+Moses slouched timidly within, his head bowed as if in dread of knocking
+against the top of the door. The room was a perfect fac-simile of
+Milly's parlor at the other end of the diagonal, save that instead of
+the festive bottles and paper bags on the small side-table, there was a
+cheerless clothes-brush. Like Milly's, the room contained a round table,
+a chest of drawers with decanters on the top, and a high mantelpiece
+decorated with pendant green fringes, fastened by big-headed brass
+nails. Here cheap china dogs, that had had more than their day squatted
+amid lustres with crystal drops. Before the fire was a lofty steel
+guard, which, useful enough in Milly's household, had survived its
+function in Malka's, where no one was ever likely to tumble into the
+grate. In a corner of the room a little staircase began to go upstairs.
+There was oilcloth on the floor. In Zachariah Square anybody could go
+into anybody else's house and feel at home. There was no visible
+difference between one and another. Moses sat down awkwardly on a chair
+and refused a peppermint. In the end he accepted an apple, blessed God
+for creating the fruit of the tree, and made a ravenous bite at it.
+
+"I must take peppermints," Malka explained. "It's for the spasms."
+
+"But you said you were well," murmured Moses.
+
+"And suppose? If I did not take peppermint I should have the spasms. My
+poor sister Rosina, peace be upon him, who died of typhoid, suffered
+greatly from the spasms. It's in the family. She would have died of
+asthma if she had lived long enough. _Nu_, how goes it with thee?" she
+went on, suddenly remembering that Moses, too, had a right to be ill. At
+bottom, Malka felt a real respect for Moses, though he did not know it.
+It dated from the day he cut a chip of mahogany out of her best round
+table. He had finished cutting his nails, and wanted a morsel of wood to
+burn with them in witness of his fulfilment of the pious custom. Malka
+raged, but in her inmost heart there was admiration for such
+unscrupulous sanctity.
+
+"I have been out of work for three weeks," Moses answered, omitting to
+expound the state of his health in view of more urgent matters.
+
+"Unlucky fool! What my silly cousin Gittel, peace be upon him, could see
+to marry in thee, I know not."
+
+Moses could not enlighten her. He might have informed her that _olov
+hasholom_, "peace be upon him," was an absurdity when applied to a
+woman, but then he used the pious phrase himself, although aware of its
+grammatical shortcomings.
+
+"I told her thou wouldst never be able to keep her, poor lamb," Malka
+went on. "But she was always an obstinate pig. And she kept her head
+high up, too, as if she had five pounds a week! Never would let her
+children earn money like other people's children. But thou oughtest not
+to be so obstinate. Thou shouldst have more sense, Meshe; _thou_
+belongest not to my family. Why can't Solomon go out with matches?"
+
+"Gittel's soul would not like it."
+
+"But the living have bodies! Thou rather seest thy children starve than
+work. There's Esther,--an idle, lazy brat, always reading story-books;
+why doesn't she sell flowers or pull out bastings in the evening?"
+
+"Esther and Solomon have their lessons to do."
+
+"Lessons!" snorted Malka. "What's the good of lessons? It's English, not
+Judaism, they teach them in that godless school. _I_ could never read or
+write anything but Hebrew in all my life; but God be thanked, I have
+thriven without it. All they teach them in the school is English
+nonsense. The teachers are a pack of heathens, who eat forbidden things,
+but the good Yiddishkeit goes to the wall. I'm ashamed of thee, Meshe:
+thou dost not even send thy boys to a Hebrew class in the evening."
+
+"I have no money, and they must do their English lessons. Else, perhaps,
+their clothes will be stopped. Besides, I teach them myself every
+_Shabbos_ afternoon and Sunday. Solomon translates into Yiddish the
+whole Pentateuch with Rashi."
+
+"Yes, he may know _Terah_" said Malka, not to be baffled. "But he'll
+never know _Gemorah_ or _Mishnayis_." Malka herself knew very little of
+these abstruse subjects beyond their names, and the fact that they were
+studied out of minutely-printed folios by men of extreme sanctity.
+
+"He knows a little _Gemorah_, too," said Moses. "I can't teach him at
+home because I haven't got a _Gemorah_,--it's so expensive, as you know.
+But he went with me to the _Beth-Medrash_, when the _Maggid_ was
+studying it with a class free of charge, and we learnt the whole of the
+_Tractate Niddah_. Solomon understands very well all about the Divorce
+Laws, and he could adjudicate on the duties of women to their husbands."
+
+"Ah, but he'll never know _Cabbulah_," said Malka, driven to her last
+citadel. "But then no one in England can study _Cabbulah_ since the days
+of Rabbi Falk (the memory of the righteous for a blessing) any more than
+a born Englishman can learn Talmud. There's something in the air that
+prevents it. In my town there was a Rabbi who could do _Cabbulah_; he
+could call Abraham our father from the grave. But in this pig-eating
+country no one can be holy enough for the Name, blessed be It, to grant
+him the privilege. I don't believe the _Shochetim_ kill the animals
+properly; the statutes are violated; even pious people eat _tripha_
+cheese and butter. I don't say thou dost, Meshe, but thou lettest thy
+children."
+
+"Well, your own butter is not _kosher_," said Moses, nettled.
+
+"My butter? What does it matter about my butter? I never set up for a
+purist. I don't come of a family of Rabbonim. I'm only a business woman.
+It's the _froom_ people that I complain of; the people who ought to set
+an example, and are lowering the standard of _Froomkeit_. I caught a
+beadle's wife the other day washing her meat and butter plates in the
+same bowl of water. In time they will be frying steaks in butter, and
+they will end by eating _tripha_ meat out of butter plates, and the
+judgment of God will come. But what is become of thine apple? Thou hast
+not gorged it already?" Moses nervously pointed to his trousers pocket,
+bulged out by the mutilated globe. After his first ravenous bite Moses
+had bethought himself of his responsibilities.
+
+"It's for the _kinder_," he explained.
+
+"_Nu_, the _kinder_!" snorted Malka disdainfully. "And what will they
+give thee for it? Verily, not a thank you. In my young days we trembled
+before the father and the mother, and my mother, peace be upon him,
+_potched_ my face after I was a married woman. I shall never forget that
+slap--it nearly made me adhere to the wall. But now-a-days our children
+sit on our heads. I gave my Milly all she has in the world--a house, a
+shop, a husband, and my best bed-linen. And now when I want her to call
+the child Yosef, after my first husband, peace be on him, her own
+father, she would out of sheer vexatiousness, call it Yechezkel."
+Malka's voice became more strident than ever. She had been anxious to
+make a species of vicarious reparation to her first husband, and the
+failure of Milly to acquiesce in the arrangement was a source of real
+vexation.
+
+Moses could think of nothing better to say than to inquire how her
+present husband was.
+
+"He overworks himself," Malka replied, shaking her head. "The misfortune
+is that he thinks himself a good man of business, and he is always
+starting new enterprises without consulting me. If he would only take my
+advice more!"
+
+Moses shook his head in sympathetic deprecation of Michael Birnbaum's
+wilfulness.
+
+"Is he at home?" he asked.
+
+"No, but I expect him back from the country every minute. I believe they
+have invited him for the _Pidyun Haben_ to-day."
+
+"Oh, is that to-day?"
+
+"Of course. Didst thou not know?"
+
+"No, no one told me."
+
+"Thine own sense should have told thee. Is it not the thirty-first day
+since the birth? But of course he won't accept when he knows that my own
+daughter has driven me out of her house."
+
+"You say not!" exclaimed Moses in horror.
+
+"I do say," said Malka, unconsciously taking up the clothes-brush and
+thumping with it on the table to emphasize the outrage. "I told her that
+when Yechezkel cried so much, it would be better to look for the pin
+than to dose the child for gripes. 'I dressed it myself, Mother,' says
+she. 'Thou art an obstinate cat's head. Milly,' says I. 'I say there
+_is_ a pin.' 'And I know better,' says she. 'How canst thou know better
+than I?' says I. 'Why, I was a mother before thou wast born.' So I
+unrolled the child's flannel, and sure enough underneath it just over
+the stomach I found--"
+
+"The pin," concluded Moses, shaking his head gravely.
+
+"No, not exactly. But a red mark where the pin had been pricking the
+poor little thing."
+
+"And what did Milly say then?" said Moses in sympathetic triumph.
+
+"Milly said it was a flea-bite! and I said, 'Gott in Himmel, Milly, dost
+thou want to swear my eyes away? My enemies shall have such a
+flea-bite.' And because Red Rivkah was in the room, Milly said I was
+shedding her blood in public, and she began to cry as if I had committed
+a crime against her in looking after her child. And I rushed out,
+leaving the two babies howling together. That was a week ago."
+
+"And how is the child?"
+
+"How should I know? I am only the grandmother, I only supplied the
+bed-linen it was born on."
+
+"But is it recovered from the circumcision?"
+
+"Oh, yes, all our family have good healing flesh. It's a fine, child,
+_imbeshreer_. It's got my eyes and nose. It's a rare handsome baby,
+_imbeshreer_. Only it won't be its mother's fault if the Almighty takes
+it not back again. Milly has picked up so many ignorant Lane women who
+come in and blight the child, by admiring it aloud, not even saying
+_imbeshreer_. And then there's an old witch, a beggar-woman that
+Ephraim, my son-in-law, used to give a shilling a week to. Now he only
+gives her ninepence. She asked him 'why?' and he said, 'I'm married now.
+I can't afford more.' 'What!' she shrieked, 'you got married on my
+money!' And one Friday when the nurse had baby downstairs, the old
+beggar-woman knocked for her weekly allowance, and she opened the door,
+and she saw the child, and she looked at it with her Evil Eye! I hope to
+Heaven nothing will come of it."
+
+"I will pray for Yechezkel," said Moses.
+
+"Pray for Milly also, while thou art about it, that she may remember
+what is owing to a mother before the earth covers me. I don't know
+what's coming over children. Look at my Leah. She _will_ marry that Sam
+Levine, though he belongs to a lax English family, and I suspect his
+mother was a proselyte. She can't fry fish any way. I don't say anything
+against Sam, but still I do think my Leah might have told me before
+falling in love with him. And yet see how I treat them! My Michael made
+a _Missheberach_ for them in synagogue the Sabbath after the engagement;
+not a common eighteen-penny benediction, but a guinea one, with
+half-crown blessings thrown in for his parents and the congregation, and
+a gift of five shillings to the minister. That was of course in our own
+_Chevrah_, not reckoning the guinea my Michael _shnodared_ at Duke's
+Plaizer _Shool_. You know we always keep two seats at Duke's Plaizer as
+well." Duke's Plaizer was the current distortion of Duke's Place.
+
+"What magnanimity," said Moses overawed.
+
+"I like to do everything with decorum," said Malka. "No one can say I
+have ever acted otherwise than as a fine person. I dare say thou couldst
+do with a few shillings thyself now."
+
+Moses hung his head still lower. "You see my mother is so poorly," he
+stammered. "She is a very old woman, and without anything to eat she may
+not live long."
+
+"They ought to take her into the Aged Widows' Home. I'm sure I gave her
+_my_ votes."
+
+"God shall bless you for it. But people say I was lucky enough to get
+my Benjamin into the Orphan Asylum, and that I ought not to have brought
+her from Poland. They say we grow enough poor old widows here."
+
+"People say quite right--at least she would have starved in, a Yiddishe
+country, not in a land of heathens."
+
+"But she was lonely and miserable out there, exposed to all the malice
+of the Christians. And I was earning a pound a week. Tailoring was a
+good trade then. The few roubles I used to send her did not always reach
+her."
+
+"Thou hadst no right to send her anything, nor to send for her. Mothers
+are not everything. Thou didst marry my cousin Gittel, peace be upon
+him, and it was thy duty to support _her_ and her children. Thy mother
+took the bread out of the mouth of Gittel, and but for her my poor
+cousin might have been alive to-day. Believe me it was no _Mitzvah_."
+
+_Mitzvah_ is a "portmanteau-word." It means a commandment and a good
+deed, the two conceptions being regarded as interchangeable.
+
+"Nay, thou errest there," answered Moses. "'Gittel was not a phoenix
+which alone ate not of the Tree of Knowledge and lives for ever. Women
+have no need to live as long as men, for they have not so many
+_Mitzvahs_ to perform as men; and inasmuch as"--here his tones
+involuntarily assumed the argumentative sing-song--"their souls profit
+by all the _Mitzvahs_ performed by their husbands and children, Gittel
+will profit by the _Mitzvah_ I did in bringing over my mother, so that
+even if she did die through it, she will not be the loser thereby. It
+stands in the Verse that _man_ shall do the _Mitzvahs_ and live by them.
+To live is a _Mitzvah_, but it is plainly one of those _Mitzvahs_ that
+have to be done at a definite time, from which species women, by reason
+of their household duties, are exempt; wherefore I would deduce by
+another circuit that it is not so incumbent upon women to live as upon
+men. Nevertheless, if God had willed it, she would have been still
+alive. The Holy One, blessed be He, will provide for the little ones He
+has sent into the world. He fed Elijah the prophet by ravens, and He
+will never send me a black Sabbath."
+
+"Oh, you are a saint, Meshe," said Malka, so impressed that she
+admitted him to the equality of the second person plural. "If everybody
+knew as much _Terah_ as you, the Messiah would soon be here. Here are
+five shillings. For five shillings you can get a basket of lemons in the
+Orange Market in Duke's Place, and if you sell them in the Lane at a
+halfpenny each, you will make a good profit. Put aside five shillings of
+your takings and get another basket, and so you will be able to live
+till the tailoring picks up a bit." Moses listened as if he had never
+heard of the elementary principles of barter.
+
+"May the Name, blessed be It, bless you, and may you see rejoicings on
+your children's children."
+
+So Moses went away and bought dinner, treating his family to some
+_beuglich_, or circular twisted rolls, in his joy. But on the morrow he
+repaired to the Market, thinking on the way of the ethical distinction
+between "duties of the heart" and "duties of the limbs," as expounded in
+choice Hebrew by Rabbenu Bachja, and he laid out the remnant in lemons.
+Then he stationed himself in Petticoat Lane, crying, in his imperfect
+English, "Lemans, verra good lemans, two a penny each, two a penny
+each!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE REDEMPTION OF THE SON AND THE DAUGHTER.
+
+
+Malka did not have long to wait for her liege lord. He was a
+fresh-colored young man of thirty, rather good-looking, with side
+whiskers, keen, eager glance, and an air of perpetually doing business.
+Though a native of Germany, he spoke English as well as many Lane Jews,
+whose comparative impiety was a certificate of British birth. Michael
+Birnbaum was a great man in the local little synagogue if only one of
+the crowd at "Duke's Plaizer." He had been successively _Gabbai_ and
+_Parnass_, or treasurer and president, and had presented the plush
+curtain, with its mystical decoration of intersecting triangles, woven
+in silk, that hung before the Ark in which the scrolls of the Law were
+kept. He was the very antithesis of Moses Ansell. His energy was
+restless. From hawking he had risen to a profitable traffic in gold lace
+and Brummagem jewelry, with a large _clientele_ all over the country,
+before he was twenty. He touched nothing which he did not profit by; and
+when he married, at twenty-three, a woman nearly twice his age, the
+transaction was not without the usual percentage. Very soon his line was
+diamonds,--real diamonds. He carried, a pocket-knife which was a
+combination of a corkscrew, a pair of scissors, a file, a pair of
+tweezers, a toothpick, and half a dozen other things, and which seemed
+an epitome of his character. His temperament was lively, and, like
+Ephraim Phillips, he liked music-halls. Fortunately, Malka was too
+conscious of her charms to dream of jealousy.
+
+Michael smacked her soundly on the mouth with his lips and said: "Well,
+mother!"
+
+He called her mother, not because he had any children, but because she
+had, and it seemed a pity to multiply domestic nomenclature.
+
+"Well, my little one," said Malka, hugging him fondly. "Have you made a
+good journey this time?"
+
+"No, trade is so dull. People won't put their hands in their pockets.
+And here?"
+
+"People won't take their hands out of their pockets, lazy dogs!
+Everybody is striking,--Jews with them. Unheard-of things! The
+bootmakers, the capmakers, the furriers! And now they say the tailors
+are going to strike; more fools, too, when the trade is so slack. What
+with one thing and another (let me put your cravat straight, my little
+love), it's just the people who can't afford to buy new clothes that are
+hard up, so that they can't afford to buy second-hand clothes either. If
+the Almighty is not good to us, we shall come to the Board of Guardians
+ourselves."
+
+"Not quite so bad as that, mother," laughed Michael, twirling the
+massive diamond ring on his finger. "How's baby? Is it ready to be
+redeemed?"
+
+"Which baby?" said Malka, with well-affected agnosticism.
+
+"Phew!" whistled Michael. "What's up now, mother?"
+
+"Nothing, my pet, nothing."
+
+"Well, I'm going across. Come along, mother. Oh, wait a minute. I want
+to brush this mud off my trousers. Is the clothes-brush here?"
+
+"Yes, dearest one," said the unsuspecting Malka.
+
+Michael winked imperceptibly, flicked his trousers, and without further
+parley ran across the diagonal to Milly's house. Five minutes afterwards
+a deputation, consisting of a char-woman, waited upon Malka and said:
+
+"Missus says will you please come over, as baby is a-cryin' for its
+grandma."
+
+"Ah, that must be another pin," said Malka, with a gleam of triumph at
+her victory. But she did not budge. At the end of five minutes she rose
+solemnly, adjusted her wig and her dress in the mirror, put on her
+bonnet, brushed away a non-existent speck of dust from her left sleeve,
+put a peppermint in her mouth, and crossed the Square, carrying the
+clothes-brush in her hand. Milly's door was half open, but she knocked
+at it and said to the char-woman:
+
+"Is Mrs. Phillips in?"
+
+"Yes, mum, the company's all upstairs."
+
+"Oh, then I will go up and return her this myself."
+
+Malka went straight through the little crowd of guests to Milly, who was
+sitting on a sofa with Ezekiel, quiet as a lamb and as good as gold, in
+her arms.
+
+"Milly, my dear," she said. "I have come to bring you back your
+clothes-brush. Thank you so much for the loan of it."
+
+"You know you're welcome, mother," said Milly, with unintentionally dual
+significance. The two ladies embraced. Ephraim Phillips, a
+sallow-looking, close-cropped Pole, also kissed his mother-in-law, and
+the gold chain that rested on Malka's bosom heaved with the expansion of
+domestic pride. Malka thanked God she was not a mother of barren or
+celibate children, which is only one degree better than personal
+unfruitfulness, and testifies scarce less to the celestial curse.
+
+"Is that pin-mark gone away yet, Milly, from the precious little
+thing?" said Malka, taking Ezekiel in her arms and disregarding the
+transformation of face which in babies precedes a storm.
+
+"Yes, it was a mere flea-bite," said Milly incautiously, adding
+hurriedly, "I always go through his flannels and things most carefully
+to see there are no more pins lurking about."
+
+"That is right! Pins are like fleas--you never know where they get to,"
+said Malka in an insidious spirit of compromise. "Where is Leah?"
+
+"She is in the back yard frying the last of the fish. Don't you smell
+it?"
+
+"It will hardly have time to get cold."
+
+"Well, but I did a dishful myself last night. She is only preparing a
+reserve in case the attack be too deadly."
+
+"And where is the _Cohen_?"
+
+"Oh, we have asked old Hyams across the Ruins. We expect him round every
+minute."
+
+At this point the indications of Ezekiel's facial barometer were
+fulfilled, and a tempest of weeping shook him.
+
+"_Na_! Go then! Go to the mother," said Malka angrily. "All my children
+are alike. It's getting late. Hadn't you better send across again for
+old Hyams?"
+
+"There's no hurry, mother," said Michael Birnbaum soothingly. "We must
+wait for Sam."
+
+"And who's Sam?" cried Malka unappeased.
+
+"Sam is Leah's _Chosan_," replied Michael ingenuously.
+
+"Clever!" sneered Malka. "But my grandson is not going to wait for the
+son of a proselyte. Why doesn't he come?"
+
+"He'll be here in one minute."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"We came up in the same train. He got in at Middlesborough. He's just
+gone home to see his folks, and get a wash and a brush-up. Considering
+he's coming up to town merely for the sake of the family ceremony, I
+think it would be very rude to commence without him. It's no joke, a
+long railway journey this weather. My feet were nearly frozen despite
+the foot-warmer."
+
+"My poor lambkin," said Malka, melting. And she patted his side
+whiskers.
+
+Sam Levine arrived almost immediately, and Leah, fishfork in hand, flew
+out of the back-yard kitchen to greet him. Though a member of the tribe
+of Levi, he was anything but ecclesiastical in appearance, rather a
+representative of muscular Judaism. He had a pink and white complexion,
+and a tawny moustache, and bubbled over with energy and animal spirits.
+He could give most men thirty in a hundred in billiards, and fifty in
+anecdote. He was an advanced Radical in politics, and had a high opinion
+of the intelligence of his party. He paid Leah lip-fealty on his entry.
+
+"What a pity it's Sunday!" was Leah's first remark when the kissing was
+done.
+
+"No going to the play," said Sam ruefully, catching her meaning.
+
+They always celebrated his return from a commercial round by going to
+the theatre--the-etter they pronounced it. They went to the pit of the
+West End houses rather than patronize the local dress circles for the
+same money. There were two strata of Ghetto girls, those who strolled in
+the Strand on Sabbath, and those who strolled in the Whitechapel Road.
+Leah was of the upper stratum. She was a tall lovely brunette, exuberant
+of voice and figure, with coarse red hands. She doted on ice-cream in
+the summer, and hot chocolate in the winter, but her love of the theatre
+was a perennial passion. Both Sam and she had good ears, and were always
+first in the field with the latest comic opera tunes. Leah's healthy
+vitality was prodigious. There was a legend in the Lane of such a maiden
+having been chosen by a coronet; Leah was satisfied with Sam, who was
+just her match. On the heels of Sam came several other guests, notably
+Mrs. Jacobs (wife of "Reb" Shemuel), with her pretty daughter, Hannah.
+Mr. Hyams, the _Cohen_, came last--the Priest whose functions had so
+curiously dwindled since the times of the Temples. To be called first to
+the reading of the Law, to bless his brethren with symbolic spreadings
+of palms and fingers in a mystic incantation delivered, standing
+shoeless before the Ark of the Covenant at festival seasons, to redeem
+the mother's first-born son when neither parent was of priestly
+lineage--these privileges combined with a disability to be with or near
+the dead, differentiated his religious position from that of the Levite
+or the Israelite. Mendel Hyams was not puffed up about his tribal
+superiority, though if tradition were to be trusted, his direct descent
+from Aaron, the High Priest, gave him a longer genealogy than Queen
+Victoria's. He was a meek sexagenarian, with a threadbare black coat and
+a child-like smile. All the pride of the family seemed to be monopolized
+by his daughter Miriam, a girl whose very nose Heaven had fashioned
+scornful. Miriam had accompanied him out of contemptuous curiosity. She
+wore a stylish feather in her hat, and a boa round her throat, and
+earned thirty shillings a week, all told, as a school teacher. (Esther
+Ansell was in her class just now.) Probably her toilette had made old
+Hyams unpunctual. His arrival was the signal for the commencement of the
+proceedings, and the men hastened to assume their head-gear.
+
+Ephraim Phillips cautiously took the swaddled-up infant from the bosom
+of Milly where it was suckling and presented it to old Hyams.
+Fortunately Ezekiel had already had a repletion of milk, and was drowsy
+and manifested very little interest in the whole transaction.
+
+"This my first-born son," said Ephraim in Hebrew as he handed Ezekiel
+over--"is the first-born of his mother, and the Holy One, blessed be He,
+hath given command to redeem him, as it is said, and those that are to
+be redeemed of them from a month old, shalt thou redeem according to
+thine estimation for the money of five shekels after the shekel of the
+sanctuary, the shekel being twenty gerahs; and it is said, 'Sanctify
+unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the
+children of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine.'"
+
+Ephraim Phillips then placed fifteen shillings in silver before old
+Hyams, who thereupon inquired in Chaldaic: "Which wouldst thou
+rather--give me thy first-born son, the first-born of his mother, or
+redeem him for five selaim, which thou art bound to give according to
+the Law?"
+
+Ephraim replied in Chaldaic: "I am desirous rather to redeem my son,
+and here thou hast the value of his redemption, which I am bound to give
+according to the Law."
+
+Thereupon Hyams took the money tendered, and gave back the child to his
+father, who blessed God for His sanctifying commandments, and thanked
+Him for His mercies; after which the old _Cohen_ held the fifteen
+shillings over the head of the infant, saying: "This instead of that,
+this in exchange for that, this in remission of that. May this child
+enter into life, into the Law, and into the fear of Heaven. May it be
+God's will that even as he has been admitted to redemption, so may he
+enter into the Law, the nuptial canopy and into good deeds. Amen." Then,
+placing his hand in benediction upon the child's head, the priestly
+layman added: "God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh. The Lord bless
+thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be
+gracious unto thee. The Lord turn His face to thee and grant thee peace.
+The Lord is thy guardian; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. For
+length of days and years of life and peace shall they add to thee. The
+Lord shall guard thee from all evil. He shall guard thy soul."
+
+"Amen," answered the company, and then there was a buzz of secular talk,
+general rapture being expressed at the stolidness of Ezekiel's demeanor.
+Cups of tea were passed round by the lovely Leah, and the secrets of the
+paper bags were brought to light. Ephraim Phillips talked horses with
+Sam Levine, and old Hyams quarrelled with Malka over the disposal of the
+fifteen shillings. Knowing that Hyams was poor, Malka refused to take
+back the money retendered by him under pretence of a gift to the child.
+The _Cohen_, however, was a proud man, and under the eye of Miriam a
+firm one. Ultimately it was agreed the money should be expended on a
+_Missheberach_, for the infant's welfare and the synagogue's. Birds of a
+feather flock together, and Miriam forgathered with Hannah Jacobs, who
+also had a stylish feather in her hat, and was the most congenial of the
+company. Mrs. Jacobs was left to discourse of the ailments of childhood
+and the iniquities of servants with Mrs. Phillips. Reb Shemuel's wife,
+commonly known as the Rebbitzin, was a tall woman with a bony nose and
+shrivelled cheeks, whereon the paths of the blood-vessels were scrawled
+in red. The same bones were visible beneath the plumper padding of
+Hannah's face. Mrs. Jacobs had escaped the temptation to fatness, which
+is the besetting peril of the Jewish matron. If Hannah could escape her
+mother's inclination to angularity she would be a pretty woman. She
+dressed with taste, which is half the battle, and for the present she
+was only nineteen.
+
+"Do you think it's a good match?" said Miriam Hyams, indicating Sam
+Levine with a movement of the eyebrow.
+
+A swift, scornful look flitted across Hannah's face. "Among the Jews,"
+she said, "every match is a grand _Shidduch_ before the marriage; after,
+we hear another tale."
+
+"There is a good deal in that," admitted Miriam, thoughtfully. "The
+girl's family cries up the capture shamelessly. I remember when Clara
+Emanuel was engaged, her brother Jack told me it was a splendid
+_Shidduch_. Afterwards I found he was a widower of fifty-five with three
+children."
+
+"But that engagement went off," said Hannah.
+
+"I know," said Miriam. "I'm only saying I can't fancy myself doing
+anything of the kind."
+
+"What! breaking off an engagement?" said Hannah, with a cynical little
+twinkle about her eye.
+
+"No, taking a man like that," replied Miriam. "I wouldn't look at a man
+over thirty-five, or with less than two hundred and fifty a year."
+
+"You'll never marry a teacher, then," Hannah remarked.
+
+"Teacher!" Miriam Hyams repeated, with a look of disgust. "How can one
+be respectable on three pounds a week? I must have a man in a good
+position." She tossed her piquant nose and looked almost handsome. She
+was five years older than Hannah, and it seemed an enigma why men did
+not rush to lay five pounds a week at her daintily shod feet.
+
+"I'd rather marry a man with two pounds a week if I loved him," said
+Hannah in a low tone.
+
+"Not in this century," said Miriam, shaking her head incredulously. "We
+don't believe in that nonsense now-a-days. There was Alice Green,--she
+used to talk like that,--now look at her, riding about in a gig side by
+side with a bald monkey."
+
+"Alice Green's mother," interrupted Malka, pricking up her ears,
+"married a son of Mendel Weinstein by his third wife, Dinah, who had ten
+pounds left her by her uncle Shloumi."
+
+"No, Dinah was Mendel's second wife," corrected Mrs. Jacobs, cutting
+short a remark of Mrs. Phillips's in favor of the new interest.
+
+"Dinah was Mendel's third wife," repeated Malka, her tanned cheeks
+reddening. "I know it because my Simon, God bless him, was breeched the
+same month."
+
+Simon was Malka's eldest, now a magistrate in Melbourne.
+
+"His third wife was Kitty Green, daughter of the yellow Melammed,"
+persisted the Rebbitzin. "I know it for a fact, because Kitty's sister
+Annie was engaged for a week to my brother-in-law Nathaniel."
+
+"His first wife," put in Malka's husband, with the air of arbitrating
+between the two, "was Shmool the publican's eldest daughter."
+
+"Shmool the publican's daughter," said Malka, stirred to fresh
+indignation, "married Hyam Robins, the grandson of old Benjamin, who
+kept the cutlery shop at the corner of Little Eden Alley, there where
+the pickled cucumber store stands now."
+
+"It was Shmool's sister that married Hyam Robins, wasn't it, mother?"
+asked Milly, incautiously.
+
+"Certainly not," thundered Malka. "I knew old Benjamin well, and he sent
+me a pair of chintz curtains when I married your father."
+
+"Poor old Benjamin! How long has he been dead?" mused Reb Shemuel's
+wife.
+
+"He died the year I was confined with my Leah----"
+
+"Stop! stop!" interrupted Sam Levine boisterously. "There's Leah getting
+as red as fire for fear you'll blab out her age."
+
+"Don't be a fool, Sam," said Leah, blushing violently, and looking the
+lovelier for it.
+
+The attention of the entire company was now concentrated upon the
+question at issue, whatever it might be. Malka fixed her audience with
+her piercing eye, and said in a tone that scarce brooked contradiction:
+"Hyam Robins couldn't have married Shmool's sister because Shmool's
+sister was already the wife of Abraham the fishmonger."
+
+"Yes, but Shmool had two sisters," said Mrs. Jacobs, audaciously
+asserting her position as the rival genealogist.
+
+"Nothing of the kind," replied Malka warmly.
+
+"I'm quite sure," persisted Mrs. Jacobs. "There was Phoeby and there was
+Harriet."
+
+"Nothing of the kind," repeated Malka. "Shmool had three sisters. Only
+two were in the deaf and dumb home."
+
+"Why, that, wasn't Shmool at all," Milly forgot herself so far as to
+say, "that was Block the Baker."
+
+"Of course!" said Malka in her most acid tone. "My _kinder_ always know
+better than me."
+
+There was a moment of painful silence. Malka's eye mechanically sought
+the clothes-brush. Then Ezekiel sneezed. It was a convulsive "atichoo,"
+and agitated the infant to its most intimate flannel-roll.
+
+"For thy Salvation do I hope, O Lord," murmured Malka, piously, adding
+triumphantly aloud, "There! the _kind_ has sneezed to the truth of it. I
+knew I was right."
+
+The sneeze of an innocent child silences everybody who is not a
+blasphemer. In the general satisfaction at the unexpected solution of
+the situation, no one even pointed out that the actual statement to
+which Ezekiel had borne testimony, was an assertion of the superior
+knowledge of Malka's children. Shortly afterwards the company trooped
+downstairs to partake of high tea, which in the Ghetto need not include
+anything more fleshly than fish. Fish was, indeed, the staple of the
+meal. Fried fish, and such fried fish! Only a great poet could sing the
+praises of the national dish, and the golden age of Hebrew poetry is
+over. Strange that Gebirol should have lived and died without the
+opportunity of the theme, and that the great Jehuda Halevi himself
+should have had to devote his genius merely to singing the glories of
+Jerusalem. "Israel is among the other nations," he sang, "as the heart
+among the limbs." Even so is the fried fish of Judaea to the fried fish
+of Christendom and Heathendom. With the audacity of true culinary
+genius, Jewish fried fish is always served cold. The skin is a beautiful
+brown, the substance firm and succulent. The very bones thereof are full
+of marrow, yea and charged with memories of the happy past. Fried fish
+binds Anglo-Judaea more than all the lip-professions of unity. Its savor
+is early known of youth, and the divine flavor, endeared by a thousand
+childish recollections, entwined with the most sacred associations,
+draws back the hoary sinner into the paths of piety. It is on fried
+fish, mayhap, that the Jewish matron grows fat. In the days of the
+Messiah, when the saints shall feed off the Leviathan; and the Sea
+Serpent shall be dished up for the last time, and the world and the
+silly season shall come to an end, in those days it is probable that the
+saints will prefer their Leviathan fried. Not that any physical frying
+will be necessary, for in those happy times (for whose coming every
+faithful Israelite prays three times a day), the Leviathan will have
+what taste the eater will. Possibly a few highly respectable saints, who
+were fashionable in their day and contrived to live in Kensington
+without infection of paganism, will take their Leviathan in conventional
+courses, and beginning with _hors d'oeuvres_ may _will_ him everything
+by turns and nothing long; making him soup and sweets, joint and
+_entree_, and even ices and coffee, for in the millennium the harassing
+prohibition which bars cream after meat will fall through. But, however
+this be, it is beyond question that the bulk of the faithful will
+mentally fry him, and though the Christian saints, who shall be
+privileged to wait at table, hand them plate after plate, fried fish
+shall be all the fare. One suspects that Hebrews gained the taste in the
+Desert of Sinai, for the manna that fell there was not monotonous to the
+palate as the sciolist supposes, but likewise mutable under volition. It
+were incredible that Moses, who gave so many imperishable things to his
+people, did not also give them the knowledge of fried fish, so that they
+might obey his behest, and rejoice, before the Lord. Nay, was it not
+because, while the manna fell, there could be no lack of fish to fry,
+that they lingered forty years in a dreary wilderness? Other delicious
+things there are in Jewish cookery--_Lockschen_, which are the
+apotheosis of vermicelli, _Ferfel_, which are _Lockschen_ in an atomic
+state, and _Creplich_, which are triangular meat-pasties, and _Kuggol_,
+to which pudding has a far-away resemblance; and there is even _gefuellte
+Fisch_, which is stuffed fish without bones--but fried fish reigns above
+all in cold, unquestioned sovereignty. No other people possesses the
+recipe. As a poet of the commencement of the century sings:
+
+    The Christians are ninnies, they can't fry Dutch plaice,
+    Believe me, they can't tell a carp from a dace.
+
+It was while discussing a deliciously brown oblong of the Dutch plaice
+of the ballad that Samuel Levine appeared to be struck by an idea. He
+threw down his knife and fork and exclaimed in Hebrew. "_Shemah beni_!"
+
+Every one looked at him.
+
+"Hear, my son!" he repeated in comic horror. Then relapsing into
+English, he explained. "I've forgotten to give Leah a present from her
+_chosan_."
+
+"A-h-h!" Everybody gave a sigh of deep interest; Leah, whom the
+exigencies of service had removed from his side to the head of the
+table, half-rose from her seat in excitement.
+
+Now, whether Samuel Levine had really forgotten, or whether he had
+chosen the most effective moment will never be known; certain it is that
+the Semitic instinct for drama was gratified within him as he drew a
+little folded white paper out of his waistcoat pocket, amid the keen
+expectation of the company.
+
+"This," said he, tapping the paper as if he were a conjurer, "was
+purchased by me yesterday morning for my little girl. I said to myself,
+says I, look here, old man, you've got to go up to town for a day in
+honor of Ezekiel Phillips, and your poor girl, who had looked forward to
+your staying away till Passover, will want some compensation for her
+disappointment at seeing you earlier. So I thinks to myself, thinks I,
+now what is there that Leah would like? It must be something
+appropriate, of course, and it mustn't be of any value, because I can't
+afford it. It's a ruinous business getting engaged; the worst bit of
+business I ever did in all my born days." Here Sam winked facetiously at
+the company. "And I thought and thought of what was the cheapest thing I
+could get out of it with, and lo and behold I suddenly thought of a
+ring."
+
+So saying, Sam, still with the same dramatic air, unwrapped the thick
+gold ring and held it up so that the huge diamond in it sparkled in the
+sight of all. A long "O--h--h" went round the company, the majority
+instantaneously pricing it mentally, and wondering at what reduction Sam
+had acquired it from a brother commercial. For that no Jew ever pays
+full retail price for jewelry is regarded as axiomatic. Even the
+engagement ring is not required to be first-hand--or should it be
+first-finger?--so long as it is solid; which perhaps accounts for the
+superiority of the Jewish marriage-rate. Leah rose entirely to her feet,
+the light of the diamond reflected in her eager eyes. She leant across
+the table, stretching out a finger to receive her lover's gift. Sam put
+the ring near her finger, then drew it away teasingly.
+
+"Them as asks shan't have," he said, in high good humor. "You're too
+greedy. Look at the number of rings you've got already." The fun of the
+situation diffused itself along the table.
+
+"Give it me," laughed Miriam Hyams, stretching out her finger. "I'll say
+'ta' so nicely."
+
+"No," he said, "you've been naughty; I'm going to give it to the little
+girl who has sat quiet all the time. Miss Hannah Jacobs, rise to receive
+your prize."
+
+Hannah, who was sitting two places to the left of him, smiled quietly,
+but went on carving her fish. Sam, growing quite boisterous under the
+appreciation of a visibly amused audience, leaned towards her, captured
+her right hand, and forcibly adjusted the ring on the second finger,
+exclaiming in Hebrew, with mock solemnity, "Behold, thou art consecrated
+unto me by this ring according to the Law of Moses and Israel."
+
+It was the formal marriage speech he had learnt up for his approaching
+marriage. The company roared with laughter, and pleasure and enjoyment
+of the fun made Leah's lovely, smiling cheeks flush to a livelier
+crimson. Badinage flew about from one end of the table to the other:
+burlesque congratulations were showered on the couple, flowing over even
+unto Mrs. Jacobs, who appeared to enjoy the episode as much as if her
+daughter were really off her hands. The little incident added the last
+touch of high spirits to the company and extorted all their latent
+humor. Samuel excelled himself in vivacious repartee, and responded
+comically to the toast of his health as drunk in coffee. Suddenly, amid
+the hubbub of chaff and laughter and the clatter of cutlery, a still
+small voice made itself heard. It same from old Hyams, who had been
+sitting quietly with brow corrugated under his black velvet _koppel_.
+
+"Mr. Levine," he said, in low grave tones, "I have been thinking, and I
+am afraid that what you have done is serious."
+
+The earnestness of his tones arrested the attention of the company. The
+laughter ceased.
+
+"What do you mean?" said Samuel. He understood the Yiddish which old
+Hyams almost invariably used, though he did not speak it himself.
+Contrariwise, old Hyams understood much more English than he spoke.
+
+"You have married Hannah Jacobs."
+
+There was a painful silence, dim recollections surging in everybody's
+brain.
+
+"Married Hannah Jacobs!" repeated Samuel incredulously.
+
+"Yes," affirmed old Hyams. "What you have done constitutes a marriage
+according to Jewish law. You have pledged yourself to her in the
+presence of two witnesses."
+
+There was another tense silence. Samuel broke it with a boisterous
+laugh.
+
+"No, no, old fellow," he said; "you don't have me like that!"
+
+The tension was relaxed. Everybody joined in the laugh with a feeling of
+indescribable relief. Facetious old Hyams had gone near scoring one.
+Hannah smilingly plucked off the glittering bauble from her finger and
+slid it on to Leah's. Hyams alone remained grave. "Laugh away!" he
+said. "You will soon find I am right. Such is our law."
+
+"May be," said Samuel, constrained to seriousness despite himself. "But
+you forget that I am already engaged to Leah."
+
+"I do not forget it," replied Hyams, "but it has nothing to do with the
+case. You are both single, or rather you _were_ both single, for now you
+are man and wife."
+
+Leah, who had been sitting pale and agitated, burst into tears. Hannah's
+face was drawn and white. Her mother looked the least alarmed of the
+company.
+
+"Droll person!" cried Malka, addressing Sam angrily in jargon. "What
+hast thou done?"
+
+"Don't let us all go mad," said Samuel, bewildered. "How can a piece of
+fun, a joke, be a valid marriage?"
+
+"The law takes no account of jokes," said old Hyams solemnly.
+
+"Then why didn't you stop me?" asked Sam, exasperated.
+
+"It was all done in a moment. I laughed myself; I had no time to think."
+
+Sam brought his fist down on the table with a bang.
+
+"Well, I'll never believe this! If this is Judaism----!"
+
+"Hush!" said Malka angrily. "These are your English Jews, who make mock
+of holy things. I always said the son of a proselyte was----"
+
+"Look here, mother," put in Michael soothingly. "Don't let us make a
+fuss before we know the truth. Send for some one who is likely to know."
+He played agitatedly with his complex pocket-knife.
+
+"Yes, Hannah's father, Reb Shemuel is just the man," cried Milly
+Phillips.
+
+"I told you my husband was gone to Manchester for a day or two," Mrs.
+Jacobs reminded her.
+
+"There's the _Maggid_ of the Sons of the Covenant," said one of the
+company. "I'll go and fetch him."
+
+The stooping, black-bearded _Maggid_ was brought. When he arrived, it
+was evident from his look that he knew all and brought confirmation of
+their worst fears. He explained the law at great length, and cited
+precedent upon precedent. When he ceased, Leah's sobs alone broke the
+silence. Samuel's face was white. The merry gathering had been turned to
+a wedding party.
+
+"You rogue!" burst forth Malka at last. "You planned all this--you
+thought my Leah didn't have enough money, and that Reb Shemuel will heap
+you up gold in the hands. But you don't take me in like this."
+
+"May this piece of bread choke me if I had the slightest iota of
+intention!" cried Samuel passionately, for the thought of what Leah
+might think was like fire in his veins. He turned appealingly to the
+_Maggid_; "but there must be some way out of this, surely there must be
+some way out. I know you _Maggidim_ can split hairs. Can't you make one
+of your clever distinctions even when there's more than a trifle
+concerned?" There was a savage impatience about the bridegroom which
+boded ill for the Law.
+
+"Of course there's a way out," said the _Maggid_ calmly. "Only one way,
+but a very broad and simple one."
+
+"What's that?" everybody asked breathlessly.
+
+"He must give her _Gett_!"
+
+"Of course!" shouted Sam in a voice of thunder. "I divorce her at once."
+He guffawed hysterically: "What a pack of fools we are! Good old Jewish
+law!"
+
+Leah's sobs ceased. Everybody except Mrs. Jacobs was smiling once more.
+Half a dozen, hands grasped the _Maggid's_; half a dozen others thumped
+him on the back. He was pushed into a chair. They gave him a glass of
+brandy, they heaped a plate with fried fish. Verily the _Maggid_, who
+was in truth sore ahungered, was in luck's way. He blessed Providence
+and the Jewish Marriage Law.
+
+"But you had better not reckon that a divorce," he warned them between
+two mouthfuls. "You had better go to Reb Shemuel, the maiden's father,
+and let him arrange the _Gett_ beyond reach of cavil."
+
+"But Reb Shemuel is away," said Mrs. Jacobs.
+
+"And I must go away, too, by the first train to-morrow," said Sam.
+"However, there's no hurry. I'll arrange to run up to town again in a
+fortnight or so, and then Reb Shemuel shall see that we are properly
+untied. You don't mind being my wife for a fortnight, I hope, Miss
+Jacobs?" asked Sam, winking gleefully at Leah. She smiled back at him
+and they laughed together over the danger they had just escaped. Hannah
+laughed too, in contemptuous amusement at the rigidity of Jewish Law.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Sam, can't you come back for next Saturday week?"
+said Leah.
+
+"Why?" asked Sam. "What's on?"
+
+"The Purim Ball at the Club. As you've got to come back to give Hannah
+_Gett_, you might as well come in time to take me to the ball."
+
+"Right you are," said Sam cheerfully.
+
+Leah clapped her hands. "Oh that will be jolly," she said. "And we'll
+take Hannah with us," she added as an afterthought.
+
+"Is that by way of compensation for losing my husband?" Hannah asked
+with a smile.
+
+Leah gave a happy laugh, and turned the new ring on her finger in
+delighted contemplation.
+
+"All's well that ends well," said Sam. "Through this joke Leah will be
+the belle of the Purim Ball. I think I deserve another piece of plaice,
+Leah, for that compliment. As for you, Mr. Maggid, you're a saint and a
+Talmud sage!"
+
+The _Maggid's_ face was brightened by a smile. He intoned the grace with
+unction when the meal ended, and everybody joined in heartily at the
+specifically vocal portions. Then the _Maggid_ left, and the cards were
+brought out.
+
+It is inadvisable to play cards _before_ fried fish, because it is well
+known that you may lose, and losing may ruffle your temper, and you may
+call your partner an ass, or your partner may call you an ass. To-night
+the greatest good humor prevailed, though several pounds changed hands.
+They played Loo, "Klobbiyos," Napoleon, Vingt-et-un, and especially
+Brag. Solo whist had not yet come in to drive everything else out. Old
+Hyams did not _spiel_, because he could not afford to, and Hannah Jacobs
+because she did not care to. These and a few other guests left early.
+But the family party stayed late. On a warm green table, under a
+cheerful gas light, with brandy and whiskey and sweets and fruit to
+hand, with no trains or busses to catch, what wonder if the
+light-hearted assembly played far into the new day?
+
+Meanwhile the Redeemed Son slept peacefully in his crib with his legs
+curled up, and his little fists clenched beneath the coverlet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PAUPER ALIEN.
+
+
+Moses Ansell married mainly because all men are mortal. He knew he would
+die and he wanted an heir. Not to inherit anything, but to say _Kaddish_
+for him. _Kaddish_ is the most beautiful and wonderful mourning prayer
+ever written. Rigidly excluding all references to death and grief, it
+exhausts itself in supreme glorification of the Eternal and in
+supplication for peace upon the House of Israel. But its significance
+has been gradually transformed; human nature, driven away with a
+pitchfork, has avenged itself by regarding the prayer as a mass, not
+without purgatorial efficacy, and so the Jew is reluctant to die without
+leaving some one qualified to say _Kaddish_ after him every day for a
+year, and then one day a year. That is one reason why sons are of such
+domestic importance.
+
+Moses had only a mother in the world when he married Gittel Silverstein,
+and he hoped to restore the balance of male relatives by this reckless
+measure. The result was six children, three girls and three _Kaddishim_.
+In Gittel, Moses found a tireless helpmate. During her lifetime the
+family always lived in two rooms, for she had various ways of
+supplementing the household income. When in London she chared for her
+cousin Malka at a shilling a day. Likewise she sewed underlinen and
+stitched slips of fur into caps in the privacy of home and midnight. For
+all Mrs. Ansell's industry, the family had been a typical group of
+wandering Jews, straying from town to town in search of better things.
+The congregation they left (every town which could muster the minimum
+of ten men for worship boasted its _Kehillah_) invariably paid their
+fare to the next congregation, glad to get rid of them so cheaply, and
+the new _Kehillah_ jumped at the opportunity of gratifying their
+restless migratory instinct and sent them to a newer. Thus were they
+tossed about on the battledores of philanthropy, often reverting to
+their starting-point, to the disgust of the charitable committees. Yet
+Moses always made loyal efforts to find work. His versatility was
+marvellous. There was nothing he could not do badly. He had been
+glazier, synagogue beadle, picture-frame manufacturer, cantor, peddler,
+shoemaker in all branches, coat-seller, official executioner of fowls
+and cattle, Hebrew teacher, fruiterer, circumciser, professional
+corpse-watcher, and now he was a tailor out of work.
+
+Unquestionably Malka was right in considering Moses a _Schlemihl_ in
+comparison with many a fellow-immigrant, who brought indefatigable hand
+and subtle brain to the struggle for existence, and discarded the prop
+of charity as soon as he could, and sometimes earlier.
+
+It was as a hawker that he believed himself most gifted, and he never
+lost the conviction that if he could only get a fair start, he had in
+him the makings of a millionaire. Yet there was scarcely anything cheap
+with which he had not tramped the country, so that when poor Benjamin,
+who profited by his mother's death to get into the Orphan Asylum, was
+asked to write a piece of composition on "The Methods of Travelling," he
+excited the hilarity of the class-room by writing that there were
+numerous ways of travelling, for you could travel with sponge, lemons,
+rhubarb, old clothes, jewelry, and so on, for a page of a copy book.
+Benjamin was a brilliant boy, yet he never shook off some of the
+misleading associations engendered by the parental jargon. For Mrs.
+Ansell had diversified her corrupt German by streaks of incorrect
+English, being of a much more energetic and ambitious temperament than
+the conservative Moses, who dropped nearly all his burden of English
+into her grave. For Benjamin, "to travel" meant to wander about selling
+goods, and when in his books he read of African travellers, he took it
+for granted that they were but exploiting the Dark Continent for small
+profits and quick returns.
+
+And who knows? Perhaps of the two species, it was the old Jewish
+peddlers who suffered the more and made the less profit on the average.
+For the despised three-hatted scarecrow of Christian caricature, who
+shambled along snuffling "Old clo'," had a strenuous inner life, which
+might possibly have vied in intensity, elevation, and even sense of
+humor, with that of the best of the jeerers on the highway. To Moses,
+"travelling" meant straying forlornly in strange towns and villages,
+given over to the worship of an alien deity and ever ready to avenge his
+crucifixion; in a land of whose tongue he knew scarce more than the
+Saracen damsel married by legend to a Becket's father. It meant praying
+brazenly in crowded railway trains, winding the phylacteries sevenfold
+round his left arm and crowning his forehead with a huge leather bump of
+righteousness, to the bewilderment or irritation of unsympathetic
+fellow-passengers. It meant living chiefly on dry bread and drinking
+black tea out of his own cup, with meat and fish and the good things of
+life utterly banned by the traditional law, even if he were flush. It
+meant carrying the red rag of an obnoxious personality through a land of
+bulls. It meant passing months away from wife and children, in a
+solitude only occasionally alleviated by a Sabbath spent in a synagogue
+town. It meant putting up at low public houses and common lodging
+houses, where rowdy disciples of the Prince of Peace often sent him
+bleeding to bed, or shamelessly despoiled him of his merchandise, or
+bullied and blustered him out of his fair price, knowing he dared not
+resent. It meant being chaffed and gibed at in language of which he
+only understood that it was cruel, though certain trite facetiae grew
+intelligible to him by repetition. Thus once, when he had been
+interrogated as to the locality of Moses when the light went out, he
+replied in Yiddish that the light could not go out, for "it stands in
+the verse, that round the head of Moses, our teacher, the great
+law-giver, was a perpetual halo." An old German happened to be smoking
+at the bar of the public house when the peddler gave his acute answer;
+he laughed heartily, slapped the Jew on the back and translated the
+repartee to the Convivial crew. For once intellect told, and the rough
+drinkers, with a pang of shame, vied with one another in pressing bitter
+beer upon the temperate Semite. But, as a rule, Moses Ansell drank the
+cup of affliction instead of hospitality and bore his share to the full,
+without the remotest intention of being heroic, in the long agony of his
+race, doomed to be a byword and a mockery amongst the heathen.
+Assuredly, to die for a religion is easier than to live for it. Yet
+Moses never complained nor lost faith. To be spat upon was the very
+condition of existence of the modern Jew, deprived of Palestine and his
+Temple, a footsore mendicant, buffeted and reviled, yet the dearer to
+the Lord God who had chosen him from the nations. Bullies might break
+Moses's head in this world, but in the next he would sit on a gold chair
+in Paradise among the saints and sing exegetical acrostics to all
+eternity. It was some dim perception of these things that made Esther
+forgive her father when the Ansells waited weeks and weeks for a postal
+order and landlords were threatening to bundle them out neck and crop,
+and her mother's hands were worn to the bone slaving for her little
+ones.
+
+Things improved a little just before the mother died, for they had
+settled down in London and Moses earned eighteen shillings a week as a
+machinist and presser, and no longer roamed the country. But the
+interval of happiness was brief. The grandmother, imported from Poland,
+did not take kindly to her son's wife, whom she found wanting in the
+minutiae of ceremonial piety and godless enough to wear her own hair.
+There had been, indeed, a note of scepticism, of defiance, in Esther's
+mother, a hankering after the customs of the heathen, which her
+grandmother divined instinctively and resented for the sake of her son
+and the post-mundane existence of her grandchildren. Mrs. Ansell's
+scepticism based itself upon the uncleanliness which was so generally
+next to godliness in the pious circles round them, and she had been
+heard to express contempt for the learned and venerable Israelite, who,
+being accosted by an acquaintance when the shadows of eve were beginning
+to usher in the Day of Atonement, exclaimed:
+
+"For heaven's sake, don't stop me--I missed my bath last year."
+
+Mrs. Ansell bathed her children from head to foot once a month, and even
+profanely washed them on the Sabbath, and had other strange, uncanny
+notions. She professed not to see the value to God, man or beast of the
+learned Rabbonim, who sat shaking themselves all day in the _Beth
+Hamidrash_, and said they would be better occupied in supporting their
+families, a view which, though mere surface blasphemy on the part of the
+good woman and primarily intended as a hint to Moses to study less and
+work longer, did not fail to excite lively passages of arms between the
+two women. But death ended these bickerings and the _Bube_, who had
+frequently reproached her son for bringing her into such an atheistic
+country, was left a drag the more upon the family deprived at once of a
+mother and a bread-winner. Old Mrs. Ansell was unfit: for anything save
+grumbling, and so the headship naturally devolved upon Esther, whom her
+mother's death left a woman getting on for eight. The commencement of
+her reign coincided with a sad bisection of territory. Shocking as it
+may be to better regulated minds, these seven people lived in one room.
+Moses and the two boys slept in one bed and the grandmother and the
+three girls in another. Esther had to sleep with her head on a
+supplementary pillow at the foot of the bed. But there can be much love
+in a little room.
+
+The room was not, however, so very little, for it was of ungainly
+sprawling structure, pushing out an odd limb that might have been cut
+off with a curtain. The walls nodded fixedly to one another so that the
+ceiling was only half the size of the floor. The furniture comprised but
+the commonest necessities. This attic of the Ansells was nearer heaven
+than most earthly dwelling places, for there were four tall flights of
+stairs to mount before you got to it. No. 1 Royal Street had been in its
+time one of the great mansions of the Ghetto; pillars of the synagogue
+had quaffed _kosher_ wine in its spacious reception rooms and its
+corridors had echoed with the gossip of portly dames in stiff brocades.
+It was stoutly built and its balusters were of carved oak. But now the
+threshold of the great street door, which was never closed, was
+encrusted with black mud, and a musty odor permanently clung to the wide
+staircase and blent subtly with far-away reminiscences of Mr.
+Belcovitch's festive turpentine. The Ansells had numerous housemates,
+for No. 1 Royal Street was a Jewish colony in itself and the resident
+population was periodically swollen by the "hands" of the Belcovitches
+and by the "Sons of the Covenant," who came to worship at their
+synagogue on the ground floor. What with Sugarman the _Shadchan_, on the
+first floor, Mrs. Simons and Dutch Debby on the second, the Belcovitches
+on the third, and the Ansells and Gabriel Hamburg, the great scholar, on
+the fourth, the door-posts twinkled with _Mezuzahs_--cases or cylinders
+containing sacred script with the word _Shaddai_ (Almighty) peering out
+of a little glass eye at the centre. Even Dutch Debby, abandoned wretch
+as she was, had this protection against evil spirits (so it has come to
+be regarded) on her lintel, though she probably never touched the eye
+with her finger to kiss the place of contact after the manner of the
+faithful.
+
+Thus was No. 1 Royal Street close packed with the stuff of human life,
+homespun and drab enough, but not altogether profitless, may be, to turn
+over and examine. So close packed was it that there was scarce breathing
+space. It was only at immemorial intervals that our pauper alien made a
+pun, but one day he flashed upon the world the pregnant remark that
+England was well named, for to the Jew it was verily the Enge-Land,
+which in German signifies the country without elbow room. Moses Ansell
+chuckled softly and beatifically when he emitted the remark that
+surprised all who knew him. But then it was the Rejoicing of the Law and
+the Sons of the Covenant had treated him to rum and currant cake. He
+often thought of his witticism afterwards, and it always lightened his
+unwashed face with a happy smile. The recollection usually caught him
+when he was praying.
+
+For four years after Mrs. Ansell's charity funeral the Ansells, though
+far from happy, had no history to speak of.
+
+Benjamin accompanied Solomon to _Shool_ morning and evening to say
+_Kaddish_ for their mother till he passed into the Orphan Asylum and
+out of the lives of his relatives. Solomon and Rachel and Esther went to
+the great school and Isaac to the infant school, while the tiny Sarah,
+whose birth had cost Mrs. Ansell's life, crawled and climbed about in
+the garret, the grandmother coming in negatively useful as a safeguard
+against fire on the days when the grate was not empty. The _Rube's_ own
+conception of her function as a safeguard against fire was quite other.
+
+Moses was out all day working or looking for work, or praying or
+listening to _Drashes_, by the _Maggid_ or other great preachers. Such
+charities as brightened and warmed the Ghetto Moses usually came in for.
+Bread, meat and coal tickets, god-sends from the Society for Restoring
+the Soul, made odd days memorable. Blankets were not so easy to get as
+in the days of poor Gittel's confinements.
+
+What little cooking there was to do was done by Esther before or after
+school; she and her children usually took their mid-day meal with them
+in the shape of bread, occasionally made ambrosial by treacle The
+Ansells had more fast days than the Jewish calendar, which is saying a
+good deal. Providence, however, generally stepped in before the larder
+had been bare twenty-four hours.
+
+As the fast days of the Jewish calendar did not necessarily fall upon
+the Ansell fast days, they were an additional tax on Moses and his
+mother. Yet neither ever wavered in the scrupulous observance of them,
+not a crumb of bread nor a drop of water passing their lips. In the keen
+search for facts detrimental to the Ghetto it is surprising that no
+political economist has hitherto exposed the abundant fasts with which
+Israel has been endowed, and which obviously operate as a dole in aid of
+wages. So does the Lenten period of the "Three Weeks," when meat is
+prohibited in memory of the shattered Temples. The Ansells kept the
+"Three Weeks" pretty well all the year round. On rare occasions they
+purchased pickled Dutch herrings or brought home pennyworths of pea soup
+or of baked potatoes and rice from a neighboring cook shop. For Festival
+days, if Malka had subsidized them with a half-sovereign, Esther
+sometimes compounded _Tzimmus_, a dainty blend of carrots, pudding and
+potatoes. She was prepared to write an essay on _Tzimmus_ as a
+gastronomic ideal. There were other pleasing Polish combinations which
+were baked for twopence by the local bakers. _Tabechas_, or stuffed
+entrails, and liver, lights or milt were good substitutes for meat. A
+favorite soup was _Borsch_, which was made with beet-root, fat taking
+the place of the more fashionable cream.
+
+The national dish was seldom their lot; when fried fish came it was
+usually from the larder of Mrs. Simons, a motherly old widow, who lived
+in the second floor front, and presided over the confinements of all the
+women and the sicknesses of all the children in the neighborhood. Her
+married daughter Dinah was providentially suckling a black-eyed boy when
+Mrs. Ansell died, so Mrs. Simons converted her into a foster mother of
+little Sarah, regarding herself ever afterwards as under special
+responsibilities toward the infant, whom she occasionally took to live
+with her for a week, and for whom she saw heaven encouraging a future
+alliance with the black-eyed foster brother. Life would have been
+gloomier still in the Ansell garret if Mrs. Simons had not been created
+to bless and sustain. Even old garments somehow arrived from Mrs. Simons
+to eke out the corduroys and the print gowns which were the gift of the
+school. There were few pleasanter events in the Ansell household than
+the falling ill of one of the children, for not only did this mean a
+supply of broth, port wine and other incredible luxuries from the
+Charity doctor (of which all could taste), but it brought in its train
+the assiduous attendance of Mrs. Simons. To see the kindly brown face
+bending over it with smiling eyes of jet, to feel the soft, cool hand
+pressed to its forehead, was worth a fever to a motherless infant. Mrs.
+Simons was a busy woman and a poor withal, and the Ansells were a
+reticent pack, not given to expressing either their love or their hunger
+to outsiders; so altogether the children did not see so much of Mrs.
+Simons or her bounties as they would have liked. Nevertheless, in a
+grave crisis she was always to be counted upon.
+
+"I tell thee what, Meshe," said old Mrs. Ansell often, "that woman wants
+to marry thee. A blind man could see it."
+
+"She cannot want it, mother," Moses would reply with infinite respect.
+
+"What art thou saying? A wholly fine young man like thee," said his
+mother, fondling his side ringlets, "and one so _froom_ too, and with
+such worldly wisdom. But thou must not have her, Meshe."
+
+"What kind of idea thou stuffest into my head! I tell thee she would not
+have me if I sent to ask."
+
+"Talk not thyself thereinto. Who wouldn't like to catch hold of thy
+cloak to go to heaven by? But Mrs. Simons is too much of an Englishwoman
+for me. Your last wife had English ideas and made mock of pious men and
+God's judgment took her. What says the Prayer-book? For three things a
+woman dies in childbirth, for not separating the dough, for not lighting
+the Sabbath lamps and for not--"
+
+"How often have I told thee she did do all these things!" interrupted
+Moses.
+
+"Dost thou contradict the Prayer-book?" said the _Bube_ angrily. "It
+would have been different if thou hadst let me pick a woman for thee.
+But this time thou wilt honor thy mother more. It must be a respectable,
+virtuous maiden, with the fear of heaven--not an old woman like Mrs.
+Simons, but one who can bear me robust grandchildren. The grandchildren
+thou hast given me are sickly, and they fear not the Most High. Ah! why
+did'st thou drag me to this impious country? Could'st thou not let me
+die in peace? Thy girls think more of English story books and lessons
+than of _Yiddishkeit_, and the boys run out under the naked sky with
+bare heads and are loth to wash their hands before meals, and they do
+not come home in the dinner hour for fear they should have to say the
+afternoon prayer. Laugh at me, Moses, as thou wilt, but, old as I am, I
+have eyes, and not two blotches of clay, in my sockets. Thou seest not
+how thy family is going to destruction. Oh, the abominations!"
+
+Thus warned and put on his mettle, Moses would keep a keen look-out on
+his hopeful family for the next day, and the seed which the grandmother
+had sown came up in black and blue bruises or, the family anatomy,
+especially on that portion of it which belonged to Solomon. For Moses's
+crumbling trousers were buckled with a stout strap, and Solomon was a
+young rogue who did his best to dodge the Almighty, and had never heard
+of Lowell's warning,
+
+    You've gut to git up airly,
+    Ef you want to take in God.
+
+Even if he had heard of it, he would probably have retorted that he
+usually got up early enough to take in his father, who was the more
+immediately terrible of the two. Nevertheless, Solomon learned many
+lessons at his father's knee, or rather, across it. In earlier days
+Solomon had had a number of confidential transactions with his father's
+God, making bargains with Him according to his childish sense of equity.
+If, for instance, God would ensure his doing his sums correctly, so that
+he should be neither caned nor "kept in," he would say his morning
+prayers without skipping the aggravating _Longe Verachum_, which bulked
+so largely on Mondays and Thursdays; otherwise he could not be bothered.
+
+By the terms of the contract Solomon threw all the initiative on the
+Deity, and whenever the Deity undertook his share of the contract,
+Solomon honorably fulfilled his. Thus was his faith in Providence never
+shaken like that of some boys, who expect the Deity to follow their
+lead. Still, by declining to praise his Maker at extraordinary length,
+except in acknowledgment of services rendered, Solomon gave early
+evidence of his failure to inherit his father's business incapacity.
+
+On days when things at the school went well, no one gabbled through the
+weary Prayer-book more conscientiously than he; he said all the things
+in large type and all the funny little bits in small type, and even some
+passages without vowels. Nay, he included the very preface, and was
+lured on and coaxed on and enticed by his father to recite the
+appendices, which shot up one after the other on the devotional horizon
+like the endless-seeming terraces of a deceptive ascent; just another
+little bit, and now that little bit, and just that last bit, and one
+more very last little bit. It was like the infinite inclusiveness of a
+Chinese sphere, or the farewell performances of a distinguished singer.
+
+For the rest, Solomon was a _Chine-ponim_, or droll, having that
+inextinguishable sense of humor which has made the saints of the Jewish
+Church human, has lit up dry technical Talmudic, discussions with
+flashes of freakish fun, with pun and jest and merry quibble, and has
+helped the race to survive (_pace_ Dr. Wallace) by dint of a humorous
+acquiescence in the inevitable.
+
+His _Chine_ helped Solomon to survive synagogue, where the only drop of
+sweetness was in the beaker of wine for the sanctification service.
+Solomon was always in the van of the brave boys who volunteered to take
+part in the ceremonial quaffing of it. Decidedly. Solomon was not
+spiritual, he would not even kiss a Hebrew Pentateuch that he had
+dropped, unless his father was looking, and but for the personal
+supervision of the _Bube_ the dirty white fringes of his "four-corners"
+might have got tangled and irredeemably invalidated for all he cared.
+
+In the direst need of the Ansells Solomon held his curly head high among
+his school-fellows, and never lacked personal possessions, though they
+were not negotiable at the pawnbroker's. He had a peep-show, made out of
+an old cocoa box, and representing the sortie from Plevna, a permit to
+view being obtainable for a fragment of slate pencil. For two pins he
+would let you look a whole minute. He also had bags of brass buttons,
+marbles, both commoners and alleys; nibs, beer bottle labels and cherry
+"hogs," besides bottles of liquorice water, vendible either by the sip
+or the teaspoonful, and he dealt in "assy-tassy," which consisted of
+little packets of acetic acid blent with brown sugar. The character of
+his stock varied according to the time of year, for nature and Belgravia
+are less stable in their seasons than the Jewish schoolboy, to whom
+buttons in March are as inconceivable as snow-balling in July.
+
+On Purim Solomon always had nuts to gamble with, just as if he had been
+a banker's son, and on the Day of Atonement he was never without a
+little tin fusee box filled with savings of snuff. This, when the fast
+racked them most sorely, he would pass round among the old men with a
+grand manner. They would take a pinch and say, "May thy strength
+increase," and blow their delighted noses with great colored
+handkerchiefs, and Solomon would feel about fifty and sniff a few
+grains himself with the air of an aged connoisseur.
+
+He took little interest in the subtle disquisitions of the Rabbis, which
+added their burden to his cross of secular learning. He wrestled but
+perfunctorily with the theses of the Bible commentators, for Moses
+Ansell was so absorbed in translating and enjoying the intellectual
+tangles, that Solomon had scarce more to do than to play the part of
+chorus. He was fortunate in that his father could not afford to send him
+to a _Chedar_, an insanitary institution that made Jacob a dull boy by
+cutting off his play-time and his oxygen, and delivering him over to the
+leathery mercies of an unintelligently learned zealot, scrupulously
+unclean.
+
+The literature and history Solomon really cared for was not of the Jews.
+It was the history of Daredevil Dick and his congeners whose surprising
+adventures, second-hand, in ink-stained sheets, were bartered to him for
+buttons, which shows the advantages of not having a soul above such.
+These deeds of derring-do (usually starting in a __school-room period in
+which teachers were thankfully accepted as created by Providence for the
+sport of schoolboys) Solomon conned at all hours, concealing them under
+his locker when he was supposed to be studying the Irish question from
+an atlas, and even hiding them between the leaves of his dog-eared
+Prayer-book for use during the morning service. The only harm they did
+him was that inflicted through the medium of the educational rod, when
+his surreptitious readings were discovered and his treasures thrown to
+the flames amid tears copious enough to extinguish them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"REB" SHEMUEL.
+
+
+     "The Torah is greater than the priesthood and than royalty, seeing
+     that royalty demands thirty qualifications, the priesthood
+     twenty-four, while the Torah is acquired by forty-eight. And these
+     are they: By audible study; by distinct pronunciation; by
+     understanding and discernment of the heart; by awe, reverence,
+     meekness, cheerfulness; by ministering to the sages; by attaching
+     oneself to colleagues; by discussion with disciples; _by_
+     sedateness; by knowledge of the Scripture and of the Mishnah; by
+     moderation in business, in intercourse with the world, in pleasure,
+     in sleep, in conversation, in laughter; by long suffering; by a
+     good heart; by faith in the wise; by resignation under
+     chastisement; by recognizing one's place, rejoicing in one's
+     portion, putting a fence to one's words, claiming no merit for
+     oneself; by being beloved, loving the All-present, loving mankind,
+     loving just courses, rectitude and reproof; by keeping oneself far
+     from honors, not boasting of one's learning, nor delighting in
+     giving decisions; by bearing the yoke with one's fellow, judging
+     him favorably and leading him to truth and peace; by being composed
+     in one's study; by asking and answering, hearing and adding thereto
+     (by one's own reflection), by learning with the object of teaching
+     and learning with the object of practising, by making one's master
+     wiser, fixing attention upon his discourse, and reporting a thing
+     in the name of him who said it. So thou hast learnt. Whosoever
+     reports a thing in the name of him that said it brings deliverance
+     into the world, as it is said--And Esther told the King in the name
+     of Mordecai."--(_Ethics of the Fathers_, Singer's translation.)
+
+Moses Ansell only occasionally worshipped at the synagogue of "The Sons
+of the Covenant," for it was too near to make attendance a _Mitzvah_,
+pleasing in the sight of Heaven. It was like having the prayer-quorum
+brought to you, instead of your going to it. The pious Jew must speed to
+_Shool_ to show his eagerness and return slowly, as with reluctant feet,
+lest Satan draw the attention of the Holy One to the laches of His
+chosen people. It was not easy to express these varying emotions on a
+few nights of stairs, and so Moses went farther afield, in subtle
+minutiae like this Moses was _facile princeps_, being as Wellhausen puts
+it of the _virtuosi_ of religion. If he put on his right stocking (or
+rather foot lappet, for he did not wear stockings) first, he made amends
+by putting on the left boot first, and if he had lace-up boots, then the
+boot put on second would have a compensatory precedence in the lacing.
+Thus was the divine principle of justice symbolized even in these small
+matters.
+
+Moses was a great man in several of the more distant _Chevras_, among
+which he distributed the privilege of his presence. It was only when by
+accident the times of service did not coincide that Moses favored the
+"Sons of the Covenant," putting in an appearance either at the
+commencement or the fag end, for he was not above praying odd bits of
+the service twice over, and even sometimes prefaced or supplemented his
+synagogal performances by solo renditions of the entire ritual of a
+hundred pages at home. The morning services began at six in summer and
+seven in winter, so that the workingman might start his long day's work
+fortified.
+
+At the close of the service at the Beth Hamidrash a few mornings after
+the Redemption of Ezekiel, Solomon went up to Reb Shemuel, who in return
+for the privilege of blessing the boy gave him a halfpenny. Solomon
+passed it on to his father, whom he accompanied.
+
+"Well, how goes it, Reb Meshe?" said Reb Shemuel with his cheery smile,
+noticing Moses loitering. He called him "Reb" out of courtesy and in
+acknowledgment of his piety. The real "Reb" was a fine figure of a man,
+with matter, if not piety, enough for two Moses Ansells. Reb was a
+popular corruption of "Rav" or Rabbi.
+
+"Bad," replied Moses. "I haven't had any machining to do for a month.
+Work is very slack at this time of year. But God is good."
+
+"Can't you sell something?" said Reb Shemuel, thoughtfully caressing his
+long, gray-streaked black beard.
+
+"I have sold lemons, but the four or five shillings I made went in bread
+for the children and in rent. Money runs through the fingers somehow,
+with a family of five and a frosty winter. When the lemons were gone I
+stood where I started."
+
+The Rabbi sighed sympathetically and slipped half-a-crown into Moses's
+palm. Then he hurried out. His boy, Levi, stayed behind a moment to
+finish a transaction involving the barter of a pea-shooter for some of
+Solomon's buttons. Levi was two years older than Solomon, and was
+further removed from him by going to a "middle class school." His manner
+towards Solomon was of a corresponding condescension. But it took a
+great deal to overawe Solomon, who, with the national humor, possessed
+the national _Chutzpah_, which is variously translated enterprise,
+audacity, brazen impudence and cheek.
+
+"I say, Levi," he said, "we've got no school to-day. Won't you come
+round this morning and play I-spy-I in our street? There are some
+splendid corners for hiding, and they are putting up new buildings all
+round with lovely hoardings, and they're knocking down a pickle
+warehouse, and while you are hiding in the rubbish you sometimes pick up
+scrumptious bits of pickled walnut. Oh, golly, ain't they prime!'"
+
+Levi turned up his nose.
+
+"We've got plenty of whole walnuts at home," he said.
+
+Solomon felt snubbed. He became aware that this tall boy had smart black
+clothes, which would not be improved by rubbing against his own greasy
+corduroys.
+
+"Oh, well," he said, "I can get lots of boys, and girls, too."
+
+"Say," said Levi, turning back a little. "That little girl your father
+brought upstairs here on the Rejoicing of the Law, that was your sister,
+wasn't it?"
+
+"Esther, d'ye mean?"
+
+"How should I know? A little, dark girl, with a print dress, rather
+pretty--not a bit like you."
+
+"Yes, that's our Esther--she's in the sixth standard and only eleven."
+
+"We don't have standards in our school!" said Levi contemptuously. "Will
+your sister join in the I-spy-I?"
+
+"No, she can't run," replied Solomon, half apologetically. "She only
+likes to read. She reads all my 'Boys of England' and things, and now
+she's got hold of a little brown book she keeps all to herself. I like
+reading, too, but I do it in school or in _Shool_, where there's nothing
+better to do."
+
+"Has she got a holiday to-day, too?"
+
+"Yes," said Solomon.
+
+"But my school's open," said Levi enviously, and Solomon lost the
+feeling of inferiority, and felt avenged.
+
+"Come, then, Solomon," said his father, who had reached the door. The
+two converted part of the half-crown into French loaves and carried them
+home to form an unexpected breakfast.
+
+Meantime Reb Shemuel, whose full name was the Reverend Samuel Jacobs,
+also proceeded to breakfast. His house lay near the _Shool_, and was
+approached by an avenue of mendicants. He arrived in his shirt-sleeves.
+
+"Quick, Simcha, give me my new coat. It is very cold this morning."
+
+"You've given away your coat again!" shrieked his wife, who, though her
+name meant "Rejoicing," was more often upbraiding.
+
+"Yes, it was only an old one, Simcha," said the Rabbi deprecatingly. He
+took off his high hat and replaced it by a little black cap which he
+carried in his tail pocket.
+
+"You'll ruin me, Shemuel!" moaned Simcha, wringing her hands. "You'd
+give away the shirt off your skin to a pack of good-for-nothing
+_Schnorrers_."
+
+"Yes, if they had only their skin in the world. Why not?" said the old
+Rabbi, a pacific gleam in his large gazelle-like eyes. "Perhaps my coat
+may have the honor to cover Elijah the prophet."
+
+"Elijah the prophet!" snorted Simcha. "Elijah has sense enough to stay
+in heaven and not go wandering about shivering in the fog and frost of
+this God-accursed country."
+
+The old Rabbi answered, "Atschew!"
+
+"For thy salvation do I hope, O Lord," murmured Simcha piously in
+Hebrew, adding excitedly in English, "Ah, you'll kill yourself,
+Shemuel." She rushed upstairs and returned with another coat and a new
+terror.
+
+"Here, you fool, you've been and done a fine thing this time! All your
+silver was in the coat you've given away!"
+
+"Was it?" said Reb Shemuel, startled. Then the tranquil look returned to
+his brown eyes. "No, I took it all out before I gave away the coat."
+
+"God be thanked!" said Simcha fervently in Yiddish. "Where is it? I want
+a few shillings for grocery."
+
+"I gave it away before, I tell you!"
+
+Simcha groaned and fell into her chair with a crash that rattled the
+tray and shook the cups.
+
+"Here's the end of the week coming," she sobbed, "and I shall have no
+fish for _Shabbos_."
+
+"Do not blaspheme!" said Reb Shemuel, tugging a little angrily at his
+venerable beard. "The Holy One, blessed be He, will provide for our
+_Shabbos_"
+
+Simcha made a sceptical mouth, knowing that it was she and nobody else
+whose economies would provide for the due celebration of the Sabbath.
+Only by a constant course of vigilance, mendacity and petty peculation
+at her husband's expense could she manage to support the family of four
+comfortably on his pretty considerable salary. Reb Shemuel went and
+kissed her on the sceptical mouth, because in another instant she would
+have him at her mercy. He washed his hands and durst not speak between
+that and the first bite.
+
+He was an official of heterogeneous duties--he preached and taught and
+lectured. He married people and divorced them. He released bachelors
+from the duty of marrying their deceased brothers' wives. He
+superintended a slaughtering department, licensed men as competent
+killers, examined the sharpness of their knives that the victims might
+be put to as little pain as possible, and inspected dead cattle in the
+shambles to see if they were perfectly sound and free from pulmonary
+disease. But his greatest function was _paskening_, or answering
+inquiries ranging from the simplest to the most complicated problems of
+ceremonial ethics and civil law. He had added a volume of
+_Shaaloth-u-Tshuvoth_, or "Questions and Answers" to the colossal
+casuistic literature of his race. His aid was also invoked as a
+_Shadchan_, though he forgot to take his commissions and lacked the
+restless zeal for the mating of mankind which animated Sugarman, the
+professional match-maker. In fine, he was a witty old fellow and
+everybody loved him. He and his wife spoke English with a strong foreign
+accent; in their more intimate causeries they dropped into Yiddish.
+
+The Rebbitzin poured out the Rabbi's coffee and whitened it with milk
+drawn direct from the cow into her own jug. The butter and cheese were
+equally _kosher_, coming straight from Hebrew Hollanders and having
+passed through none but Jewish vessels. As the Reb sat himself down at
+the head of the table Hannah entered the room.
+
+"Good morning, father," she said, kissing him. "What have you got your
+new coat on for? Any weddings to-day?"
+
+"No, my dear," said Reb Shemuel, "marriages are falling off. There
+hasn't even been an engagement since Belcovitch's eldest daughter
+betrothed herself to Pesach Weingott."
+
+"Oh, these Jewish young men!" said the Rebbitzin. "Look at my Hannah--as
+pretty a girl as you could meet in the whole Lane--and yet here she is
+wasting her youth."
+
+Hannah bit her lip, instead of her bread and butter, for she felt she
+had brought the talk on herself. She had heard the same grumblings from
+her mother for two years. Mrs. Jacobs's maternal anxiety had begun when
+her daughter was seventeen. "When _I_ was seventeen," she went on, "I
+was a married woman. Now-a-days the girls don't begin to get a _Chosan_
+till they're twenty."
+
+"We are not living in Poland," the Reb reminded her.
+
+"What's that to do with it? It's the Jewish young men who want to marry
+gold."
+
+"Why blame them? A Jewish young man can marry several pieces of gold,
+but since Rabbenu Gershom he can only marry one woman," said the Reb,
+laughing feebly and forcing his humor for his daughter's sake.
+
+"One woman is more than thou canst support," said the Rebbitzin,
+irritated into Yiddish, "giving away the flesh from off thy children's
+bones. If thou hadst been a proper father thou wouldst have saved thy
+money for Hannah's dowry, instead of wasting it on a parcel of vagabond
+_Schnorrers_. Even so I can give her a good stock of bedding and
+under-linen. It's a reproach and a shame that thou hast not yet found
+her a husband. Thou canst find husbands quick enough for other men's
+daughters!"
+
+"I found a husband for thy father's daughter," said the Reb, with a
+roguish gleam in his brown eyes.
+
+"Don't throw that up to me! I could have got plenty better. And my
+daughter wouldn't have known the shame of finding nobody to marry her.
+In Poland at least the youths would have flocked to marry her because
+she was a Rabbi's daughter, and they'd think It an honor to be a
+son-in-law of a Son of the Law. But in this godless country! Why in my
+village the Chief Rabbi's daughter, who was so ugly as to make one spit
+out, carried off the finest man in the district."
+
+"But thou, my Simcha, hadst no need to be connected with Rabbonim!"
+
+"Oh, yes; make mockery of me."
+
+"I mean it. Thou art as a lily of Sharon."
+
+"Wilt thou have another cup of coffee, Shemuel?"
+
+"Yes, my life. Wait but a little and thou shalt see our Hannah under the
+_Chuppah_."
+
+"Hast thou any one in thine eye?"
+
+The Reb nodded his head mysteriously and winked the eye, as if nudging
+the person in it.
+
+"Who is it, father?" said Levi. "I do hope it's a real swell who talks
+English properly."
+
+"And mind you make yourself agreeable to him, Hannah," said the
+Rebbitzin. "You spoil all the matches I've tried to make for you by your
+stupid, stiff manner."
+
+"Look here, mother!" cried Hannah, pushing aside her cup violently. "Am
+I going to have my breakfast in peace? I don't want to be married at
+all. I don't want any of your Jewish men coming round to examine me as
+if! were a horse, and wanting to know how much money you'll give them as
+a set-off. Let me be! Let me be single! It's my business, not yours."
+
+The Rebbitzin bent eyes of angry reproach on the Reb.
+
+"What did I tell thee, Shemuel? She's _meshugga_--quite mad! Healthy and
+fresh and mad!"
+
+"Yes, you'll drive me mad," said Hannah savagely. "Let me be! I'm too
+old now to get a _Chosan_, so let me be as I am. I can always earn my
+own living."
+
+"Thou seest, Shemuel?" said Simcha. "Thou seest my sorrows? Thou seest
+how impious our children wax in this godless country."
+
+"Let her be, Simcha, let her be," said the Reb. "She is young yet. If
+she hasn't any inclination thereto--!"
+
+"And what is _her_ inclination? A pretty thing, forsooth! Is she going
+to make her mother a laughing-stock! Are Mrs. Jewell and Mrs. Abrahams
+to dandle grandchildren in my face, to gouge out my eyes with them! It
+isn't that she can't get young men. Only she is so high-blown. One would
+think she had a father who earned five hundred a year, instead of a man
+who scrambles half his salary among dirty _Schnorrers_."
+
+"Talk not like an _Epicurean_," said the Reb. "What are we all but
+_Schnorrers_, dependent on the charity of the Holy One, blessed be He?
+What! Have we made ourselves? Rather fall prostrate and thank Him that
+His bounties to us are so great that they include the privilege of
+giving charity to others."
+
+"But we work for our living!" said the Rebbitzin. "I wear my knees away
+scrubbing." External evidence pointed rather to the defrication of the
+nose.
+
+"But, mother," said Hannah. "You know we have a servant to do the rough
+work."
+
+"Yes, servants!" said the Rebbitzin, contemptuously. "If you don't stand
+over them as the Egyptian taskmasters over our forefathers, they don't
+do a stroke of work except breaking the crockery. I'd much rather sweep
+a room myself than see a _Shiksah_ pottering about for an hour and end
+by leaving all the dust on the window-ledges and the corners of the
+mantelpiece. As for beds, I don't believe _Shiksahs_ ever shake them! If
+I had my way I'd wring all their necks."
+
+"What's the use of always complaining?" said Hannah, impatiently. "You
+know we must keep a _Shiksah_ to attend to the _Shabbos_ fire. The women
+or the little boys you pick up in the street are so unsatisfactory. When
+you call in a little barefoot street Arab and ask him to poke the fire,
+he looks at you as if you must be an imbecile not to be able to do it
+yourself. And then you can't always get hold of one."
+
+The Sabbath fire was one of the great difficulties of the Ghetto. The
+Rabbis had modified the Biblical prohibition against having any fire
+whatever, and allowed it to be kindled by non-Jews. Poor women,
+frequently Irish, and known as _Shabbos-goyahs_ or _fire-goyahs_, acted
+as stokers to the Ghetto at twopence a hearth. No Jew ever touched a
+match or a candle or burnt a piece of paper, or even opened a letter.
+The _Goyah_, which is literally heathen female, did everything required
+on the Sabbath. His grandmother once called Solomon Ansell a
+Sabbath-female merely for fingering the shovel when there was nothing in
+the grate.
+
+The Reb liked his fire. When it sank on the Sabbath he could not give
+orders to the _Shiksah_ to replenish it, but he would rub his hands and
+remark casually (in her hearing), "Ah, how cold it is!"
+
+"Yes," he said now, "I always freeze on _Shabbos_ when thou hast
+dismissed thy _Shiksah_. Thou makest me catch one cold a month."
+
+"_I_ make thee catch cold!" said the Rebbitzin. "When thou comest
+through the air of winter in thy shirt-sleeves! Thou'lt fall back upon
+me for poultices and mustard plasters. And then thou expectest me to
+have enough money to pay a _Shiksah_ into the bargain! If I have any
+more of thy _Schnorrers_ coming here I shall bundle them out neck and
+crop."
+
+This was the moment selected by Fate and Melchitsedek Pinchas for the
+latter's entry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE NEO-HEBREW POET.
+
+
+He came through the open street door, knocked perfunctorily at the door
+of the room, opened it and then kissed the _Mezuzah_ outside the door.
+Then he advanced, snatched the Rebbitzin's hand away from the handle of
+the coffee-pot and kissed it with equal devotion. He then seized upon
+Hannah's hand and pressed his grimy lips to that, murmuring in German:
+
+"Thou lookest so charming this morning, like the roses of Carmel." Next
+he bent down and pressed his lips to the Reb's coat-tail. Finally he
+said: "Good morning, sir," to Levi, who replied very affably, "Good
+morning, Mr. Pinchas," "Peace be unto you, Pinchas," said the Reb. "I
+did not see you in _Shool_ this morning, though it was the New Moon."
+
+"No, I went to the Great _Shool_," said Pinchas in German. "If you do
+not see me at your place you may be sure I'm somewhere else. Any one who
+has lived so long as I in the Land of Israel cannot bear to pray without
+a quorum. In the Holy Land I used to learn for an hour in the _Shool_
+every morning before the service began. But I am not here to talk about
+myself. I come to ask you to do me the honor to accept a copy of my new
+volume of poems: _Metatoron's Flames_. Is it not a beautiful title? When
+Enoch was taken up to heaven while yet alive, he was converted to flames
+of fire and became Metatoron, the great spirit of the Cabalah. So am I
+rapt up into the heaven of lyrical poetry and I become all fire and
+flame and light."
+
+The poet was a slim, dark little man, with long, matted black hair. His
+face was hatchet-shaped and not unlike an Aztec's. The eyes were
+informed by an eager brilliance. He had a heap of little paper-covered
+books in one hand and an extinct cigar in the other. He placed the books
+upon the breakfast table.
+
+"At last," he said. "See, I have got it printed--the great work which
+this ignorant English Judaism has left to moulder while it pays its
+stupid reverends thousands a year for wearing white ties."
+
+"And who paid for it now, Mr. Pinchas?" said the Rebbitzin.
+
+"Who? Wh-o-o?" stammered Melchitsedek. "Who but myself?"
+
+"But you say you are blood-poor."
+
+"True as the Law of Moses! But I have written articles for the jargon
+papers. They jump at me--there is not a man on the staff of them all who
+has the pen of a ready writer. I can't get any money out of them, my
+dear Rebbitzin, else I shouldn't be without breakfast this morning, but
+the proprietor of the largest of them is also a printer, and he has
+printed my little book in return. But I don't think I shall fill my
+stomach with the sales. Oh! the Holy One, blessed be He, bless you,
+Rebbitzin, of course I'll take a cup of coffee; I don't know any one
+else who makes coffee with such a sweet savor; it would do for a spice
+offering when the Almighty restores us our Temple. You are a happy
+mortal, Rabbi. You will permit that I seat myself at the table?"
+
+Without awaiting permission he pushed a chair between Levi and Hannah
+and sat down; then he got up again and washed his hands and helped
+himself to a spare egg.
+
+"Here is your copy, Reb Shemuel," he went on after an interval. "You see
+it is dedicated generally:
+
+    "'To the Pillars of English Judaism.'
+
+"They are a set of donkey-heads, but one must give them a chance of
+rising to higher things. It is true that not one of them understands
+Hebrew, not even the Chief Rabbi, to whom courtesy made me send a copy.
+Perhaps he will be able to read my poems with a dictionary; he certainly
+can't write Hebrew without two grammatical blunders to every word. No,
+no, don't defend him, Reb Shemuel, because you're under him. He ought to
+be under you--only he expresses his ignorance in English and the fools
+think to talk nonsense in good English is to be qualified for the
+Rabbinate."
+
+The remark touched the Rabbi in a tender place. It was the one worry of
+his life, the consciousness that persons in high quarters disapproved of
+him as a force impeding the Anglicization of the Ghetto. He knew his
+shortcomings, but could never quite comprehend the importance of
+becoming English. He had a latent feeling that Judaism had flourished
+before England was invented, and so the poet's remark was secretly
+pleasing to him.
+
+"You know very well," went on Pinchas, "that I and you are the only two
+persons in London who can write correct Holy Language."
+
+"No, no." said the Rabbi, deprecatingly.
+
+"Yes, yes," said Pinchas, emphatically. "You can write quite as well as
+I. But just cast your eye now on the especial dedication which I have
+written to you in my own autograph. 'To the light of his generation, the
+great Gaon, whose excellency reaches to the ends of the earth, from
+whose lips all the people of the Lord seek knowledge, the never-failing
+well, the mighty eagle soars to heaven on the wings of understanding, to
+Rav Shemuel, may whose light never be dimmed, and in whose day may the
+Redeemer come unto Zion.' There, take it, honor me by taking it. It is
+the homage of the man of genius to the man of learning, the humble
+offering of the one Hebrew scholar in England to the other."
+
+"Thank you," said the old Rabbi, much moved. "It is too handsome of you,
+and I shall read it at once and treasure it amongst my dearest books,
+for you know well that I consider that you have the truest poetic gift
+of any son of Israel since Jehuda Halevi."
+
+"I have! I know it! I feel it! It burns me. The sorrow of our race keeps
+me awake at night--the national hopes tingle like electricity through
+me--I bedew my couch with tears in the darkness"--Pinchas paused to take
+another slice of bread and butter. "It is then that my poems are born.
+The words burst into music in my head and I sing like Isaiah the
+restoration of our land, and become the poet patriot of my people. But
+these English! They care only to make money and to stuff it down the
+throats of gorging reverends. My scholarship, my poetry, my divine
+dreams--what are these to a besotted, brutal congregation of
+Men-of-the-Earth? I sent Buckledorf, the rich banker, a copy of my
+little book, with a special dedication written in my own autograph in
+German, so that he might understand it. And what did he send me? A
+beggarly five shillings? Five shillings to the one poet in whom the
+heavenly fire lives! How can the heavenly fire live on five shillings? I
+had almost a mind to send it back. And then there was Gideon, the member
+of Parliament. I made one of the poems an acrostic on his name, so that
+he might be handed down to posterity. There, that's the one. No, the one
+on the page you were just looking at. Yes, that's it, beginning:
+
+    "'Great leader of our Israel's host,
+    I sing thy high heroic deeds,
+    Divinely gifted learned man.'
+
+"I wrote his dedication in English, for he understands neither Hebrew
+nor German, the miserable, purse-proud, vanity-eaten Man-of-the-Earth."
+
+"Why, didn't he give you anything at all?" said the Reb.
+
+"Worse! He sent me back the book. But I'll be revenged on him. I'll take
+the acrostic out of the next edition and let him rot in oblivion. I have
+been all over the world to every great city where Jews congregate. In
+Russia, in Turkey, in Germany, in Roumania, in Greece, in Morocco, in
+Palestine. Everywhere the greatest Rabbis have leaped like harts on the
+mountains with joy at my coming. They have fed and clothed me like a
+prince. I have preached at the synagogues, and everywhere people have
+said it was like the Wilna Gaon come again. From the neighboring
+villages for miles and miles the pious have come to be blessed by me.
+Look at my testimonials from all the greatest saints and savants. But in
+England--in England alone--what is my welcome? Do they say: 'Welcome,
+Melchitsedek Pinchas, welcome as the bridegroom to the bride when the
+long day is done and the feast is o'er; welcome to you, with the torch
+of your genius, with the burden of your learning that is rich with the
+whole wealth of Hebrew literature in all ages and countries. Here we
+have no great and wise men. Our Chief Rabbi is an idiot. Come thou and
+be our Chief Rabbi?' Do they say this? No! They greet me with scorn,
+coldness, slander. As for the Rev. Elkan Benjamin, who makes such a fuss
+of himself because he sends a wealthy congregation to sleep with his
+sermons, I'll expose him as sure as there's a Guardian of Israel. I'll
+let the world know about his four mistresses."
+
+"Nonsense! Guard yourself against the evil tongue," said the Reb. "How
+do you know he has?"
+
+"It's the Law of Moses," said the little poet. "True as I stand here.
+You ask Jacob Hermann. It was he who told me about it. Jacob Hermann
+said to me one day: 'That Benjamin has a mistress for every fringe of
+his four-corners.' And how many is that, eh? I do not know why he should
+be allowed to slander me and I not be allowed to tell the truth about
+him. One day I will shoot him. You know he said that when I first came
+to London I joined the _Meshumadim_ in Palestine Place."
+
+"Well, he had at least some foundation for that," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Foundation! Do you call that foundation--because I lived there for a
+week, hunting out their customs and their ways of ensnaring the souls of
+our brethren, so that I might write about them one day? Have I not
+already told you not a morsel of their food passed my lips and that the
+money which I had to take so as not to excite suspicion I distributed in
+charity among the poor Jews? Why not? From pigs we take bristles."
+
+"Still, you must remember that if you had not been such a saint and such
+a great poet, I might myself have believed that you sold your soul for
+money to escape starvation. I know how these devils set their baits for
+the helpless immigrant, offering bread in return for a lip-conversion.
+They are grown so cunning now--they print their hellish appeals in
+Hebrew, knowing we reverence the Holy Tongue."
+
+"Yes, the ordinary Man-of-the-Earth believes everything that's in
+Hebrew. That was the mistake of the Apostles--to write in Greek. But
+then they, too, were such Men-of-the Earth."
+
+"I wonder who writes such good Hebrew for the missionaries," said Reb
+Shemuel.
+
+"I wonder," gurgled Pinchas, deep in his coffee.
+
+"But, father," asked Hannah, "don't you believe any Jew ever really
+believes in Christianity?"
+
+"How is it possible?" answered Reb Shemuel. "A Jew who has the Law from
+Sinai, the Law that will never be changed, to whom God has given a
+sensible religion and common-sense, how can such a person believe in the
+farrago of nonsense that makes up the worship of the Christians! No Jew
+has ever apostatized except to fill his purse or his stomach or to avoid
+persecution. 'Getting grace' they call it in English; but with poor Jews
+it is always grace after meals. Look at the Crypto-Jews, the Marranos,
+who for centuries lived a double life, outwardly Christians, but handing
+down secretly from generation to generation the faith, the traditions,
+the observances of Judaism."
+
+"Yes, no Jew was ever fool enough to turn Christian unless he was a
+clever man," said the poet paradoxically. "Have you not, my sweet,
+innocent young lady, heard the story of the two Jews in Burgos
+Cathedral?"
+
+"No, what is it?" said Levi, eagerly.
+
+"Well, pass my cup up to your highly superior mother who is waiting to
+fill it with coffee. Your eminent father knows the story--I can see by
+the twinkle in his learned eye."
+
+"Yes, that story has a beard," said the Reb.
+
+"Two Spanish Jews," said the poet, addressing himself deferentially to
+Levi, "who had got grace were waiting to be baptized at Burgos
+Cathedral. There was a great throng of Catholics and a special Cardinal
+was coming to conduct the ceremony, for their conversion was a great
+triumph. But the Cardinal was late and the Jews fumed and fretted at the
+delay. The shadows of evening were falling on vault and transept. At
+last one turned to the other and said, 'Knowest them what, Moses? If the
+Holy Father does not arrive soon, we shall be too late to say _mincha_."
+
+Levi laughed heartily; the reference to the Jewish afternoon prayer went
+home to him.
+
+"That story sums up in a nutshell the whole history of the great
+movement for the conversion of the Jews. We dip ourselves in baptismal
+water and wipe ourselves with a _Talith_. We are not a race to be lured
+out of the fixed feelings of countless centuries by the empty
+spirituality of a religion in which, as I soon found out when I lived
+among the soul-dealers, its very professors no longer believe. We are
+too fond of solid things," said the poet, upon whom a good breakfast was
+beginning to produce a soothing materialistic effect. "Do you know that
+anecdote about the two Jews in the Transvaal?" Pinchas went on. "That's
+a real _Chine_."
+
+"I don't think I know that _Maaseh_," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Oh, the two Jews had made a _trek_ and were travelling onwards
+exploring unknown country. One night they were sitting by their
+campfire playing cards when suddenly one threw up his cards, tore his
+hair and beat his breast in terrible agony. 'What's the matter?' cried
+the other. 'Woe, woe,' said the first. 'To-day was the Day of Atonement!
+and we have eaten and gone on as usual.' 'Oh, don't take on so,' said
+his friend. 'After all, Heaven will take into consideration that we lost
+count of the Jewish calendar and didn't mean to be so wicked. And we can
+make up for it by fasting to-morrow.'
+
+"'Oh, no! Not for me,' said the first. 'To-day was the Day of
+Atonement.'"
+
+All laughed, the Reb appreciating most keenly the sly dig at his race.
+He had a kindly sense of human frailty. Jews are very fond of telling
+stories against themselves--for their sense of humor is too strong not
+to be aware of their own foibles--but they tell them with closed doors,
+and resent them from the outside. They chastise themselves because they
+love themselves, as members of the same family insult one another. The
+secret is, that insiders understand the limitations of the criticism,
+which outsiders are apt to take in bulk. No race in the world possesses
+a richer anecdotal lore than the Jews--such pawky, even blasphemous
+humor, not understandable of the heathen, and to a suspicious mind
+Pinchas's overflowing cornucopia of such would have suggested a prior
+period of Continental wandering from town to town, like the
+_Minnesingers_ of the middle ages, repaying the hospitality of his
+Jewish entertainers with a budget of good stories and gossip from the
+scenes of his pilgrimages.
+
+"Do you know the story?" he went on, encouraged by Simcha's smiling
+face, "of the old Reb and the _Havdolah_? His wife left town for a few
+days and when she returned the Reb took out a bottle of wine, poured
+some into the consecration cup and began to recite the blessing. 'What
+art thou doing?' demanded his wife in amaze.' I am making _Havdolah_,'
+replied the Reb. 'But it is not the conclusion of a festival to-night,'
+she said. 'Oh, yes, it is,' he answered. 'My Festival's over. You've
+come back.'"
+
+The Reb laughed so much over this story that Simcha's brow grew as the
+solid Egyptian darkness, and Pinchas perceived he had made a mistake.
+
+"But listen to the end," he said with a creditable impromptu. "The wife
+said--'No, you're mistaken. Your Festival's only beginning. You get no
+supper. It's the commencement of the Day of Atonement.'"
+
+Simcha's brow cleared and the Reb laughed heartily.
+
+"But I don't seethe point, father," said Levi.
+
+"Point! Listen, my son. First of all he was to have a Day of Atonement,
+beginning with no supper, for his sin of rudeness to his faithful wife.
+Secondly, dost thou not know that with us the Day of Atonement is called
+a festival, because we rejoice at the Creator's goodness in giving us
+the privilege of fasting? That's it, Pinchas, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, that's the point of the story, and I think the Rebbitzin had the
+best of it, eh?"
+
+"Rebbitzins always have the last word," said the Reb. "But did I tell
+you the story of the woman who asked me a question the other day? She
+brought me a fowl in the morning and said that in cutting open the
+gizzard she had found a rusty pin which the fowl must have swallowed.
+She wanted to know whether the fowl might be eaten. It was a very
+difficult point, for how could you tell whether the pin had in any way
+contributed to the fowl's death? I searched the _Shass_ and a heap of
+_Shaalotku-Tshuvos_. I went and consulted the _Maggid_ and Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_ and Mr. Karlkammer, and at last we decided that the fowl was
+_tripha_ and could not be eaten. So the same evening I sent for the
+woman, and when I told her of our decision she burst into tears and
+wrung her hands. 'Do not grieve so,' I said, taking compassion upon her,
+'I will buy thee another fowl.' But she wept on, uncomforted. 'O woe!
+woe!' she cried. 'We ate it all up yesterday.'"
+
+Pinchas was convulsed with laughter. Recovering himself, he lit his
+half-smoked cigar without asking leave.
+
+"I thought it would turn out differently," he said. "Like that story of
+the peacock. A man had one presented to him, and as this is such rare
+diet he went to the Reb to ask if it was _kosher_. The Rabbi said 'no'
+and confiscated the peacock. Later on the man heard that the Rabbi had
+given a banquet at which his peacock was the crowning dish. He went to
+his Rabbi and reproached him. '_I_ may eat it,' replied the Rabbi,
+'because my father considers it permitted and we may always go by what
+some eminent Son of the Law decides. But you unfortunately came to _me_
+for an opinion, and the permissibility of peacock is a point on which I
+have always disagreed with my father.'"
+
+Hannah seemed to find peculiar enjoyment in the story.
+
+"Anyhow," concluded Pinchas, "you have a more pious flock than the Rabbi
+of my native place, who, one day, announced to his congregation that he
+was going to resign. Startled, they sent to him a delegate, who asked,
+in the name of the congregation, why he was leaving them. 'Because,'
+answered the Rabbi, 'this is the first question any one has ever asked
+me!'"
+
+"Tell Mr. Pinchas your repartee about the donkey," said Hannah, smiling.
+
+"Oh, no, it's not worth while," said the Reb.
+
+"Thou art always so backward with thine own," cried the Rebbitzin
+warmly. "Last Purim an impudent of face sent my husband a donkey made of
+sugar. My husband had a Rabbi baked in gingerbread and sent it in
+exchange to the donor, with the inscription 'A Rabbi sends a Rabbi.'"
+
+Reb Shemuel laughed heartily, hearing this afresh at the lips of his
+wife. But Pinchas was bent double like a convulsive note of
+interrogation.
+
+The clock on the mantelshelf began to strike nine. Levi jumped to his
+feet.
+
+"I shall be late for school!" he cried, making for the door.
+
+"Stop! stop!" shouted his father. "Thou hast not yet said grace."
+
+"Oh, yes, I have, father. While you were all telling stories I was
+_benshing_ quietly to myself."
+
+"Is Saul also among the prophets, is Levi also among the story-tellers?"
+murmured Pinchas to himself. Aloud he said: "The child speaks truth; I
+saw his lips moving."
+
+Levi gave the poet a grateful look, snatched up his satchel and ran off
+to No. 1 Royal Street. Pinchas followed him soon, inwardly upbraiding
+Reb Shemuel for meanness. He had only as yet had his breakfast for his
+book. Perhaps it was Simcha's presence that was to blame. She was the
+Reb's right hand and he did not care to let her know what his left was
+doing.
+
+He retired to his study when Pinchas departed, and the Rebbitzin
+clattered about with a besom.
+
+The study was a large square room lined with book-shelves and hung with
+portraits of the great continental Rabbis. The books were bibliographical
+monsters to which the Family Bibles of the Christian are mere pocket-books.
+They were all printed purely with the consonants, the vowels being
+divined grammatically or known by heart. In each there was an island of
+text in a sea of commentary, itself lost in an ocean of super-commentary
+that was bordered by a continent of super-super-commentary. Reb Shemuel
+knew many of these immense folios--with all their tortuous windings of
+argument and anecdote--much as the child knows the village it was born
+in, the crooked by-ways and the field paths. Such and such a Rabbi gave
+such and such an opinion on such and such a line from the bottom of such
+and such a page--his memory of it was a visual picture. And just as the
+child does not connect its native village with the broader world
+without, does not trace its streets and turnings till they lead to the
+great towns, does not inquire as to its origins and its history, does
+not view it in relation to other villages, to the country, to the
+continent, to the world, but loves it for itself and in itself, so Reb
+Shemuel regarded and reverenced and loved these gigantic pages with
+their serried battalions of varied type. They were facts--absolute as
+the globe itself--regions of wisdom, perfect and self-sufficing. A
+little obscure here and there, perhaps, and in need of amplification or
+explication for inferior intellects--a half-finished manuscript
+commentary on one of the super-commentaries, to be called "The Garden of
+Lilies," was lying open on Reb Shemuel's own desk--but yet the only true
+encyclopaedia of things terrestrial and divine. And, indeed, they were
+wonderful books. It was as difficult to say what was not in them as what
+was. Through them the old Rabbi held communion with his God whom he
+loved with all his heart and soul and thought of as a genial Father,
+watching tenderly over His froward children and chastising them because
+He loved them. Generations of saints and scholars linked Reb Shemuel
+with the marvels of Sinai. The infinite network of ceremonial never
+hampered his soul; it was his joyous privilege to obey his Father in all
+things and like the king who offered to reward the man who invented a
+new pleasure, he was ready to embrace the sage who could deduce a new
+commandment. He rose at four every morning to study, and snatched every
+odd moment he could during the day. Rabbi Meir, that ancient ethical
+teacher, wrote: "Whosoever labors in the Torah for its own sake, the
+whole world is indebted to him; he is called friend, beloved, a lover of
+the All-present, a lover of mankind; it clothes him in meekness and
+reverence; it fits him to become just, pious, upright and faithful; he
+becomes modest, long-suffering and forgiving of insult."
+
+Reb Shemuel would have been scandalized if any one had applied these
+words to him.
+
+At about eleven o'clock Hannah came into the room, an open letter in her
+hand.
+
+"Father," she said, "I have just had a letter from Samuel Levine."
+
+"Your husband?" he said, looking up with a smile.
+
+"My husband," she replied, with a fainter smile.
+
+"And what does he say?"
+
+"It isn't a very serious letter; he only wants to reassure me that he is
+coming back by Sunday week to be divorced."
+
+"All right; tell him it shall be done at cost price," he said, with the
+foreign accent that made him somehow seem more lovable to his daughter
+when he spoke English. "He shall only be charged for the scribe."
+
+"He'll take that for granted," Hannah replied. "Fathers are expected to
+do these little things for their own children. But how much nicer it
+would be if you could give me the _Gett_ yourself."
+
+"I would marry you with pleasure," said Reb Shemuel, "but divorce is
+another matter. The _Din_ has too much regard for a father's feelings to
+allow that."
+
+"And you really think I am Sam Levine's wife?"
+
+"How many times shall I tell you? Some authorities do take the
+_intention_ into account, but the letter of the law is clearly against
+you. It is far safer to be formally divorced."
+
+"Then if he were to die--"
+
+"Save us and grant us peace," interrupted the Reb in horror.
+
+"I should be his widow."
+
+"Yes, I suppose you would. But what _Narrischkeit_! Why should he die?
+It isn't as if you were really married to him," said the Reb, his eye
+twinkling.
+
+"But isn't it all absurd, father?"
+
+"Do not talk so," said Reb Shemuel, resuming his gravity. "Is it absurd
+that you should be scorched if you play with fire?"
+
+Hannah did not reply to the question.
+
+"You never told me how you got on at Manchester," she said. "Did you
+settle the dispute satisfactorily?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said the Reb; "but it was very difficult. Both parties were
+so envenomed, and it seems that the feud has been going on in the
+congregation ever since the Day of Atonement, when the minister refused
+to blow the _Shofar_ three minutes too early, as the President
+requested. The Treasurer sided with the minister, and there has almost
+been a split."
+
+"The sounding of the New Year trumpet seems often to be the signal for
+war," said Hannah, sarcastically.
+
+"It is so," said the Reb, sadly.
+
+"And how did you repair the breach?"
+
+"Just by laughing at both sides. They would have turned a deaf ear to
+reasoning. I told them that Midrash about Jacob's journey to Laban."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Oh, it's an amplification of the Biblical narrative. The verse in
+Genesis says that he lighted on the place, and he put up there for the
+night because the sun had set, and he took of the stones of the place
+and he made them into pillows. But later on it says that he rose up in
+the morning and he took _the_ stone which he had put as his pillows.
+Now what is the explanation?" Reb Shemuel's tone became momently more
+sing-song: "In the night the stones quarrelled for the honor of
+supporting the Patriarch's head, and so by a miracle they were turned
+into one stone to satisfy them all. 'Now you remember that when Jacob
+arose in the morning he said: 'How fearful is this place; this is none
+other than the House of God.' So I said to the wranglers: 'Why did Jacob
+say that? He said it because his rest had been so disturbed by the
+quarrelling stones that it reminded him of the House of God--the
+Synagogue.' I pointed out how much better it would be if they ceased
+their quarrellings and became one stone. And so I made peace again in
+the _Kehillah_."
+
+"Till next year," said Hannah, laughing. "But, father, I have often
+wondered why they allow the ram's horn in the service. I thought all
+musical instruments were forbidden."
+
+"It is not a musical instrument--in practice," said the Reb, with
+evasive facetiousness. And, indeed, the performers were nearly always
+incompetent, marring the solemnity of great moments by asthmatic
+wheezings and thin far-away tootlings.
+
+"But it would be if we had trained trumpeters," persisted Hannah,
+smiling.
+
+"If you really want the explanation, it is that since the fall of the
+second Temple we have dropped out of our worship all musical instruments
+connected with the old Temple worship, especially such as have become
+associated with Christianity. But the ram's horn on the New Year is an
+institution older than the Temple, and specially enjoined in the Bible."
+
+"But surely there is something spiritualizing about an organ."
+
+For reply the Reb pinched her ear. "Ah, you are a sad _Epikouros_" he
+said, half seriously. "If you loved God you would not want an organ to
+take your thoughts to heaven."
+
+He released her ear and took up his pen, humming with unction a
+synagogue air full of joyous flourishes.
+
+Hannah turned to go, then turned back.
+
+"Father," she said nervously, blushing a little, "who was that you said
+you had in your eye?"
+
+"Oh, nobody in particular," said the Reb, equally embarrassed and
+avoiding meeting her eye, as if to conceal the person in his.
+
+"But you must have meant something by it," she said gravely. "You know
+I'm not going to be married off to please other people."
+
+The Reb wriggled uncomfortably in his chair. "It was only a thought--an
+idea. If it does not come to you, too, it shall be nothing. I didn't
+mean anything serious--really, my dear, I didn't. To tell you the
+truth," he finished suddenly with a frank, heavenly smile, "the person I
+had mainly in my eye when I spoke was your mother."
+
+This time his eye met hers, and they smiled at each other with the
+consciousness of the humors of the situation. The Rebbitzin's broom was
+heard banging viciously in the passage. Hannah bent down and kissed the
+ample forehead beneath the black skull-cap.
+
+"Mr. Levine also writes insisting that I must go to the Purim ball with
+him and Leah," she said, glancing at the letter.
+
+"A husband's wishes must be obeyed," answered the Reb.
+
+"No, I will treat him as if he were really my husband," retorted Hannah.
+"I will have my own way: I shan't go."
+
+The door was thrown open suddenly.
+
+"Oh yes thou wilt," said the Rebbitzin. "Thou art not going to bury
+thyself alive."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ESTHER AND HER CHILDREN.
+
+
+Esther Ansell did not welcome Levi Jacobs warmly. She had just cleared
+away the breakfast things and was looking forward to a glorious day's
+reading, and the advent of a visitor did not gratify her. And yet Levi
+Jacobs was a good-looking boy with brown hair and eyes, a dark glowing
+complexion and ruddy lips--a sort of reduced masculine edition of
+Hannah.
+
+"I've come to play I-spy-I, Solomon," he said when he entered "My,
+don't you live high up!"
+
+"I thought you had to go to school," Solomon observed with a stare.
+
+"Ours isn't a board school," Levi explained. "You might introduce a
+fellow to your sister."
+
+"Garn! You know Esther right enough," said Solomon and began to whistle
+carelessly.
+
+"How are you, Esther?" said Levi awkwardly.
+
+"I'm very well, thank you," said Esther, looking up from a little
+brown-covered book and looking down at it again.
+
+She was crouching on the fender trying to get some warmth at the little
+fire extracted from Reb Shemuel's half-crown. December continued gray;
+the room was dim and a spurt of flame played on her pale earnest face.
+It was a face that never lost a certain ardency of color even at its
+palest: the hair was dark and abundant, the eyes were large and
+thoughtful, the nose slightly aquiline and the whole cast of the
+features betrayed the Polish origin. The forehead was rather low. Esther
+had nice teeth which accident had preserved white. It was an arrestive
+rather than a beautiful face, though charming enough when she smiled. If
+the grace and candor of childhood could have been disengaged from the
+face, it would have been easier to say whether it was absolutely pretty.
+It came nearer being so on Sabbaths and holidays when scholastic
+supervision was removed and the hair was free to fall loosely about the
+shoulders instead of being screwed up into the pendulous plait so dear
+to the educational eye. Esther could have earned a penny quite easily by
+sacrificing her tresses and going about with close-cropped head like a
+boy, for her teacher never failed thus to reward the shorn, but in the
+darkest hours of hunger she held on to her hair as her mother had done
+before her. The prospects of Esther's post-nuptial wig were not
+brilliant. She was not tall for a girl who is getting on for twelve; but
+some little girls shoot up suddenly and there was considerable room for
+hope.
+
+Sarah and Isaac were romping noisily about and under the beds; Rachel
+was at the table, knitting a scarf for Solomon; the grandmother pored
+over a bulky enchiridion for pious women, written in jargon. Moses was
+out in search of work. No one took any notice of the visitor.
+
+"What's that you're reading?" he asked Esther politely.
+
+"Oh nothing," said Esther with a start, closing the book as if fearful
+he might want to look over her shoulder.
+
+"I don't see the fun of reading books out of school," said Levi.
+
+"Oh, but we don't read school books," said Solomon defensively.
+
+"I don't care. It's stupid."
+
+"At that rate you could never read books when you're grown up," said
+Esther contemptuously.
+
+"No, of course not," admitted Levi. "Otherwise where would be the fun of
+being grown up? After I leave school I don't intend to open a book."
+
+"No? Perhaps you'll open a shop," said Solomon.
+
+"What will you do when it rains?" asked Esther crushingly.
+
+"I shall smoke," replied Levi loftily.
+
+"Yes, but suppose it's _Shabbos_," swiftly rejoined Esther.
+
+Levi was nonplussed. "Well, it can't rain all day and there are only
+fifty-two _Shabbosim_ in the year," he said lamely. "A man can always do
+something."
+
+"I think there's more pleasure in reading than in doing something,"
+remarked Esther.
+
+"Yes, you're a girl," Levi reminded her, "and girls are expected to stay
+indoors. Look at my sister Hannah. She reads, too. But a man can be out
+doing what he pleases, eh, Solomon?"
+
+"Yes, of course we've got the best of it," said Solomon. "The
+Prayer-book shows that. Don't I say every morning 'Blessed art Thou, O
+Lord our God, who hast not made me a woman'?"
+
+"I don't know whether you do say it. You certainly have got to," said
+Esther witheringly.
+
+"'Sh," said Solomon, winking in the direction of the grandmother.
+
+"It doesn't matter," said Esther calmly. "She can't understand what I'm
+saying."
+
+"I don't know," said Solomon dubiously. "She sometimes catches more than
+you bargain for."
+
+"And then, _you_ catch more than you bargain for," said Rachel, looking
+up roguishly from her knitting.
+
+Solomon stuck his tongue in his cheek and grimaced.
+
+Isaac came behind Levi and gave his coat a pull and toddled off with a
+yell of delight.
+
+"Be quiet, Ikey!" cried Esther. "If you don't behave better I shan't
+sleep in your new bed."
+
+"Oh yeth, you mutht, Ethty," lisped Ikey, his elfish face growing grave.
+He went about depressed for some seconds.
+
+"Kids are a beastly nuisance," said Levi, "don't you think so, Esther?"
+
+"Oh no, not always," said the little girl. "Besides we were all kids
+once."
+
+"That's what I complain of," said Levi. "We ought to be all born
+grown-up."
+
+"But that's impossible!" put in Rachel.
+
+"It isn't impossible at all," said Esther. "Look at Adam and Eve!"
+
+Levi looked at Esther gratefully instead. He felt nearer to her and
+thought of persuading her into playing Kiss-in-the-Ring. But he found it
+difficult to back out of his undertaking to play I-spy-I with Solomon;
+and in the end he had to leave Esther to her book.
+
+She had little in common with her brother Solomon, least of all humor
+and animal spirits. Even before the responsibilities of headship had
+come upon her she was a preternaturally thoughtful little girl who had
+strange intuitions about things and was doomed to work out her own
+salvation as a metaphysician. When she asked her mother who made God, a
+slap in the face demonstrated to her the limits of human inquiry. The
+natural instinct of the child over-rode the long travail of the race to
+conceive an abstract Deity, and Esther pictured God as a mammoth cloud.
+In early years Esther imagined that the "body" that was buried when a
+person died was the corpse decapitated and she often puzzled herself to
+think what was done with the isolated head. When her mother was being
+tied up in grave-clothes, Esther hovered about with a real thirst for
+knowledge while the thoughts of all the other children were sensuously
+concentrated on the funeral and the glory of seeing a vehicle drive away
+from their own door. Esther was also disappointed at not seeing her
+mother's soul fly up to heaven though she watched vigilantly at the
+death-bed for the ascent of the long yellow hook-shaped thing. The
+genesis of this conception of the soul was probably to be sought in the
+pictorial representations of ghosts in the story-papers brought home by
+her eldest brother Benjamin. Strange shadowy conceptions of things more
+corporeal floated up from her solitary reading. Theatres she came across
+often, and a theatre was a kind of Babel plain or Vanity Fair in which
+performers and spectators were promiscuously mingled and wherein the
+richer folk clad in evening dress sat in thin deal boxes--the cases in
+Spitalfields market being Esther's main association with boxes. One of
+her day-dreams of the future was going to the theatre in a night-gown
+and being accommodated with an orange-box. Little rectification of such
+distorted views of life was to be expected from Moses Ansell, who went
+down to his grave without seeing even a circus, and had no interest in
+art apart from the "Police News" and his "Mizrach" and the synagogue
+decorations. Even when Esther's sceptical instinct drove her to inquire
+of her father how people knew that Moses got the Law on Mount Sinai, he
+could only repeat in horror that the Books of Moses said so, and could
+never be brought to see that his arguments travelled on roundabouts. She
+sometimes regretted that her brilliant brother Benjamin had been
+swallowed up by the orphan asylum, for she imagined she could have
+discussed many a knotty point with him. Solomon was both flippant and
+incompetent. But in spite of her theoretical latitudinarianism, in
+practice she was pious to the point of fanaticism and could scarce
+conceive the depths of degradation of which she heard vague
+horror-struck talk. There were Jews about--grown-up men and women, not
+insane--who struck lucifer matches on the Sabbath and housewives who
+carelessly mixed their butter-plates with their meat-plates even when
+they did not actually eat butter with meat. Esther promised herself
+that, please God, she would never do anything so wicked when she grew
+up. She at least would never fail to light the Sabbath candles nor to
+_kasher_ the meat. Never was child more alive to the beauty of duty,
+more open to the appeal of virtue, self-control, abnegation. She fasted
+till two o'clock on the Great White Fast when she was seven years old
+and accomplished the perfect feat at nine. When she read a simple little
+story in a prize-book, inculcating the homely moralities at which the
+cynic sneers, her eyes filled with tears and her breast with unselfish
+and dutiful determinations. She had something of the temperament of the
+stoic, fortified by that spiritual pride which does not look for equal
+goodness in others; and though she disapproved of Solomon's dodgings of
+duty, she did not sneak or preach, even gave him surreptitious crusts of
+bread before he had said his prayers, especially on Saturdays and
+Festivals when the praying took place in _Shool_ and was liable to be
+prolonged till mid-day.
+
+Esther often went to synagogue and sat in the ladies' compartment. The
+drone of the "Sons of the Covenant" downstairs was part of her
+consciousness of home, like the musty smell of the stairs, or Becky's
+young men through whom she had to plough her way when she went for the
+morning milk, or the odors of Mr. Belcovitch's rum or the whirr of his
+machines, or the bent, snuffy personality of the Hebrew scholar in the
+adjoining garret, or the dread of Dutch Debby's dog that was ultimately
+transformed to friendly expectation. Esther led a double life, just as
+she spoke two tongues. The knowledge that she was a Jewish child, whose
+people had had a special history, was always at the back of her
+consciousness; sometimes it was brought to the front by the scoffing
+rhymes of Christian children, who informed her that they had stuck a
+piece of pork upon a fork and given it to a member of her race.
+
+But far more vividly did she realize that she was an English girl; far
+keener than her pride in Judas Maccabaeus was her pride in Nelson and
+Wellington; she rejoiced to find that her ancestors had always beaten
+the French from the days of Cressy and Poictiers to the days of
+Waterloo, that Alfred the Great was the wisest of kings, and that
+Englishmen dominated the world and had planted colonies in every corner
+of it, that the English language was the noblest in the world and men
+speaking it had invented railway trains, steamships, telegraphs, and
+everything worth inventing. Esther absorbed these ideas from the school
+reading books. The experience of a month will overlay the hereditary
+bequest of a century. And yet, beneath all, the prepared plate remains
+most sensitive to the old impressions.
+
+Sarah and Isaac had developed as distinct individualities as was
+possible in the time at their disposal. Isaac was just five and
+Sarah--who had never known her mother--just four. The thoughts of both
+ran strongly in the direction of sensuous enjoyment, and they preferred
+baked potatoes, especially potatoes touched with gravy, to all the joys
+of the kindergarten. Isaac's ambition ran in the direction of eider-down
+beds such as he had once felt at Malka's and Moses soothed him by the
+horizon-like prospect of such a new bed. Places of honor had already
+been conceded by the generous little chap to his father and brother.
+Heaven alone knows how he had come to conceive their common bed as his
+own peculiar property in which the other three resided at night on
+sufferance. He could not even plead it was his by right of birth in it.
+But Isaac was not after all wholly given over to worldly thoughts, for
+an intellectual problem often occupied his thoughts and led him to slap
+little Sarah's arms. He had been born on the 4th of December while Sarah
+had been born a year later on the 3d.
+
+"It ain't, it can't be," he would say. "Your birfday can't be afore
+mine."
+
+"'Tis, Esty thays so," Sarah would reply.
+
+"Esty's a liar," Isaac responded imperturbably.
+
+"Ask _Tatah_."
+
+"_Tatah_ dunno. Ain't I five?"
+
+"Yeth."
+
+"And ain't you four?"
+
+"Yeth."
+
+"And ain't I older than you?"
+
+"Courth."
+
+"And wasn't I born afore you?"
+
+"Yeth, Ikey."
+
+"Then 'ow can your birfday come afore mine?"
+
+"'Cos it doth."
+
+"Stoopid!"
+
+"It doth, arx Esty," Sarah would insist.
+
+"Than't teep in my new bed," Ikey would threaten.
+
+"Thall if I like."
+
+"Than't!"
+
+Here Sarah would generally break down in tears and Isaac with premature
+economic instinct, feeling it wicked to waste a cry, would proceed to
+justify it by hitting her. Thereupon little Sarah would hit him back and
+develop a terrible howl.
+
+"Hi, woe is unto me," she would wail in jargon, throwing herself on the
+ground in a corner and rocking herself to and fro like her far-away
+ancestresses remembering Zion by the waters of Babylon.
+
+Little Sarah's lamentations never ceased till she had been avenged by a
+higher hand. There were several great powers but Esther was the most
+trusty instrument of reprisal. If Esther was out little Sarah's sobs
+ceased speedily, for she, too, felt the folly of fruitless tears. Though
+she nursed in her breast the sense of injury, she would even resume her
+amicable romps with Isaac. But the moment the step of the avenger was
+heard on the stairs, little Sarah would betake herself to the corner and
+howl with the pain of Isaac's pummellings. She had a strong love of
+abstract justice and felt that if the wrongdoer were to go unpunished,
+there was no security for the constitution of things.
+
+To-day's holiday did not pass without an outbreak of this sort. It
+occurred about tea-time. Perhaps the infants were fractious because
+there was no tea. Esther had to economize her resources and a repast at
+seven would serve for both tea and supper. Among the poor, combination
+meals are as common as combination beds and chests. Esther had quieted
+Sarah by slapping Isaac, but as this made Isaac howl the gain was
+dubious. She had to put a fresh piece of coal on the fire and sing to
+them while their shadows contorted themselves grotesquely on the beds
+and then upwards along the sloping walls, terminating with twisted necks
+on the ceiling.
+
+Esther usually sang melancholy things in minor keys. They seemed most
+attuned to the dim straggling room. There was a song her mother used to
+sing. It was taken from a _Purim-Spiel_, itself based upon a Midrash,
+one of the endless legends with which the People of One Book have
+broidered it, amplifying every minute detail with all the exuberance of
+oriental imagination and justifying their fancies with all the ingenuity
+of a race of lawyers. After his brethren sold Joseph to the Midianite
+merchants, the lad escaped from the caravan and wandered foot-sore and
+hungry to Bethlehem, to the grave of his mother, Rachel. And he threw
+himself upon the ground and wept aloud and sang to a heart-breaking
+melody in Yiddish.
+
+    Und hei weh ist mir,
+    Wie schlecht ist doch mir,
+    Ich bin vertrieben geworen
+    Junger held voon dir.
+
+Whereof the English runs:
+
+    Alas! woe is me!
+    How wretched to be
+    Driven away and banished,
+    Yet so young, from thee.
+
+Thereupon the voice of his beloved mother Rachel was heard from the
+grave, comforting him and bidding him be of good cheer, for that his
+future should be great and glorious.
+
+Esther could not sing this without the tears trickling down her cheeks.
+Was it that she thought of her own dead mother and applied the lines to
+herself? Isaac's ill-humor scarcely ever survived the anodyne of these
+mournful cadences. There was another melodious wail which Alte
+Belcovitch had brought from Poland. The chorus ran:
+
+    Man nemt awek die chasanim voon die callohs
+    Hi, hi, did-a-rid-a-ree!
+
+    They tear away their lovers from the maidens,
+    Hi, hi, did-a-rid-a-ree!
+
+The air mingled the melancholy of Polish music with the sadness of
+Jewish and the words hinted of God knew what.
+
+    "Old unhappy far-off things
+      And battles long ago."
+
+And so over all the songs and stories was the trail of tragedy, under
+all the heart-ache of a hunted race. There are few more plaintive chants
+in the world than the recitation of the Psalms by the "Sons of the
+Covenant" on Sabbath afternoons amid the gathering shadows of twilight.
+Esther often stood in the passage to hear it, morbidly fascinated, tears
+of pensive pleasure in her eyes. Even the little jargon story-book which
+Moses Ansell read out that night to his _Kinder_, after tea-supper, by
+the light of the one candle, was prefaced with a note of pathos. "These
+stories have we gathered together from the Gemorah and the Midrash,
+wonderful stories, and we have translated the beautiful stories, using
+the Hebrew alphabet so that every one, little or big, shall be able to
+read them, and shall know that there is a God in the world who forsaketh
+not His people Israel and who even for us will likewise work miracles
+and wonders and will send us the righteous Redeemer speedily in our
+days, Amen." Of this same Messiah the children heard endless tales.
+Oriental fancy had been exhausted in picturing him for the consolation
+of exiled and suffering Israel. Before his days there would be a wicked
+Messiah of the House of Joseph; later, a king with one ear deaf to hear
+good but acute to hear evil; there would be a scar on his forehead, one
+of his hands would be an inch long and the other three miles, apparently
+a subtle symbol of the persecutor. The jargon story-book among its
+"stories, wonderful stories," had also extracts from the famous
+romance, or diary, of Eldad the Danite, who professed to have
+discovered the lost Ten Tribes. Eldad's book appeared towards the end of
+the ninth century and became the Arabian Nights of the Jews, and it had
+filtered down through the ages into the Ansell garret, in common with
+many other tales from the rich storehouse of mediaeval folk-lore in the
+diffusion of which the wandering few has played so great a part.
+
+Sometimes Moses read to his charmed hearers the description of Heaven
+and Hell by Immanuel, the friend and contemporary of Dante, sometimes a
+jargon version of Robinson Crusoe. To-night he chose Eldad's account of
+the tribe of Moses dwelling beyond the wonderful river, Sambatyon, which
+never flows on the Sabbath.
+
+"There is also the tribe of Moses, our just master, which is called the
+tribe that flees, because it fled from idol worship and clung to the
+fear of God. A river flows round their land for a distance of four days'
+journey on every side. They dwell in beautiful houses provided with
+handsome towers, which they have built themselves. There is nothing
+unclean among them, neither in the case of birds, venison nor
+domesticated animals; there are no wild animals, no flies, no foxes, no
+vermin, no serpents, no dogs, and in general, nothing which does harm;
+they have only sheep and cattle, which bear twice a year. They sow and
+reap; there are all sorts of gardens, with all kinds of fruits and
+cereals, viz.: beans, melons, gourds, onions, garlic, wheat and barley,
+and the seed grows a hundred fold. They have faith; they know the Law,
+the Mishnah, the Talmud and the Agadah; but their Talmud is in Hebrew.
+They introduce their sayings in the name of the fathers, the wise men,
+who heard them from the mouth of Joshua, who himself heard them from the
+mouth of God. They have no knowledge of the Tanaim (doctors of the
+Mishnah) and Amoraim (doctors of the Talmud), who flourished during the
+time of the second Temple, which was, of course, not known to these
+tribes. They speak only Hebrew, and are very strict as regards the use
+of wine made by others than themselves, as well as the rules of
+slaughtering animals; in this respect the Law of Moses is much more
+rigorous than that of the Tribes. They do not swear by the name of God,
+for fear that their breath may leave them, and they become angry with
+those who swear; they reprimand them, saying, 'Woe, ye poor, why do you
+swear with the mention of the name of God upon your lips? Use your mouth
+for eating bread and drinking water. Do you not know that for the sin of
+swearing your children die young?' And in this way they exhort every one
+to serve God with fear and integrity of heart. Therefore, the children
+of Moses, the servant of God, live long, to the age of 100 or 120 years.
+No child, be it son or daughter, dies during the lifetime of its parent,
+but they reach a third and a fourth generation, and see grandchildren
+and great-grandchildren with their offspring. They do all field work
+themselves, having no male or female servants; there are also merchants
+among them. They do not close their houses at night, for there is no
+thief nor any wicked man among them. Thus a little lad might go for days
+with his flock without fear of robbers, demons or danger of any other
+kind; they are, indeed, all holy and clean. These Levites busy
+themselves with the Law and with the commandments, and they still live
+in the holiness of our master, Moses; therefore, God has given them all
+this good. Moreover, they see nobody and nobody sees them, except the
+four tribes who dwell on the other side of the rivers of Cush; they see
+them, and speak to them, but the river Sambatyon is between them, as it
+is said: 'That thou mayest say to prisoners, Go forth' (Isaiah xlix.,
+9). They have plenty of gold and silver; they sow flax and cultivate the
+crimson worm, and make beautiful garments. Their number is double or
+four times the number that went out from Egypt.
+
+"The river Sambatyon is 200 yards broad--'about as far as a bowshot'
+(Gen. xxi., 16), full of sand and stones, but without water; the stones
+make a great noise like the waves of the sea and a stormy wind, so that
+in the night the noise is heard at a distance of half a day's journey.
+There are sources of water which collect themselves in one pool, out of
+which they water the fields. There are fish in it, and all kinds of
+clean birds fly round it. And this river of stone and sand rolls during
+the six working days and rests on the Sabbath day. As soon as the
+Sabbath begins fire surrounds the river and the flames remain till the
+next evening, when the Sabbath ends. Thus no human being can reach the
+river for a distance of half a mile on either side; the fire consumes
+all that grows there. The four tribes, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher,
+stand on the borders of the river. When shearing their flocks here, for
+the land is flat and clean without any thorns, if the children of Moses
+see them gathered together on the border they shout, saying, 'Brethren,
+tribes of Jeshurun, show us your camels, dogs and asses,' and they make
+their remarks about the length of the camel's neck and the shortness of
+the tail. Then they greet one another and go their way."
+
+When this was done, Solomon called for Hell. He liked to hear about the
+punishment of the sinners; it gave a zest to life. Moses hardly needed a
+book to tell them about Hell. It had no secrets for him. The Old
+Testament has no reference to a future existence, but the poor Jew has
+no more been able to live without the hope of Hell than the poor
+Christian. When the wicked man has waxed fat and kicked the righteous
+skinny man, shall the two lie down in the same dust and the game be
+over? Perish the thought! One of the Hells was that in which the sinner
+was condemned to do over and over again the sins he had done in life.
+
+"Why, that must be jolly!" said Solomon.
+
+"No, that is frightful," maintained Moses Ansell. He spoke Yiddish, the
+children English.
+
+"Of course, it is," said Esther. "Just fancy, Solomon, having to eat
+toffy all day."
+
+"It's better than eating nothing all day," replied Solomon.
+
+"But to eat it every day for ever and ever!" said Moses. "There's no
+rest for the wicked."
+
+"What! Not even on the Sabbath?" said Esther.
+
+"Oh, yes: of course, then. Like the river Sambatyon, even the flames of
+Hell rest on _Shabbos_."
+
+"Haven't they got no fire-_goyas_?"; inquired Ikey, and everybody
+laughed.
+
+"_Shabbos_ is a holiday in Hell," Moses explained to the little one.
+"So thou seest the result of thy making out Sabbath too early on
+Saturday night, thou sendest the poor souls back to their tortures
+before the proper time."
+
+Moses never lost an opportunity of enforcing the claims of the
+ceremonial law. Esther had a vivid picture flashed upon her of poor,
+yellow hook-shaped souls floating sullenly back towards the flames.
+
+Solomon's chief respect for his father sprang from the halo of military
+service encircling Moses ever since it leaked out through the lips of
+the _Bube_, that he had been a conscript in Russia and been brutally
+treated by the sergeant. But Moses could not be got to speak of his
+exploits. Solomon pressed him to do so, especially when his father gave
+symptoms of inviting him to the study of Rashi's Commentary. To-night
+Moses brought out a Hebrew tome, and said, "Come, Solomon. Enough of
+stories. We must learn a little."
+
+"To-day is a holiday," grumbled Solomon.
+
+"It is never a holiday for the study of the Law."
+
+"Only this once, father; let's play draughts."
+
+Moses weakly yielded. Draughts was his sole relaxation and when Solomon
+acquired a draught board by barter his father taught him the game. Moses
+played the Polish variety, in which the men are like English kings that
+leap backwards and forwards and the kings shoot diagonally across like
+bishops at chess. Solomon could not withstand these gigantic
+grasshoppers, whose stopping places he could never anticipate. Moses won
+every game to-night and was full of glee and told the _Kinder_ another
+story. It was about the Emperor Nicholas and is not to be found in the
+official histories of Russia.
+
+"Nicholas, was a wicked king, who oppressed the Jews and made their
+lives sore and bitter. And one day he made it known to the Jews that if
+a million roubles were not raised for him in a month's time they should
+be driven from their homes. Then the Jews prayed unto God and besought
+him to help them for the merits of the forefathers, but no help came.
+Then they tried to bribe the officials, but the officials pocketed their
+gold and the Emperor still demanded his tax. Then they went to the
+great Masters of Cabalah, who, by pondering day and night on the name
+and its transmutations, had won the control of all things, and they
+said, 'Can ye do naught for us?' Then the Masters of Cabalah took
+counsel together and at midnight they called up the spirits of Abraham
+our father, and Isaac and Jacob, and Elijah the prophet, who wept to
+hear of their children's sorrows. And Abraham our father, and Isaac and
+Jacob, and Elijah the prophet took the bed whereon Nicholas the Emperor
+slept and transported it to a wild place. And they took Nicholas the
+Emperor out of his warm bed and whipped him soundly so that he yelled
+for mercy. Then they asked: 'Wilt thou rescind the edict against the
+Jews?' And he said 'I will.' But in the morning Nicholas the Emperor
+woke up and called for the chief of the bed-chamber and said, 'How
+darest thou allow my bed to be carried out in the middle of the night
+into the forest?' And the chief of the bed-chamber grew pale and said
+that the Emperor's guards had watched all night outside the door,
+neither was there space for the bed to pass out. And Nicholas the
+Emperor, thinking he had dreamed, let the man go unhung. But the next
+night lo! the bed was transported again to the wild place and Abraham
+our father, and Isaac and Jacob, and Elijah the prophet drubbed him
+doubly and again he promised to remit the tax. So in the morning the
+chief of the bed-chamber was hanged and at night the guards were
+doubled. But the bed sailed away to the wild place and Nicholas the
+Emperor was trebly whipped. Then Nicholas the Emperor annulled the edict
+and the Jews rejoiced and fell at the knees of the Masters of Cabalah."
+
+"But why can't they save the Jews altogether?" queried Esther.
+
+"Oh," said Moses mysteriously. "Cabalah is a great force and must not be
+abused. The Holy Name must not be made common. Moreover one might lose
+one's life."
+
+"Could the Masters make men?" inquired Esther, who had recently come
+across Frankenstein.
+
+"Certainly," said Moses. "And what is more, it stands written that Reb
+Chanina and Reb Osheya fashioned a fine fat calf on Friday and enjoyed
+it on the Sabbath."
+
+"Oh, father!" said Solomon, piteously, "don't you know Cabalah?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+DUTCH DEBBY.
+
+
+A year before we got to know Esther Ansell she got to know Dutch Debby
+and it changed her life. Dutch Debby was a tall sallow ungainly girl who
+lived in the wee back room on the second floor behind Mrs. Simons and
+supported herself and her dog by needle-work. Nobody ever came to see
+her, for it was whispered that her parents had cast her out when she
+presented them with an illegitimate grandchild. The baby was fortunate
+enough to die, but she still continued to incur suspicion by keeping a
+dog, which is an un-Jewish trait. Bobby often squatted on the stairs
+guarding her door and, as it was very dark on the staircase, Esther
+suffered great agonies lest she should tread on his tail and provoke
+reprisals. Her anxiety led her to do so one afternoon and Bobby's teeth
+just penetrated through her stocking. The clamor brought out Dutch
+Debby, who took the girl into her room and soothed her. Esther had often
+wondered what uncanny mysteries lay behind that dark dog-guarded door
+and she was rather more afraid of Debby than of Bobby.
+
+But that afternoon saw the beginning of a friendship which added one to
+the many factors which were moulding the future woman. For Debby turned
+out a very mild bogie, indeed, with a good English vocabulary and a
+stock of old _London Journals_, more precious to Esther than mines of
+Ind. Debby kept them under the bed, which, as the size of the bed all
+but coincided with the area of the room, was a wise arrangement. And on
+the long summer evenings and the Sunday afternoons when her little ones
+needed no looking after and were traipsing about playing "whoop!" and
+pussy-cat in the street downstairs, Esther slipped into the wee back
+room, where the treasures lay, and there, by the open window,
+overlooking the dingy back yard and the slanting perspectives of
+sun-decked red tiles where cats prowled and dingy sparrows hopped, in an
+atmosphere laden with whiffs from a neighboring dairyman's stables,
+Esther lost herself in wild tales of passion and romance. She frequently
+read them aloud for the benefit of the sallow-faced needle-woman, who
+had found romance square so sadly with the realities of her own
+existence. And so all a summer afternoon, Dutch Debby and Esther would
+be rapt away to a world of brave men and fair women, a world of fine
+linen and purple, of champagne and wickedness and cigarettes, a world
+where nobody worked or washed shirts or was hungry or had holes in
+boots, a world utterly ignorant of Judaism and the heinousness of eating
+meat with butter. Not that Esther for her part correlated her conception
+of this world with facts. She never realized that it was an actually
+possible world--never indeed asked herself whether it existed outside
+print or not. She never thought of it in that way at all, any more than
+it ever occurred to her that people once spoke the Hebrew she learned to
+read and translate. "Bobby" was often present at these readings, but he
+kept his thoughts to himself, sitting on his hind legs with his
+delightfully ugly nose tilted up inquiringly at Esther. For the best of
+all this new friendship was that Bobby was not jealous. He was only a
+sorry dun-colored mongrel to outsiders, but Esther learned to see him
+almost through Dutch Debby's eyes. And she could run up the stairs
+freely, knowing that if she trod on his tail now, he would take it as a
+mark of _camaraderie_.
+
+"I used to pay a penny a week for the _London Journal_," said Debby
+early in their acquaintanceship, "till one day I discovered I had a
+dreadful bad memory."
+
+"And what was the good of that?" said Esther.
+
+"Why, it was worth shillings and shillings to me. You see I used to save
+up all the back numbers of the _London Journal_ because of the answers
+to correspondents, telling you how to do your hair and trim your nails
+and give yourself a nice complexion. I used to bother my head about that
+sort of thing in those days, dear; and one day I happened to get reading
+a story in a back number only about a year old and I found I was just
+as interested as if I had never read it before and I hadn't the
+slightest remembrance of it. After that I left off buying the _Journal_
+and took to reading my big heap of back numbers. I get through them once
+every two years." Debby interrupted herself with a fit of coughing, for
+lengthy monologue is inadvisable for persons who bend over needle-work
+in dark back rooms. Recovering herself, she added, "And then I start
+afresh. You couldn't do that, could you?"
+
+"No," admitted Esther, with a painful feeling of inferiority. "I
+remember all I've ever read."
+
+"Ah, you will grow up a clever woman!" said Debby, patting her hair.
+
+"Oh, do you think so?" said Esther, her dark eyes lighting up with
+pleasure.
+
+"Oh yes, you're always first in your class, ain't you?"
+
+"Is that what you judge by, Debby?" said Esther, disappointed. "The
+other girls are so stupid and take no thought for anything but their
+hats and their frocks. They would rather play gobs or shuttlecock or
+hopscotch than read about the 'Forty Thieves.' They don't mind being
+kept a whole year in one class but I--oh, I feel so mad at getting on so
+slow. I could easily learn the standard work in three months. I want to
+know everything--so that I can grow up to be a teacher at our school."
+
+"And does your teacher know everything?"
+
+"Oh yes! She knows the meaning of every word and all about foreign
+countries."
+
+"And would you like to be a teacher?"
+
+"If I could only be clever enough!" sighed Esther. "But then you see the
+teachers at our school are real ladies and they dress, oh, so
+beautifully! With fur tippets and six-button gloves. I could never
+afford it, for even when I was earning five shillings a week I should
+have to give most of it to father and the children."
+
+"But if you're very good--I dare say some of the great ladies like the
+Rothschilds will buy you nice clothes. I have heard they are very good
+to clever children."
+
+"No, then the other teachers would know I was getting charity! And they
+would mock at me. I heard Miss Hyams make fun of a teacher because she
+wore the same dress as last winter. I don't think I should like to be a
+teacher after all, though it is nice to be able to stand with your back
+to the fire in the winter. The girls would know--'" Esther stopped and
+blushed.
+
+"Would know what, dear?"
+
+"Well, they would know father," said Esther in low tones. "They would
+see him selling things in the Lane and they wouldn't do what I told
+them."
+
+"Nonsense, Esther. I believe most of the teachers' fathers are just as
+bad--I mean as poor. Look at Miss Hyams's own father."
+
+"Oh Debby! I do hope that's true. Besides when I was earning five
+shillings a week, I could buy father a new coat, couldn't I? And then
+there would be no need for him to stand in the Lane with lemons or
+'four-corner fringes,' would there?"
+
+"No, dear. You shall be a teacher, I prophesy, and who knows? Some day
+you may be Head Mistress!"
+
+Esther laughed a startled little laugh of delight, with a suspicion of a
+sob in it. "What! Me! Me go round and make all the teachers do their
+work. Oh, wouldn't I catch them gossiping! I know their tricks!"
+
+"You seem to look after your teacher well. Do you ever call her over the
+coals for gossiping?" inquired Dutch Debby, amused.
+
+"No, no," protested Esther quite seriously. "I like to hear them
+gossiping. When my teacher and Miss Davis, who's in the next room, and a
+few other teachers get together, I learn--Oh such a lot!--from their
+conversation."
+
+"Then they do teach you after all," laughed Debby.
+
+"Yes, but it's not on the Time Table," said Esther, shaking her little
+head sapiently. "It's mostly about young men. Did you ever have a young
+man, Debby?"
+
+"Don't--don't ask such questions, child!" Debby bent over her
+needle-work.
+
+"Why not?" persisted Esther. "If I only had a young man when I grew up,
+I should be proud of him. Yes, you're trying to turn your head away. I'm
+sure you had. Was he nice like Lord Eversmonde or Captain Andrew
+Sinclair? Why you're crying, Debby!"
+
+"Don't be a little fool, Esther! A tiny fly has just flown into my
+eye--poor little thing! He hurts me and does himself no good."
+
+"Let me see, Debby," said Esther. "Perhaps I shall be in time to save
+him."
+
+"No, don't trouble."
+
+"Don't be so cruel, Debby. You're as bad as Solomon, who pulls off
+flies' wings to see if they can fly without them."
+
+"He's dead now. Go on with 'Lady Ann's Rival;' we've been wasting the
+whole afternoon talking. Take my advice, Esther, and don't stuff your
+head with ideas about young men. You're too young. Now, dear, I'm ready.
+Go on."
+
+"Where was I? Oh yes. 'Lord Eversmonde folded the fair young form to his
+manly bosom and pressed kiss after kiss upon her ripe young lips, which
+responded passionately to his own. At last she recovered herself and
+cried reproachfully, Oh Sigismund, why do you persist in coming here,
+when the Duke forbids it?' Oh, do you know, Debby, father said the other
+day I oughtn't to come here?"
+
+"Oh no, you must," cried Debby impulsively. "I couldn't part with you
+now."
+
+"Father says people say you are not good," said Esther candidly.
+
+Debby breathed painfully. "Well!" she whispered.
+
+"But I said people were liars. You _are_ good!"
+
+"Oh, Esther, Esther!" sobbed Debby, kissing the earnest little face with
+a vehemence that surprised the child.
+
+"I think father only said that," Esther went on, "because he fancies I
+neglect Sarah and Isaac when he's at _Shool_ and they quarrel so about
+their birthdays when they're together. But they don't slap one another
+hard. I'll tell you what! Suppose I bring Sarah down here!"
+
+"Well, but won't she cry and be miserable here, if you read, and with
+no Isaac to play with?"
+
+"Oh no," said Esther confidently. "She'll keep Bobby company."
+
+Bobby took kindly to little Sarah also. He knew no other dogs and in
+such circumstances a sensible animal falls back on human beings. He had
+first met Debby herself quite casually and the two lonely beings took to
+each other. Before that meeting Dutch Debby was subject to wild
+temptations. Once she half starved herself and put aside ninepence a
+week for almost three months and purchased one-eighth of a lottery
+ticket from Sugarman the _Shadchan_, who recognized her existence for
+the occasion. The fortune did not come off.
+
+Debby saw less and less of Esther as the months crept on again towards
+winter, for the little girl feared her hostess might feel constrained to
+offer her food, and the children required more soothing. Esther would
+say very little about her home life, though Debby got to know a great
+deal about her school-mates and her teacher.
+
+One summer evening after Esther had passed into the hands of Miss Miriam
+Hyams she came to Dutch Debby with a grave face and said: "Oh, Debby.
+Miss Hyams is not a heroine."
+
+"No?" said Debby, amused. "You were so charmed with her at first."
+
+"Yes, she is very pretty and her hats are lovely. But she is not a
+heroine."
+
+"Why, what's happened?"
+
+"You know what lovely weather it's been all day?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, this morning all in the middle of the Scripture lesson, she said
+to us, 'What a pity, girls, we've got to stay cooped up here this bright
+weather'--you know she chats to us so nicely--'in some schools they have
+half-holidays on Wednesday afternoons in the summer. Wouldn't it be nice
+if we could have them and be out in the sunshine in Victoria Park?'
+'Hoo, yes, teacher, wouldn't that be jolly?' we all cried. Then teacher
+said: 'Well, why not ask the Head Mistress for a holiday this
+afternoon? You're the highest standard in the school--I dare say if you
+ask for it, the whole school will get a holiday. Who will be
+spokes-woman?' Then all the girls said I must be because I was the first
+girl in the class and sounded all my h's, and when the Head Mistress
+came into the room I up and curtseyed and asked her if we could have a
+holiday this afternoon on account of the beautiful sunshine. Then the
+Head Mistress put on her eye-glasses and her face grew black and the
+sunshine seemed to go out of the room. And she said 'What! After all the
+holidays we have here, a month at New Year and a fortnight at Passover,
+and all the fast-days! I am surprised that you girls should be so lazy
+and idle and ask for more. Why don't you take example by your teacher?
+Look at Miss Hyams." We all looked at Miss Hyams, but she was looking
+for some papers in her desk. 'Look how Miss Hyams works!' said the Head
+Mistress. '_She_ never grumbles, _she_ never asks for a holiday!' We all
+looked again at Miss Hyams, but she hadn't yet found the papers. There
+was an awful silence; you could have heard a pin drop. There wasn't a
+single cough or rustle of a dress. Then the Head Mistress turned to me
+and she said: 'And you, Esther Ansell, whom I always thought so highly
+of, I'm surprised at your being the ringleader in such a disgraceful
+request. You ought to know better. I shall bear it in mind, Esther
+Ansell.' With that she sailed out, stiff and straight as a poker, and
+the door closed behind her with a bang."
+
+"Well, and what did Miss Hyams say then?" asked Debby, deeply
+interested.
+
+"She said: 'Selina Green, and what did Moses do when the Children of
+Israel grumbled for water?' She just went on with the Scripture lesson,
+as if nothing had happened."
+
+"I should tell the Head Mistress who sent me on," cried Debby
+indignantly.
+
+"Oh, no," said Esther shaking her head. "That would be mean. It's a
+matter for her own conscience. Oh, but I do wish," she concluded, "we
+had had a holiday. It would have been so lovely out in the Park."
+
+Victoria Park was _the_ Park to the Ghetto. A couple of miles off, far
+enough to make a visit to it an excursion, it was a perpetual blessing
+to the Ghetto. On rare Sunday afternoons the Ansell family minus the
+_Bube_ toiled there and back _en masse_, Moses carrying Isaac and Sarah
+by turns upon his shoulder. Esther loved the Park in all weathers, but
+best of all in the summer, when the great lake was bright and busy with
+boats, and the birds twittered in the leafy trees and the lobelias and
+calceolarias were woven into wonderful patterns by the gardeners. Then
+she would throw herself down on the thick grass and look up in mystic
+rapture at the brooding blue sky and forget to read the book she had
+brought with her, while the other children chased one another about in
+savage delight. Only once on a Saturday afternoon when her father was
+not with them, did she get Dutch Debby to break through her retired
+habits and accompany them, and then it was not summer but late autumn.
+There was an indefinable melancholy about the sere landscape. Russet
+refuse strewed the paths and the gaunt trees waved fleshless arms in the
+breeze. The November haze rose from the moist ground and dulled the blue
+of heaven with smoky clouds amid which the sun, a red sailless boat,
+floated at anchor among golden and crimson furrows and glimmering
+far-dotted fleeces. The small lake was slimy, reflecting the trees on
+its borders as a network of dirty branches. A solitary swan ruffled its
+plumes and elongated its throat, doubled in quivering outlines beneath
+the muddy surface. All at once the splash of oars was heard and the
+sluggish waters were stirred by the passage of a boat in which a heroic
+young man was rowing a no less heroic young woman.
+
+Dutch Debby burst into tears and went home. After that she fell back
+entirely on Bobby and Esther and the _London Journal_ and never even
+saved up nine shillings again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A SILENT FAMILY.
+
+
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ arrived one evening a few days before Purim at
+the tiny two-storied house in which Esther's teacher lived, with little
+Nehemiah tucked under his arm. Nehemiah wore shoes and short red socks.
+The rest of his legs was bare. Sugarman always carried him so as to
+demonstrate this fact. Sugarman himself was rigged out in a handsome
+manner, and the day not being holy, his blue bandanna peeped out from
+his left coat-tail, instead of being tied round his trouser band.
+
+"Good morning, marm," he said cheerfully.
+
+"Good morning, Sugarman," said Mrs. Hyams.
+
+She was a little careworn old woman of sixty with white hair. Had she
+been more pious her hair would never have turned gray. But Miriam had
+long since put her veto on her mother's black wig. Mrs. Hyams was a
+meek, weak person and submitted in silence to the outrage on her deepest
+instincts. Old Hyams was stronger, but not strong enough. He, too, was a
+silent person.
+
+"P'raps you're surprised," said Sugarman, "to get a call from me in my
+sealskin vest-coat. But de fact is, marm, I put it on to call on a lady.
+I only dropped in here on my vay."
+
+"Won't you take a chair?" said Mrs. Hyams. She spoke English painfully
+and slowly, having been schooled by Miriam.
+
+"No, I'm not tired. But I vill put Nechemyah down on one, if you permit.
+Dere! Sit still or I _potch_ you! P'raps you could lend me your
+corkscrew."
+
+"With pleasure," said Mrs. Hyams.
+
+"I dank you. You see my boy, Ebenezer, is _Barmitzvah_ next _Shabbos_ a
+veek, and I may not be passing again. You vill come?"
+
+"I don't know," said Mrs. Hyams hesitatingly. She was not certain
+whether Miriam considered Sugarman on their visiting list.
+
+"Don't say dat, I expect to open dirteen bottles of lemonade! You must
+come, you and Mr. Hyams and the whole family."
+
+"Thank you. I will tell Miriam and Daniel and my husband."
+
+"Dat's right. Nechemyah, don't dance on de good lady's chair. Did you
+hear, Mrs. Hyams, of Mrs. Jonas's luck?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I won her eleven pounds on the lotter_ee_."
+
+"How nice," said Mrs. Hyams, a little fluttered.
+
+"I would let you have half a ticket for two pounds."
+
+"I haven't the money."
+
+"Vell, dirty-six shillings! Dere! I have to pay dat myself."
+
+"I would if I could, but I can't."
+
+"But you can have an eighth for nine shillings."
+
+Mrs. Hyams shook her head hopelessly.
+
+"How is your son Daniel?" Sugarman asked.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you. How is your wife?"
+
+"Tank Gawd!"
+
+"And your Bessie?"
+
+"Tank Gawd! Is your Daniel in?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Tank Gawd! I mean, can I see him?"
+
+"It won't do any good."
+
+"No, not dat," said Sugarman. "I should like to ask him to de
+Confirmation myself."
+
+"Daniel!" called Mrs. Hyams.
+
+He came from the back yard in rolled-up shirt-sleeves, soap-suds drying
+on his arms. He was a pleasant-faced, flaxen-haired young fellow, the
+junior of Miriam by eighteen months. There was will in the lower part of
+the face and tenderness in the eyes.
+
+"Good morning, sir," said Sugarman. "My Ebenezer is _Barmitzvah_ next
+_Shabbos_ week; vill you do me the honor to drop in wid your moder and
+fader after _Shool_?"
+
+Daniel crimsoned suddenly. He had "No" on his lips, but suppressed it
+and ultimately articulated it in some polite periphrasis. His mother
+noticed the crimson. On a blonde face it tells.
+
+"Don't say dat," said Sugarman. "I expect to open dirteen bottles of
+lemonade. I have lent your good moder's corkscrew."
+
+"I shall be pleased to send Ebenezer a little present, but I can't come,
+I really can't. You must excuse me." Daniel turned away.
+
+"Vell," said Sugarman, anxious to assure him he bore no malice. "If you
+send a present I reckon it de same as if you come."
+
+"That's all right," said Daniel with strained heartiness.
+
+Sugarman tucked Nehemiah under his arm but lingered on the threshold. He
+did not know how to broach the subject. But the inspiration came.
+
+"Do you know I have summonsed Morris Kerlinski?"
+
+"No," said Daniel. "What for?"
+
+"He owes me dirty shillings. I found him a very fine maiden, but, now he
+is married, he says it was only worth a suvran. He offered it me but I
+vouldn't take it. A poor man he vas, too, and got ten pun from a
+marriage portion society."
+
+"Is it worth while bringing a scandal on the community for the sake of
+ten shillings? It will be in all the papers, and _Shadchan_ will be
+spelt shatcan, shodkin, shatkin, chodcan, shotgun, and goodness knows
+what else."
+
+"Yes, but it isn't ten shillings," said Sugarman. "It's dirty
+shillings."
+
+"But you say he offered you a sovereign."
+
+"So he did. He arranged for two pun ten. I took the suvran--but not in
+full payment."
+
+"You ought to settle it before the Beth-din," said Daniel vehemently,
+"or get some Jew to arbitrate. You make the Jews a laughing-stock. It is
+true all marriages depend on money," he added bitterly, "only it is the
+fashion of police court reporters to pretend the custom is limited to
+the Jews."
+
+"Vell, I did go to Reb Shemuel," said Sugarman "I dought he'd be the
+very man to arbitrate."
+
+"Why?" asked Daniel.
+
+"Vy? Hasn't he been a _Shadchan_ himself? From who else shall we look
+for sympaty?"
+
+"I see," said Daniel smiling a little. "And apparently you got none."
+
+"No," said Sugarman, growing wroth at the recollection. "He said ve are
+not in Poland."
+
+"Quite true."
+
+"Yes, but I gave him an answer he didn't like," said Sugarman. "I said,
+and ven ve are not in Poland mustn't ve keep _none_ of our religion?"
+
+His tone changed from indignation to insinuation.
+
+"Vy vill you not let me get _you_ a vife, Mr. Hyams? I have several
+extra fine maidens in my eye. Come now, don't look so angry. How much
+commission vill you give me if I find you a maiden vid a hundred pound?"
+
+"The maiden!" thundered Daniel. Then it dawned upon him that he had said
+a humorous thing and he laughed. There was merriment as well as
+mysticism in Daniel's blue eyes.
+
+But Sugarman went away, down-hearted. Love is blind, and even
+marriage-brokers may be myopic. Most people not concerned knew that
+Daniel Hyams was "sweet on" Sugarman's Bessie. And it was so. Daniel
+loved Bessie, and Bessie loved Daniel. Only Bessie did not speak because
+she was a woman and Daniel did not speak because he was a man. They were
+a quiet family--the Hyamses. They all bore their crosses in a silence
+unbroken even at home. Miriam herself, the least reticent, did not give
+the impression that she could not have husbands for the winking. Her
+demands were so high--that was all. Daniel was proud of her and her
+position and her cleverness and was confident she would marry as well as
+she dressed. He did not expect her to contribute towards the expenses of
+the household--though she did--for he felt he had broad shoulders. He
+bore his father and mother on those shoulders, semi-invalids both. In
+the bold bad years of shameless poverty, Hyams had been a wandering
+metropolitan glazier, but this open degradation became intolerable as
+Miriam's prospects improved. It was partly for her sake that Daniel
+ultimately supported his parents in idleness and refrained from
+speaking to Bessie. For he was only an employe in a fancy-goods
+warehouse, and on forty-five shillings a week you cannot keep up two
+respectable establishments.
+
+Bessie was a bonnie girl and could not in the nature of things be long
+uncaught. There was a certain night on which Daniel did not
+sleep--hardly a white night as our French neighbors say; a tear-stained
+night rather. In the morning he was resolved to deny himself Bessie.
+Peace would be his instead. If it did not come immediately he knew it
+was on the way. For once before he had struggled and been so rewarded.
+That was in his eighteenth year when he awoke to the glories of free
+thought, and knew himself a victim to the Moloch of the Sabbath, to
+which fathers sacrifice their children. The proprietor of the fancy
+goods was a Jew, and moreover closed on Saturdays. But for this
+anachronism of keeping Saturday holy when you had Sunday also to laze
+on, Daniel felt a hundred higher careers would have been open to him.
+Later, when free thought waned (it was after Daniel had met Bessie),
+although he never returned to his father's narrowness, he found the
+abhorred Sabbath sanctifying his life. It made life a conscious
+voluntary sacrifice to an ideal, and the reward was a touch of
+consecration once a week. Daniel could not have described these things,
+nor did he speak of them, which was a pity. Once and once only in the
+ferment of free thought he had uncorked his soul, and it had run over
+with much froth, and thenceforward old Mendel Hyams and Beenah, his
+wife, opposed more furrowed foreheads to a world too strong for them. If
+Daniel had taken back his words and told them he was happier for the
+ruin they had made of his prospects, their gait might not have been so
+listless. But he was a silent man.
+
+"You will go to Sugarman's, mother," he said now. "You and father. Don't
+mind that I'm not going. I have another appointment for the afternoon."
+
+It was a superfluous lie for so silent a man.
+
+"He doesn't like to be seen with us," Beenah Hyams thought. But she was
+silent.
+
+"He has never forgiven my putting him to the fancy goods," thought
+Mendel Hyams when told. But he was silent.
+
+It was of no good discussing it with his wife. Those two had rather
+halved their joys than their sorrows. They had been married forty years
+and had never had an intimate moment. Their marriage had been a matter
+of contract. Forty years ago, in Poland, Mendel Hyams had awoke one
+morning to find a face he had never seen before on the pillow beside
+his. Not even on the wedding-day had he been allowed a glimpse of his
+bride's countenance. That was the custom of the country and the time.
+Beenah bore her husband four children, of whom the elder two died; but
+the marriage did not beget affection, often the inverse offspring of
+such unions. Beenah was a dutiful housewife and Mendel Hyams supported
+her faithfully so long as his children would let him. Love never flew
+out of the window for he was never in the house. They did not talk to
+each other much. Beenah did the housework unaided by the sprig of a
+servant who was engaged to satisfy the neighbors. In his enforced
+idleness Mendel fell back on his religion, almost a profession in
+itself. They were a silent couple.
+
+At sixty there is not much chance of a forty year old silence being
+broken on this side of the grave. So far as his personal happiness was
+concerned, Mendel had only one hope left in the world--to die in
+Jerusalem. His feeling for Jerusalem was unique. All the hunted Jew in
+him combined with all the battered man to transfigure Zion with the
+splendor of sacred dreams and girdle it with the rainbows that are
+builded of bitter tears. And with it all a dread that if he were buried
+elsewhere, when the last trump sounded he would have to roll under the
+earth and under the sea to Jerusalem, the rendezvous of resurrection.
+
+Every year at the Passover table he gave his hope voice: "Next year in
+Jerusalem." In her deepest soul Miriam echoed this wish of his. She felt
+she could like him better at a distance. Beenah Hyams had only one hope
+left in the world--to die.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE PURIM BALL.
+
+
+Sam Levine duly returned for the Purim ball. Malka was away and so it
+was safe to arrive on the Sabbath. Sam and Leah called for Hannah in a
+cab, for the pavements were unfavorable to dancing shoes, and the three
+drove to the "Club," which was not a sixth of a mile off.
+
+"The Club" was the People's Palace of the Ghetto; but that it did not
+reach the bed-rock of the inhabitants was sufficiently evident from the
+fact that its language was English. The very lowest stratum was of
+secondary formation--the children of immigrants--while the highest
+touched the lower middle-class, on the mere fringes of the Ghetto. It
+was a happy place where young men and maidens met on equal terms and
+similar subscriptions, where billiards and flirtations and concerts and
+laughter and gay gossip were always on, and lemonade and cakes never
+off; a heaven where marriages were made, books borrowed and newspapers
+read. Muscular Judaism was well to the fore at "the Club," and
+entertainments were frequent. The middle classes of the community,
+overflowing with artistic instinct, supplied a phenomenal number of
+reciters, vocalists and instrumentalists ready to oblige, and the
+greatest favorites of the London footlights were pleased to come down,
+partly because they found such keenly appreciative audiences, and partly
+because they were so much mixed up with the race, both professionally
+and socially. There were serious lectures now and again, but few of the
+members took them seriously; they came to the Club not to improve their
+minds but to relax them. The Club was a blessing without disguise to the
+daughters of Judah, and certainly kept their brothers from harm. The
+ball-room, with its decorations of evergreens and winter blossoms, was a
+gay sight. Most of the dancers were in evening dress, and it would have
+been impossible to tell the ball from a Belgravian gathering, except by
+the preponderance of youth and beauty. Where could you match such a
+bevy of brunettes, where find such blondes? They were anything but
+lymphatic, these oriental blondes, if their eyes did not sparkle so
+intoxicatingly as those of the darker majority. The young men had
+carefully curled moustaches and ringlets oiled like the Assyrian bull,
+and figure-six noses, and studs glittering on their creamy shirt-fronts.
+How they did it on their wages was one of the many miracles of Jewish
+history. For socially and even in most cases financially they were only
+on the level of the Christian artisan. These young men in dress-coats
+were epitomes of one aspect of Jewish history. Not in every respect
+improvements on the "Sons of the Covenant," though; replacing the
+primitive manners and the piety of the foreign Jew by a veneer of cheap
+culture and a laxity of ceremonial observance. It was a merry party,
+almost like a family gathering, not merely because most of the dancers
+knew one another, but because "all Israel are brothers"--and sisters.
+They danced very buoyantly, not boisterously; the square dances
+symmetrically executed, every performer knowing his part; the waltzing
+full of rhythmic grace. When the music was popular they accompanied it
+on their voices. After supper their heels grew lighter, and the laughter
+and gossip louder, but never beyond the bounds of decorum. A few Dutch
+dancers tried to introduce the more gymnastic methods in vogue in their
+own clubs, where the kangaroo is dancing master, but the sentiment of
+the floor was against them. Hannah danced little, a voluntary
+wallflower, for she looked radiant in tussore silk, and there was an air
+of refinement about the slight, pretty girl that attracted the beaux of
+the Club. But she only gave a duty dance to Sam, and a waltz to Daniel
+Hyams, who had been brought by his sister, though he did not boast a
+swallow-tail to match her flowing draperies. Hannah caught a rather
+unamiable glance from pretty Bessie Sugarman, whom poor Daniel was
+trying hard not to see in the crush.
+
+"Is your sister engaged yet?" Hannah asked, for want of something to
+say.
+
+"You would know it if she was," said Daniel, looking so troubled that
+Hannah reproached herself for the meaningless remark.
+
+"How well she dances!" she made haste to say.
+
+"Not better than you," said Daniel, gallantly.
+
+"I see compliments are among the fancy goods you deal in. Do you
+reverse?" she added, as they came to an awkward corner.
+
+"Yes--but not my compliments," he said smiling. "Miriam taught me."
+
+"She makes me think of Miriam dancing by the Red Sea," she said,
+laughing at the incongruous idea.
+
+"She played a timbrel, though, didn't she?" he asked. "I confess I don't
+quite know what a timbrel is."
+
+"A sort of tambourine, I suppose," said Hannah merrily, "and she sang
+because the children of Israel were saved."
+
+They both laughed heartily, but when the waltz was over they returned to
+their individual gloom. Towards supper-time, in the middle of a square
+dance, Sam suddenly noticing Hannah's solitude, brought her a tall
+bronzed gentlemanly young man in a frock coat, mumbled an introduction
+and rushed back to the arms of the exacting Leah.
+
+"Excuse me, I am not dancing to-night," Hannah said coldly in reply to
+the stranger's demand for her programme.
+
+"Well, I'm not half sorry," he said, with a frank smile. "I had to ask
+you, you know. But I should feel quite out of place bumping such a lot
+of swells."
+
+There was something unusual about the words and the manner which
+impressed Hannah agreeably, in spite of herself. Her face relaxed a
+little as she said:
+
+"Why, haven't you been to one of these affairs before?"
+
+"Oh yes, six or seven years ago, but the place seems quite altered.
+They've rebuilt it, haven't they? Very few of us sported dress-coats
+here in the days before I went to the Cape. I only came back the other
+day and somebody gave me a ticket and so I've looked in for auld lang
+syne."
+
+An unsympathetic hearer would have detected a note of condescension in
+the last sentence. Hannah detected it, for the announcement that the
+young man had returned from the Cape froze all her nascent sympathy. She
+was turned to ice again. Hannah knew him well--the young man from the
+Cape. He was a higher and more disagreeable development of the young man
+in the dress-coat. He had put South African money in his purse--whether
+honestly or not, no one inquired--the fact remained he had put it in his
+purse. Sometimes the law confiscated it, pretending he had purchased
+diamonds illegally, or what not, but then the young man did _not_ return
+from the Cape. But, to do him justice, the secret of his success was
+less dishonesty than the opportunities for initiative energy in
+unexploited districts. Besides, not having to keep up appearances, he
+descended to menial occupations and toiled so long and terribly that he
+would probably have made just as much money at home, if he had had the
+courage. Be this as it may, there the money was, and, armed with it, the
+young man set sail literally for England, home and beauty, resuming his
+cast-off gentility with several extra layers of superciliousness. Pretty
+Jewesses, pranked in their prettiest clothes, hastened, metaphorically
+speaking, to the port to welcome the wanderer; for they knew it was from
+among them he would make his pick. There were several varieties of
+him--marked by financial ciphers--but whether he married in his old
+station or higher up the scale, he was always faithful to the sectarian
+tradition of the race, and this less from religious motives than from
+hereditary instinct. Like the young man in the dress-coat, he held the
+Christian girl to be cold of heart, and unsprightly of temperament. He
+laid it down that all Yiddishe girls possessed that warmth and _chic_
+which, among Christians, were the birthright of a few actresses and
+music-hall artistes--themselves, probably, Jewesses! And on things
+theatrical this young man spoke as one having authority. Perhaps, though
+he was scarce conscious of it, at the bottom of his repulsion was the
+certainty that the Christian girl could not fry fish. She might be
+delightful for flirtation of all degrees, but had not been formed to
+make him permanently happy. Such was the conception which Hannah had
+formed for herself of the young man from the Cape. This latest specimen
+of the genus was prepossessing into the bargain. There was no denying
+he was well built, with a shapely head and a lovely moustache. Good
+looks alone were vouchers for insolence and conceit, but, backed by the
+aforesaid purse--! She turned her head away and stared at the evolutions
+of the "Lancers" with much interest.
+
+"They've got some pretty girls in that set," he observed admiringly.
+Evidently the young man did not intend to go away.
+
+Hannah felt very annoyed. "Yes," she said, sharply, "which would you
+like?"
+
+"I shouldn't care to make invidious distinctions," he replied with a
+little laugh.
+
+"Odious prig!" thought Hannah. "He actually doesn't see I'm sitting on
+him!" Aloud she said, "No? But you can't marry them all."
+
+"Why should I marry any?" he asked in the same light tone, though there
+was a shade of surprise in it.
+
+"Haven't you come back to England to get a wife? Most young men do, when
+they don't have one exported to them in Africa."
+
+He laughed with genuine enjoyment and strove to catch the answering
+gleam in her eyes, but she kept them averted. They were standing with
+their backs to the wall and he could only see the profile and note the
+graceful poise of the head upon the warm-colored neck that stood out
+against the white bodice. The frank ring of his laughter mixed with the
+merry jingle of the fifth figure--
+
+"Well, I'm afraid I'm going to be an exception," he said.
+
+"You think nobody good enough, perhaps," she could not help saying.
+
+"Oh! Why should you think that?"
+
+"Perhaps you're married already."
+
+"Oh no, I'm not," he said earnestly. "You're not, either, are you?"
+
+"Me?" she asked; then, with a barely perceptible pause, she said, "Of
+course I am."
+
+The thought of posing as the married woman she theoretically was,
+flashed upon her suddenly and appealed irresistibly to her sense of fun.
+The recollection that the nature of the ring on her finger was concealed
+by her glove afforded her supplementary amusement.
+
+"Oh!" was all he said. "I didn't catch your name exactly."
+
+"I didn't catch yours," she replied evasively.
+
+"David Brandon," he said readily.
+
+"It's a pretty name," she said, turning smilingly to him. The infinite
+possibilities of making fun of him latent in the joke quite warmed her
+towards him. "How unfortunate for me I have destroyed my chance of
+getting it."
+
+It was the first time she had smiled, and he liked the play of light
+round the curves of her mouth, amid the shadows of the soft dark skin,
+in the black depths of the eyes.
+
+"How unfortunate for me!" he said, smiling in return.
+
+"Oh yes, of course!" she said with a little toss of her head. "There is
+no danger in saying that now."
+
+"I wouldn't care if there was."
+
+"It is easy to smooth down the serpent when the fangs are drawn," she
+laughed back.
+
+"What an extraordinary comparison!" he exclaimed. "But where are all the
+people going? It isn't all over, I hope."
+
+"Why, what do you want to stay for? You're not dancing."
+
+"That is the reason. Unless I dance with you."
+
+"And then you would want to go?" she flashed with mock resentment.
+
+"I see you're too sharp for me," he said lugubriously. "Roughing it
+among the Boers makes a fellow a bit dull in compliments."
+
+"Dull indeed!" said Hannah, drawing herself up with great seriousness.
+"I think you're more complimentary than you have a right to be to a
+married woman."
+
+His face fell. "Oh, I didn't mean anything," he said apologetically.
+
+"So I thought," retorted Hannah.
+
+The poor fellow grew more red and confused than ever. Hannah felt quite
+sympathetic with him now, so pleased was she at the humiliated condition
+to which she had brought the young man from the Cape.
+
+"Well, I'll say good-bye," he said awkwardly. "I suppose I mustn't ask
+to take you down to supper. I dare say your husband will want that
+privilege."
+
+"I dare say," replied Hannah smiling. "Although husbands do not always
+appreciate their privileges."
+
+"I shall be glad if yours doesn't," he burst forth.
+
+"Thank you for your good wishes for my domestic happiness," she said
+severely.
+
+"Oh, why will you misconstrue everything I say?" he pleaded. "You must
+think me an awful _Schlemihl_, putting my foot into it so often. Anyhow
+I hope I shall meet you again somewhere."
+
+"The world is very small," she reminded him.
+
+"I wish I knew your husband," he said ruefully.
+
+"Why?" said Hannah, innocently.
+
+"Because I could call on him," he replied, smiling.
+
+"Well, you do know him," she could not help saying.
+
+"Do I? Who is it? I don't think I do," he exclaimed.
+
+"Well, considering he introduced you to me!"
+
+"Sam!" cried David startled.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But--" said David, half incredulously, half in surprise. He certainly
+had never credited Sam with the wisdom to select or the merit to deserve
+a wife like this.
+
+"But what?" asked Hannah with charming _naivete_.
+
+"He said--I--I--at least I think he said--I--I--understood that he
+introduced me to Miss Solomon, as his intended wife."
+
+Solomon was the name of Malka's first husband, and so of Leah.
+
+"Quite right," said Hannah simply.
+
+"Then--what--how?" he stammered.
+
+"She _was_ his intended wife," explained Hannah as if she were telling
+the most natural thing in the world. "Before he married me, you know."
+
+"I--I beg your pardon if I seemed to doubt you. I really thought you
+were joking."
+
+"Why, what made you think so?"
+
+"Well," he blurted out. "He didn't mention he was married, and seeing
+him dancing with her the whole time--"
+
+"I suppose he thinks he owes her some attention," said Hannah
+indifferently. "By way of compensation probably. I shouldn't be at all
+surprised if he takes her down to supper instead of me."
+
+"There he is, struggling towards the buffet. Yes, he has her on his
+arm."
+
+"You speak as if she were his phylacteries," said Hannah, smiling. "It
+would be a pity to disturb them. So, if you like, you can have me on
+your arm, as you put it."
+
+The young man's face lit up with pleasure, the keener that it was
+unexpected.
+
+"I am very glad to have such phylacteries on my arm, as you put it," he
+responded. "I fancy I should be a good deal _froomer_ if my phylacteries
+were like that."
+
+"What, aren't you _frooms_?" she said, as they joined the hungry
+procession in which she noted Bessie Sugarman on the arm of Daniel
+Hyams.
+
+"No, I'm a regular wrong'un," he replied. "As for phylacteries, I almost
+forget how to lay them."
+
+"That _is_ bad," she admitted, though he could not ascertain her own
+point of view from the tone.
+
+"Well, everybody else is just as bad," he said cheerfully. "All the old
+piety seems to be breaking down. It's Purim, but how many of us have
+been to hear the--the what do you call it?--the _Megillah_ read? There
+is actually a minister here to-night bare-headed. And how many of us are
+going to wash our hands before supper or _bensh_ afterwards, I should
+like to know. Why, it's as much as can be expected if the food's
+_kosher_, and there's no ham sandwiches on the dishes. Lord! how my old
+dad, God rest his soul, would have been horrified by such a party as
+this!"
+
+"Yes, it's wonderful how ashamed Jews are of their religion outside a
+synagogue!" said Hannah musingly. "_My_ father, if he were here, would
+put on his hat after supper and _bensh_, though there wasn't another man
+in the room to follow his example."
+
+"And I should admire him for it," said David, earnestly, "though I admit
+I shouldn't follow his example myself. I suppose he's one of the old
+school."
+
+"He is Reb Shemuel," said Hannah, with dignity.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" he exclaimed, not without surprise, "I know him well. He
+used to bless me when I was a boy, and it used to cost him a halfpenny a
+time. Such a jolly fellow!"
+
+"I'm so glad you think so," said Hannah flushing with pleasure.
+
+"Of course I do. Does he still have all those _Greeners_ coming to ask
+him questions?"
+
+"Oh, yes. Their piety is just the same as ever."
+
+"They're poor," observed David. "It's always those poorest in worldly
+goods who are richest in religion."
+
+"Well, isn't that a compensation?" returned Hannah, with a little sigh.
+"But from my father's point of view, the truth is rather that those who
+have most pecuniary difficulties have most religious difficulties."
+
+"Ah, I suppose they come to your father as much to solve the first as
+the second."
+
+"Father is very good," she said simply.
+
+They had by this time obtained something to eat, and for a minute or so
+the dialogue became merely dietary.
+
+"Do you know," he said in the course of the meal, "I feel I ought not to
+have told you what a wicked person I am? I put my foot into it there,
+too."
+
+"No, why?"
+
+"Because you are Reb Shemuel's daughter."
+
+"Oh, what nonsense! I like to hear people speak their minds. Besides,
+you mustn't fancy I'm as _froom_ as my father."
+
+"I don't fancy that. Not quite," he laughed. "I know there's some
+blessed old law or other by which women haven't got the same chance of
+distinguishing themselves that way as men. I have a vague recollection
+of saying a prayer thanking God for not having made me a woman."
+
+"Ah, that must have been a long time ago," she said slyly.
+
+"Yes, when I was a boy," he admitted. Then the oddity of the premature
+thanksgiving struck them both and they laughed.
+
+"You've got a different form provided for you, haven't you?" he said.
+
+"Yes, I have to thank God for having made me according to His will."
+
+"You don't seem satisfied for all that," he said, struck by something in
+the way she said it.
+
+"How can a woman be satisfied?" she asked, looking up frankly. "She has
+no voice in her destinies. She must shut her eyes and open her mouth and
+swallow what it pleases God to send her."
+
+"All right, shut your eyes," he said, and putting his hand over them he
+gave her a titbit and restored the conversation to a more flippant
+level.
+
+"You mustn't do that," she said. "Suppose my husband were to see you."
+
+"Oh, bother!" he said. "I don't know why it is, but I don't seem to
+realize you're a married woman."
+
+"Am I playing the part so badly as all that?"
+
+"Is it a part?" he cried eagerly.
+
+She shook her head. His face fell again. She could hardly fail to note
+the change.
+
+"No, it's a stern reality," she said. "I wish it wasn't."
+
+It seemed a bold confession, but it was easy to understand. Sam had been
+an old school-fellow of his, and David had not thought highly of him. He
+was silent a moment.
+
+"Are you not happy?" he said gently.
+
+"Not in my marriage."
+
+"Sam must be a regular brute!" he cried indignantly. "He doesn't know
+how to treat you. He ought to have his head punched the way he's going
+on with that fat thing in red."
+
+"Oh, don't run her down," said Hannah, struggling to repress her
+emotions, which were not purely of laughter. "She's my dearest friend."
+
+"They always are," said David oracularly. "But how came you to marry
+him?"
+
+"Accident," she said indifferently.
+
+"Accident!" he repeated, open-eyed.
+
+"Ah, well, it doesn't matter," said Hannah, meditatively conveying a
+spoonful of trifle to her mouth. "I shall be divorced from him
+to-morrow. Be careful! You nearly broke that plate."
+
+David stared at her, open-mouthed.
+
+"Going to be divorced from him to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, is there anything odd about it?"
+
+"Oh," he said, after staring at her impassive face for a full minute.
+"Now I'm sure you've been making fun of me all along."
+
+"My dear Mr. Brandon, why will you persist in making me out a liar?"
+
+He was forced to apologize again and became such a model of perplexity
+and embarrassment that Hannah's gravity broke down at last and her merry
+peal of laughter mingled with the clatter of plates and the hubbub of
+voices.
+
+"I must take pity on you and enlighten you," she said, "but promise me
+it shall go no further. It's only our own little circle that knows about
+it and I don't want to be the laughing-stock of the Lane."
+
+"Of course I will promise," he said eagerly.
+
+She kept his curiosity on the _qui vive_ to amuse herself a little
+longer, but ended by telling him all, amid frequent exclamations of
+surprise.
+
+"Well, I never!" he said when it was over. "Fancy a religion in which
+only two per cent. of the people who profess it have ever heard of its
+laws. I suppose we're so mixed up with the English, that it never occurs
+to us we've got marriage laws of our own--like the Scotch. Anyhow I'm
+real glad and I congratulate you."
+
+"On what?"
+
+"On not being really married to Sam."
+
+"Well, you're a nice friend of his, I must say. I don't congratulate
+myself, I can tell you."
+
+"You don't?" he said in a disappointed tone.
+
+She shook her head silently.
+
+"Why not?" he inquired anxiously.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, this forced marriage was my only chance of
+getting a husband who wasn't pious. Don't look so puzzled. I wasn't
+shocked at your wickedness--you mustn't be at mine. You know there's
+such a lot of religion in our house that I thought if I ever did get
+married I'd like a change."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha! So you're as the rest of us. Well, it's plucky of you to
+admit it."
+
+"Don't see it. My living doesn't depend on religion, thank Heaven.
+Father's a saint, I know, but he swallows everything he sees in his
+books just as he swallows everything mother and I put before him in his
+plate--and in spite of it all--" She was about to mention Levi's
+shortcomings but checked herself in time. She had no right to unveil
+anybody's soul but her own and she didn't know why she was doing that.
+
+"But you don't mean to say your father would forbid you to marry a man
+you cared for, just because he wasn't _froom_?"
+
+"I'm sure he would."
+
+"But that would be cruel."
+
+"He wouldn't think so. He'd think he was saving my soul, and you must
+remember he can't imagine any one who has been taught to see its beauty
+not loving the yoke of the Law. He's the best father in the world--but
+when religion's concerned, the best-hearted of mankind are liable to
+become hard as stone. You don't know my father as I do. But apart from
+that, I wouldn't marry a man, myself, who might hurt my father's
+position. I should have to keep a _kosher_ house or look how people
+would talk!"
+
+"And wouldn't you if you had your own way?"
+
+"I don't know what I would do. It's so impossible, the idea of my having
+my own way. I think I should probably go in for a change, I'm so
+tired--so tired of this eternal ceremony. Always washing up plates and
+dishes. I dare say it's all for our good, but I _am_ so tired."
+
+"Oh, I don't see much difficulty about _Koshers_. I always eat _kosher_
+meat myself when I can get it, providing it's not so beastly tough as it
+has a knack of being. Of course it's absurd to expect a man to go
+without meat when he's travelling up country, just because it hasn't
+been killed with a knife instead of a pole-axe. Besides, don't we know
+well enough that the folks who are most particular about those sort of
+things don't mind swindling and setting their houses on fire and all
+manner of abominations? I wouldn't be a Christian for the world, but I
+should like to see a little more common-sense introduced into our
+religion; it ought to be more up to date. If ever I marry, I should like
+my wife to be a girl who wouldn't want to keep anything but the higher
+parts of Judaism. Not out of laziness, mind you, but out of conviction."
+
+David stopped suddenly, surprised at his own sentiments, which he
+learned for the first time. However vaguely they might have been
+simmering in his brain, he could not honestly accuse himself of having
+ever bestowed any reflection on "the higher parts of Judaism" or even on
+the religious convictions apart from the racial aspects of his future
+wife. Could it be that Hannah's earnestness was infecting him?
+
+"Oh, then you _would_ marry a Jewess!" said Hannah.
+
+"Oh, of course," he said in astonishment. Then as he looked at her
+pretty, earnest face the amusing recollection that she _was_ married
+already came over him with a sort of shock, not wholly comical. There
+was a minute of silence, each pursuing a separate train of thought. Then
+David wound up, as if there had been no break, with an elliptical,
+"wouldn't you?"
+
+Hannah shrugged her shoulders and elevated her eyebrows in a gesture
+that lacked her usual grace.
+
+"Not if I had only to please myself," she added.
+
+"Oh, come! Don't say that," he said anxiously. "I don't believe mixed
+marriages are a success. Really, I don't. Besides, look at the scandal!"
+
+Again she shrugged her shoulders, defiantly this time.
+
+"I don't suppose I shall ever get married," she said. "I never could
+marry a man father would approve of, so that a Christian would be no
+worse than an educated Jew."
+
+David did not quite grasp the sentence; he was trying to, when Sam and
+Leah passed them. Sam winked in a friendly if not very refined manner.
+
+"I see you two are getting on all right." he said.
+
+"Good gracious!" said Hannah, starting up with a blush. "Everybody's
+going back. They _will_ think us greedy. What a pair of fools we are to
+have got into such serious conversation at a ball."
+
+"Was it serious?" said David with a retrospective air. "Well, I never
+enjoyed a conversation so much in my life."
+
+"You mean the supper," Hannah said lightly.
+
+"Well, both. It's your fault that we don't behave more appropriately."
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"You won't dance."
+
+"Do you want to?"
+
+"Rather."
+
+"I thought you were afraid of all the swells."
+
+"Supper has given me courage."
+
+"Oh, very well if you want to, that's to say if you really can waltz."
+
+"Try me, only you must allow for my being out of practice. I didn't get
+many dances at the Cape, I can tell you."
+
+"The Cape!" Hannah heard the words without making her usual grimace. She
+put her hand lightly on his shoulder, he encircled her waist with his
+arm and they surrendered themselves to the intoxication of the slow,
+voluptuous music.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE SONS OF THE COVENANT.
+
+
+The "Sons of the Covenant" sent no representatives to the club balls,
+wotting neither of waltzes nor of dress-coats, and preferring death to
+the embrace of a strange dancing woman. They were the congregation of
+which Mr. Belcovitch was President and their synagogue was the ground
+floor of No. 1 Royal Street--two large rooms knocked into one, and the
+rear partitioned off for the use of the bewigged, heavy-jawed women who
+might not sit with the men lest they should fascinate their thoughts
+away from things spiritual. Its furniture was bare benches, a raised
+platform with a reading desk in the centre and a wooden curtained ark at
+the end containing two parchment scrolls of the Law, each with a silver
+pointer and silver bells and pomegranates. The scrolls were in
+manuscript, for the printing-press has never yet sullied the sanctity of
+the synagogue editions of the Pentateuch. The room was badly ventilated
+and what little air there was was generally sucked up by a greedy
+company of wax candles, big and little, struck in brass holders. The
+back window gave on the yard and the contiguous cow-sheds, and "moos"
+mingled with the impassioned supplications of the worshippers, who came
+hither two and three times a day to batter the gates of heaven and to
+listen to sermons more exegetical than ethical. They dropped in, mostly
+in their work-a-day garments and grime, and rumbled and roared and
+chorused prayers with a zeal that shook the window-panes, and there was
+never lack of _minyan_--the congregational quorum of ten. In the West
+End, synagogues are built to eke out the income of poor _minyan-men_ or
+professional congregants; in the East End rooms are tricked up for
+prayer. This synagogue was all of luxury many of its Sons could boast.
+It was their _salon_ and their lecture-hall. It supplied them not only
+with their religion but their art and letters, their politics and their
+public amusements. It was their home as well as the Almighty's, and on
+occasion they were familiar and even a little vulgar with Him. It was a
+place in which they could sit in their slippers, metaphorically that is;
+for though they frequently did so literally, it was by way of reverence,
+not ease. They enjoyed themselves in this _Shool_ of theirs; they
+shouted and skipped and shook and sang, they wailed and moaned; they
+clenched their fists and thumped their breasts and they were not least
+happy when they were crying. There is an apocryphal anecdote of one of
+them being in the act of taking a pinch of snuff when the "Confession"
+caught him unexpectedly.
+
+"We have trespassed," he wailed mechanically, as he spasmodically put
+the snuff in his bosom and beat his nose with his clenched fist.
+
+They prayed metaphysics, acrostics, angelology, Cabalah, history,
+exegetics, Talmudical controversies, _menus_, recipes, priestly
+prescriptions, the canonical books, psalms, love-poems, an undigested
+hotch-potch of exalted and questionable sentiments, of communal and
+egoistic aspirations of the highest order. It was a wonderful liturgy,
+as grotesque as it was beautiful--like an old cathedral in all styles of
+architecture, stored with shabby antiquities and side-shows and
+overgrown with moss and lichen--a heterogeneous blend of historical
+strata of all periods, in which gems of poetry and pathos and spiritual
+fervor glittered and pitiful records of ancient persecution lay
+petrified. And the method of praying these things was equally complex
+and uncouth, equally the bond-slave of tradition; here a rising and
+there a bow, now three steps backwards and now a beating of the breast,
+this bit for the congregation and that for the minister, variants of a
+page, a word, a syllable, even a vowel, ready for every possible
+contingency. Their religious consciousness was largely a musical
+box--the thrill of the ram's horn, the cadenza of psalmic phrase, the
+jubilance of a festival "Amen" and the sobriety of a work-a-day "Amen,"
+the Passover melodies and the Pentecost, the minor keys of Atonement and
+the hilarious rhapsodies of Rejoicing, the plain chant of the Law and
+the more ornate intonation of the Prophets--all this was known and
+loved and was far more important than the meaning of it all or its
+relation to their real lives; for page upon page was gabbled off at
+rates that could not be excelled by automata. But if they did not always
+know what they were saying they always meant it. If the service had been
+more intelligible it would have been less emotional and edifying. There
+was not a sentiment, however incomprehensible, for which they were not
+ready to die or to damn.
+
+"All Israel are brethren," and indeed there was a strange antique
+clannishness about these "Sons of the Covenant" which in the modern
+world, where the ends of the ages meet, is Socialism. They prayed for
+one another while alive, visited one another's bedsides when sick,
+buried one another when dead. No mercenary hands poured the yolks of
+eggs over their dead faces and arrayed their corpses in their
+praying-shawls. No hired masses were said for the sick or the troubled,
+for the psalm-singing services of the "Sons of the Covenant" were always
+available for petitioning the Heavens, even though their brother had
+been arrested for buying stolen goods, and the service might be an
+invitation to Providence to compound a felony. Little charities of their
+own they had, too--a Sabbath Meal Society, and a Marriage Portion
+Society to buy the sticks for poor couples--and when a pauper countryman
+arrived from Poland, one of them boarded him and another lodged him and
+a third taught him a trade. Strange exotics in a land of prose carrying
+with them through the paven highways of London the odor of Continental
+Ghettos and bearing in their eyes through all the shrewdness of their
+glances the eternal mysticism of the Orient, where God was born! Hawkers
+and peddlers, tailors and cigar-makers, cobblers and furriers, glaziers
+and cap-makers--this was in sum their life. To pray much and to work
+long, to beg a little and to cheat a little, to eat not over-much and to
+"drink" scarce at all, to beget annual children by chaste wives
+(disallowed them half the year), and to rear them not over-well, to
+study the Law and the Prophets and to reverence the Rabbinical tradition
+and the chaos of commentaries expounding it, to abase themselves before
+the "Life of Man" and Joseph Cam's "Prepared Table" as though the
+authors had presided at the foundation of the earth, to wear
+phylacteries and fringes, to keep the beard unshaven, and the corners of
+the hair uncut, to know no work on Sabbath and no rest on week-day. It
+was a series of recurrent landmarks, ritual and historical, of intimacy
+with God so continuous that they were in danger of forgetting His
+existence as of the air they breathed. They ate unleavened bread in
+Passover and blessed the moon and counted the days of the _Omer_ till
+Pentecost saw the synagogue dressed with flowers in celebration of an
+Asiatic fruit harvest by a European people divorced from agriculture;
+they passed to the terrors and triumphs of the New Year (with its
+domestic symbolism of apple and honey and its procession to the river)
+and the revelry of repentance on the Great White Fast, when they burned
+long candles and whirled fowls round their heads and attired themselves
+in grave-clothes and saw from their seats in synagogue the long fast-day
+darken slowly into dusk, while God was sealing the decrees of life and
+death; they passed to Tabernacles when they ran up rough booths in back
+yards draped with their bed-sheets and covered with greenery, and bore
+through the streets citrons in boxes and a waving combination of myrtle,
+and palm and willow branches, wherewith they made a pleasant rustling in
+the synagogue; and thence to the Rejoicing of the Law when they danced
+and drank rum in the House of the Lord and scrambled sweets for the
+little ones, and made a sevenfold circuit with the two scrolls,
+supplemented by toy flags and children's candles stuck in hollow
+carrots; and then on again to Dedication with its celebration of the
+Maccabaean deliverance and the miracle of the unwaning oil in the
+Temple, and to Purim with its masquerading and its execration of Haman's
+name by the banging of little hammers; and so back to Passover. And with
+these larger cycles, epicycles of minor fasts and feasts, multiplex, not
+to be overlooked, from the fast of the ninth of Ab--fatal day for the
+race--when they sat on the ground in shrouds, and wailed for the
+destruction of Jerusalem, to the feast of the Great Hosannah when they
+whipped away willow-leaves on the _Shool_ benches in symbolism of
+forgiven sins, sitting up the whole of the night before in a long
+paroxysm of prayer mitigated by coffee and cakes; from the period in
+which nuts were prohibited to the period in which marriages were
+commended.
+
+And each day, too, had its cycles of religious duty, its comprehensive
+and cumbrous ritual with accretions of commentary and tradition.
+
+And every contingency of the individual life was equally provided for,
+and the writings that regulated all this complex ritual are a marvellous
+monument of the patience, piety and juristic genius of the race--and of
+the persecution which threw it back upon its sole treasure, the Law.
+
+Thus they lived and died, these Sons of the Covenant, half-automata,
+sternly disciplined by voluntary and involuntary privation, hemmed and
+mewed in by iron walls of form and poverty, joyfully ground under the
+perpetual rotary wheel of ritualism, good-humored withal and casuistic
+like all people whose religion stands much upon ceremony; inasmuch as a
+ritual law comes to count one equally with a moral, and a man is not
+half bad who does three-fourths of his duty.
+
+And so the stuffy room with its guttering candles and its
+Chameleon-colored ark-curtain was the pivot of their barren lives. Joy
+came to bear to it the offering of its thanksgiving and to vow sixpenny
+bits to the Lord, prosperity came in a high hat to chaffer for the holy
+privileges, and grief came with rent garments to lament the beloved dead
+and glorify the name of the Eternal.
+
+The poorest life is to itself the universe and all that therein is, and
+these humble products of a great and terrible past, strange fruits of a
+motley-flowering secular tree whose roots are in Canaan and whose boughs
+overshadow the earth, were all the happier for not knowing that the
+fulness of life was not theirs.
+
+And the years went rolling on, and the children grew up and here and
+there a parent.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The elders of the synagogue were met in council.
+
+"He is greater than a Prince," said the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+"If all the Princes of the Earth were put in one scale," said Mr.
+Belcovitch, "and our _Maggid_, Moses, in the other, he would outweigh
+them all. He is worth a hundred of the Chief Rabbi of England, who has
+been seen bareheaded."
+
+"From Moses to Moses there has been none like Moses," said old Mendel
+Hyams, interrupting the Yiddish with a Hebrew quotation.
+
+"Oh no," said the Shalotten _Shammos_, who was a great stickler for
+precision, being, as his nickname implied, a master of ceremonies. "I
+can't admit that. Look at my brother Nachmann."
+
+There was a general laugh at the Shalotten _Shammos's_ bull; the proverb
+dealing only with Moseses.
+
+"He has the true gift," observed _Froom_ Karlkammer, shaking the flames
+of his hair pensively. "For the letters of his name have the same
+numerical value as those of the great Moses da Leon."
+
+_Froom_ Karlkammer was listened to with respect, for he was an honorary
+member of the committee, who paid for two seats in a larger congregation
+and only worshipped with the Sons of the Covenant on special occasions.
+The Shalotten _Shammos_, however, was of contradictory temperament--a
+born dissentient, upheld by a steady consciousness of highly superior
+English, the drop of bitter in Belcovitch's presidential cup. He was a
+long thin man, who towered above the congregation, and was as tall as
+the bulk of them even when he was bowing his acknowledgments to his
+Maker.
+
+"How do you make that out?" he asked Karlkammer. "Moses of course adds
+up the same as Moses--but while the other part of the _Maggid's_ name
+makes seventy-three, da Leon's makes ninety-one."
+
+"Ah, that's because you're ignorant of _Gematriyah_," said little
+Karlkammer, looking up contemptuously at the cantankerous giant. "You
+reckon all the letters on the same system, and you omit to give yourself
+the license of deleting the ciphers."
+
+In philology it is well known that all consonants are interchangeable
+and vowels don't count; in _Gematriyah_ any letter may count for
+anything, and the total may be summed up anyhow.
+
+Karlkammer was one of the curiosities of the Ghetto. In a land of
+_froom_ men he was the _froomest_. He had the very genius of fanaticism.
+On the Sabbath he spoke nothing but Hebrew whatever the inconvenience
+and however numerous the misunderstandings, and if he perchance paid a
+visit he would not perform the "work" of lifting the knocker. Of course
+he had his handkerchief girt round his waist to save him from carrying
+it, but this compromise being general was not characteristic of
+Karlkammer any more than his habit of wearing two gigantic sets of
+phylacteries where average piety was content with one of moderate size.
+
+One of the walls of his room had an unpapered and unpainted scrap in
+mourning for the fall of Jerusalem. He walked through the streets to
+synagogue attired in his praying-shawl and phylacteries, and knocked
+three times at the door of God's house when he arrived. On the Day of
+Atonement he walked in his socks, though the heavens fell, wearing his
+grave-clothes. On this day he remained standing in synagogue from 6 A.M.
+to 7 P.M. with his body bent at an angle of ninety degrees; it was to
+give him bending space that he hired two seats. On Tabernacles, not
+having any ground whereon to erect a booth, by reason of living in an
+attic, he knocked a square hole in the ceiling, covered it with branches
+through which the free air of heaven played, and hung a quadrangle of
+sheets from roof to floor; he bore to synagogue the tallest _Lulav_ of
+palm-branches that could be procured and quarrelled with a rival pietist
+for the last place in the floral procession, as being the lowliest and
+meekest man in Israel--an ethical pedestal equally claimed by his rival.
+He insisted on bearing a corner of the biers of all the righteous dead.
+Almost every other day was a fast-day for Karlkammer, and he had a host
+of supplementary ceremonial observances which are not for the vulgar.
+Compared with him Moses Ansell and the ordinary "Sons of the Covenant"
+were mere heathens. He was a man of prodigious distorted mental
+activity. He had read omnivorously amid the vast stores of Hebrew
+literature, was a great authority on Cabalah, understood astronomy, and,
+still more, astrology, was strong on finance, and could argue coherently
+on any subject outside religion. His letters to the press on
+specifically Jewish subjects were the most hopeless, involved,
+incomprehensible and protracted puzzles ever penned, bristling with
+Hebrew quotations from the most varying, the most irrelevant and the
+most mutually incongruous sources and peppered with the dates of birth
+and death of every Rabbi mentioned.
+
+No one had ever been known to follow one of these argumentations to the
+bitter end. They were written in good English modified by a few peculiar
+terms used in senses unsuspected by dictionary-makers; in a beautiful
+hand, with the t's uncrossed, but crowned with the side-stroke, so as to
+avoid the appearance of the symbol of Christianity, and with the dates
+expressed according to the Hebrew Calendar, for Karlkammer refused to
+recognize the chronology of the Christian. He made three copies of every
+letter, and each was exactly like the others in every word and every
+line. His bill for midnight oil must have been extraordinary, for he was
+a business man and had to earn his living by day. Kept within the limits
+of sanity by a religion without apocalyptic visions, he was saved from
+predicting the end of the world by mystic calculations, but he used them
+to prove everything else and fervently believed that endless meanings
+were deducible from the numerical value of Biblical words, that not a
+curl at the tail of a letter of any word in any sentence but had its
+supersubtle significance. The elaborate cipher with which Bacon is
+alleged to have written Shakspeare's plays was mere child's play
+compared with the infinite revelations which in Karlkammer's belief the
+Deity left latent in writing the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi,
+and in inspiring the Talmud and the holier treasures of Hebrew
+literature. Nor were these ideas of his own origination. His was an
+eclectic philosophy and religionism, of which all the elements were
+discoverable in old Hebrew books: scraps of Alexandrian philosophy
+inextricably blent with Aristotelian, Platonic, mystic.
+
+He kept up a copious correspondence with scholars in other countries and
+was universally esteemed and pitied.
+
+"We haven't come to discuss the figures of the _Maggid's_ name, but of
+his salary." said Mr. Belcovitch, who prided himself on his capacity for
+conducting public business.
+
+"I have examined the finances," said Karlkammer, "and I don't see how
+we can possibly put aside more for our preacher than the pound a week."
+
+"But he is not satisfied," said Mr. Belcovitch.
+
+"I don't see why he shouldn't be," said the Shalotten _Shammos_. "A
+pound a week is luxury for a single man."
+
+The Sons of the Covenant did not know that the poor consumptive _Maggid_
+sent half his salary to his sisters in Poland to enable them to buy back
+their husbands from military service; also they had vague unexpressed
+ideas that he was not mortal, that Heaven would look after his larder,
+that if the worst came to the worst he could fall back on Cabalah and
+engage himself with the mysteries of food-creation.
+
+"I have a wife and family to keep on a pound a week," grumbled Greenberg
+the _Chazan_.
+
+Besides being Reader, Greenberg blew the horn and killed cattle and
+circumcised male infants and educated children and discharged the
+functions of beadle and collector. He spent a great deal of his time in
+avoiding being drawn into the contending factions of the congregation
+and in steering equally between Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+The Sons only gave him fifty a year for all his trouble, but they eked
+it out by allowing him to be on the Committee, where on the question of
+a rise in the Reader's salary he was always an ineffective minority of
+one. His other grievance was that for the High Festivals the Sons
+temporarily engaged a finer voiced Reader and advertised him at raised
+prices to repay themselves out of the surplus congregation. Not only had
+Greenberg to play second fiddle on these grand occasions, but he had to
+iterate "Pom" as a sort of musical accompaniment in the pauses of his
+rival's vocalization.
+
+"You can't compare yourself with the _Maggid_" the Shalotten _Shammos_
+reminded him consolingly. "There are hundreds of you in the market.
+There are several _morceaux_ of the service which you do not sing half
+so well as your predecessor; your horn-blowing cannot compete with
+Freedman's of the Fashion Street _Chevrah_, nor can you read the Law as
+quickly and accurately as Prochintski. I have told you over and over
+again you confound the air of the Passover _Yigdal_ with the New Year
+ditto. And then your preliminary flourish to the Confession of Sin--it
+goes 'Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei, Ei'" (he mimicked Greenberg's melody)
+"whereas it should be 'Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi.'"
+
+"Oh no," interrupted Belcovitch. "All the _Chazanim_ I've ever heard do
+it 'Ei, Ei, Ei.'"
+
+"You are not entitled to speak on this subject, Belcovitch," said the
+Shalotten _Shammos_ warmly. "You are a Man-of-the-Earth. I have heard
+every great _Chazan_ in Europe."
+
+"What was good enough for my father is good enough for me," retorted
+Belcovitch. "The _Shool_ he took me to at home had a beautiful _Chazan_,
+and he always sang it 'Ei, Ei, Ei.'"
+
+"I don't care what you heard at home. In England every _Chazan_ sings
+'Oi, Oi, Oi.'"
+
+"We can't take our tune from England," said Karlkammer reprovingly.
+"England is a polluted country by reason of the Reformers whom we were
+compelled to excommunicate."
+
+"Do you mean to say that my father was an Epicurean?" asked Belcovitch
+indignantly. "The tune was as Greenberg sings it. That there are impious
+Jews who pray bareheaded and sit in the synagogue side by side with the
+women has nothing to do with it."
+
+The Reformers did neither of these things, but the Ghetto to a man
+believed they did, and it would have been countenancing their
+blasphemies to pay a visit to their synagogues and see. It was an
+extraordinary example of a myth flourishing in the teeth of the facts,
+and as such should be useful to historians sifting "the evidence of
+contemporary writers."
+
+The dispute thickened; the synagogue hummed with "Eis" and "Ois" not in
+concord.
+
+"Shah!" said the President at last. "Make an end, make an end!"
+
+"You see he knows I'm right," murmured the Shalotten _Shammos_ to his
+circle.
+
+"And if you are!" burst forth the impeached Greenberg, who had by this
+time thought of a retort. "And if I do sing the Passover _Yigdal_
+instead of the New Year, have I not reason, seeing I have _no bread in
+the house_? With my salary I have Passover all the year round."
+
+The _Chazan's_ sally made a good impression on his audience if not on
+his salary. It was felt that he had a just grievance, and the
+conversation was hastily shifted to the original topic.
+
+"We mustn't forget the _Maggid_ draws crowds here every Saturday and
+Sunday afternoon," said Mendel Hyams. "Suppose he goes over to a
+_Chevrah_ that will pay him more!"
+
+"No, he won't do that," said another of the Committee. "He will remember
+that we brought him out of Poland."
+
+"Yes, but we shan't have room for the audiences soon," said Belcovitch.
+"There are so many outsiders turned away every time that I think we
+ought to let half the applicants enjoy the first two hours of the sermon
+and the other half the second two hours."
+
+"No, no, that would be cruel," said Karlkammer. "He will have to give
+the Sunday sermons at least in a larger synagogue. My own _Shool_, the
+German, will be glad to give him facilities."
+
+"But what if they want to take him altogether at a higher salary?" said
+Mendel.
+
+"No, I'm on the Committee, I'll see to that," said Karlkammer
+reassuringly.
+
+"Then do you think we shall tell him we can't afford to give him more?"
+asked Belcovitch.
+
+There was a murmur of assent with a fainter mingling of dissent. The
+motion that the _Maggid's_ application be refused was put to the vote
+and carried by a large majority.
+
+It was the fate of the _Maggid_ to be the one subject on which
+Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_ agreed. They agreed as to his
+transcendent merits and they agreed as to the adequacy of his salary.
+
+"But he's so weakly," protested Mendel Hyams, who was in the minority.
+"He coughs blood."
+
+"He ought to go to a sunny place for a week," said Belcovitch
+compassionately.
+
+"Yes, he must certainly have that," said Karlkammer. "Let us add as a
+rider that although we cannot pay him more per week, he must have a
+week's holiday in the country. The Shalotten _Shammos_ shall write the
+letter to Rothschild."
+
+Rothschild was a magic name in the Ghetto; it stood next to the
+Almighty's as a redresser of grievances and a friend of the poor, and
+the Shalotten _Shammos_ made a large part of his income by writing
+letters to it. He charged twopence halfpenny per letter, for his English
+vocabulary was larger than any other scribe's in the Ghetto, and his
+words were as much longer than theirs as his body. He also filled up
+printed application forms for Soup or Passover cakes, and had a most
+artistic sense of the proportion of orphans permissible to widows and a
+correct instinct for the plausible duration of sicknesses.
+
+The Committee agreed _nem. con._ to the grant of a seaside holiday, and
+the Shalotten _Shammos_ with a gratified feeling of importance waived
+his twopence halfpenny. He drew up a letter forthwith, not of course in
+the name of the Sons of the Covenant, but in the _Maggid's_ own.
+
+He took the magniloquent sentences to the _Maggid_ for signature. He
+found the _Maggid_ walking up and down Royal Street waiting for the
+verdict. The _Maggid_ walked with a stoop that was almost a permanent
+bow, so that his long black beard reached well towards his baggy knees.
+His curved eagle nose was grown thinner, his long coat shinier, his look
+more haggard, his corkscrew earlocks were more matted, and when he spoke
+his voice was a tone more raucous. He wore his high hat--a tall cylinder
+that reminded one of a weather-beaten turret.
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ explained briefly what he had done.
+
+"May thy strength increase!" said the _Maggid_ in the Hebrew formula of
+gratitude.
+
+"Nay, thine is more important," replied the Shalotten _Shammos_ with
+hilarious heartiness, and he proceeded to read the letter as they walked
+along together, giant and doubled-up wizard.
+
+"But I haven't got a wife and six children," said the _Maggid_, for whom
+one or two phrases stood out intelligible. "My wife is dead and I never
+was blessed with a _Kaddish_."
+
+"It sounds better so," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ authoritatively.
+"Preachers are expected to have heavy families dependent upon them. It
+would sound lies if I told the truth."
+
+This was an argument after the _Maggid's_ own heart, but it did not
+quite convince him.
+
+"But they will send and make inquiries," he murmured.
+
+"Then your family are in Poland; you send your money over there."
+
+"That is true," said the _Maggid_ feebly. "But still it likes me not."
+
+"You leave it to me," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ impressively. "A
+shamefaced man cannot learn, and a passionate man cannot teach. So said
+Hillel. When you are in the pulpit I listen to you; when I have my pen
+in hand, do you listen to me. As the proverb says, if I were a Rabbi the
+town would burn. But if you were a scribe the letter would burn. I don't
+pretend to be a _Maggid_, don't you set up to be a letter writer."
+
+"Well, but do you think it's honorable?"
+
+"Hear, O Israel!" cried the Shalotten _Shammos_, spreading out his palms
+impatiently. "Haven't I written letters for twenty years?"
+
+The _Maggid_ was silenced. He walked on brooding. "And what is this
+place, Burnmud, I ask to go to?" he inquired.
+
+"Bournemouth," corrected the other. "It is a place on the South coast
+where all the most aristocratic consumptives go."
+
+"But it must be very dear," said the poor _Maggid_, affrighted.
+
+"Dear? Of course it's dear," said the Shalotten _Shammos_ pompously.
+"But shall we consider expense where your health is concerned?"
+
+The _Maggid_ felt so grateful he was almost ashamed to ask whether he
+could eat _kosher_ there, but the Shalotten _Shammos_, who had the air
+of a tall encyclopaedia, set his soul at rest on all points.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+SUGARMAN'S BAR-MITZVAH PARTY.
+
+
+The day of Ebenezer Sugarman's _Bar-mitzvah_ duly arrived. All his sins
+would henceforth be on his own head and everybody rejoiced. By the
+Friday evening so many presents had arrived--four breastpins, two rings,
+six pocket-knives, three sets of _Machzorim_ or Festival Prayer-books,
+and the like--that his father barred up the door very carefully and in
+the middle of the night, hearing a mouse scampering across the floor,
+woke up in a cold sweat and threw open the bedroom window and cried "Ho!
+Buglers!" But the "Buglers" made no sign of being scared, everything was
+still and nothing purloined, so Jonathan took a reprimand from his
+disturbed wife and curled himself up again in bed.
+
+Sugarman did things in style and through the influence of a client the
+confirmation ceremony was celebrated in "Duke's Plaizer Shool."
+Ebenezer, who was tall and weak-eyed, with lank black hair, had a fine
+new black cloth suit and a beautiful silk praying-shawl with blue
+stripes, and a glittering watch-chain and a gold ring and a nice new
+Prayer-book with gilt edges, and all the boys under thirteen made up
+their minds to grow up and be responsible for their sins as quick as
+possible. Ebenezer walked up to the Reading Desk with a dauntless stride
+and intoned his Portion of the Law with no more tremor than was
+necessitated by the musical roulades, and then marched upstairs, as bold
+as brass, to his mother, who was sitting up in the gallery, and who gave
+him a loud smacking kiss that could be heard in the four corners of the
+synagogue, just as if she were a real lady.
+
+Then there was the _Bar-mitzvah_ breakfast, at which Ebenezer delivered
+an English sermon and a speech, both openly written by the Shalotten
+_Shammos_, and everybody commended the boy's beautiful sentiments and
+the beautiful language in which they were couched. Mrs. Sugarman forgot
+all the trouble Ebenezer had given her in the face of his assurances of
+respect and affection and she wept copiously. Having only one eye she
+could not see what her Jonathan saw, and what was spoiling his enjoyment
+of Ebenezer's effusive gratitude to his dear parents for having trained
+him up in lofty principles.
+
+It was chiefly male cronies who had been invited to breakfast, and the
+table had been decorated with biscuits and fruit and sweets not
+appertaining to the meal, but provided for the refreshment of the
+less-favored visitors--such as Mr. and Mrs. Hyams--who would be dropping
+in during the day. Now, nearly every one of the guests had brought a
+little boy with him, each of whom stood like a page behind his father's
+chair.
+
+Before starting on their prandial fried fish, these trencher-men took
+from the dainties wherewith the ornamental plates were laden and gave
+thereof to their offspring. Now this was only right and proper, because
+it is the prerogative of children to "_nash_" on these occasions. But as
+the meal progressed, each father from time to time, while talking
+briskly to his neighbor, allowed his hand to stray mechanically into the
+plates and thence negligently backwards into the hand of his infant, who
+stuffed the treasure into his pockets. Sugarman fidgeted about uneasily;
+not one surreptitious seizure escaped him, and every one pricked him
+like a needle. Soon his soul grew punctured like a pin-cushion. The
+Shalotten _Shammos_ was among the worst offenders, and he covered his
+back-handed proceedings with a ceaseless flow of complimentary
+conversation.
+
+"Excellent fish, Mrs. Sugarman," he said, dexterously slipping some
+almonds behind his chair.
+
+"What?" said Mrs. Sugarman, who was hard of hearing.
+
+"First-class plaice!" shouted the Shalotten _Shammos_, negligently
+conveying a bunch of raisins.
+
+"So they ought to be," said Mrs. Sugarman in her thin tinkling accents,
+"they were all alive in the pan."
+
+"Ah, did they twitter?" said Mr. Belcovitch, pricking up his ears.
+
+"No," Bessie interposed. "What do you mean?"
+
+"At home in my town," said Mr. Belcovitch impressively, "a fish made a
+noise in the pan one Friday."
+
+"Well? and suppose?" said the Shalotten _Shammos_, passing a fig to the
+rear, "the oil frizzles."
+
+"Nothing of the kind," said Belcovitch angrily, "A real living noise.
+The woman snatched it out of the pan and ran with it to the Rabbi. But
+he did not know what to do. Fortunately there was staying with him for
+the Sabbath a travelling Saint from the far city of Ridnik, a _Chasid_,
+very skilful in plagues and purifications, and able to make clean a
+creeping thing by a hundred and fifty reasons. He directed the woman to
+wrap the fish in a shroud and give it honorable burial as quickly as
+possible. The funeral took place the same afternoon and a lot of people
+went in solemn procession to the woman's back garden and buried it with
+all seemly rites, and the knife with which it had been cut was buried in
+the same grave, having been defiled by contact with the demon. One man
+said it should be burned, but that was absurd because the demon would be
+only too glad to find itself in its native element, but to prevent Satan
+from rebuking the woman any more its mouth was stopped with furnace
+ashes. There was no time to obtain Palestine earth, which would have
+completely crushed the demon."
+
+"The woman must have committed some _Avirah_" said Karlkammer.
+
+"A true story!" said the Shalotten _Shammos_, ironically. "That tale has
+been over Warsaw this twelvemonth."
+
+"It occurred when I was a boy," affirmed Belcovitch indignantly. "I
+remember it quite well. Some people explained it favorably. Others were
+of opinion that the soul of the fishmonger had transmigrated into the
+fish, an opinion borne out by the death of the fishmonger a few days
+before. And the Rabbi is still alive to prove it--may his light continue
+to shine--though they write that he has lost his memory."
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ sceptically passed a pear to his son. Old
+Gabriel Hamburg, the scholar, came compassionately to the raconteur's
+assistance.
+
+"Rabbi Solomon Maimon," he said, "has left it on record that he
+witnessed a similar funeral in Posen."
+
+"It was well she buried it," said Karlkammer. "It was an atonement for a
+child, and saved its life."
+
+The Shalotten _Shammos_ laughed outright.
+
+"Ah, laugh not," said Mrs. Belcovitch. "Or you might laugh with blood.
+It isn't for my own sins that I was born with ill-matched legs."
+
+"I must laugh when I hear of God's fools burying fish anywhere but in
+their stomach," said the Shalotten _Shammos_, transporting a Brazil nut
+to the rear, where it was quickly annexed by Solomon Ansell, who had
+sneaked in uninvited and ousted the other boy from his coign of vantage.
+
+The conversation was becoming heated; Breckeloff turned the topic.
+
+"My sister has married a man who can't play cards," he said
+lugubriously.
+
+"How lucky for her," answered several voices.
+
+"No, it's just her black luck," he rejoined. "For he _will_ play."
+
+There was a burst of laughter and then the company remembered that
+Breckeloff was a _Badchan_ or jester.
+
+"Why, your sister's husband is a splendid player," said Sugarman with a
+flash of memory, and the company laughed afresh.
+
+"Yes," said Breckeloff. "But he doesn't give me the chance of losing to
+him now, he's got such a stuck-up _Kotzon_. He belongs to Duke's Plaizer
+_Shool_ and comes there very late, and when you ask him his birthplace
+he forgets he was a _Pullack_ and says becomes from 'behind Berlin.'"
+
+These strokes of true satire occasioned more merriment and were worth a
+biscuit to Solomon Ansell _vice_ the son of the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+Among the inoffensive guests were old Gabriel Hamburg, the scholar, and
+young Joseph Strelitski, the student, who sat together. On the left of
+the somewhat seedy Strelitski pretty Bessie in blue silk presided over
+the coffee-pot. Nobody knew whence Bessie had stolen her good looks:
+probably some remote ancestress! Bessie was in every way the most
+agreeable member of the family, inheriting some of her father's brains,
+but wisely going for the rest of herself to that remote ancestress.
+
+Gabriel Hamburg and Joseph Strelitski had both had relations with No. 1
+Royal Street for some time, yet they had hardly exchanged a word and
+their meeting at this breakfast table found them as great strangers as
+though they had never seen each other. Strelitski came because he
+boarded with the Sugarmans, and Hamburg came because he sometimes
+consulted Jonathan Sugarman about a Talmudical passage. Sugarman was
+charged with the oral traditions of a chain of Rabbis, like an actor who
+knows all the "business" elaborated by his predecessors, and even a
+scientific scholar like Hamburg found him occasionally and fortuitously
+illuminating. Even so Karlkammer's red hair was a pillar of fire in the
+trackless wilderness of Hebrew literature. Gabriel Hamburg was a mighty
+savant who endured all things for the love of knowledge and the sake of
+six men in Europe who followed his work and profited by its results.
+Verily, fit audience though few. But such is the fate of great scholars
+whose readers are sown throughout the lands more sparsely than monarchs.
+One by one Hamburg grappled with the countless problems of Jewish
+literary history, settling dates and authors, disintegrating the Books
+of the Bible into their constituent parts, now inserting a gap of
+centuries between two halves of the same chapter, now flashing the light
+of new theories upon the development of Jewish theology. He lived at
+Royal Street and the British Museum, for he spent most of his time
+groping among the folios and manuscripts, and had no need for more than
+the little back bedroom, behind the Ansells, stuffed with mouldy books.
+Nobody (who was anybody) had heard of him in England, and he worked on,
+unencumbered by patronage or a full stomach. The Ghetto, itself, knew
+little of him, for there were but few with whom he found intercourse
+satisfying. He was not "orthodox" in belief though eminently so in
+practice--which is all the Ghetto demands--not from hypocrisy but from
+ancient prejudice. Scholarship had not shrivelled up his humanity, for
+he had a genial fund of humor and a gentle play of satire and loved his
+neighbors for their folly and narrowmindedness. Unlike Spinoza, too, he
+did not go out of his way to inform them of his heterodox views, content
+to comprehend the crowd rather than be misunderstood by it. He knew that
+the bigger soul includes the smaller and that the smaller can never
+circumscribe the bigger. Such money as was indispensable for the
+endowment of research he earned by copying texts and hunting out
+references for the numerous scholars and clergymen who infest the Museum
+and prevent the general reader from having elbow room. In person he was
+small and bent and snuffy. Superficially more intelligible, Joseph
+Strelitski was really a deeper mystery than Gabriel Hamburg. He was
+known to be a recent arrival on English soil, yet he spoke English
+fluently. He studied at Jews' College by day and was preparing for the
+examinations at the London University. None of the other students knew
+where he lived nor a bit of his past history. There was a vague idea
+afloat that he was an only child whose parents had been hounded to
+penury and death by Russian persecution, but who launched it nobody
+knew. His eyes were sad and earnest, a curl of raven hair fell forwards
+on his high brow; his clothing was shabby and darned in places by his
+own hand. Beyond accepting the gift of education at the hands of dead
+men he would take no help. On several distinct occasions, the magic
+name, Rothschild, was appealed to on his behalf by well-wishers, and
+through its avenue of almoners it responded with its eternal quenchless
+unquestioning generosity to students. But Joseph Strelitski always
+quietly sent back these bounties. He made enough to exist upon by
+touting for a cigar-firm in the evenings. In the streets he walked with
+tight-pursed lips, dreaming no one knew what.
+
+And yet there were times when his tight-pursed lips unclenched
+themselves and he drew in great breaths even of Ghetto air with the huge
+contentment of one who has known suffocation. "One can breathe here,"
+he seemed to be saying. The atmosphere, untainted by spies, venal
+officials, and jeering soldiery, seemed fresh and sweet. Here the ground
+was stable, not mined in all directions; no arbitrary ukase--veritable
+sword of Damocles--hung over the head and darkened the sunshine. In such
+a country, where faith was free and action untrammelled, mere living was
+an ecstasy when remembrance came over one, and so Joseph Strelitski
+sometimes threw back his head and breathed in liberty. The
+voluptuousness of the sensation cannot be known by born freemen.
+
+When Joseph Strelitski's father was sent to Siberia, he took his
+nine-year old boy with him in infringement of the law which prohibits
+exiles from taking children above five years of age. The police
+authorities, however, raised no objection, and they permitted Joseph to
+attend the public school at Kansk, Yeniseisk province, where the
+Strelitski family resided. A year or so afterwards the Yeniseisk
+authorities accorded the family permission to reside in Yeniseisk, and
+Joseph, having given proof of brilliant abilities, was placed in the
+Yeniseisk gymnasium. For nigh three years the boy studied here,
+astonishing the gymnasium with his extraordinary ability, when suddenly
+the Government authorities ordered the boy to return at once "to the
+place where he was born." In vain the directors of the gymnasium, won
+over by the poor boy's talent and enthusiasm for study, petitioned the
+Government. The Yeniseisk authorities were again ordered to expel him.
+No respite was granted and the thirteen-year old lad was sent to Sokolk
+in the Government of Grodno at the other extreme of European Russia,
+where he was quite alone in the world. Before he was sixteen, he escaped
+to England, his soul branded by terrible memories, and steeled by
+solitude to a stern strength.
+
+At Sugarman's he spoke little and then mainly with the father on
+scholastic points. After meals he retired quickly to his business or his
+sleeping-den, which was across the road. Bessie loved Daniel Hyams, but
+she was a woman and Strelitski's neutrality piqued her. Even to-day it
+is possible he might not have spoken to Gabriel Hamburg if his other
+neighbor had not been Bessie. Gabriel Hamburg was glad to talk to the
+youth, the outlines of whose English history were known to him.
+Strelitski seemed to expand under the sunshine of a congenial spirit; he
+answered Hamburg's sympathetic inquiries about his work without
+reluctance and even made some remarks on his own initiative.
+
+And as they spoke, an undercurrent of pensive thought was flowing in the
+old scholar's soul and his tones grew tenderer and tenderer. The echoes
+of Ebenezer's effusive speech were in his ears and the artificial notes
+rang strangely genuine. All round him sat happy fathers of happy
+children, men who warmed their hands at the home-fire of life, men who
+lived while he was thinking. Yet he, too, had had his chance far back in
+the dim and dusty years, his chance of love and money with it. He had
+let it slip away for poverty and learning, and only six men in Europe
+cared whether he lived or died. The sense of his own loneliness smote
+him with a sudden aching desolation. His gaze grew humid; the face of
+the young student was covered with a veil of mist and seemed to shine
+with the radiance of an unstained soul. If he had been as other men he
+might have had such a son. At this moment Gabriel Hamburg was speaking
+of paragoge in Hebrew grammar, but his voice faltered and in imagination
+he was laying hands of paternal benediction on Joseph Strelitski's head.
+Swayed by an overmastering impulse he burst out at last.
+
+"An idea strikes me!"
+
+Strelitski looked up in silent interrogation at the old man's agitated
+face.
+
+"You live by yourself. I live by myself. We are both students. Why
+should we not live together as students, too?"
+
+A swift wave of surprise traversed Strelitski's face, and his eyes grew
+soft. For an instant the one solitary soul visibly yearned towards the
+other; he hesitated.
+
+"Do not think I am too old," said the great scholar, trembling all over.
+"I know it is the young who chum together, but still I am a student. And
+you shall see how lively and cheerful I will be." He forced a smile that
+hovered on tears. "We shall be two rackety young students, every night
+raising a thousand devils. _Gaudeamus igitur_." He began to hum in his
+cracked hoarse voice the _Burschen-lied_ of his early days at the Berlin
+Gymnasium.
+
+But Strelitski's face had grown dusky with a gradual flush and a
+deepening gloom; his black eyebrows were knit and his lips set together
+and his eyes full of sullen ire. He suspected a snare to assist him.
+
+He shook his head. "Thank you," he said slowly. "But I prefer to live
+alone."
+
+And he turned and spoke to the astonished Bessie, and so the two strange
+lonely vessels that had hailed each other across the darkness drifted
+away and apart for ever in the waste of waters.
+
+But Jonathan Sugarman's eye was on more tragic episodes. Gradually the
+plates emptied, for the guests openly followed up the more substantial
+elements of the repast by dessert, more devastating even than the rear
+manoeuvres. At last there was nothing but an aching china blank. The men
+looked round the table for something else to "_nash_," but everywhere
+was the same depressing desolation. Only in the centre of the table
+towered in awful intact majesty the great _Bar-mitzvah_ cake, like some
+mighty sphinx of stone surveying the ruins of empires, and the least
+reverent shrank before its austere gaze. But at last the Shalotten
+_Shammos_ shook off his awe and stretched out his hand leisurely towards
+the cake, as became the master of ceremonies. But when Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_ beheld his hand moving like a creeping flame forward, he
+sprang towards him, as the tigress springs when the hunter threatens her
+cub. And speaking no word he snatched the great cake from under the hand
+of the spoiler and tucked it under his arm, in the place where he
+carried Nehemiah, and sped therewith from the room. Then consternation
+fell upon the scene till Solomon Ansell, crawling on hands and knees in
+search of windfalls, discovered a basket of apples stored under the
+centre of the table, and the Shalotten _Shammos's_ son told his father
+thereof ere Solomon could do more than secure a few for his brother and
+sisters. And the Shalotten _Shammos_ laughed joyously, "Apples," and
+dived under the table, and his long form reached to the other side and
+beyond, and graybearded men echoed the joyous cry and scrambled on the
+ground like schoolboys.
+
+"_Leolom tikkach_--always take," quoted the _Badchan_ gleefully.
+
+When Sugarman returned, radiant, he found his absence had been fatal.
+
+"Piece of fool! Two-eyed lump of flesh," said Mrs. Sugarman in a loud
+whisper. "Flying out of the room as if thou hadst the ague."
+
+"Shall I sit still like thee while our home is eaten up around us?"
+Sugarman whispered back. "Couldst thou not look to the apples? Plaster
+image! Leaden fool! See, they have emptied the basket, too."
+
+"Well, dost thou expect luck and blessing to crawl into it? Even five
+shillings' worth of _nash_ cannot last for ever. May ten ammunition
+wagons of black curses be discharged on thee!" replied Mrs. Sugarman,
+her one eye shooting fire.
+
+This was the last straw of insult added to injury. Sugarman was
+exasperated beyond endurance. He forgot that he had a wider audience
+than his wife; he lost all control of himself, and cried aloud in a
+frenzy of rage, "What a pity thou hadst not a fourth uncle!"
+
+Mrs. Sugarman collapsed, speechless.
+
+"A greedy lot, marm," Sugarman reported to Mrs. Hyams on the Monday. "I
+was very glad you and your people didn't come; dere was noding left
+except de prospectuses of the Hamburg lotter_ee_ vich I left laying all
+about for de guests to take. Being _Shabbos_ I could not give dem out."
+
+"We were sorry not to come, but neither Mr. Hyams nor myself felt well,"
+said the white-haired broken-down old woman with her painfully slow
+enunciation. Her English words rarely went beyond two syllables.
+
+"Ah!" said Sugarman. "But I've come to give you back your corkscrew."
+
+"Why, it's broken," said Mrs. Hyams, as she took it.
+
+"So it is, marm," he admitted readily. "But if you taink dat I ought to
+pay for de damage you're mistaken. If you lend me your cat"--here he
+began to make the argumentative movement with his thumb, as though
+scooping out imaginary _kosher_ cheese with it; "If you lend me your cat
+to kill my rat," his tones took on the strange Talmudic singsong--"and
+my rat instead kills your cat, then it is the fault of your cat and not
+the fault of my rat."
+
+Poor Mrs. Hyams could not meet this argument. If Mendel had been at
+home, he might have found a counter-analogy. As it was, Sugarman
+re-tucked Nehemiah under his arm and departed triumphant, almost
+consoled for the raid on his provisions by the thought of money saved.
+In the street he met the Shalotten _Shammos_.
+
+"Blessed art thou who comest," said the giant, in Hebrew; then relapsing
+into Yiddish he cried: "I've been wanting to see you. What did you mean
+by telling your wife you were sorry she had not a fourth uncle?"
+
+"Soorka knew what I meant," said Sugarman with a little croak of
+victory, "I have told her the story before. When the Almighty _Shadchan_
+was making marriages in Heaven, before we were yet born, the name of my
+wife was coupled with my own. The spirit of her eldest uncle hearing
+this flew up to the Angel who made the proclamation and said: 'Angel!
+thou art making a mistake. The man of whom thou makest mention will be
+of a lower status than this future niece of mine.' Said the Angel; 'Sh!
+It is all right. She will halt on one leg.' Came then the spirit of her
+second uncle and said: 'Angel, what blazonest thou? A niece of mine
+marry a man of such family?' Says the Angel: 'Sh! It is all right. She
+will be blind in one eye.' Came the spirit of her third uncle and said:
+'Angel, hast thou not erred? Surely thou canst not mean to marry my
+future niece into such a humble family.' Said the Angel: 'Sh! It is all
+right. She will be deaf in one ear.' Now, do you see? If she had only
+had a fourth uncle, she would have been dumb into the bargain; there is
+only one mouth and my life would have been a happy one. Before I told
+Soorka that history she used to throw up her better breeding and finer
+family to me. Even in public she would shed my blood. Now she does not
+do it even in private."
+
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ winked, readjusted Nehemiah and went his way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY.
+
+
+It was a cold, bleak Sunday afternoon, and the Ansells were spending it
+as usual. Little Sarah was with Mrs. Simons, Rachel had gone to Victoria
+Park with a party of school-mates, the grandmother was asleep on the
+bed, covered with one of her son's old coats (for there was no fire in
+the grate), with her pious vade mecum in her hand; Esther had prepared
+her lessons and was reading a little brown book at Dutch Debby's, not
+being able to forget the _London Journal_ sufficiently; Solomon had not
+prepared his and was playing "rounder" in the street, Isaac being
+permitted to "feed" the strikers, in return for a prospective occupation
+of his new bed; Moses Ansell was at _Shool_, listening to a _Hesped_ or
+funeral oration at the German Synagogue, preached by Reb Shemuel over
+one of the lights of the Ghetto, prematurely gone out--no other than the
+consumptive _Maggid_, who had departed suddenly for a less fashionable
+place than Bournemouth. "He has fallen," said the Reb, "not laden with
+age, nor sighing for release because the grasshopper was a burden. But
+He who holds the keys said: 'Thou hast done thy share of the work; it is
+not thine to complete it. It was in thy heart to serve Me, from Me thou
+shalt receive thy reward.'"
+
+And all the perspiring crowd in the black-draped hall shook with grief,
+and thousands of working men followed the body, weeping, to the grave,
+walking all the way to the great cemetery in Bow.
+
+A slim, black-haired, handsome lad of about twelve, dressed in a neat
+black suit, with a shining white Eton collar, stumbled up the dark
+stairs of No. 1 Royal Street, with an air of unfamiliarity and disgust.
+At Dutch Debby's door he was delayed by a brief altercation with Bobby.
+He burst open the door of the Ansell apartment without knocking, though
+he took off his hat involuntarily as he entered Then he stood still with
+an air of disappointment. The room seemed empty.
+
+"What dost thou want, Esther?" murmured the grandmother rousing herself
+sleepily.
+
+The boy looked towards the bed with a start He could not make out what
+the grandmother was saying. It was four years since he had heard Yiddish
+spoken, and he had almost forgotten the existence of the dialect The
+room, too, seemed chill and alien.--so unspeakably poverty-stricken.
+
+"Oh, how are you, grandmother?" he said, going up to her and kissing her
+perfunctorily. "Where's everybody?"
+
+"Art thou Benjamin?" said the grandmother, her stern, wrinkled face
+shadowed with surprise and doubt.
+
+Benjamin guessed what she was asking and nodded.
+
+"But how richly they have dressed thee! Alas, I suppose they have taken
+away thy Judaism instead. For four whole years--is it not--thou hast
+been with English folk. Woe! Woe! If thy father had married a pious
+woman, she would have been living still and thou wouldst have been able
+to live happily in our midst instead of being exiled among strangers,
+who feed thy body and starve thy soul. If thy father had left me in
+Poland, I should have died happy and my old eyes would never have seen
+the sorrow. Unbutton thy waistcoat, let me see if thou wearest the
+'four-corners' at least." Of this harangue, poured forth at the rate
+natural to thoughts running ever in the same groove, Benjamin understood
+but a word here and there. For four years he had read and read and read
+English books, absorbed himself in English composition, heard nothing
+but English spoken about him. Nay, he had even deliberately put the
+jargon out of his mind at the commencement as something degrading and
+humiliating. Now it struck vague notes of old outgrown associations but
+called up no definite images.
+
+"Where's Esther?" he said.
+
+"Esther," grumbled the grandmother, catching the name. "Esther is with
+Dutch Debby. She's always with her. Dutch Debby pretends to love her
+like a mother--and why? Because she wants to _be_ her mother. She aims
+at marrying my Moses. But not for us. This time we shall marry the woman
+I select. No person like that who knows as much about Judaism as the cow
+of Sunday, nor like Mrs. Simons, who coddles our little Sarah because
+she thinks my Moses will have her. It's plain as the eye in her head
+what she wants. But the Widow Finkelstein is the woman we're going to
+marry. She is a true Jewess, shuts up her shop the moment _Shabbos_
+comes in, not works right into the Sabbath like so many, and goes to
+_Shool_ even on Friday nights. Look how she brought up her Avromkely,
+who intoned the whole Portion of the Law and the Prophets in _Shool_
+before he was six years old. Besides she has money and has cast eyes
+upon him."
+
+The boy, seeing conversation was hopeless, murmured something
+inarticulate and ran down the stairs to find some traces of the
+intelligible members of his family. Happily Bobby, remembering their
+former altercation, and determining to have the last word, barred
+Benjamin's path with such pertinacity that Esther came out to quiet him
+and leapt into her brother's arms with a great cry of joy, dropping the
+book she held full on Bobby's nose.
+
+"O Benjy--Is it really you? Oh, I am so glad. I am so glad. I knew you
+would come some day. O Benjy! Bobby, you bad dog, this is Benjy, my
+brother. Debby, I'm going upstairs. Benjamin's come back. Benjamin's
+come back."
+
+"All right, dear," Debby called out. "Let me have a look at him soon.
+Send me in Bobby if you're going away." The words ended in a cough.
+
+Esther hurriedly drove in Bobby, and then half led, half dragged
+Benjamin upstairs. The grandmother had fallen asleep again and was
+snoring peacefully.
+
+"Speak low, Benjy," said Esther. "Grandmother's asleep."
+
+"All right, Esther. I don't want to wake her, I'm sure. I was up here
+just now, and couldn't make out a word she was jabbering."
+
+"I know. She's losing all her teeth, poor thing."
+
+"No, it, isn't that. She speaks that beastly Yiddish--I made sure she'd
+have learned English by this time. I hope _you_ don't speak it, Esther."
+
+"I must, Benjy. You see father and grandmother never speak anything else
+at home, and only know a few words of English. But I don't let the
+children speak it except to them. You should hear little Sarah speak
+English. It's beautiful. Only when she cries she says 'Woe is me' in
+Yiddish. I have had to slap her for it--but that makes her cry 'Woe is
+me' all the more. Oh, how nice you look, Benjy, with your white collar,
+just like the pictures of little Lord Launceston in the Fourth Standard
+Reader. I wish I could show you to the girls! Oh, my, what'll Solomon
+say when he sees you! He's always wearing his corduroys away at the
+knees."
+
+"But where is everybody? And why is there no fire?" said Benjamin
+impatiently. "It's beastly cold."
+
+"Father hopes to get a bread, coal and meat ticket to-morrow, dear."
+
+"Well, this is a pretty welcome for a fellow!" grumbled Benjamin.
+
+"I'm so sorry, Benjy! If I'd only known you were coming I might have
+borrowed some coals from Mrs. Belcovitch. But just stamp your feet a
+little if they freeze. No, do it outside the door; grandmother's asleep.
+Why didn't you write to me you were coming?"
+
+"I didn't know. Old Four-Eyes--that's one of our teachers--was going up
+to London this afternoon, and he wanted a boy to carry some parcels, and
+as I'm the best boy in my class he let me come. He let me run up and see
+you all, and I'm to meet him at London Bridge Station at seven o'clock.
+You're not much altered, Esther."
+
+"Ain't I?" she said, with a little pathetic smile. "Ain't I bigger?"
+
+"Not four years bigger. For a moment I could fancy I'd never been away.
+How the years slip by! I shall be _Barmitzvah_ soon."
+
+"Yes, and now I've got you again I've so much to say I don't know where
+to begin. That time father went to see you I couldn't get much out of
+him about you, and your own letters have been so few."
+
+"A letter costs a penny, Esther. Where am I to get pennies from?"
+
+"I know, dear. I know you would have liked to write. But now you shall
+tell me everything. Have you missed us very much?"
+
+"No, I don't think so," said Benjamin.
+
+"Oh, not at all?" asked Esther in disappointed tones.
+
+"Yes, I missed _you_, Esther, at first," he said, soothingly. "But
+there's such a lot to do and to think about. It's a new life."
+
+"And have you been happy, Benjy?"
+
+"Oh yes. Quite. Just think! Regular meals, with oranges and sweets and
+entertainments every now and then, a bed all to yourself, good fires, a
+mansion with a noble staircase and hall, a field to play in, with balls
+and toys--"
+
+"A field!" echoed Esther. "Why it must be like going to Greenwich every
+day."
+
+"Oh, better than Greenwich where they take you girls for a measly day's
+holiday once a year."
+
+"Better than the Crystal Palace, where they take the boys?"
+
+"Why, the Crystal Palace is quite near. We can see the fire-works every
+Thursday night in the season."
+
+Esther's eyes opened wider. "And have you been inside?"
+
+"Lots of times."
+
+"Do you remember the time you didn't go?" Esther said softly.
+
+"A fellow doesn't forget that sort of thing," he grumbled. "I so wanted
+to go--I had heard such a lot about it from the boys who had been. When
+the day of the excursion came my _Shabbos_ coat was in pawn, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes," said Esther, her eyes growing humid. "I was so sorry for you,
+dear. You didn't want to go in your corduroy coat and let the boys know
+you didn't have a best coat. It was quite right, Benjy."
+
+"I remember mother gave me a treat instead," said Benjamin with a comic
+grimace. "She took me round to Zachariah Square and let me play there
+while she was scrubbing Malka's floor. I think Milly gave me a penny,
+and I remember Leah let me take a couple of licks from a glass of ice
+cream she was eating on the Ruins. It was a hot day--I shall never
+forget that ice cream. But fancy parents pawning a chap's only decent
+coat." He smoothed his well-brushed jacket complacently.
+
+"Yes, but don't you remember mother took it out the very next morning
+before school with the money she earnt at Malka's."
+
+"But what was the use of that? I put it on of course when I went to
+school and told the teacher I was ill the day before, just to show the
+boys I was telling the truth. But it was too late to take me to the
+Palace."
+
+"Ah, but it came in handy--don't you remember, Benjy, how one of the
+Great Ladies died suddenly the next week!"
+
+"Oh yes! Yoicks! Tallyho!" cried Benjamin, with sudden excitement. "We
+went down on hired omnibuses to the cemetery ever so far into the
+country, six of the best boys in each class, and I was on the box seat
+next to the driver, and I thought of the old mail-coach days and looked
+out for highwaymen. We stood along the path in the cemetery and the sun
+was shining and the grass was so green and there were such lovely
+flowers on the coffin when it came past with the gentlemen crying behind
+it and then we had lemonade and cakes on the way back. Oh, it was just
+beautiful! I went to two other funerals after that, but that was the one
+I enjoyed most. Yes, that coat did come in useful after all for a day in
+the country."
+
+Benjamin evidently did not think of his own mother's interment as a
+funeral. Esther did and she changed the subject quickly.
+
+"Well, tell me more about your place."
+
+"Well, it's like going to funerals every day. It's all country all round
+about, with trees and flowers and birds. Why, I've helped to make hay in
+the autumn."
+
+Esther drew a sigh of ecstasy. "It's like a book," she said.
+
+"Books!" he said. "We've got hundreds and hundreds, a whole
+library--Dickens, Mayne Reid, George Eliot, Captain Marryat,
+Thackeray--I've read them all."
+
+"Oh, Benjy!" said Esther, clasping her hands in admiration, both of the
+library and her brother. "I wish I were you."
+
+"Well, you could be me easily enough."
+
+"How?" said Esther, eagerly.
+
+"Why, we have a girls' department, too. You're an orphan as much as me.
+You get father to enter you as a candidate."
+
+"Oh, how could I, Benjy?" said Esther, her face falling. "What would
+become of Solomon and Ikey and little Sarah?"
+
+"They've got a father, haven't they? and a grandmother?"
+
+"Father can't do washing and cooking, you silly boy! And grandmother's
+too old."
+
+"Well, I call it a beastly shame. Why can't father earn a living and
+give out the washing? He never has a penny to bless himself with."
+
+"It isn't his fault, Benjy. He tries hard. I'm sure he often grieves
+that he's so poor that he can't afford the railway fare to visit you on
+visiting days. That time he did go he only got the money by selling a
+work-box I had for a prize. But he often speaks about you."
+
+"Well, I don't grumble at his not coming," said Benjamin. "I forgive him
+that because you know he's not very presentable, is he, Esther?"
+
+Esther was silent. "Oh, well, everybody knows he's poor. They don't
+expect father to be a gentleman."
+
+"Yes, but he might look decent. Does he still wear those two beastly
+little curls at the side of his head? Oh, I did hate it when I was at
+school here, and he used to come to see the master about something. Some
+of the boys had such respectable fathers, it was quite a pleasure to see
+them come in and overawe the teacher. Mother used to be as bad, coming
+in with a shawl over her head."
+
+"Yes, Benjy, but she used to bring us in bread and butter when there had
+been none in the house at breakfast-time. Don't you remember, Benjy?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember. We've been through some beastly bad times,
+haven't we, Esther? All I say is you wouldn't like father coming in
+before all the girls in your class, would you, now?"
+
+Esther blushed. "There is no occasion for him to come," she said
+evasively.
+
+"Well, I know what I shall do!" said Benjamin decisively; "I'm going to
+be a very rich man--"
+
+"Are you, Benjy?" inquired Esther.
+
+"Yes, of course. I'm going to write books--like Dickens and those
+fellows. Dickens made a pile of money, just by writing down plain
+every-day things going on around."
+
+"But you can't write!"
+
+Benjamin laughed a superior laugh, "Oh, can't I? What about _Our Own_,
+eh?"
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"That's our journal. I edit it. Didn't I tell you about it? Yes, I'm
+running a story through it, called 'The Soldier's Bride,' all about life
+in Afghanistan."
+
+"Oh, where could I get a number?"
+
+"You can't get a number. It ain't printed, stupid. It's all copied by
+hand, and we've only got a few copies. If you came down, you could see
+it."
+
+"Yes, but I can't come down," said Esther, with tears in her eyes.
+
+"Well, never mind. You'll see it some day. Well, what was I telling you?
+Oh, yes! About my prospects. You see, I'm going in for a scholarship in
+a few months, and everybody says I shall get it. Then, perhaps I might
+go to a higher school, perhaps to Oxford or Cambridge!"
+
+"And row in the boat-race!" said Esther, flushing with excitement.
+
+"No, bother the boat-race. I'm going in for Latin and Greek. I've begun
+to learn French already. So I shall know three foreign languages."
+
+"Four!" said Esther, "you forget Hebrew!"
+
+"Oh, of course, Hebrew. I don't reckon Hebrew. Everybody knows Hebrew.
+Hebrew's no good to any one. What I want is something that'll get me on
+in the world and enable me to write my books."
+
+"But Dickens--did he know Latin or Greek?" asked Esther.
+
+"No, he didn't," said Benjamin proudly. "That's just where I shall have
+the pull of him. Well, when I've got rich I shall buy father a new suit
+of clothes and a high hat--it _is_ so beastly cold here, Esther, just
+feel my hands, like ice!--and I shall make him live with grandmother in
+a decent room, and give him an allowance so that he can study beastly
+big books all day long--does he still take a week to read a page? And
+Sarah and Isaac and Rachel shall go to a proper boarding school, and
+Solomon--how old will he be then?"
+
+Esther looked puzzled. "Oh, but suppose it takes you ten years getting
+famous! Solomon will be nearly twenty."
+
+"It can't take me ten years. But never mind! We shall see what is to be
+done with Solomon when the time comes. As for you--"
+
+"Well, Benjy," she said, for his imagination was breaking down.
+
+"I'll give you a dowry and you'll get married. See!" he concluded
+triumphantly.
+
+"Oh, but suppose I shan't want to get married?"
+
+"Nonsense--every girl wants to get married. I overheard Old Four-Eyes
+say all the teachers in the girls' department were dying to marry him.
+I've got several sweethearts already, and I dare say you have." He
+looked at her quizzingly.
+
+"No, dear," she said earnestly. "There's only Levi Jacobs, Reb Shemuel's
+son, who's been coming round sometimes to play with Solomon, and brings
+me almond-rock. But I don't care for him--at least not in that way.
+Besides, he's quite above us."
+
+"_Oh_, is he? Wait till I write my novels!"
+
+"I wish you'd write them now. Because then I should have something to
+read--Oh!"
+
+"What's the matter?"
+
+"I've lost my book. What have I done with my little brown book?"
+
+"Didn't you drop it on that beastly dog?"
+
+"Oh, did I? People'll tread on it on the stairs. Oh dear! I'll run down
+and get it. But don't call Bobby beastly, please."
+
+"Why not? Dogs are beasts, aren't they?"
+
+Esther puzzled over the retort as she flew downstairs, but could find no
+reply. She found the book, however, and that consoled her.
+
+"What have you got hold of?" replied Benjamin, when she returned.
+
+"Oh, nothing! It wouldn't interest you."
+
+"All books interest me," announced Benjamin with dignity.
+
+Esther reluctantly gave him the book. He turned over the pages
+carelessly, then his face grew serious and astonished.
+
+"Esther!" he said, "how did you come by this?"
+
+"One of the girls gave it me in exchange for a stick of slate pencil.
+She said she got it from the missionaries--she went to their
+night-school for a lark and they gave her it and a pair of boots as
+well."
+
+"And you have been reading it?"
+
+"Yes, Benjy," said Esther meekly.
+
+"You naughty girl! Don't you know the New Testament is a wicked book?
+Look here! There's the word 'Christ' on nearly every page, and the word
+'Jesus' on every other. And you haven't even scratched them out! Oh, if
+any one was to catch you reading this book!"
+
+"I don't read it in school hours," said the little girl deprecatingly.
+
+"But you have no business to read it at all!"
+
+"Why not?" she said doggedly. "I like it. It seems just as interesting
+as the Old Testament, and there are more miracles to the page.''
+
+"You wicked girl!" said her brother, overwhelmed by her audacity.
+"Surely you know that all these miracles were false?"
+
+"Why were they false?" persisted Esther.
+
+"Because miracles left off after the Old Testament! There are no
+miracles now-a-days, are there?"
+
+"No," admitted Esther.
+
+"Well, then," he said triumphantly, "if miracles had gone overlapping
+into New Testament times we might just as well expect to have them now."
+
+"But why shouldn't we have them now?"
+
+"Esther, I'm surprised at you. I should like to set Old Four-Eyes on to
+you. He'd soon tell you why. Religion all happened in the past. God
+couldn't be always talking to His creatures."
+
+"I wish I'd lived in the past, when Religion was happening," said Esther
+ruefully. "But why do Christians all reverence this book? I'm sure there
+are many more millions of them than of Jews!"
+
+"Of course there are, Esther. Good things are scarce. We are so few
+because we are God's chosen people."
+
+"But why do I feel good when I read what Jesus said?"
+
+"Because you are so bad," he answered, in a shocked tone. "Here, give me
+the book, I'll burn it."
+
+"No, no!" said Esther. "Besides there's no fire."
+
+"No, hang it," he said, rubbing his hands. "Well, it'll never do if you
+have to fall back on this sort of thing. I'll tell you what I'll do.
+I'll send you _Our Own_."
+
+"Oh, will you, Benjy? That is good of you," she said joyfully, and was
+kissing him when Solomon and Isaac came romping in and woke up the
+grandmother.
+
+"How are you, Solomon?" said Benjamin. "How are you, my little man," he
+added, patting Isaac on his curly head. Solomon was overawed for a
+moment. Then he said, "Hullo, Benjy, have you got any spare buttons?"
+
+But Isaac was utterly ignorant who the stranger could be and hung back
+with his finger in his mouth.
+
+"That's your brother Benjamin, Ikey," said Solomon.
+
+"Don't want no more brovers," said Ikey.
+
+"Oh, but I was here before you," said Benjamin laughing.
+
+"Does oor birfday come before mine, then?"
+
+"Yes, if I remember."
+
+Isaac looked tauntingly at the door. "See!" he cried to the absent
+Sarah. Then turning graciously to Benjamin he said, "I thant kiss oo,
+but I'll lat oo teep in my new bed."
+
+"But you _must_ kiss him," said Esther, and saw that he did it before
+she left the room to fetch little Sarah from Mrs. Simons.
+
+When she came back Solomon was letting Benjamin inspect his Plevna
+peep-show without charge and Moses Ansell was back, too. His eyes were
+red with weeping, but that was on account of the _Maggid_. His nose was
+blue with the chill of the cemetery.
+
+"He was a great man." he was saying to the grandmother. "He could
+lecture for four hours together on any text and he would always manage
+to get back to the text before the end. Such exegetics, such homiletics!
+He was greater than the Emperor of Russia. Woe! Woe!"
+
+"Woe! Woe!" echoed the grandmother. "If women were allowed to go to
+funerals, I would gladly have, followed him. Why did he come to England?
+In Poland he would still have been alive. And why did I come to England?
+Woe! Woe'"
+
+Her head dropped back on the pillow and her sighs passed gently into
+snores. Moses turned again to his eldest born, feeling that he was
+secondary in importance only to the _Maggid_, and proud at heart of his
+genteel English appearance.
+
+"Well, you'll soon be _Bar-mitzvah_, Benjamin." he said, with clumsy
+geniality blent with respect, as he patted his boy's cheeks with his
+discolored fingers.
+
+Benjamin caught the last two words and nodded his head.
+
+"And then you'll be coming back to us. I suppose they will apprentice
+you to something."
+
+"What does he say, Esther?" asked Benjamin, impatiently.
+
+Esther interpreted.
+
+"Apprentice me to something!" he repeated, disgusted. "Father's ideas
+are so beastly humble. He would like everybody to dance on him. Why he'd
+be content to see me a cigar-maker or a presser. Tell him I'm not coming
+home, that I'm going to win a scholarship and to go to the University."
+
+Moses's eyes dilated with pride. "Ah, you will become a Rav," he said,
+and lifted up his boy's chin and looked lovingly into the handsome face.
+
+"What's that about a Rav, Esther?" said Benjamin. "Does he want me to
+become a Rabbi--Ugh! Tell him I'm going to write books."
+
+"My blessed boy! A good commentary on the Song of Songs is much needed.
+Perhaps you will begin by writing that."
+
+"Oh, it's no use talking to him, Esther. Let him be. Why can't he speak
+English?"
+
+"He can--but you'd understand even less," said Esther with a sad smile.
+
+"Well, all I say is it's a beastly disgrace. Look at the years he's been
+in England--just as long as we have." Then the humor of the remark
+dawned upon him and he laughed. "I suppose he's out of work, as usual,"
+he added.
+
+Moses's ears pricked up at the syllables "out-of-work," which to him was
+a single word of baneful meaning.
+
+"Yes," he said in Yiddish. "But if I only had a few pounds to start with
+I could work up a splendid business."
+
+"Wait! He shall have a business," said Benjamin when Esther interpreted.
+
+"Don't listen to him," said Esther. "The Board of Guardians has started
+him again and again. But he likes to think he is a man of business."
+
+Meantime Isaac had been busy explaining Benjamin to Sarah, and pointing
+out the remarkable confirmation of his own views as to birthdays. This
+will account for Esther's next remark being, "Now, dears, no fighting
+to-day. We must celebrate Benjy's return. We ought to kill a fatted
+calf--like the man in the Bible."
+
+"What are you talking about, Esther?" said Benjamin suspiciously.
+
+"I'm so sorry, nothing, only foolishness," said Esther. "We really must
+do something to make a holiday of the occasion. Oh, I know; we'll have
+tea before you go, instead of waiting till supper-time. Perhaps
+Rachel'll be back from the Park. You haven't seen her yet."
+
+"No, I can't stay," said Benjy. "It'll take me three-quarters of an
+hour getting to the station. And you've got no fire to make tea with
+either."
+
+"Nonsense, Benjy. You seem to have forgotten everything; we've got a
+loaf and a penn'uth of tea in the cupboard. Solomon, fetch a farthing's
+worth of boiling water from the Widow Finkelstein."
+
+At the words "widow Finkelstein," the grandmother awoke and sat up.
+
+"No, I'm too tired," said Solomon. "Isaac can go."
+
+"No," said Isaac. "Let Estie go."
+
+Esther took a jug and went to the door.
+
+"Meshe," said the grandmother. "Go thou to the Widow Finkelstein."
+
+"But Esther can go," said Moses.
+
+"Yes, I'm going," said Esther.
+
+"Meshe!" repeated the Bube inexorably. "Go thou to the Widow
+Finkelstein."
+
+Moses went.
+
+"Have you said the afternoon prayer, boys?" the old woman asked.
+
+"Yes," said Solomon. "While you were asleep."
+
+"Oh-h-h!" said Esther under her breath. And she looked reproachfully at
+Solomon.
+
+"Well, didn't you say we must make a holiday to-day?" he whispered back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE HOLY LAND LEAGUE.
+
+
+"Oh, these English Jews!" said Melchitsedek Pinchas, in German.
+
+"What have they done to you now?" said Guedalyah, the greengrocer, in
+Yiddish.
+
+The two languages are relatives and often speak as they pass by.
+
+"I have presented my book to every one of them, but they have paid me
+scarce enough to purchase poison for them all," said the little poet
+scowling. The cheekbones stood out sharply beneath the tense bronzed
+skin. The black hair was tangled and unkempt and the beard untrimmed,
+the eyes darted venom. "One of them--Gideon, M.P., the stockbroker,
+engaged me to teach his son for his _Bar-mitzvah_, But the boy is so
+stupid! So stupid! Just like his father. I have no doubt he will grow up
+to be a Rabbi. I teach him his Portion--I sing the words to him with a
+most beautiful voice, but he has as much ear as soul. Then I write him a
+speech--a wonderful speech for him to make to his parents and the
+company at the breakfast, and in it, after he thanks them for their
+kindness, I make him say how, with the blessing of the Almighty, he will
+grow up to be a good Jew, and munificently support Hebrew literature and
+learned men like his revered teacher, Melchitsedek Pinchas. And he shows
+it to his father, and his father says it is not written in good English,
+and that another scholar has already written him a speech. Good English!
+Gideon has as much knowledge or style as the Rev. Elkan Benjamin of
+decency. Ah, I will shoot them both. I know I do not speak English like
+a native--but what language under the sun is there I cannot write?
+French, German, Spanish, Arabic--they flow from my pen like honey from a
+rod. As for Hebrew, you know, Guedalyah, I and you are the only two men
+in England who can write Holy Language grammatically. And yet these
+miserable stockbrokers, Men-of-the-Earth, they dare to say I cannot
+write English, and they have given me the sack. I, who was teaching the
+boy true Judaism and the value of Hebrew literature."
+
+"What! They didn't let you finish teaching the boy his Portion because
+you couldn't write English?"
+
+"No; they had another pretext--one of the servant girls said I wanted to
+kiss her--lies and falsehood. I was kissing my finger after kissing the
+_Mezuzah_, and the stupid abomination thought I was kissing my hand to
+her. It sees itself that they don't kiss the _Mezuzahs_ often in that
+house--the impious crew. And what will be now? The stupid boy will go
+home to breakfast in a bazaar of costly presents, and he will make the
+stupid speech written by the fool of an Englishman, and the ladies will
+weep. But where will be the Judaism in all this? Who will vaccinate him
+against free-thinking as I would have done? Who will infuse into him the
+true patriotic fervor, the love of his race, the love of Zion, the land
+of his fathers?"
+
+"Ah, you are verily a man after my own heart!" said Guedalyah, the
+greengrocer, overswept by a wave of admiration. "Why should you not come
+with me to my _Beth-Hamidrash_ to-night, to the meeting for the
+foundation of the Holy Land League? That cauliflower will be four-pence,
+mum."
+
+"Ah, what is that?" said Pinchas.
+
+"I have an idea; a score of us meet to-night to discuss it."
+
+"Ah, yes! You have always ideas. You are a sage and a saint, Guedalyah.
+The _Beth-Hamidrash_ which you have established is the only centre of
+real orthodoxy and Jewish literature in London. The ideas you expound in
+the Jewish papers for the amelioration of the lot of our poor brethren
+are most statesmanlike. But these donkey-head English rich people--what
+help can you expect from them? They do not even understand your plans.
+They have only sympathy with needs of the stomach."
+
+"You are right! You are right, Pinchas!" said Guedalyah, the
+greengrocer, eagerly. He was a tall, loosely-built man, with a pasty
+complexion capable of shining with enthusiasm. He was dressed shabbily,
+and in the intervals of selling cabbages projected the regeneration of
+Judah.
+
+"That is just what is beginning to dawn upon me, Pinchas," he went on.
+"Our rich people give plenty away in charity; they have good hearts but
+not Jewish hearts. As the verse says,--A bundle of rhubarb and two
+pounds of Brussels sprouts and threepence halfpenny change. Thank you.
+Much obliged.--Now I have bethought myself why should we not work out
+our own salvation? It is the poor, the oppressed, the persecuted, whose
+souls pant after the Land of Israel as the hart after the water-brooks.
+Let us help ourselves. Let us put our hands in our own pockets. With our
+_Groschen_ let us rebuild Jerusalem and our Holy Temple. We will collect
+a fund slowly but surely--from all parts of the East End and the
+provinces the pious will give. With the first fruits we will send out a
+little party of persecuted Jews to Palestine; and then another; and
+another. The movement will grow like a sliding snow-ball that becomes an
+avalanche."
+
+"Yes, then the rich will come to you," said Pinchas, intensely excited.
+"Ah! it is a great idea, like all yours. Yes, I will come, I will make a
+mighty speech, for my lips, like Isaiah's, have been touched with the
+burning coal. I will inspire all hearts to start the movement at once. I
+will write its Marseillaise this very night, bedewing my couch with a
+poet's tears. We shall no longer be dumb--we shall roar like the lions
+of Lebanon. I shall be the trumpet to call the dispersed together from
+the four corners of the earth--yea, I shall be the Messiah himself,"
+said Pinchas, rising on the wings of his own eloquence, and forgetting
+to puff at his cigar.
+
+"I rejoice to see you so ardent; but mention not the word Messiah, for I
+fear some of our friends will take alarm and say that these are not
+Messianic times, that neither Elias, nor Gog, King of Magog, nor any of
+the portents have yet appeared. Kidneys or regents, my child?"
+
+"Stupid people! Hillel said more wisely: 'If I help not myself who will
+help me?' Do they expect the Messiah to fall from heaven? Who knows but
+I am the Messiah? Was I not born on the ninth of Ab?"
+
+"Hush, hush!" said Guedalyah, the greengrocer. "Let us be practical. We
+are not yet ready for Marseillaises or Messiahs. The first step is to
+get funds enough to send one family to Palestine."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Pinchas, drawing vigorously at his cigar to rekindle
+it. "But we must look ahead. Already I see it all. Palestine in the
+hands of the Jews--the Holy Temple rebuilt, a Jewish state, a President
+who is equally accomplished with the sword and the pen,--the whole
+campaign stretches before me. I see things like Napoleon, general and
+dictator alike."
+
+"Truly we wish that," said the greengrocer cautiously. "But to-night it
+is only a question of a dozen men founding a collecting society."
+
+"Of course, of course, that I understand. You're right--people about
+here say Guedalyah the greengrocer is always right. I will come
+beforehand to supper with you to talk it over, and you shall see what I
+will write for the _Mizpeh_ and the _Arbeiter-freund_. You know all
+these papers jump at me--their readers are the class to which you
+appeal--in them will I write my burning verses and leaders advocating
+the cause. I shall be your Tyrtaeus, your Mazzini, your Napoleon. How
+blessed that I came to England just now. I have lived in the Holy
+Land--the genius of the soil is blent with mine. I can describe its
+beauties as none other can. I am the very man at the very hour. And yet
+I will not go rashly--slow and sure--my plan is to collect small amounts
+from the poor to start by sending one family at a time to Palestine.
+That is how we must do it. How does that strike you, Guedalyah. You
+agree?"
+
+"Yes, yes. That is also my opinion."
+
+"You see I am not a Napoleon only in great ideas. I understand detail,
+though as a poet I abhor it. Ah, the Jew is king of the world. He alone
+conceives great ideas and executes them by petty means. The heathen are
+so stupid, so stupid! Yes, you shall see at supper how practically I
+will draw up the scheme. And then I will show you, too, what I have
+written about Gideon, M.P., the dog of a stockbroker--a satirical poem
+have I written about him, in Hebrew--an acrostic, with his name for the
+mockery of posterity. Stocks and shares have I translated into Hebrew,
+with new words which will at once be accepted by the Hebraists of the
+world and added to the vocabulary of modern Hebrew. Oh! I am terrible in
+satire. I sting like the hornet; witty as Immanuel, but mordant as his
+friend Dante. It will appear in the _Mizpeh_ to-morrow. I will show this
+Anglo-Jewish community that I am a man to be reckoned with. I will crush
+it--not it me."
+
+"But they don't see the _Mizpeh_ and couldn't read it if they did."
+
+"No matter. I send it abroad--I have friends, great Rabbis, great
+scholars, everywhere, who send me their learned manuscripts, their
+commentaries, their ideas, for revision and improvement. Let the
+Anglo-Jewish community hug itself in its stupid prosperity--but I will
+make it the laughing-stock of Europe and Asia. Then some day it will
+find out its mistake; it will not have ministers like the Rev. Elkan
+Benjamin, who keeps four mistresses, it will depose the lump of flesh
+who reigns over it and it will seize the hem of my coat and beseech me
+to be its Rabbi."
+
+"We should have a more orthodox Chief Rabbi, certainly," admitted
+Guedalyah.
+
+"Orthodox? Then and only then shall we have true Judaism in London and a
+burst of literary splendor far exceeding that of the much overpraised
+Spanish School, none of whom had that true lyrical gift which is like
+the carol of the bird in the pairing season. O why have I not the bird's
+privileges as well as its gift of song? Why can I not pair at will? Oh
+the stupid Rabbis who forbade polygamy. Verily as the verse says: The
+Law of Moses is perfect, enlightening the eyes--marriage, divorce, all
+is regulated with the height of wisdom. Why must we adopt the stupid
+customs of the heathen? At present I have not even one mate--but I
+love--ah Guedalyah! I love! The women are so beautiful. You love the
+women, hey?"
+
+"I love my Rivkah," said Guedalyah. "A penny on each ginger-beer
+bottle."
+
+"Yes, but why haven't _I_ got a wife? Eh?" demanded the little poet
+fiercely, his black eyes glittering. "I am a fine tall well-built
+good-looking man. In Palestine and on the Continent all the girls would
+go about sighing and casting sheep's eyes at me, for there the Jews love
+poetry and literature. But here! I can go into a room with a maiden in
+it and she makes herself unconscious of my presence. There is Reb
+Shemuel's daughter--a fine beautiful virgin. I kiss her hand--and it is
+ice to my lips. Ah, if I only had money! And money I should have, if
+these English Jews were not so stupid and if they elected me Chief
+Rabbi. Then I would marry--one, two, three maidens."
+
+"Talk not such foolishness," said Guedalyah, laughing, for he thought
+the poet jested. Pinchas saw his enthusiasm had carried him too far, but
+his tongue was the most reckless of organs and often slipped into the
+truth. He was a real poet with an extraordinary faculty for language and
+a gift of unerring rhythm. He wrote after the mediaeval model--with a
+profusion of acrostics and double rhyming--not with the bald
+duplications of primitive Hebrew poetry. Intellectually he divined
+things like a woman--with marvellous rapidity, shrewdness and
+inaccuracy. He saw into people's souls through a dark refracting
+suspiciousness. The same bent of mind, the same individuality of
+distorted insight made him overflow with ingenious explanations of the
+Bible and the Talmud, with new views and new lights on history,
+philology, medicine--anything, everything. And he believed in his ideas
+because they were his and in himself because of his ideas. To himself
+his stature sometimes seemed to expand till his head touched the
+sun--but that was mostly after wine--and his brain retained a permanent
+glow from the contact.
+
+"Well, peace be with you!" said Pinchas. "I will leave you to your
+customers, who besiege you as I have been besieged by the maidens. But
+what you have just told me has gladdened my heart. I always had an
+affection for you, but now I love you like a woman. We will found this
+Holy Land League, you and I. You shall be President--I waive all claims
+in your favor--and I will be Treasurer. Hey?"
+
+"We shall see; we shall see," said Guedalyah the greengrocer.
+
+"No, we cannot leave it to the mob, we must settle it beforehand. Shall
+we say done?"
+
+He laid his finger cajolingly to the side of his nose.
+
+"We shall see," repeated Guedalyah the greengrocer, impatiently.
+
+"No, say! I love you like a brother. Grant me this favor and I will
+never ask anything of you so long as I live."
+
+"Well, if the others--" began Guedalyah feebly.
+
+"Ah! You are a Prince in Israel," Pinchas cried enthusiastically. "If I
+could only show you my heart, how it loves you."
+
+He capered off at a sprightly trot, his head haloed by huge volumes of
+smoke. Guedalyah the greengrocer bent over a bin of potatoes. Looking up
+suddenly he was startled to see the head fixed in the open front of the
+shop window. It was a narrow dark bearded face distorted with an
+insinuative smile. A dirty-nailed forefinger was laid on the right of
+the nose.
+
+"You won't forget," said the head coaxingly.
+
+"Of course I won't forget," cried the greengrocer querulously.
+
+The meeting took place at ten that night at the Beth Hamidrash founded
+by Guedalyah, a large unswept room rudely fitted up as a synagogue and
+approached by reeking staircases, unsavory as the neighborhood. On one
+of the black benches a shabby youth with very long hair and lank
+fleshless limbs shook his body violently to and fro while he vociferated
+the sentences of the Mishnah in the traditional argumentative singsong.
+Near the central raised platform was a group of enthusiasts, among whom
+Froom Karlkammer, with his thin ascetic body and the mass of red hair
+that crowned his head like the light of a pharos, was a conspicuous
+figure.
+
+"Peace be to you, Karlkammer!" said Pinchas to him in Hebrew.
+
+"To you be peace, Pinchas!" replied Karlkammer.
+
+"Ah!" went on Pinchas. "Sweeter than honey it is to me, yea than fine
+honey, to talk to a man in the Holy Tongue. Woe, the speakers are few in
+these latter days. I and thou, Karlkammer, are the only two people who
+can speak the Holy Tongue grammatically on this isle of the sea. Lo, it
+is a great thing we are met to do this night--I see Zion laughing on her
+mountains and her fig-trees skipping for joy. I will be the treasurer of
+the fund, Karlkammer--do thou vote for me, for so our society shall
+flourish as the green bay tree."
+
+Karlkammer grunted vaguely, not having humor enough to recall the usual
+associations of the simile, and Pinchas passed on to salute Hamburg. To
+Gabriel Hamburg, Pinchas was occasion for half-respectful amusement. He
+could not but reverence the poet's genius even while he laughed at his
+pretensions to omniscience, and at the daring and unscientific guesses
+which the poet offered as plain prose. For when in their arguments
+Pinchas came upon Jewish ground, he was in presence of a man who knew
+every inch of it.
+
+"Blessed art thou who arrivest," he said when he perceived Pinchas.
+Then dropping into German he continued--"I did not know you would join
+in the rebuilding of Zion."
+
+"Why not?" inquired Pinchas.
+
+"Because you have written so many poems thereupon."
+
+"Be not so foolish," said Pinchas, annoyed. "Did not King David fight
+the Philistines as well as write the Psalms?"
+
+"Did he write the Psalms?" said Hamburg quietly, with a smile.
+
+"No--not so loud! Of course he didn't! The Psalms were written by Judas
+Maccabaeus, as I proved in the last issue of the Stuttgard
+_Zeitschrift_. But that only makes my analogy more forcible. You shall
+see how I will gird on sword and armor, and I shall yet see even you in
+the forefront of the battle. I will be treasurer, you shall vote for me,
+Hamburg, for I and you are the only two people who know the Holy Tongue
+grammatically, and we must work shoulder to shoulder and see that the
+balance sheets are drawn up in the language of our fathers."
+
+In like manner did Melchitsedek Pinchas approach Hiram Lyons and Simon
+Gradkoski, the former a poverty-stricken pietist who added day by day to
+a furlong of crabbed manuscript, embodying a useless commentary on the
+first chapter of Genesis; the latter the portly fancy-goods dealer in
+whose warehouse Daniel Hyams was employed. Gradkoski rivalled Reb
+Shemuel in his knowledge of the exact _loci_ of Talmudical remarks--page
+this, and line that--and secretly a tolerant latitudinarian, enjoyed the
+reputation of a bulwark of orthodoxy too well to give it up. Gradkoski
+passed easily from writing an invoice to writing a learned article on
+Hebrew astronomy. Pinchas ignored Joseph Strelitski whose raven curl
+floated wildly over his forehead like a pirate's flag, though Hamburg,
+who was rather surprised to see the taciturn young man at a meeting,
+strove to draw him into conversation. The man to whom Pinchas ultimately
+attached himself was only a man in the sense of having attained his
+religious majority. He was a Harrow boy named Raphael Leon, a scion of a
+wealthy family. The boy had manifested a strange premature interest in
+Jewish literature and had often seen Gabriel Hamburg's name in learned
+foot-notes, and, discovering that he was in England, had just written to
+him. Hamburg had replied; they had met that day for the first time and
+at the lad's own request the old scholar brought him on to this strange
+meeting. The boy grew to be Hamburg's one link with wealthy England, and
+though he rarely saw Leon again, the lad came in a shadowy way to take
+the place he had momentarily designed for Joseph Strelitski. To-night it
+was Pinchas who assumed the paternal manner, but he mingled it with a
+subtle obsequiousness that made the shy simple lad uncomfortable, though
+when he came to read the poet's lofty sentiments which arrived (with an
+acrostic dedication) by the first post next morning, he conceived an
+enthusiastic admiration for the neglected genius.
+
+The rest of the "remnant" that were met to save Israel looked more
+commonplace--a furrier, a slipper-maker, a locksmith, an ex-glazier
+(Mendel Hyams), a confectioner, a _Melammed_ or Hebrew teacher, a
+carpenter, a presser, a cigar-maker, a small shop-keeper or two, and
+last and least, Moses Ansell. They were of many birthplaces--Austria,
+Holland, Poland, Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain--yet felt themselves of
+no country and of one. Encircled by the splendors of modern Babylon,
+their hearts turned to the East, like passion-flowers seeking the sun.
+Palestine, Jerusalem, Jordan, the Holy Land were magic syllables to
+them, the sight of a coin struck in one of Baron Edmund's colonies
+filled their eyes with tears; in death they craved no higher boon than a
+handful of Palestine earth sprinkled over their graves.
+
+But Guedalyah the greengrocer was not the man to encourage idle hopes.
+He explained his scheme lucidly--without highfalutin. They were to
+rebuild Judaism as the coral insect builds its reefs--not as the prayer
+went, "speedily and in our days."
+
+They had brought themselves up to expect more and were disappointed.
+Some protested against peddling little measures--like Pinchas they were
+for high, heroic deeds. Joseph Strelitski, student and cigar commission
+agent, jumped to his feet and cried passionately in German: "Everywhere
+Israel groans and travails--must we indeed wait and wait till our hearts
+are sick and strike never a decisive blow? It is nigh two thousand years
+since across the ashes of our Holy Temple we were driven into the Exile,
+clanking the chains of Pagan conquerors. For nigh two thousand years
+have we dwelt on alien soils, a mockery and a byword for the nations,
+hounded out from every worthy employ and persecuted for turning to the
+unworthy, spat upon and trodden under foot, suffusing the scroll of
+history with our blood and illuminating it with the lurid glare of the
+fires to which our martyrs have ascended gladly for the Sanctification
+of the Name. We who twenty centuries ago were a mighty nation, with a
+law and a constitution and a religion which have been the key-notes of
+the civilization of the world, we who sat in judgment by the gates of
+great cities, clothed in purple and fine linen, are the sport of peoples
+who were then roaming wild in woods and marshes clothed in the skins of
+the wolf and the bear. Now in the East there gleams again a star of
+hope--why shall we not follow it? Never has the chance of the
+Restoration flamed so high as to-day. Our capitalists rule the markets
+of Europe, our generals lead armies, our great men sit in the Councils
+of every State. We are everywhere--a thousand thousand stray rivulets of
+power that could be blent into a mighty ocean. Palestine is one if we
+wish--the whole house of Israel has but to speak with a mighty unanimous
+voice. Poets will sing for us, journalists write for us, diplomatists
+haggle for us, millionaires pay the price for us. The sultan would
+restore our land to us to-morrow, did we but essay to get it. There are
+no obstacles--but ourselves. It is not the heathen that keeps us out of
+our land--it is the Jews, the rich and prosperous Jews--Jeshurun grown
+fat and sleepy, dreaming the false dream of assimilation with the people
+of the pleasant places in which their lines have been cast. Give us back
+our country; this alone will solve the Jewish question. Our paupers
+shall become agriculturists, and like Antaeus, the genius of Israel
+shall gain fresh strength by contact with mother earth. And for England
+it will help to solve the Indian question--Between European Russia and
+India there will be planted a people, fierce, terrible, hating Russia
+for her wild-beast deeds. Into the Exile we took with us, of all our
+glories, only a spark of the fire by which our Temple, the abode of our
+great One was engirdled, and this little spark kept us alive while the
+towers of our enemies crumbled to dust, and this spark leaped into
+celestial flame and shed light upon the faces of the heroes of our race
+and inspired them to endure the horrors of the Dance of Death and the
+tortures of the _Auto-da-fe_. Let us fan the spark again till it leap up
+and become a pillar of flame going before us and showing us the way to
+Jerusalem, the City of our sires. And if gold will not buy back our land
+we must try steel. As the National Poet of Israel, Naphtali Herz Imber,
+has so nobly sung (here he broke into the Hebrew _Wacht Am Rhein_, of
+which an English version would run thus):
+
+    "THE WATCH ON THE JORDAN.
+
+    I.
+
+    "Like the crash of the thunder
+    Which splitteth asunder
+      The flame of the cloud,
+    On our ears ever falling,
+    A voice is heard calling
+      From Zion aloud:
+    'Let your spirits' desires
+    For the land of your sires
+      Eternally burn.
+    From the foe to deliver
+    Our own holy river,
+      To Jordan return.'
+    Where the soft flowing stream
+    Murmurs low as in dream,
+      There set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      By the Jordan then set we our watch.
+
+    II.
+
+    "Rest in peace, loved land,
+    For we rest not, but stand,
+    Off shaken our sloth.
+    When the boils of war rattle
+    To shirk not the battle,
+      We make thee our oath.
+    As we hope for a Heaven,
+    Thy chains shall be riven,
+      Thine ensign unfurled.
+    And in pride of our race
+    We will fearlessly face
+      The might of the world.
+    When our trumpet is blown,
+    And our standard is flown,
+      Then set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      By Jordan then set we our watch.
+
+    III.
+
+    "Yea, as long as there he
+    Birds in air, fish in sea,
+      And blood in our veins;
+    And the lions in might.
+    Leaping down from the height,
+      Shake, roaring, their manes;
+    And the dew nightly laves
+    The forgotten old graves
+      Where Judah's sires sleep,--
+    We swear, who are living,
+    To rest not in striving,
+      To pause not to weep.
+    Let the trumpet be blown,
+    Let the standard be flown,
+      Now set we our watch.
+    Our watchword, 'The sword
+    Of our land and our Lord'--
+      In Jordan NOW set we our watch."
+
+He sank upon the rude, wooden bench, exhausted, his eyes glittering, his
+raven hair dishevelled by the wildness of his gestures. He had said. For
+the rest of the evening he neither moved nor spake. The calm,
+good-humored tones of Simon Gradkoski followed like a cold shower.
+
+"We must be sensible," he said, for he enjoyed the reputation of a
+shrewd conciliatory man of the world as well as of a pillar of
+orthodoxy. "The great people will come to us, but not if we abuse them.
+We must flatter them up and tell them they are the descendants of the
+Maccabees. There is much political kudos to be got out of leading such a
+movement--this, too, they will see. Rome was not built in a day, and the
+Temple will not be rebuilt in a year. Besides, we are not soldiers now.
+We must recapture our land by brain, not sword. Slow and sure and the
+blessing of God over all."
+
+After such wise Simon Gradkoski. But Gronovitz, the Hebrew teacher,
+crypto-atheist and overt revolutionary, who read a Hebrew edition of the
+"Pickwick Papers" in synagogue on the Day of Atonement, was with
+Strelitski, and a bigot whose religion made his wife and children
+wretched was with the cautious Simon Gradkoski. Froom Karlkammer
+followed, but his drift was uncertain. He apparently looked forward to
+miraculous interpositions. Still he approved of the movement from one
+point of view. The more Jews lived in Jerusalem the more would be
+enabled to die there--which was the aim of a good Jew's life. As for the
+Messiah, he would come assuredly--in God's good time. Thus Karlkammer at
+enormous length with frequent intervals of unintelligibility and huge
+chunks of irrelevant quotation and much play of Cabalistic conceptions.
+Pinchas, who had been fuming throughout this speech, for to him
+Karlkammer stood for the archetype of all donkeys, jumped up impatiently
+when Karlkammer paused for breath and denounced as an interruption that
+gentleman's indignant continuance of his speech. The sense of the
+meeting was with the poet and Karlkammer was silenced. Pinchas was
+dithyrambic, sublime, with audacities which only genius can venture on.
+He was pungently merry over Imber's pretensions to be the National Poet
+of Israel, declaring that his prosody, his vocabulary, and even his
+grammar were beneath contempt. He, Pinchas, would write Judaea a real
+Patriotic Poem, which should be sung from the slums of Whitechapel to
+the _Veldts_ of South Africa, and from the _Mellah_ of Morocco to the
+_Judengassen_ of Germany, and should gladden the hearts and break from
+the mouths of the poor immigrants saluting the Statue of Liberty in New
+York Harbor. When he, Pinchas, walked in Victoria Park of a Sunday
+afternoon and heard the band play, the sound of a cornet always seemed
+to him, said he, like the sound of Bar Cochba's trumpet calling the
+warriors to battle. And when it was all over and the band played "God
+save the Queen," it sounded like the paean of victory when he marched, a
+conqueror, to the gates of Jerusalem. Wherefore he, Pinchas, would be
+their leader. Had not the Providence, which concealed so many
+revelations in the letters of the Torah, given him the name Melchitsedek
+Pinchas, whereof one initial stood for Messiah and the other for
+Palestine. Yes, he would be their Messiah. But money now-a-days was the
+sinews of war and the first step to Messiahship was the keeping of the
+funds. The Redeemer must in the first instance be the treasurer. With
+this anti-climax Pinchas wound up, his childishness and _naivete_
+conquering his cunning.
+
+Other speakers followed but in the end Guedalyah the greengrocer
+prevailed. They appointed him President and Simon Gradkoski, Treasurer,
+collecting twenty-five shillings on the spot, ten from the lad Raphael
+Leon. In vain Pinchas reminded the President they would need Collectors
+to make house to house calls; three other members were chosen to trisect
+the Ghetto. All felt the incongruity of hanging money bags at the
+saddle-bow of Pegasus. Whereupon Pinchas re-lit his cigar and muttering
+that they were all fool-men betook himself unceremoniously without.
+
+Gabriel Hamburg looked on throughout with something like a smile on his
+shrivelled features. Once while Joseph Strelitski was holding forth he
+blew his nose violently. Perhaps he had taken too large a pinch of
+snuff. But not a word did the great scholar speak. He would give up his
+last breath to promote the Return (provided the Hebrew manuscripts were
+not left behind in alien museums); but the humors of the enthusiasts
+were part of the great comedy in the only theatre he cared for. Mendel
+Hyams was another silent member. But he wept openly under Strelitski's
+harangue.
+
+When the meeting adjourned, the lank unhealthy swaying creature in the
+corner, who had been mumbling the tractate Baba Kama out of courtesy,
+now burst out afresh in his quaint argumentative recitative.
+
+"What then does it refer to? To his stone or his knife or his burden
+which he has left on the highway and it injured a passer-by. How is
+this? If he gave up his ownership, whether according to Rav or according
+to Shemuel, it is a pit, and if he retained his ownership, if according
+to Shemuel, who holds that all are derived from 'his pit,' then it is 'a
+pit,' and if according to Rav, who holds that all are derived from 'his
+ox,' then it is 'an ox,' therefore the derivatives of 'an ox' are the
+same as 'an ox' itself."
+
+He had been at it all day, and he went on far into the small hours,
+shaking his body backwards and forwards without remission.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE COURTSHIP OF SHOSSHI SHMENDRIK.
+
+
+Meckisch was a _Chasid_, which in the vernacular is a saint, but in the
+actual a member of the sect of the _Chasidim_ whose centre is Galicia.
+In the eighteenth century Israel Baal Shem, "the Master of the Name,"
+retired to the mountains to meditate on philosophical truths. He arrived
+at a creed of cheerful and even stoical acceptance of the Cosmos in all
+its aspects and a conviction that the incense of an enjoyed pipe was
+grateful to the Creator. But it is the inevitable misfortune of
+religious founders to work apocryphal miracles and to raise up an army
+of disciples who squeeze the teaching of their master into their own
+mental moulds and are ready to die for the resultant distortion. It is
+only by being misunderstood that a great man can have any influence upon
+his kind. Baal Shem was succeeded by an army of thaumaturgists, and the
+wonder-working Rabbis of Sadagora who are in touch with all the spirits
+of the air enjoy the revenue of princes and the reverence of Popes. To
+snatch a morsel of such a Rabbi's Sabbath _Kuggol_, or pudding, is to
+insure Paradise, and the scramble is a scene to witness. _Chasidism_ is
+the extreme expression of Jewish optimism. The Chasidim are the
+Corybantes or Salvationists of Judaism. In England their idiosyncrasies
+are limited to noisy jubilant services in their _Chevrah_, the
+worshippers dancing or leaning or standing or writhing or beating their
+heads against the wall as they will, and frisking like happy children in
+the presence of their Father.
+
+Meckisch also danced at home and sang "Tiddy, riddy, roi, toi, toi, toi,
+ta," varied by "Rom, pom, pom" and "Bim, bom" in a quaint melody to
+express his personal satisfaction with existence. He was a weazened
+little widower with a deep yellow complexion, prominent cheek bones, a
+hook nose and a scrubby, straggling little beard. Years of professional
+practice as a mendicant had stamped his face with an anguished suppliant
+conciliatory grin, which he could not now erase even after business
+hours. It might perhaps have yielded to soap and water but the
+experiment had not been tried. On his head he always wore a fur cap with
+lappets for his ears. Across his shoulders was strung a lemon-basket
+filled with grimy, gritty bits of sponge which nobody ever bought.
+Meckisch's merchandise was quite other. He dealt in sensational
+spectacle. As he shambled along with extreme difficulty and by the aid
+of a stick, his lower limbs which were crossed in odd contortions
+appeared half paralyzed, and, when his strange appearance had attracted
+attention, his legs would give way and he would find himself with his
+back on the pavement, where he waited to be picked up by sympathetic
+spectators shedding silver and copper. After an indefinite number of
+performances Meckisch would hurry home in the darkness to dance and sing
+"Tiddy, riddy, roi, toi, bim, bom."
+
+Thus Meckisch lived at peace with God and man, till one day the fatal
+thought came into his head that he wanted a second wife. There was no
+difficulty in getting one--by the aid of his friend, Sugarman the __
+soon the little man found his household goods increased by the
+possession of a fat, Russian giantess. Meckisch did not call in the
+authorities to marry him. He had a "still wedding," which cost nothing.
+An artificial canopy made out of a sheet and four broomsticks was
+erected in the chimney corner and nine male friends sanctified the
+ceremony by their presence. Meckisch and the Russian giantess fasted on
+their wedding morn and everything was in honorable order.
+
+But Meckisch's happiness and economies were short-lived. The Russian
+giantess turned out a tartar. She got her claws into his savings and
+decorated herself with Paisley shawls and gold necklaces. Nay more! She
+insisted that Meckisch must give her "Society" and keep open house.
+Accordingly the bed-sitting room which they rented was turned into a
+_salon_ of reception, and hither one Friday night came Peleg Shmendrik
+and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Sugarman. Over the Sabbath meal the
+current of talk divided itself into masculine and feminine freshets. The
+ladies discussed bonnets and the gentlemen Talmud. All the three men
+dabbled, pettily enough, in stocks and shares, but nothing in the world
+would tempt them to transact any negotiation or discuss the merits of a
+prospectus on the Sabbath, though they were all fluttered by the
+allurements of the Sapphire Mines, Limited, as set forth in a whole page
+of advertisement in the "_Jewish Chronicle_, the organ naturally perused
+for its religious news on Friday evenings. The share-list would close at
+noon on Monday.
+
+"But when Moses, our teacher, struck the rock," said Peleg Shmendrik, in
+the course of the discussion, "he was right the first time but wrong the
+second, because as the Talmud points out, a child may be chastised when
+it is little, but as it grows up it should be reasoned with."
+
+"Yes," said Sugarman the _Shadchan_, quickly; "but if his rod had not
+been made of sapphire he would have split that instead of the rock."
+
+"Was it made of sapphire?" asked Meckisch, who was rather a
+Man-of-the-Earth.
+
+"Of course it was--and a very fine thing, too," answered Sugarman.
+
+"Do you think so?" inquired Peleg Shmendrik eagerly.
+
+"The sapphire is a magic stone," answered Sugarman. "It improves the
+vision and makes peace between foes. Issachar, the studious son of
+Jacob, was represented on the Breast-plate by the sapphire. Do you not
+know that the mist-like centre of the sapphire symbolizes the cloud that
+enveloped Sinai at the giving of the Law?"
+
+"I did not know that," answered Peleg Shmendrik, "but I know that
+Moses's Rod was created in the twilight of the first Sabbath and God did
+everything after that with this sceptre."
+
+"Ah, but we are not all strong enough to wield Moses's Rod; it weighed
+forty seahs," said Sugarman.
+
+"How many seahs do you think one could safely carry?" said Meckisch.
+
+"Five or six seahs--not more," said Sugarman. "You see one might drop
+them if he attempted more and even sapphire may break--the First Tables
+of the Law were made of sapphire, and yet from a great height they fell
+terribly, and were shattered to pieces."
+
+"Gideon, the M.P., may be said to desire a Rod of Moses, for his
+secretary told me he will take forty," said Shmendrik.
+
+"Hush! what are you saying!" said Sugarman, "Gideon is a rich man, and
+then he is a director."
+
+"It seems a good lot of directors," said Meckisch.
+
+"Good to look at. But who can tell?" said Sugarman, shaking his head.
+"The Queen of Sheba probably brought sapphires to Solomon, but she was
+not a virtuous woman."
+
+"Ah, Solomon!" sighed Mrs. Shmendrik, pricking up her ears and
+interrupting this talk of stocks and stones, "If he'd had a thousand
+daughters instead of a thousand wives, even his treasury couldn't have
+held out. I had only two girls, praised be He, and yet it nearly ruined
+me to buy them husbands. A dirty _Greener_ comes over, without a shirt
+to his skin, and nothing else but he must have two hundred pounds in the
+hand. And then you've got to stick to his back to see that he doesn't
+take his breeches in his hand and off to America. In Poland he would
+have been glad to get a maiden, and would have said thank you."
+
+"Well, but what about your own son?" said Sugarman; "Why haven't you
+asked me to find Shosshi a wife? It's a sin against the maidens of
+Israel. He must be long past the Talmudical age."
+
+"He is twenty-four," replied Peleg Shmendrik.
+
+"Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu!" said Sugarman, clacking his tongue in horror,
+"have you perhaps an objection to his marrying?"
+
+"Save us and grant us peace!" said the father in deprecatory horror.
+"Only Shosshi is so shy. You are aware, too, he is not handsome. Heaven
+alone knows whom he takes after."
+
+"Peleg, I blush for you," said Mrs. Shmendrik. "What is the matter with
+the boy? Is he deaf, dumb, blind, unprovided with legs? If Shosshi is
+backward with the women, it is because he 'learns' so hard when he's not
+at work. He earns a good living by his cabinet-making and it is quite
+time he set up a Jewish household for himself. How much will you want
+for finding him a _Calloh_?"
+
+"Hush!" said Sugarman sternly, "do you forget it is the Sabbath? Be
+assured I shall not charge more than last time, unless the bride has an
+extra good dowry."
+
+On Saturday night immediately after _Havdalah_, Sugarman went to Mr.
+Belcovitch, who was just about to resume work, and informed him he had
+the very _Chosan_ for Becky. "I know," he said, "Becky has a lot of
+young men after her, but what are they but a pack of bare-backs? How
+much will you give for a solid man?"
+
+After much haggling Belcovitch consented to give twenty pounds
+immediately before the marriage ceremony and another twenty at the end
+of twelve months.
+
+"But no pretending you haven't got it about you, when we're at the
+_Shool_, no asking us to wait till we get home," said Sugarman, "or else
+I withdraw my man, even from under the _Chuppah_ itself. When shall I
+bring him for your inspection?"
+
+"Oh, to-morrow afternoon, Sunday, when Becky will be out in the park
+with her young men. It's best I shall see him first!"
+
+Sugarman now regarded Shosshi as a married man! He rubbed his hands and
+went to see him. He found him in a little shed in the back yard where
+he did extra work at home. Shosshi was busy completing little wooden
+articles--stools and wooden spoons and moneyboxes for sale in Petticoat
+Lane next day. He supplemented his wages that way.
+
+"Good evening, Shosshi," said Sugarman.
+
+"Good evening," murmured Shosshi, sawing away.
+
+Shosshi was a gawky young man with a blotched sandy face ever ready to
+blush deeper with the suspicion that conversations going on at a
+distance were all about him. His eyes were shifty and catlike; one
+shoulder overbalanced the other, and when he walked, he swayed loosely
+to and fro. Sugarman was rarely remiss in the offices of piety and he
+was nigh murmuring the prayer at the sight of monstrosities. "Blessed
+art Thou who variest the creatures." But resisting the temptation he
+said aloud, "I have something to tell you."
+
+Shosshi looked up suspiciously.
+
+"Don't bother: I am busy," he said, and applied his plane to the leg of
+a stool.
+
+"But this is more important than stools. How would you like to get
+married?"
+
+Shosshi's face became like a peony.
+
+"Don't make laughter," he said.
+
+"But I mean it. You are twenty-four years old and ought to have a wife
+and four children by this time."
+
+"But I don't want a wife and four children," said Shosshi.
+
+"No, of course not. I don't mean a widow. It is a maiden I have in my
+eye."
+
+"Nonsense, what maiden would have me?" said Shosshi, a note of eagerness
+mingling with the diffidence of the words.
+
+"What maiden? _Gott in Himmel_! A hundred. A fine, strong, healthy young
+man like you, who can make a good living!"
+
+Shosshi put down his plane and straightened himself. There was a moment
+of silence. Then his frame collapsed again into a limp mass. His head
+drooped over his left shoulder. "This is all foolishness you talk, the
+maidens make mock."
+
+"Be not a piece of clay! I know a maiden who has you quite in
+affection!"
+
+The blush which had waned mantled in a full flood. Shosshi stood
+breathless, gazing half suspiciously, half credulously at his strictly
+honorable Mephistopheles.
+
+It was about seven o'clock and the moon was a yellow crescent in the
+frosty heavens. The sky was punctured with clear-cut constellations. The
+back yard looked poetic with its blend of shadow and moonlight.
+
+"A beautiful fine maid," said Sugarman ecstatically, "with pink cheeks
+and black eyes and forty pounds dowry."
+
+The moon sailed smilingly along. The water was running into the cistern
+with a soothing, peaceful sound. Shosshi consented to go and see Mr.
+Belcovitch.
+
+Mr. Belcovitch made no parade. Everything was as usual. On the wooden
+table were two halves of squeezed lemons, a piece of chalk, two cracked
+cups and some squashed soap. He was not overwhelmed by Shosshi, but
+admitted he was solid. His father was known to be pious, and both his
+sisters had married reputable men. Above all, he was not a Dutchman.
+Shosshi left No. 1 Royal Street, Belcovitch's accepted son-in-law.
+Esther met him on the stairs and noted the radiance on his pimply
+countenance. He walked with his head almost erect. Shosshi was indeed
+very much in love and felt that all that was needed for his happiness
+was a sight of his future wife.
+
+But he had no time to go and see her except on Sunday afternoons, and
+then she was always out. Mrs. Belcovitch, however, made amends by paying
+him considerable attention. The sickly-looking little woman chatted to
+him for hours at a time about her ailments and invited him to taste her
+medicine, which was a compliment Mrs. Belcovitch passed only to her most
+esteemed visitors. By and by she even wore her night-cap in his presence
+as a sign that he had become one of the family. Under this encouragement
+Shosshi grew confidential and imparted to his future mother-in-law the
+details of his mother's disabilities. But he could mention nothing which
+Mrs. Belcovitch could not cap, for she was a woman extremely catholic in
+her maladies. She was possessed of considerable imagination, and once
+when Fanny selected a bonnet for her in a milliner's window, the girl
+had much difficulty in persuading her it was not inferior to what turned
+out to be the reflection of itself in a side mirror.
+
+"I'm so weak upon my legs," she would boast to Shosshi. "I was born with
+ill-matched legs. One is a thick one and one is a thin one, and so one
+goes about."
+
+Shosshi expressed his sympathetic admiration and the courtship proceeded
+apace. Sometimes Fanny and Pesach Weingott would be at home working, and
+they were very affable to him. He began to lose something of his shyness
+and his lurching gait, and he quite looked forward to his weekly visit
+to the Belcovitches. It was the story of Cymon and Iphigenia over again.
+Love improved even his powers of conversation, for when Belcovitch held
+forth at length Shosshi came in several times with "So?" and sometimes
+in the right place. Mr. Belcovitch loved his own voice and listened to
+it, the arrested press-iron in his hand. Occasionally in the middle of
+one of his harangues it would occur to him that some one was talking and
+wasting time, and then he would say to the room, "Shah! Make an end,
+make an end," and dry up. But to Shosshi he was especially polite,
+rarely interrupting himself when his son-in-law elect was hanging on his
+words. There was an intimate tender tone about these _causeries_.
+
+"I should like to drop down dead suddenly," he would say with the air of
+a philosopher, who had thought it all out. "I shouldn't care to lie up
+in bed and mess about with medicine and doctors. To make a long job of
+dying is so expensive."
+
+"So?" said Shosshi.
+
+"Don't worry, Bear! I dare say the devil will seize you suddenly,"
+interposed Mrs. Belcovitch drily.
+
+"It will not be the devil," said Mr. Belcovitch, confidently and in a
+confidential manner. "If I had died as a young man, Shosshi, it might
+have been different."
+
+Shosshi pricked up his ears to listen to the tale of Bear's wild
+cubhood.
+
+"One morning," said Belcovitch, "in Poland, I got up at four o'clock to
+go to Supplications for Forgiveness. The air was raw and there was no
+sign of dawn! Suddenly I noticed a black pig trotting behind me. I
+quickened my pace and the black pig did likewise. I broke into a run and
+I heard the pig's paws patting furiously upon the hard frozen ground. A
+cold sweat broke out all over me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the
+pig's eyes burning like red-hot coals in the darkness. Then I knew that
+the Not Good One was after me. 'Hear, O Israel,' I cried. I looked up to
+the heavens but there was a cold mist covering the stars. Faster and
+faster I flew and faster and faster flew the demon pig. At last the
+_Shool_ came in sight. I made one last wild effort and fell exhausted
+upon the holy threshold and the pig vanished."
+
+"So?" said Shosshi, with a long breath.
+
+"Immediately after _Shool_ I spake with the Rabbi and he said 'Bear, are
+thy _Tephillin_ in order?' So I said 'Yea, Rabbi, they are very large
+and I bought them of the pious scribe, Naphtali, and I look to the knots
+weekly.' But he said, 'I will examine them.' So I brought them to him
+and he opened the head-phylactery and lo! in place of the holy parchment
+he found bread crumbs."
+
+"Hoi, hoi," said Shosshi in horror, his red hands quivering.
+
+"Yes," said Bear mournfully, "I had worn them for ten years and moreover
+the leaven had denied all my Passovers."
+
+Belcovitch also entertained the lover with details of the internal
+politics of the "Sons of the Covenant."
+
+Shosshi's affection for Becky increased weekly under the stress of these
+intimate conversations with her family. At last his passion was
+rewarded, and Becky, at the violent instance of her father, consented to
+disappoint one of her young men and stay at home to meet her future
+husband. She put off her consent till after dinner though, and it began
+to rain immediately before she gave it.
+
+The moment Shosshi came into the room he divined that a change had come
+over the spirit of the dream. Out of the corners of his eyes he caught a
+glimpse of an appalling beauty standing behind a sewing machine. His
+face fired up, his legs began to quiver, he wished the ground would open
+and swallow him as it did Korah.
+
+"Becky," said Mr. Belcovitch, "this is Mr. Shosshi Shmendrik."
+
+Shosshi put on a sickly grin and nodded his head affirmatively, as if to
+corroborate the statement, and the round felt hat he wore slid back till
+the broad rim rested on his ears. Through a sort of mist a terribly fine
+maid loomed.
+
+Becky stared at him haughtily and curled her lip. Then she giggled.
+
+Shosshi held out his huge red hand limply. Becky took no notice of it.
+
+"_Nu_, Becky!" breathed Belcovitch, in a whisper that could have been
+heard across the way.
+
+"How are you? All right?" said Becky, very loud, as if she thought
+deafness was among Shosshi's disadvantages.
+
+Shosshi grinned reassuringly.
+
+There was another silence.
+
+Shosshi wondered whether the _convenances_ would permit him to take his
+leave now. He did not feel comfortable at all. Everything had been going
+so delightfully, it had been quite a pleasure to him to come to the
+house. But now all was changed. The course of true love never does run
+smooth, and the advent of this new personage into the courtship was
+distinctly embarrassing.
+
+The father came to the rescue.
+
+"A little rum?" he said.
+
+"Yes," said Shosshi.
+
+"Chayah! _nu_. Fetch the bottle!"
+
+Mrs. Belcovitch went to the chest of drawers in the corner of the room
+and took from the top of it a large decanter. She then produced two
+glasses without feet and filled them with the home-made rum, handing one
+to Shosshi and the other to her husband. Shosshi muttered a blessing
+over it, then he leered vacuously at the company and cried, "To life!"
+
+"To peace!" replied the older man, gulping down the spirit. Shosshi was
+doing the same, when his eye caught Becky's. He choked for five minutes,
+Mrs. Belcovitch thumping him maternally on the back. When he was
+comparatively recovered the sense of his disgrace rushed upon him and
+overwhelmed him afresh. Becky was still giggling behind the sewing
+machine. Once more Shosshi felt that the burden of the conversation was
+upon him. He looked at his boots and not seeing anything there, looked
+up again and grinned encouragingly at the company as if to waive his
+rights. But finding the company did not respond, he blew his nose
+enthusiastically as a lead off to the conversation.
+
+Mr. Belcovitch saw his embarrassment, and, making a sign to Chayah,
+slipped out of the room followed by his wife. Shosshi was left alone
+with the terribly fine maid.
+
+Becky stood still, humming a little air and looking up at the ceiling,
+as if she had forgotten Shosshi's existence. With her eyes in that
+position it was easier for Shosshi to look at her. He stole side-long
+glances at her, which, growing bolder and bolder, at length fused into
+an uninterrupted steady gaze. How fine and beautiful she was! His eyes
+began to glitter, a smile of approbation overspread his face. Suddenly
+she looked down and their eyes met. Shosshi's smile hurried off and gave
+way to a sickly sheepish look and his legs felt weak. The terribly fine
+maid gave a kind of snort and resumed her inspection of the ceiling.
+Gradually Shosshi found himself examining her again. Verily Sugarman had
+spoken truly of her charms. But--overwhelming thought--had not Sugarman
+also said she loved him? Shosshi knew nothing of the ways of girls,
+except what he had learned from the Talmud. Quite possibly Becky was now
+occupied in expressing ardent affection. He shuffled towards her, his
+heart beating violently. He was near enough to touch her. The air she
+was humming throbbed in his ears. He opened his mouth to speak--Becky
+becoming suddenly aware of his proximity fixed him with a basilisk
+glare--the words were frozen on his lips. For some seconds his mouth
+remained open, then the ridiculousness of shutting it again without
+speaking spurred him on to make some sound, however meaningless. He made
+a violent effort and there burst from his lips in Hebrew:
+
+"Happy are those who dwell in thy house, ever shall they praise thee,
+Selah!" It was not a compliment to Becky. Shosshi's face lit up with
+joyous relief. By some inspiration he had started the afternoon prayer.
+He felt that Becky would understand the pious necessity. With fervent
+gratitude to the Almighty he continued the Psalm: "Happy are the people
+whose lot is thus, etc." Then he turned his back on Becky, with his face
+to the East wall, made three steps forwards and commenced the silent
+delivery of the _Amidah_. Usually he gabbled off the "Eighteen
+Blessings" in five minutes. To-day they were prolonged till he heard the
+footsteps of the returning parents. Then he scurried through the relics
+of the service at lightning speed. When Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch
+re-entered the room they saw by his happy face that all was well and
+made no opposition to his instant departure.
+
+He came again the next Sunday and was rejoiced to find that Becky was
+out, though he had hoped to find her in. The courtship made great
+strides that afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch being more amiable than
+ever to compensate for Becky's private refusal to entertain the
+addresses of such a _Schmuck_. There had been sharp domestic discussions
+during the week, and Becky had only sniffed at her parents'
+commendations of Shosshi as a "very worthy youth." She declared that it
+was "remission of sins merely to look at him."
+
+Next Sabbath Mr. and Mrs. Belcovitch paid a formal visit to Shosshi's
+parents to make their acquaintance, and partook of tea and cake. Becky
+was not with them; moreover she defiantly declared she would never be at
+home on a Sunday till Shosshi was married. They circumvented her by
+getting him up on a weekday. The image of Becky had been so often in his
+thoughts now that by the time he saw her the second time he was quite
+habituated to her appearance. He had even imagined his arm round her
+waist, but in practice he found he could go no further as yet than
+ordinary conversation.
+
+Becky was sitting sewing buttonholes when Shosshi arrived. Everybody was
+there--Mr. Belcovitch pressing coats with hot irons; Fanny shaking the
+room with her heavy machine; Pesach Weingott cutting a piece of
+chalk-marked cloth; Mrs. Belcovitch carefully pouring out
+tablespoonfuls of medicine. There were even some outside "hands," work
+being unusually plentiful, as from the manifestos of Simon Wolf, the
+labor-leader, the slop manufacturers anticipated a strike.
+
+Sustained by their presence, Shosshi felt a bold and gallant wooer. He
+determined that this time he would not go without having addressed at
+least one remark to the object of his affections. Grinning amiably at
+the company generally, by way of salutation, he made straight for
+Becky's corner. The terribly fine lady snorted at the sight of him,
+divining that she had been out-manoeuvred. Belcovitch surveyed the
+situation out of the corners of his eyes, not pausing a moment in his
+task.
+
+"_Nu_, how goes it, Becky?" Shosshi murmured.
+
+Becky said, "All right, how are you?"
+
+"God be thanked, I have nothing to complain of," said Shosshi,
+encouraged by the warmth of his welcome. "My eyes are rather weak,
+still, though much better than last year."
+
+Becky made no reply, so Shosshi continued: "But my mother is always a
+sick person. She has to swallow bucketsful of cod liver oil. She cannot
+be long for this world."
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense," put in Mrs. Belcovitch, appearing suddenly behind
+the lovers. "My children's children shall never be any worse; it's all
+fancy with her, she coddles herself too much."
+
+"Oh, no, she says she's much worse than you," Shosshi blurted out,
+turning round to face his future mother-in-law.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said Chayah angrily. "My enemies shall have my maladies!
+If your mother had my health, she would be lying in bed with it. But I
+go about in a sick condition. I can hardly crawl around. Look at my
+legs--has your mother got such legs? One a thick one and one a thin
+one."
+
+Shosshi grew scarlet; he felt he had blundered. It was the first real
+shadow on his courtship--perhaps the little rift within the lute. He
+turned back to Becky for sympathy. There was no Becky. She had taken
+advantage of the conversation to slip away. He found her again in a
+moment though, at the other end of the room. She was seated before a
+machine. He crossed the room boldly and bent over her.
+
+"Don't you feel cold, working?"
+
+_Br-r-r-r-r-r-h_!
+
+It was the machine turning. Becky had set the treadle going madly and
+was pushing a piece of cloth under the needle. When she paused, Shosshi
+said:
+
+"Have you heard Reb Shemuel preach? He told a very amusing allegory
+last--"
+
+_Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-h_!
+
+Undaunted, Shosshi recounted the amusing allegory at length, and as the
+noise of her machine prevented Becky hearing a word she found his
+conversation endurable. After several more monologues, accompanied on
+the machine by Becky, Shosshi took his departure in high feather,
+promising to bring up specimens of his handiwork for her edification.
+
+On his next visit he arrived with his arms laden with choice morsels of
+carpentry. He laid them on the table for her admiration.
+
+They were odd knobs and rockers for Polish cradles! The pink of Becky's
+cheeks spread all over her face like a blot of red ink on a piece of
+porous paper. Shosshi's face reflected the color in even more
+ensanguined dyes. Becky rushed from the room and Shosshi heard her
+giggling madly on the staircase. It dawned upon him that he had
+displayed bad taste in his selection.
+
+"What have you done to my child?" Mrs. Belcovitch inquired.
+
+"N-n-othing," he stammered; "I only brought her some of my work to see."
+
+"And is this what one shows to a young girl?" demanded the mother
+indignantly.
+
+"They are only bits of cradles," said Shosshi deprecatingly. "I thought
+she would like to see what nice workmanly things I turned out. See how
+smoothly these rockers are carved! There is a thick one, and there is a
+thin one!"
+
+"Ah! Shameless droll! dost thou make mock of my legs, too?" said Mrs.
+Belcovitch. "Out, impudent face, out with thee!"
+
+Shosshi gathered up his specimens in his arms and fled through the
+door. Becky was still in hilarious eruption outside. The sight of her
+made confusion worse confounded. The knobs and rockers rolled
+thunderously down the stairs; Shosshi stumbled after them, picking them
+up on his course and wishing himself dead.
+
+All Sugarman's strenuous efforts to patch up the affair failed. Shosshi
+went about broken-hearted for several days. To have been so near the
+goal--and then not to arrive after all! What made failure more bitter
+was that he had boasted of his conquest to his acquaintances, especially
+to the two who kept the stalls to the right and left of him on Sundays
+in Petticoat Lane. They made a butt of him as it was; he felt he could
+never stand between them for a whole morning now, and have Attic salt
+put upon his wounds. He shifted his position, arranging to pay sixpence
+a time for the privilege of fixing himself outside Widow Finkelstein's
+shop, which stood at the corner of a street, and might be presumed to
+intercept two streams of pedestrians. Widow Finkelstein's shop was a
+chandler's, and she did a large business in farthing-worths of boiling
+water. There was thus no possible rivalry between her ware and
+Shosshi's, which consisted of wooden candlesticks, little rocking
+chairs, stools, ash-trays, etc., piled up artistically on a barrow.
+
+But Shosshi's luck had gone with the change of _locus_. His _clientele_
+went to the old spot but did not find him. He did not even make a
+hansel. At two o'clock he tied his articles to the barrow with a
+complicated arrangement of cords. Widow Finkelstein waddled out and
+demanded her sixpence. Shosshi replied that he had not taken sixpence,
+that the coign was not one of vantage. Widow Finkelstein stood up for
+her rights, and even hung on to the barrow for them. There was a short,
+sharp argument, a simultaneous jabbering, as of a pair of monkeys.
+Shosshi Shmendrik's pimply face worked with excited expostulation, Widow
+Finkelstein's cushion-like countenance was agitated by waves of
+righteous indignation. Suddenly Shosshi darted between the shafts and
+made a dash off with the barrow down the side street. But Widow
+Finkelstein pressed it down with all her force, arresting the motion
+like a drag. Incensed by the laughter of the spectators, Shosshi put
+forth all his strength at the shafts, jerked the widow off her feet and
+see-sawed her sky-wards, huddled up spherically like a balloon, but
+clinging as grimly as ever to the defalcating barrow. Then Shosshi
+started off at a run, the carpentry rattling, and the dead weight of his
+living burden making his muscles ache.
+
+Right to the end of the street he dragged her, pursued by a hooting
+crowd. Then he stopped, worn out.
+
+"Will you give me that sixpence, you _Ganef_!"
+
+"No, I haven't got it. You'd better go back to your shop, else you'll
+suffer from worse thieves."
+
+It was true. Widow Finkelstein smote her wig in horror and hurried back
+to purvey treacle.
+
+But that night when she shut up the shutters, she hurried off to
+Shosshi's address, which she had learned in the interim. His little
+brother opened the door and said Shosshi was in the shed.
+
+He was just nailing the thicker of those rockers on to the body of a
+cradle. His soul was full of bitter-sweet memories. Widow Finkelstein
+suddenly appeared in the moonlight. For a moment Shosshi's heart beat
+wildly. He thought the buxom figure was Becky's.
+
+"I have come for my sixpence."
+
+Ah! The words awoke him from his dream. It was only the Widow
+Finkelstein.
+
+And yet--! Verily, the widow, too, was plump and agreeable; if only her
+errand had been pleasant, Shosshi felt she might have brightened his
+back yard. He had been moved to his depths latterly and a new tenderness
+and a new boldness towards women shone in his eyes.
+
+He rose and put his head on one side and smiled amiably and said, "Be
+not so foolish. I did not take a copper. I am a poor young man. You have
+plenty of money in your stocking."
+
+"How know you that?" said the widow, stretching forward her right foot
+meditatively and gazing at the strip of stocking revealed.
+
+"Never mind!" said Shosshi, shaking his head sapiently.
+
+"Well, it's true," she admitted. "I have two hundred and seventeen
+golden sovereigns besides my shop. But for all that why should you keep
+my sixpence?" She asked it with the same good-humored smile.
+
+The logic of that smile was unanswerable. Shosshi's mouth opened, but no
+sound issued from it. He did not even say the Evening Prayer. The moon
+sailed slowly across the heavens. The water flowed into the cistern with
+a soft soothing sound.
+
+Suddenly it occurred to Shosshi that the widow's waist was not very
+unlike that which he had engirdled imaginatively. He thought he would
+just try if the sensation was anything like what he had fancied. His arm
+strayed timidly round her black-beaded mantle. The sense of his audacity
+was delicious. He was wondering whether he ought to say
+_She-hechyoni_--the prayer over a new pleasure. But the Widow
+Finkelstein stopped his mouth with a kiss. After that Shosshi forgot his
+pious instincts.
+
+Except old Mrs. Ansell, Sugarman was the only person scandalized.
+Shosshi's irrepressible spirit of romance had robbed him of his
+commission. But Meckisch danced with Shosshi Shmendrik at the wedding,
+while the _Calloh_ footed it with the Russian giantess. The men danced
+in one-half of the room, the women in the other.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE HYAMS'S HONEYMOON.
+
+
+"Beenah, hast thou heard aught about our Daniel?" There was a note of
+anxiety in old Hyams's voice.
+
+"Naught, Mendel."
+
+"Thou hast not heard talk of him and Sugarman's daughter?"
+
+"No, is there aught between them?" The listless old woman spoke a little
+eagerly.
+
+"Only that a man told me that his son saw our Daniel pay court to the
+maiden."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"At the Purim Ball."
+
+"The man is a tool; a youth must dance with some maiden or other."
+
+Miriam came in, fagged out from teaching. Old Hyams dropped from Yiddish
+into English.
+
+"You are right, he must."
+
+Beenah replied in her slow painful English.
+
+"Would he not have told us?"
+
+Mendel repeated:--"Would he not have told us?"
+
+Each avoided the others eye. Beenah dragged herself about the room,
+laying Miriam's tea.
+
+"Mother, I wish you wouldn't scrape your feet along the floor so. It
+gets on my nerves and I _am_ so worn out. Would he not have told you
+what? And who's he?"
+
+Beenah looked at her husband.
+
+"I heard Daniel was engaged," said old Hyams jerkily.
+
+Miriam started and flushed.
+
+"To whom?" she cried, in excitement.
+
+"Bessie Sugarman."
+
+"Sugarman's daughter?" Miriam's voice was pitched high.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Miriam's voice rose to a higher pitch.
+
+"Sugarman the _Shadchan's_ daughter?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Miriam burst into a fit of incredulous laughter.
+
+"As if Daniel would marry into a miserable family like that!"
+
+"It is as good as ours," said Mendel, with white lips.
+
+His daughter looked at him astonished. "I thought your children had
+taught you more self-respect than that," she said quietly. "Mr. Sugarman
+is a nice person to be related to!"
+
+"At home, Mrs. Sugarman's family was highly respected," quavered old
+Hyams.
+
+"We are not at home now," said Miriam witheringly. "We're in England. A
+bad-tempered old hag!"
+
+"That is what she thinks me," thought Mrs. Hyams. But she said nothing.
+
+"Did you not see Daniel with her at the ball?" said Mr. Hyams, still
+visibly disquieted.
+
+"I'm sure I didn't notice," Miriam replied petulantly. "I think you must
+have forgot the sugar, mother, or else the tea is viler than usual. Why
+don't you let Jane cut the bread and butter instead of lazing in the
+kitchen?"
+
+"Jane has been washing all day in the scullery," said Mrs. Hyams
+apologetically.
+
+"H'm!" snapped Miriam, her pretty face looking peevish and careworn.
+"Jane ought to have to manage sixty-three girls whose ignorant parents
+let them run wild at home, and haven't the least idea of discipline. As
+for this chit of a Sugarman, don't you know that Jews always engage
+every fellow and girl that look at each other across the street, and
+make fun of them and discuss their united prospects before they are even
+introduced to each other."
+
+She finished her tea, changed her dress and went off to the theatre with
+a girl-friend. The really harassing nature of her work called for some
+such recreation. Daniel came in a little after she had gone out, and ate
+his supper, which was his dinner saved for him and warmed up in the
+oven. Mendel sat studying from an unwieldy folio which he held on his
+lap by the fireside and bent over. When Daniel had done supper and was
+standing yawning and stretching himself, Mendel said suddenly as if
+trying to bluff him:
+
+"Why don't you ask your father to wish you _Mazzoltov_?"
+
+"_Mazzoltov_? What for?" asked Daniel puzzled.
+
+"On your engagement."
+
+"My engagement!" repeated Daniel, his heart thumping against his ribs.
+
+"Yes--to Bessie Sugarman."
+
+Mendel's eye, fixed scrutinizingly on his boy's face, saw it pass from
+white to red and from red to white. Daniel caught hold of the mantel as
+if to steady himself.
+
+"But it is a lie!" he cried hotly. "Who told you that?"
+
+"No one; a man hinted as much."
+
+"But I haven't even been in her company."
+
+"Yes--at the Purim Ball."
+
+Daniel bit his lip.
+
+"Damned gossips!" he cried. "I'll never speak to the girl again."
+
+There was a tense silence for a few seconds, then old Hyams said:
+
+"Why not? You love her."
+
+Daniel stared at him, his heart palpitating painfully. The blood in his
+ears throbbed mad sweet music.
+
+"You love her," Mendel repeated quietly. "Why do you not ask her to
+marry you? Do you fear she would refuse?"
+
+Daniel burst into semi-hysterical laughter. Then seeing his father's
+half-reproachful, half-puzzled look he said shamefacedly:
+
+"Forgive me, father, I really couldn't help it. The idea of your talking
+about love! The oddity of it came over me all of a heap."
+
+"Why should I not talk about love?"
+
+"Don't be so comically serious, father," said Daniel, smiling afresh.
+"What's come over you? What have you to do with love? One would think
+you were a romantic young fool on the stage. It's all nonsense about
+love. I don't love anybody, least of all Bessie Sugarman, so don't you
+go worrying your old head about _my_ affairs. You get back to that musty
+book of yours there. I wonder if you've suddenly come across anything
+about love in that, and don't forget to use the reading glasses and not
+your ordinary spectacles, else it'll be a sheer waste of money. By the
+way, mother, remember to go to the Eye Hospital on Saturday to be
+tested. I feel sure it's time you had a pair of specs, too."
+
+"Don't I look old enough already?" thought Mrs. Hyams. But she said,
+"Very well, Daniel," and began to clear away his supper.
+
+"That's the best of being in the fancy," said Daniel cheerfully.
+"There's no end of articles you can get at trade prices."
+
+He sat for half an hour turning over the evening paper, then went to
+bed. Mr. and Mrs. Hyams's eyes sought each other involuntarily but they
+said nothing. Mrs. Hyams fried a piece of _Wurst_ for Miriam's supper
+and put it into the oven to keep hot, then she sat down opposite Mendel
+to stitch on a strip of fur, which had got unripped on one of Miriam's
+jackets. The fire burnt briskly, little flames leaped up with a
+crackling sound, the clock ticked quietly.
+
+Beenah threaded her needle at the first attempt.
+
+"I can still see without spectacles," she thought bitterly. But she said
+nothing.
+
+Mendel looked up furtively at her several times from his book. The
+meagreness of her parchment flesh, the thickening mesh of wrinkles, the
+snow-white hair struck him with almost novel force. But he said nothing.
+Beenah patiently drew her needle through and through the fur, ever and
+anon glancing at Mendel's worn spectacled face, the eyes deep in the
+sockets, the forehead that was bent over the folio furrowed painfully
+beneath the black _Koppel_, the complexion sickly. A lump seemed to be
+rising in her throat. She bent determinedly over her sewing, then
+suddenly looked up again. This time their eyes met. They did not droop
+them; a strange subtle flash seemed to pass from soul to soul. They
+gazed at each other, trembling on the brink of tears.
+
+"Beenah." The voice was thick with suppressed sobs.
+
+"Yes, Mendel."
+
+"Thou hast heard?"
+
+"Yes, Mendel."
+
+"He says he loves her not."
+
+"So he says."
+
+"It is lies, Beenah."
+
+"But wherefore should he lie?"
+
+"Thou askest with thy mouth, not thy heart. Thou knowest that he wishes
+us not to think that he remains single for our sake. All his money goes
+to keep up this house we live in. It is the law of Moses. Sawest thou
+not his face when I spake of Sugarman's daughter?"
+
+Beenah rocked herself to and fro, crying: "My poor Daniel, my poor lamb!
+Wait a little. I shall die soon. The All-High is merciful. Wait a
+little."
+
+Mendel caught Miriam's jacket which was slipping to the floor and laid
+it aside.
+
+"It helps not to cry," said he gently, longing to cry with her. "This
+cannot be. He must marry the maiden whom his heart desires. Is it not
+enough that he feels that we have crippled his life for the sake of our
+Sabbath? He never speaks of it, but it smoulders in his veins."
+
+"Wait a little!" moaned Beenah, still rocking to and fro.
+
+"Nay, calm thyself." He rose and passed his horny hand tenderly over her
+white hair. "We must not wait. Consider how long Daniel has waited."
+
+"Yes, my poor lamb, my poor lamb!" sobbed the old woman.
+
+"If Daniel marries," said the old man, striving to speak firmly, "we
+have not a penny to live upon. Our Miriam requires all her salary.
+Already she gives us more than she can spare. She is a lady, in a great
+position. She must dress finely. Who knows, too, but that we are in the
+way of a gentleman marrying her? We are not fit to mix with high people.
+But above all, Daniel must marry and I must earn your and my living as I
+did when the children were young."
+
+"But what wilt thou do?" said Beenah, ceasing to cry and looking up with
+affrighted face. "Thou canst not go glaziering. Think of Miriam. What
+canst thou do, what canst thou do? Thou knowest no trade!"
+
+"No, I know no trade," he said bitterly. "At home, as thou art aware, I
+was a stone-mason, but here I could get no work without breaking the
+Sabbath, and my hand has forgotten its cunning. Perhaps I shall get my
+hand back." He took hers in the meantime. It was limp and chill, though
+so near the fire. "Have courage." he said. "There is naught I can do
+here that will not shame Miriam. We cannot even go into an almshouse
+without shedding her blood. But the Holy One, blessed be He, is good. I
+will go away."
+
+"Go away!" Beenah's clammy hand tightened her clasp of his. "Thou wilt
+travel with ware in the country?"
+
+"No. If it stands written that I must break with my children, let the
+gap be too wide for repining. Miriam will like it better. I will go to
+America."
+
+"To America!" Beenah's heartbeat wildly. "And leave me?" A strange
+sense of desolation swept over her.
+
+"Yes--for a little, anyhow. Thou must not face the first hardships. I
+shall find something to do. Perhaps in America there are more Jewish
+stone-masons to get work from. God will not desert us. There I can sell
+ware in the streets--do as I will. At the worst I can always fall back
+upon glaziering. Have faith, my dove."
+
+The novel word of affection thrilled Beenah through and through.
+
+"I shall send thee a little money; then as soon as I can see my way dear
+I shall send for thee and thou shalt come out to me and we will live
+happily together and our children shall live happily here."
+
+But Beenah burst into fresh tears.
+
+"Woe! Woe!" she sobbed. "How wilt thou, an old man, face the sea and the
+strange faces all alone? See how sorely thou art racked with rheumatism.
+How canst thou go glaziering? Thou liest often groaning all the night.
+How shalt thou carry the heavy crate on thy shoulders?"
+
+"God will give me strength to do what is right." The tears were plain
+enough in his voice now and would not be denied. His words forced
+themselves out in a husky wheeze.
+
+Beenah threw her arms round his neck. "No! No!" she cried hysterically.
+"Thou shalt not go! Thou shalt not leave me!"
+
+"I must go," his parched lips articulated. He could not see that the
+snow of her hair had drifted into her eyes and was scarce whiter than
+her cheeks. His spectacles were a blur of mist.
+
+"No, no," she moaned incoherently. "I shall die soon. God is merciful.
+Wait a little, wait a little. He will kill us both soon. My poor lamb,
+my poor Daniel! Thou shalt not leave me."
+
+The old man unlaced her arms from his neck.
+
+"I must. I have heard God's word in the silence."
+
+"Then I will go with thee. Wherever thou goest I will go."
+
+"No, no; thou shall not face the first hardships, I will front them
+alone; I am strong, I am a man."
+
+"And thou hast the heart to leave me?" She looked piteously into his
+face, but hers was still hidden from him in the mist. But through the
+darkness the flash passed again. His hand groped for her waist, he drew
+her again towards him and put the arms he had unlaced round his neck and
+stooped his wet cheek to hers. The past was a void, the forty years of
+joint housekeeping, since the morning each had seen a strange face on
+the pillow, faded to a point. For fifteen years they had been drifting
+towards each other, drifting nearer, nearer in dual loneliness; driven
+together by common suffering and growing alienation from the children
+they had begotten in common; drifting nearer, nearer in silence, almost
+in unconsciousness. And now they had met. The supreme moment of their
+lives had come. The silence of forty years was broken. His withered lips
+sought hers and love flooded their souls at last.
+
+When the first delicious instants were over, Mendel drew a chair to the
+table and wrote a letter in Hebrew script and posted it and Beenah
+picked up Miriam's jacket. The crackling flames had subsided to a steady
+glow, the clock ticked on quietly as before, but something new and sweet
+and sacred had come into her life, and Beenah no longer wished to die.
+
+When Miriam came home, she brought a little blast of cold air into the
+room. Beenah rose and shut the door and put out Miriam's supper; she did
+not drag her feet now.
+
+"Was it a nice play, Miriam?" said Beenah softly.
+
+"The usual stuff and nonsense!" said Miriam peevishly. "Love and all
+that sort of thing, as if the world never got any older."
+
+At breakfast next morning old Hyams received a letter by the first post.
+He carefully took his spectacles off and donned his reading-glasses to
+read it, throwing the envelope carelessly into the fire. When he had
+scanned a few lines he uttered an exclamation of surprise and dropped
+the letter.
+
+"What's the matter, father?" said Daniel, while Miriam tilted her snub
+nose curiously.
+
+"Praised be God!" was all the old man could say.
+
+"Well, what is it? Speak!" said Beenah, with unusual animation, while a
+flush of excitement lit up Miriam's face and made it beautiful.
+
+"My brother in America has won a thousand pounds on the lotter_ee_ and
+he invites me and Beenah to come and live with him."
+
+"Your brother in America!" repeated his children staring.
+
+"Why, I didn't know you had a brother in America," added Miriam.
+
+"No, while he was poor, I didn't mention him," replied Mendel, with
+unintentional sarcasm. "But I've heard from him several times. We both
+came over from Poland together, but the Board of Guardians sent him and
+a lot of others on to New York."
+
+"But you won't go, father!" said Daniel.
+
+"Why not? I should like to see my brother before I die. We were very
+thick as boys."
+
+"But a thousand pounds isn't so very much," Miriam could not refrain
+from saying.
+
+Old Hyams had thought it boundless opulence and was now sorry he had not
+done his brother a better turn.
+
+"It will be enough for us all to live upon, he and Beenah and me. You
+see his wife died and he has no children."
+
+"You don't really mean to go?" gasped Daniel, unable to grasp the
+situation suddenly sprung upon him. "How will you get the money to
+travel with?"
+
+"Read here!" said Mendel, quietly passing him the letter. "He offers to
+send it."
+
+"But it's written in Hebrew!" cried Daniel, turning it upside down
+hopelessly.
+
+"You can read Hebrew writing surely," said his father.
+
+"I could, years and years ago. I remember you taught me the letters. But
+my Hebrew correspondence has been so scanty--" He broke off with a
+laugh and handed the letter to Miriam, who surveyed it with mock
+comprehension. There was a look of relief in her eyes as she returned it
+to her father.
+
+"He might have sent something to his nephew and his niece," she said
+half seriously.
+
+"Perhaps he will when I get to America and tell him how pretty you are,"
+said Mendel oracularly. He looked quite joyous and even ventured to
+pinch Miriam's flushed cheek roguishly, and she submitted to the
+indignity without a murmur.
+
+"Why _you're_ looking as pleased as Punch too, mother," said Daniel, in
+half-rueful amazement. "You seem delighted at the idea of leaving us."
+
+"I always wanted to see America," the old woman admitted with a smile.
+"I also shall renew an old friendship in New York." She looked meaningly
+at her husband, and in his eye was an answering love-light.
+
+"Well, that's cool!" Daniel burst forth. "But she doesn't mean it, does
+she, father?"
+
+"I mean it." Hyams answered.
+
+"But it can't be true," persisted Daniel, in ever-growing bewilderment.
+"I believe it's all a hoax."
+
+Mendel hastily drained his coffee-cup.
+
+"A hoax!" he murmured, from behind the cup.
+
+"Yes, I believe some one is having a lark with you."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Mendel vehemently, as he put down his coffee-cup and
+picked up the letter from the table. "Don't I know my own brother
+Yankov's writing. Besides, who else would know all the little things he
+writes about?"
+
+Daniel was silenced, but lingered on after Miriam had departed to her
+wearisome duties.
+
+"I shall write at once, accepting Yankov's offer," said his father.
+"Fortunately we took the house by the week, so you can always move out
+if it is too large for you and Miriam. I can trust you to look after
+Miriam, I know, Daniel." Daniel expostulated yet further, but Mendel
+answered:
+
+"He is so lonely. He cannot well come over here by himself because he is
+half paralyzed. After all, what have I to do in England? And the mother
+naturally does not care to leave me. Perhaps I shall get my brother to
+travel with me to the land of Israel, and then we shall all end our
+days in Jerusalem, which you know has always been my heart's desire."
+
+Neither mentioned Bessie Sugarman.
+
+"Why do you make so much bother?" Miriam said to Daniel in the evening.
+"It's the best thing that could have happened. Who'd have dreamed at
+this hour of the day of coming into possession of a relative who might
+actually have something to leave us. It'll be a good story to tell,
+too."
+
+After _Shool_ next morning Mendel spoke to the President.
+
+"Can you lend me six pounds?" he asked.
+
+Belcovitch staggered.
+
+"Six pounds!" he repeated, dazed.
+
+"Yes. I wish to go to America with my wife. And I want you moreover to
+give your hand as a countryman that you will not breathe a word of this,
+whatever you hear. Beenah and I have sold a few little trinkets which
+our children gave us, and we have reckoned that with six pounds more we
+shall be able to take steerage passages and just exist till I get work."
+
+"But six pounds is a very great sum--without sureties," said Belcovitch,
+rubbing his time-worn workaday high hat in his agitation.
+
+"I know it is!" answered Mendel, "but God is my witness that I mean to
+pay you. And if I die before I can do so I vow to send word to my son
+Daniel, who will pay you the balance. You know my son Daniel. His word
+is an oath."
+
+"But where shall I get six pounds from?" said Bear helplessly. "I am
+only a poor tailor, and my daughter gets married soon. It is a great
+sum. By my honorable word, it is. I have never lent so much in my life,
+nor even been security for such an amount."
+
+Mendel dropped his head. There was a moment of anxious silence. Bear
+thought deeply.
+
+"I tell you what I'll do," said Bear at last. "I'll lend you five if you
+can manage to come out with that."
+
+Mendel gave a great sigh of relief. "God shall bless you," he said. He
+wrung the sweater's hand passionately. "I dare say we shall find another
+sovereign's-worth to sell." Mendel clinched the borrowing by standing
+the lender a glass of rum, and Bear felt secure against the graver
+shocks of doom. If the worst come to the worst now, he had still had
+something for his money.
+
+And so Mendel and Beenah sailed away over the Atlantic. Daniel
+accompanied them to Liverpool, but Miriam said she could not get a day's
+holiday--perhaps she remembered the rebuke Esther Ansell had drawn down
+on herself, and was chary of asking.
+
+At the dock in the chill dawn, Mendel Hyams kissed his son Daniel on the
+forehead and said in a broken voice:
+
+"Good-bye. God bless you." He dared not add and God bless your Bessie,
+my daughter-in-law to be; but the benediction was in his heart.
+
+Daniel turned away heavy-hearted, but the old man touched him on the
+shoulder and said in a low tremulous voice:
+
+"Won't you forgive me for putting you into the fancy goods?"
+
+"Father! What do you mean?" said Daniel choking. "Surely you are not
+thinking of the wild words I spoke years and years ago. I have long
+forgotten them."
+
+"Then you will remain a good Jew," said Mendel, trembling all over,
+"even when we are far away?"
+
+"With God's help," said Daniel. And then Mendel turned to Beenah and
+kissed her, weeping, and the faces of the old couple were radiant behind
+their tears.
+
+Daniel stood on the clamorous hustling wharf, watching the ship move
+slowly from her moorings towards the open river, and neither he nor any
+one in the world but the happy pair knew that Mendel and Beenah were on
+their honeymoon.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mrs. Hyams died two years after her honeymoon, and old Hyams laid a
+lover's kiss upon her sealed eyelids. Then, being absolutely alone in
+the world, he sold off his scanty furniture, sent the balance of the
+debt with a sovereign of undemanded interest to Bear Belcovitch, and
+girded up his loins for the journey to Jerusalem, which had been the
+dream of his life.
+
+But the dream of his life had better have remained a dream Mendel saw
+the hills of Palestine and the holy Jordan and Mount Moriah, the site of
+the Temple, and the tombs of Absalom and Melchitsedek, and the gate of
+Zion and the aqueduct built by Solomon, and all that he had longed to
+see from boyhood. But somehow it was not _his_ Jerusalem--scarce more
+than his London Ghetto transplanted, only grown filthier and narrower
+and more ragged, with cripples for beggars and lepers in lieu of
+hawkers. The magic of his dream-city was not here. This was something
+prosaic, almost sordid. It made his heart sink as he thought of the
+sacred splendors of the Zion he had imaged in his suffering soul. The
+rainbows builded of his bitter tears did not span the firmament of this
+dingy Eastern city, set amid sterile hills. Where were the roses and
+lilies, the cedars and the fountains? Mount Moriah was here indeed, but
+it bore the Mosque of Omar, and the Temple of Jehovah was but one ruined
+wall. The Shechinah, the Divine Glory, had faded into cold sunshine.
+"Who shall go up into the Mount of Jehovah." Lo, the Moslem worshipper
+and the Christian tourist. Barracks and convents stood on Zion's hill.
+His brethren, rulers by divine right of the soil they trod, were lost in
+the chaos of populations--Syrians, Armenians, Turks, Copts, Abyssinians,
+Europeans--as their synagogues were lost amid the domes and minarets of
+the Gentiles. The city was full of venerated relics of the Christ his
+people had lived--and died--to deny, and over all flew the crescent flag
+of the Mussulman.
+
+And so every Friday, heedless of scoffing on-lookers, Mendel Hyams
+kissed the stones of the Wailing Place, bedewing their barrenness with
+tears; and every year at Passover, until he was gathered to his fathers,
+he continued to pray: "Next year--in Jerusalem!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE HEBREW'S FRIDAY NIGHT.
+
+
+"Ah, the Men-of-the-Earth!" said Pinchas to Reb Shemuel, "ignorant
+fanatics, how shall a movement prosper in their hands? They have not the
+poetic vision, their ideas are as the mole's; they wish to make
+Messiahs out of half-pence. What inspiration for the soul is there in
+the sight of snuffy collectors that have the air of _Schnorrers_? with
+Karlkammer's red hair for a flag and the sound of Gradkoski's nose
+blowing for a trumpet-peal. But I have written an acrostic against
+Guedalyah the greengrocer, virulent as serpent's gall. He the Redeemer,
+indeed, with his diseased potatoes and his flat ginger-beer! Not thus
+did the great prophets and teachers in Israel figure the Return. Let a
+great signal-fire be lit in Israel and lo! the beacons will leap up on
+every mountain and tongue of flame shall call to tongue. Yea, I, even I,
+Melchitsedek Pinchas, will light the fire forthwith."
+
+"Nay, not to-day," said Reb Shemuel, with his humorous twinkle; "it is
+the Sabbath."
+
+The Rabbi was returning from synagogue and Pinchas was giving him his
+company on the short homeward journey. At their heels trudged Levi and
+on the other side of Reb Shemuel walked Eliphaz Chowchoski, a
+miserable-looking Pole whom Reb Shemuel was taking home to supper. In
+those days Reb Shemuel was not alone in taking to his hearth "the
+Sabbath guest"--some forlorn starveling or other--to sit at the table in
+like honor with the master. It was an object lesson in equality and
+fraternity for the children of many a well-to-do household, nor did it
+fail altogether in the homes of the poor. "All Israel are brothers," and
+how better honor the Sabbath than by making the lip-babble a reality?
+
+"You will speak to your daughter?" said Pinchas, changing the subject
+abruptly. "You will tell her that what I wrote to her is not a millionth
+part of what I feel--that she is my sun by day and my moon and stars by
+night, that I must marry her at once or die, that I think of nothing in
+the world but her, that I can do, write, plan, nothing without her, that
+once she smiles on me I will write her great love-poems, greater than
+Byron's, greater than Heine's--the real Song of Songs, which is
+Pinchas's--that I will make her immortal as Dante made Beatrice, as
+Petrarch made Laura, that I walk about wretched, bedewing the pavements
+with my tears, that I sleep not by night nor eat by day--you will tell
+her this?" He laid his finger pleadingly on his nose.
+
+"I will tell her," said Reb Shemuel. "You are a son-in-law to gladden
+the heart of any man. But I fear the maiden looks but coldly on wooers.
+Besides you are fourteen years older than she."
+
+"Then I love her twice as much as Jacob loved Rachel--for it is written
+'seven years were but as a day in his love for her.' To me fourteen
+years are but as a day in my love for Hannah."
+
+The Rabbi laughed at the quibble and said:
+
+"You are like the man who when he was accused of being twenty years
+older than the maiden he desired, replied 'but when I look at her I
+shall become ten years younger, and when she looks at me she will become
+ten years older, and thus we shall be even.'"
+
+Pinchas laughed enthusiastically in his turn, but replied:
+
+"Surely you will plead my cause, you whose motto is the Hebrew
+saying--'the husband help the housewife, God help the bachelor.'"
+
+"But have you the wherewithal to support her?"
+
+"Shall my writings not suffice? If there are none to protect literature
+in England, we will go abroad--to your birthplace, Reb Shemuel, the
+cradle of great scholars."
+
+The poet spoke yet more, but in the end his excited stridulous accents
+fell on Reb Shemuel's ears as a storm without on the ears of the
+slippered reader by the fireside. He had dropped into a delicious
+reverie--tasting in advance the Sabbath peace. The work of the week was
+over. The faithful Jew could enter on his rest--the narrow, miry streets
+faded before the brighter image of his brain. "_Come, my beloved, to
+meet the Bride, the face of the Sabbath let us welcome._"
+
+To-night his sweetheart would wear her Sabbath face, putting off the
+mask of the shrew, which hid not from him the angel countenance.
+To-night he could in very truth call his wife (as the Rabbi in the
+Talmud did) "not wife, but home." To-night she would be in very truth
+_Simcha_--rejoicing. A cheerful warmth glowed at his heart, love for all
+the wonderful Creation dissolved him in tenderness. As he approached
+the door, cheerful lights gleamed on him like a heavenly smile. He
+invited Pinchas to enter, but the poet in view of his passion thought it
+prudent to let others plead for him and went off with his finger to his
+nose in final reminder. The Reb kissed the _Mezuzah_ on the outside of
+the door and his daughter, who met him, on the inside. Everything was as
+he had pictured it--the two tall wax candles in quaint heavy silver
+candlesticks, the spotless table-cloth, the dish of fried fish made
+picturesque with sprigs of parsley, the Sabbath loaves shaped like boys'
+tip-cats, with a curious plait of crust from point to point and thickly
+sprinkled with a drift of poppy-seed, and covered with a velvet cloth
+embroidered with Hebrew words; the flask of wine and the silver goblet.
+The sight was familiar yet it always struck the simple old Reb anew,
+with a sense of special blessing.
+
+"Good _Shabbos_, Simcha," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Good _Shabbos_, Shemuel." said Simcha. The light of love was in her
+eyes, and in her hair her newest comb. Her sharp features shone with
+peace and good-will and the consciousness of having duly lit the Sabbath
+candles and thrown the morsel of dough into the fire. Shemuel kissed
+her, then he laid his hands upon Hannah's head and murmured:
+
+"May God make thee as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah," and upon
+Levi's, murmuring: "May God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh."
+
+Even the callous Levi felt the breath of sanctity in the air and had a
+vague restful sense of his Sabbath Angel hovering about and causing him
+to cast two shadows on the wall while his Evil Angel shivered impotent
+on the door-step.
+
+Then Reb Shemuel repeated three times a series of sentences commencing:
+"_Peace be unto you, ye ministering Angels_," and thereupon the
+wonderful picture of an ideal woman from Proverbs, looking
+affectionately at Simcha the while. "A woman of worth, whoso findeth
+her, her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusteth in
+her; good and not evil will she do him all the days of her life; she
+riseth, while it is yet night, giveth food to her household and a task
+to her maidens. She putteth her own hands to the spindle; she
+stretcheth out her hand to the poor--strength and honor are her clothing
+and she looketh forth smilingly to the morrow; she openeth her mouth
+with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue--she looketh well
+to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness.
+Deceitful is favor and vain is beauty, but the woman that feareth the
+Lord, _she_ shall be praised."
+
+Then, washing his hands with the due benediction, he filled the goblet
+with wine, and while every one reverently stood he "made Kiddish," in a
+traditional joyous recitative "... blessed art thou, O Lord, our God!
+King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine, who doth
+sanctify us with His commandments and hath delight in us.... Thou hast
+chosen and sanctified us above all peoples and with love and favor hast
+made us to inherit Thy holy Sabbath...."
+
+And all the household, and the hungry Pole, answered "Amen," each
+sipping of the cup in due gradation, then eating a special morsel of
+bread cut by the father and dipped in salt; after which the good wife
+served the fish, and cups and saucers clattered and knives and forks
+rattled. And after a few mouthfuls, the Pole knew himself a Prince in
+Israel and felt he must forthwith make choice of a maiden to grace his
+royal Sabbath board. Soup followed the fish; it was not served direct
+from the saucepan but transferred by way of a large tureen; since any
+creeping thing that might have got into the soup would have rendered the
+plateful in which it appeared not legally potable, whereas if it were
+detected in the large tureen, its polluting powers would be dissipated
+by being diffused over such a large mass of fluid. For like religious
+reasons, another feature of the etiquette of the modern fashionable
+table had been anticipated by many centuries--the eaters washed their
+hands in a little bowl of water after their meal. The Pollack was thus
+kept by main religious force in touch with a liquid with which he had no
+external sympathy.
+
+When supper was over, grace was chanted and then the _Zemiroth_ was
+sung--songs summing up in light and jingling metre the very essence of
+holy joyousness--neither riotous nor ascetic--the note of spiritualized
+common sense which has been the key-note of historical Judaism. For to
+feel "the delight of Sabbath" is a duty and to take three meals thereon
+a religions obligation--the sanctification of the sensuous by a creed to
+which everything is holy. The Sabbath is the hub of the Jew's universe;
+to protract it is a virtue, to love it a liberal education. It cancels
+all mourning--even for Jerusalem. The candles may gutter out at their
+own greasy will--unsnuffed, untended--is not Sabbath its own
+self-sufficient light?
+
+    This is the sanctified rest-day;
+    Happy the man who observes it,
+    Thinks of it over the wine-cup,
+    Feeling no pang at his heart-strings
+    For that his purse-strings are empty,
+    Joyous, and if he must borrow
+    God will repay the good lender,
+    Meat, wine and fish in profusion--
+    See no delight is deficient.
+    Let but the table be spread well,
+    Angels of God answer "Amen!"
+    So when a soul is in dolor,
+    Cometh the sweet restful Sabbath,
+    Singing and joy in its footsteps,
+    Rapidly floweth Sambatyon,
+    Till that, of God's love the symbol,
+    Sabbath, the holy, the peaceful,
+    Husheth its turbulent waters.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+    Bless Him, O constant companions,
+    Rock from whose stores we have eaten,
+    Eaten have we and have left, too,
+    Just as the Lord hath commanded
+    Father and Shepherd and Feeder.
+    His is the bread we have eaten,
+    His is the wine we have drunken,
+    Wherefore with lips let us praise Him,
+    Lord of the land of our fathers,
+    Gratefully, ceaselessly chaunting
+    "None like Jehovah is holy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+    Light and rejoicing to Israel,
+    Sabbath, the soother of sorrows,
+    Comfort of down-trodden Israel,
+    Healing the hearts that were broken!
+    Banish despair! Here is Hope come,
+    What! A soul crushed! Lo a stranger
+    Bringeth the balsamous Sabbath.
+    Build, O rebuild thou, Thy Temple,
+    Fill again Zion, Thy city,
+    Clad with delight will we go there,
+    Other and new songs to sing there,
+    Merciful One and All-Holy,
+    Praised for ever and ever.
+
+During the meal the Pollack began to speak with his host about the
+persecution in the land whence he had come, the bright spot in his
+picture being the fidelity of his brethren under trial, only a minority
+deserting and those already tainted with Epicureanism--students wishful
+of University distinction and such like. Orthodox Jews are rather
+surprised when men of (secular) education remain in the fold.
+
+Hannah took advantage of a pause in their conversation to say in German:
+
+"I am so glad, father, thou didst not bring that man home."
+
+"What man?" said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"The dirty monkey-faced little man who talks so much."
+
+The Reb considered.
+
+"I know none such."
+
+"Pinchas she means," said her mother. "The poet!"
+
+Reb Shemuel looked at her gravely. This did not sound promising.
+
+"Why dost thou speak so harshly of thy fellow-creatures?" he said. "The
+man is a scholar and a poet, such as we have too few in Israel."
+
+"We have too many _Schnorrers_ in Israel already," retorted Hannah.
+
+"Sh!" whispered Reb Shemuel reddening and indicating his guest with a
+slight movement of the eye.
+
+Hannah bit her lip in self-humiliation and hastened to load the lucky
+Pole's plate with an extra piece of fish.
+
+"He has written me a letter," she went on.
+
+"He has told me so," he answered. "He loves thee with a great love."
+
+"What nonsense, Shemuel!" broke in Simcha, setting down her coffee-cup
+with work-a-day violence. "The idea of a man who has not a penny to
+bless himself with marrying our Hannah! They would be on the Board of
+Guardians in a month."
+
+"Money is not everything. Wisdom and learning outweigh much. And as the
+Midrash says: 'As a scarlet ribbon becometh a black horse, so poverty
+becometh the daughter of Jacob.' The world stands on the Torah, not on
+gold; as it is written: 'Better is the Law of Thy mouth to me than
+thousands of gold or silver.' He is greater than I, for he studies the
+law for nothing like the fathers of the Mishna while I am paid a
+salary."
+
+"Methinks thou art little inferior," said Simcha, "for thou retainest
+little enough thereof. Let Pinchas get nothing for himself, 'tis his
+affair, but, if he wants my Hannah, he must get something for her. Were
+the fathers of the Mishna also fathers of families?"
+
+"Certainly; is it not a command--'Be fruitful and multiply'?"
+
+"And how did their families live?"
+
+"Many of our sages were artisans."
+
+"Aha!" snorted Simcha triumphantly.
+
+"And says not the Talmud," put in the Pole as if he were on the family
+council, "'Flay a carcass in the streets rather than be under an
+obligation'?" This with supreme unconsciousness of any personal
+application. "Yea, and said not Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Judah
+the Prince, 'it is commendable to join the study of the Law with worldly
+employment'? Did not Moses our teacher keep sheep?
+
+"Truth," replied the host. "I agree with Maimonides that man should
+first secure a living, then prepare a residence and after that seek a
+wife; and that they are fools who invert the order. But Pinchas works
+also with his pen. He writes articles in the papers. But the great
+thing, Hannah, is that he loves the Law."
+
+"H'm!" said Hannah. "Let him marry the Law, then."
+
+"He is in a hurry," said Reb Shemuel with a flash of irreverent
+facetiousness. "And he cannot become the Bridegroom of the Law till
+_Simchath Torah_."
+
+All laughed. The Bridegroom of the Law is the temporary title of the Jew
+who enjoys the distinction of being "called up" to the public reading of
+the last fragment of the Pentateuch, which is got through once a year.
+
+Under the encouragement of the laughter, the Rabbi added:
+
+"But he will know much more of his Bride than the majority of the Law's
+Bridegrooms."
+
+Hannah took advantage of her father's pleasure in the effect of his
+jokes to show him Pinchas's epistle, which he deciphered laboriously. It
+commenced:
+
+    Hebrew Hebe
+    All-fair Maid,
+    Next to Heaven
+    Nightly laid
+    Ah, I love you
+    Half afraid.
+
+The Pole, looking a different being from the wretch who had come empty,
+departed invoking Peace on the household; Simcha went into the kitchen
+to superintend the removal of the crockery thither; Levi slipped out to
+pay his respects to Esther Ansell, for the evening was yet young, and
+father and daughter were left alone.
+
+Reb Shemuel was already poring over a Pentateuch in his Friday night
+duty of reading the Portion twice in Hebrew and once in Chaldaic.
+
+Hannah sat opposite him, studying the kindly furrowed face, the massive
+head set on rounded shoulders, the shaggy eyebrows, the long whitening
+beard moving with the mumble of the pious lips, the brown peering eyes
+held close to the sacred tome, the high forehead crowned with the black
+skullcap.
+
+She felt a moisture gathering under her eyelids as she looked at him.
+
+"Father," she said at last, in a gentle voice.
+
+"Did you call me, Hannah?" he asked, looking up.
+
+"Yes, dear. About this man, Pinchas."
+
+"Yes, Hannah."
+
+"I am sorry I spoke harshly of him,''
+
+"Ah, that is right, my daughter. If he is poor and ill-clad we must only
+honor him the more. Wisdom and learning must be respected if they appear
+in rags. Abraham entertained God's messengers though they came as weary
+travellers."
+
+"I know, father, it is not because of his appearance that I do not like
+him. If he is really a scholar and a poet, I will try to admire him as
+you do."
+
+"Now you speak like a true daughter of Israel."
+
+"But about my marrying him--you are not really in earnest?"
+
+"_He_ is." said Reb Shemuel, evasively.
+
+"Ah, I knew you were not," she said, catching the lurking twinkle in his
+eye. "You know I could never marry a man like that."
+
+"Your mother could," said the Reb.
+
+"Dear old goose," she said, leaning across to pull his beard. "You are
+not a bit like that--you know a thousand times more, you know you do."
+
+The old Rabbi held up his hands in comic deprecation.
+
+"Yes, you do," she persisted. "Only you let him talk so much; you let
+everybody talk and bamboozle you."
+
+Reb Shemuel drew the hand that fondled his beard in his own, feeling the
+fresh warm skin with a puzzled look.
+
+"The hands are the hands of Hannah," he said, "but the voice is the
+voice of Simcha."
+
+Hannah laughed merrily.
+
+"All right, dear, I won't scold you any more. I'm so glad it didn't
+really enter your great stupid, clever old head that I was likely to
+care for Pinchas."
+
+"My dear daughter, Pinchas wished to take you to wife, and I felt
+pleased. It is a union with a son of the Torah, who has also the pen of
+a ready writer. He asked me to tell you and I did."
+
+"But you would not like me to marry any one I did not like."
+
+"God forbid! My little Hannah shall marry whomever she pleases."
+
+A wave of emotion passed over the girl's face.
+
+"You don't mean that, father," she said, shaking her head.
+
+"True as the Torah! Why should I not?"
+
+"Suppose," she said slowly, "I wanted to marry a Christian?"
+
+Her heart beat painfully as she put the question.
+
+Reb Shemuel laughed heartily.
+
+"My Hannah would have made a good Talmudist. Of course, I don't mean it
+in that sense."
+
+"Yes, but if I was to marry a very _link_ Jew, you'd think it almost as
+bad."
+
+"No, no!" said the Reb, shaking his head. "That's a different thing
+altogether; a Jew is a Jew, and a Christian a Christian."
+
+"But you can't always distinguish between them," argued Hannah. "There
+are Jews who behave as if they were Christians, except, of course, they
+don't believe in the Crucified One."
+
+Still the old Reb shook his head.
+
+"The worst of Jews cannot put off his Judaism. His unborn soul undertook
+the yoke of the Torah at Sinai."
+
+"Then you really wouldn't mind if I married a _link_ Jew!"
+
+He looked at her, startled, a suspicion dawning in his eyes.
+
+"I should mind," he said slowly. "But if you loved him he would become a
+good Jew."
+
+The simple conviction of his words moved her to tears, but she kept them
+back.
+
+"But if he wouldn't?"
+
+"I should pray. While there is life there is hope for the sinner in
+Israel."
+
+She fell back on her old question.
+
+"And you would really not mind whom I married?"
+
+"Follow your heart, my little one," said Reb Shemuel. "It is a good
+heart and it will not lead you wrong."
+
+Hannah turned away to hide the tears that could no longer be stayed. Her
+father resumed his reading of the Law.
+
+But he had got through very few verses ere he felt a soft warm arm
+round his neck and a wet cheek laid close to his.
+
+"Father, forgive me," whispered the lips. "I am so sorry. I thought,
+that--that I--that you--oh father, father! I feel as if I had never
+known you before to-night."
+
+"What is it, my daughter?" said Reb Shemuel, stumbling into Yiddish in
+his anxiety. "What hast thou done?"
+
+"I have betrothed myself," she answered, unwittingly adopting his
+dialect. "I have betrothed myself without telling thee or mother."
+
+"To whom?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"To a Jew," she hastened to assure him, "But he is neither a Talmud-sage
+nor pious. He is newly returned from the Cape."
+
+"Ah, they are a _link_ lot," muttered the Reb anxiously. "Where didst
+thou first meet him?"
+
+"At the Club," she answered. "At the Purim Ball--the night before Sam
+Levine came round here to be divorced from me."
+
+He wrinkled his great brow. "Thy mother would have thee go," he said.
+"Thou didst not deserve I should get thee the divorce. What is his
+name?"
+
+"David Brandon. He is not like other Jewish young men; I thought he was
+and did him wrong and mocked at him when first he spoke to me, so that
+afterwards I felt tender towards him. His conversation is agreeable, for
+he thinks for himself, and deeming thou wouldst not hear of such a match
+and that there was no danger, I met him at the Club several times in the
+evening, and--and--thou knowest the rest."
+
+She turned away her face, blushing, contrite, happy, anxious.
+
+Her love-story was as simple as her telling of it. David Brandon was not
+the shadowy Prince of her maiden dreams, nor was the passion exactly as
+she had imagined it; it was both stronger and stranger, and the sense of
+secrecy and impending opposition instilled into her love a poignant
+sweetness.
+
+The Reb stroked her hair silently.
+
+"I would not have said 'Yea' so quick, father," she went on, "but David
+had to go to Germany to take a message to the aged parents of his Cape
+chum, who died in the gold-fields. David had promised the dying man to
+go personally as soon as he returned to England--I think it was a
+request for forgiveness and blessing--but after meeting me he delayed
+going, and when I learned of it I reproached him, but he said he could
+not tear himself away, and he would not go till I had confessed I loved
+him. At last I said if he would go home the moment I said it and not
+bother about getting me a ring or anything, but go off to Germany the
+first thing the next morning, I would admit I loved him a little bit.
+Thus did it occur. He went off last Wednesday. Oh, isn't it cruel to
+think, father, that he should be going with love and joy in his heart to
+the parents of his dead friend!"
+
+Her father's head was bent. She lifted it up by the chin and looked
+pleadingly into the big brown eyes.
+
+"Thou art not angry with me, father?"
+
+"No, Hannah. But thou shouldst have told me from the first."
+
+"I always meant to, father. But I feared to grieve thee."
+
+"Wherefore? The man is a Jew. And thou lovest him, dost thou not?"
+
+"As my life, father."
+
+He kissed her lips.
+
+"It is enough, my Hannah. With thee to love him, he will become pious.
+When a man has a good Jewish wife like my beloved daughter, who will
+keep a good Jewish house, he cannot be long among the sinners. The light
+of a true Jewish home will lead his footsteps back to God."
+
+Hannah pressed her face to his in silence. She could not speak. She had
+not strength to undeceive him further, to tell him she had no care for
+trivial forms. Besides, in the flush of gratitude and surprise at her
+father's tolerance, she felt stirrings of responsive tolerance to his
+religion. It was not the moment to analyze her feelings or to enunciate
+her state of mind regarding religion. She simply let herself sink in the
+sweet sense of restored confidence and love, her head resting against
+his.
+
+Presently Reb Shemuel put his hands on her head and murmured again:
+"May God make thee as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah."
+
+Then he added: "Go now, my daughter, and make glad the heart of thy
+mother."
+
+Hannah suspected a shade of satire in the words, but was not sure.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The roaring Sambatyon of life was at rest in the Ghetto; on thousands of
+squalid homes the light of Sinai shone. The Sabbath Angels whispered
+words of hope and comfort to the foot-sore hawker and the aching
+machinist, and refreshed their parched souls with celestial anodyne and
+made them kings of the hour, with leisure to dream of the golden chairs
+that awaited them in Paradise.
+
+The Ghetto welcomed the Bride with proud song and humble feast, and sped
+her parting with optimistic symbolisms of fire and wine, of spice and
+light and shadow. All around their neighbors sought distraction in the
+blazing public-houses, and their tipsy bellowings resounded through the
+streets and mingled with the Hebrew hymns. Here and there the voice of a
+beaten woman rose on the air. But no Son of the Covenant was among the
+revellers or the wife-beaters; the Jews remained a chosen race, a
+peculiar people, faulty enough, but redeemed at least from the grosser
+vices, a little human islet won from the waters of animalism by the
+genius of ancient engineers. For while the genius of the Greek or the
+Roman, the Egyptian or the Phoenician, survives but in word and stone,
+the Hebrew word alone was made flesh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+WITH THE STRIKERS.
+
+
+"Ignorant donkey-heads!" cried Pinchas next Friday morning. "Him they
+make a Rabbi and give him the right of answering questions, and he know
+no more of Judaism," the patriotic poet paused to take a bite out of his
+ham-sandwich, "than a cow of Sunday. I lof his daughter and I tell him
+so and he tells me she lof another. But I haf held him up on the point
+of my pen to the contempt of posterity. I haf written an acrostic on
+him; it is terrible. Her vill I shoot."
+
+"Ah, they are a bad lot, these Rabbis," said Simon Wolf, sipping his
+sherry. The conversation took place in English and the two men were
+seated in a small private room in a public-house, awaiting the advent of
+the Strike Committee.
+
+"Dey are like de rest of de Community. I vash my hands of dem," said the
+poet, waving his cigar in a fiery crescent.
+
+"I have long since washed my hands of them," said Simon Wolf, though the
+fact was not obvious. "We can trust neither our Rabbis nor our
+philanthropists. The Rabbis engrossed in the hypocritical endeavor to
+galvanize the corpse of Judaism into a vitality that shall last at least
+their own lifetime, have neither time nor thought for the great labor
+question. Our philanthropists do but scratch the surface. They give the
+working-man with their right hand what they have stolen from him with
+the left."
+
+Simon Wolf was the great Jewish labor leader. Most of his cronies were
+rampant atheists, disgusted with the commercialism of the believers.
+They were clever young artisans from Russia and Poland with a smattering
+of education, a feverish receptiveness for all the iconoclastic ideas
+that were in the London air, a hatred of capitalism and strong social
+sympathies. They wrote vigorous jargon for the _Friend of Labor_ and
+compassed the extreme proverbial limits of impiety by "eating pork on
+the Day of Atonement." This was done partly to vindicate their religious
+opinions whose correctness was demonstrated by the non-appearance of
+thunderbolts, partly to show that nothing one way or the other was to be
+expected from Providence or its professors.
+
+"The only way for our poor brethren to be saved from their slavery,"
+went on Simon Wolf, "is for them to combine against the sweaters and to
+let the West-End Jews go and hang themselves."
+
+"Ah, dat is mine policee," said Pinchas, "dat was mine policee ven I
+founded de Holy Land League. Help yourselves and Pinchas vill help you.
+You muz combine, and den I vill be de Moses to lead you out of de land
+of bondage. _Nein_, I vill be more dan Moses, for he had not de gift of
+eloquence."
+
+"And he was the meekest man that ever lived," added Wolf.
+
+"Yes, he was a fool-man," said Pinchas imperturbably. "I agree with
+Goethe--_nur Lumpen sind bescheiden_, only clods are modaist. I am not
+modaist. Is the Almighty modaist? I know, I feel vat I am, vat I can
+do."
+
+"Look here, Pinchas, you're a very clever fellow, I know, and I'm very
+glad to have you with us--but remember I have organized this movement
+for years, planned it out as I sat toiling in Belcovitch's machine-room,
+written on it till I've got the cramp, spoken on it till I was hoarse,
+given evidence before innumerable Commissions. It is I who have stirred
+up the East-End Jews and sent the echo of their cry into Parliament, and
+I will not be interfered with. Do you hear?"
+
+"Yes, I hear. Vy you not listen to me? You no understand vat I mean!"
+
+"Oh, I understand you well enough. You want to oust me from my
+position."
+
+"Me? Me?" repeated the poet in an injured and astonished tone. "Vy
+midout you de movement vould crumble like a mummy in de air; be not such
+a fool-man. To everybody I haf said--ah, dat Simon Wolf he is a great
+man, a vair great man; he is de only man among de English Jews who can
+save de East-End; it is he that should be member for Vitechapel--not
+that fool-man Gideon. Be not such a fool-man! Haf anoder glaz sherry and
+some more ham-sandwiches." The poet had a simple child-like delight in
+occasionally assuming the host.
+
+"Very well, so long as I have your assurance," said the mollified
+labor-leader, mumbling the conclusion of the sentence into his
+wine-glass. "But you know how it is! After I have worked the thing for
+years, I don't want to see a drone come in and take the credit."
+
+"Yes, _sic vos non vobis_, as the Talmud says. Do you know I haf proved
+that Virgil stole all his ideas from the Talmud?"
+
+"First there was Black and then there was Cohen--now Gideon, M.P., sees
+he can get some advertisement out of it in the press, he wants to
+preside at the meetings. Members of Parliament are a bad lot!"
+
+"Yes--but dey shall not take de credit from you. I will write and expose
+dem--the world shall know what humbugs dey are, how de whole wealthy
+West-End stood idly by with her hands in de working-men's pockets while
+you vere building up de great organization. You know all de
+jargon-papers jump at vat I write, dey sign my name in vair large
+type--Melchitsedek Pinchas--under every ting, and I am so pleased with
+deir homage, I do not ask for payment, for dey are vair poor. By dis
+time I am famous everywhere, my name has been in de evening papers, and
+ven I write about you to de _Times_, you vill become as famous as me.
+And den you vill write about me--ve vill put up for Vitechapel at de
+elections, ve vill both become membairs of Parliament, I and you, eh?"
+
+"I'm afraid there's not much chance of that," sighed Simon Wolf.
+
+"Vy not? Dere are two seats. Vy should you not haf de Oder?"
+
+"Ain't you forgetting about election expenses, Pinchas?"
+
+"_Nein_!" repeated the poet emphatically. "I forgets noding. Ve vill
+start a fund."
+
+"We can't start funds for ourselves."
+
+"Be not a fool-man; of course not. You for me, I for you."
+
+"You won't get much," said Simon, laughing ruefully at the idea.
+
+"Tink not? Praps not. But _you_ vill for me. Ven I am in Parliament, de
+load vill be easier for us both. Besides I vill go to de Continent soon
+to give avay de rest of de copies of my book. I expect to make dousands
+of pounds by it--for dey know how to honor scholars and poets abroad.
+Dere dey haf not stupid-head stockbrokers like Gideon, M.P., ministers
+like the Reverend Elkan Benjamin who keep four mistresses, and Rabbis
+like Reb Shemuel vid long white beards outside and emptiness vidin who
+sell deir daughters."
+
+"I don't want to look so far ahead," said Simon Wolf. "At present, what
+we have to do is to carry this strike through. Once we get our demands
+from the masters a powerful blow will have been struck for the
+emancipation of ten thousand working-men. They will have more money and
+more leisure, a little less of hell and a little more of heaven. The
+coming Passover would, indeed, be an appropriate festival even for the
+most heterodox among them if we could strike oft their chains in the
+interim. But it seems impossible to get unity among them--a large
+section appears to mistrust me, though I swear to you, Pinchas, I am
+actuated by nothing but an unselfish desire for their good. May this
+morsel of sandwich choke me if I have ever been swayed by anything but
+sympathy with their wrongs. And yet you saw that malicious pamphlet that
+was circulated against me in Yiddish--silly, illiterate scribble."
+
+"Oh, no!" said Pinchas. "It was vair beautiful; sharp as de sting of de
+hornet. But vat can you expect? Christ suffered. All great benefactors
+suffer. Am _I_ happy? But it is only your own foolishness that you must
+tank if dere is dissension in de camp. De _Gomorah_ says ve muz be vize,
+_chocham_, ve muz haf tact. See vat you haf done. You haf frighten avay
+de ortodox fool-men. Dey are oppressed, dey sweat--but dey tink deir God
+make dem sweat. Why you tell dem, no? Vat mattairs? Free dem from hunger
+and tirst first, den freedom from deir fool-superstitions vill come of
+itself. Jeshurun vax fat and kick? Hey? You go de wrong vay."
+
+"Do you mean I'm to pretend to be _froom_," said Simon Wolf.
+
+"And ven? Vat mattairs? You are a fool, man. To get to de goal one muz
+go crooked vays. Ah, you have no stadesmanship. You frighten dem. You
+lead processions vid bands and banners on _Shabbos_ to de _Shools_. Many
+who vould be glad to be delivered by you tremble for de heavenly
+lightning. Dey go not in de procession. Many go when deir head is on
+fire--afterwards, dey take fright and beat deir breasts. Vat vill
+happen? De ortodox are de majority; in time dere vill come a leader who
+vill be, or pretend to be, ortodox as veil as socialist. Den vat become
+of you? You are left vid von, two, tree ateists--not enough to make
+_Minyan_. No, ve muz be _chocham_, ve muz take de men as ve find dem.
+God has made two classes of men--vise-men and fool-men. Dere! is one
+vise-man to a million fool-men--and he sits on deir head and dey support
+him. If dese fool-men vant to go to _Shool_ and to fast on _Yom Kippur_,
+vat for you make a feast of pig and shock dem, so dey not believe in
+your socialism? Ven you vant to eat pig, you do it here, like ve do now,
+in private. In public, ve spit out ven ve see pig. Ah, you are a
+fool-man. I am a stadesman, a politician. I vill be de Machiavelli of de
+movement."
+
+"Ah, Pinchas, you are a devil of a chap," said Wolf, laughing. "And yet
+you say you are the poet of patriotism and Palestine."
+
+"Vy not? Vy should we lif here in captivity? Vy we shall not have our
+own state--and our own President, a man who combine deep politic vid
+knowledge of Hebrew literature and de pen of a poet. No, let us fight to
+get back our country--ve vill not hang our harps on the villows of
+Babylon and veep--ve vill take our swords vid Ezra and Judas Maccabaeus,
+and--"
+
+"One thing at a time, Pinchas," said Simon Wolf. "At present, we have to
+consider how to distribute these food-tickets. The committee-men are
+late; I wonder if there has been any fighting at the centres, where they
+have been addressing meetings."
+
+"Ah, dat is anoder point," said Pinchas. "Vy you no let me address
+meetings--not de little ones in de street, but de great ones in de hall
+of de Club? Dere my vords vould rush like de moundain dorrents, sveeping
+avay de corruptions. But you let all dese fool-men talk. You know,
+Simon, I and you are de only two persons in de East-End who speak
+Ainglish properly."
+
+"I know. But these speeches must be in Yiddish."
+
+"_Gewiss_. But who speak her like me and you? You muz gif me a speech
+to-night."
+
+"I can't; really not," said Simon. "The programme's arranged. You know
+they're all jealous of me already. I dare not leave one out."
+
+"Ah, no; do not say dat!" said Pinchas, laying his finger pleadingly on
+the side of his nose.
+
+"I must."
+
+"You tear my heart in two. I lof you like a brother--almost like a
+voman. Just von!" There was an appealing smile in his eye.
+
+"I cannot. I shall have a hornet's nest about my ears."
+
+"Von leedle von, Simon Wolf!" Again his finger was on his nose.
+
+"It is impossible."
+
+"You haf not considair how my Yiddish shall make kindle every heart,
+strike tears from every eye, as Moses did from de rock."
+
+"I have. I know. But what am I to do?"
+
+"Jus dis leedle favor; and I vill be gradeful to you all mine life."
+
+"You know I would if I could."
+
+Pinchas's finger was laid more insistently on his nose.
+
+"Just dis vonce. Grant me dis, and I vill nevair ask anyding of you in
+all my life."
+
+"No, no. Don't bother, Pinchas. Go away now," said Wolf, getting
+annoyed. "I have lots to do."
+
+"I vill never gif you mine ideas again!" said the poet, flashing up, and
+he went out and banged the door.
+
+The labor-leader settled to his papers with a sigh of relief.
+
+The relief was transient. A moment afterwards the door was slightly
+opened, and Pinchas's head was protruded through the aperture. The poet
+wore his most endearing smile, the finger was laid coaxingly against the
+nose.
+
+"Just von leedle speech, Simon. Tink how I lof you."
+
+"Oh, well, go away. I'll see," replied Wolf, laughing amid all his
+annoyance.
+
+The poet rushed in and kissed the hem of Wolf's coat.
+
+"Oh, you be a great man!" he said. Then he walked out, closing the door
+gently. A moment afterwards, a vision of the dusky head, with the
+carneying smile and the finger on the nose, reappeared.
+
+"You von't forget your promise," said the head.
+
+"No, no. Go to the devil. I won't forget."
+
+Pinchas walked home through streets thronged with excited strikers,
+discussing the situation with oriental exuberance of gesture, with any
+one who would listen. The demands of these poor slop-hands (who could
+only count upon six hours out of the twenty-four for themselves, and
+who, by the help of their wives and little ones in finishing, might earn
+a pound a week) were moderate enough--hours from eight to eight, with an
+hour for dinner and half an hour for tea, two shillings from the
+government contractors for making a policeman's great-coat instead of
+one and ninepence halfpenny, and so on and so on. Their intentions were
+strictly peaceful. Every face was stamped with the marks of intellect
+and ill-health--the hue of a muddy pallor relieved by the flash of eyes
+and teeth. Their shoulders stooped, their chests were narrow, their arms
+flabby. They came in their hundreds to the hall at night. It was
+square-shaped with a stage and galleries, for a jargon-company sometimes
+thrilled the Ghetto with tragedy and tickled it with farce. Both species
+were playing to-night, and in jargon to boot. In real life you always
+get your drama mixed, and the sock of comedy galls the buskin of
+tragedy. It was an episode in the pitiful tussle of hunger and greed,
+yet its humors were grotesque enough.
+
+Full as the Hall was, it was not crowded, for it was Friday night and a
+large contingent of strikers refused to desecrate the Sabbath by
+attending the meeting. But these were the zealots--Moses Ansell among
+them, for he, too, had struck. Having been out of work already he had
+nothing to lose by augmenting the numerical importance of the agitation.
+The moderately pious argued that there was no financial business to
+transact and attendance could hardly come under the denomination of
+work. It was rather analogous to attendance at a lecture--they would
+simply have to listen to speeches. Besides it would be but a black
+Sabbath at home with a barren larder, and they had already been to
+synagogue. Thus degenerates ancient piety in the stress of modern social
+problems. Some of the men had not even changed their everyday face for
+their Sabbath countenance by washing it. Some wore collars, and shiny
+threadbare garments of dignified origin, others were unaffectedly
+poverty-stricken with dingy shirt-cuffs peeping out of frayed sleeve
+edges and unhealthily colored scarfs folded complexly round their necks.
+A minority belonged to the Free-thinking party, but the majority only
+availed themselves of Wolf's services because they were indispensable.
+For the moment he was the only possible leader, and they were
+sufficiently Jesuitic to use the Devil himself for good ends.
+
+Though Wolf would not give up a Friday-night meeting--especially
+valuable, as permitting of the attendance of tailors who had not yet
+struck--Pinchas's politic advice had not failed to make an impression.
+Like so many reformers who have started with blatant atheism, he was
+beginning to see the insignificance of irreligious dissent as compared
+with the solution of the social problem, and Pinchas's seed had fallen
+on ready soil. As a labor-leader, pure and simple, he could count upon a
+far larger following than as a preacher of militant impiety. He resolved
+to keep his atheism in the background for the future and devote himself
+to the enfranchisement of the body before tampering with the soul. He
+was too proud ever to acknowledge his indebtedness to the poet's
+suggestion, but he felt grateful to him all the same.
+
+"My brothers," he said in Yiddish, when his turn came to speak. "It
+pains me much to note how disunited we are. The capitalists, the
+Belcovitches, would rejoice if they but knew all that is going on. Have
+we not enemies enough that we must quarrel and split up into little
+factions among ourselves? (Hear, hear.) How can we hope to succeed
+unless we are thoroughly organized? It has come to my ears that there
+are men who insinuate things even about me and before I go on further
+to-night I wish to put this question to you." He paused and there was a
+breathless silence. The orator threw his chest forwards and gazing
+fearlessly at the assembly cried in a stentorian voice:
+
+_"Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Chairman?"_ (Are you satisfied with your
+chairman?)
+
+His audacity made an impression. The discontented cowered timidly in
+their places.
+
+"_Yes_," rolled back from the assembly, proud of its English
+monosyllables.
+
+"_Nein_," cried a solitary voice from the topmost gallery.
+
+Instantly the assembly was on its legs, eyeing the dissentient angrily.
+"Get down! Go on the platform!" mingled with cries of "order" from the
+Chairman, who in vain summoned him on to the stage. The dissentient
+waved a roll of paper violently and refused to modify his standpoint. He
+was evidently speaking, for his jaws were making movements, which in the
+din and uproar could not rise above grimaces. There was a battered high
+hat on the back of his head, and his hair was uncombed, and his face
+unwashed. At last silence was restored and the tirade became audible.
+
+"Cursed sweaters--capitalists--stealing men's brains--leaving us to rot
+and starve in darkness and filth. Curse them! Curse them!" The speaker's
+voice rose to a hysterical scream, as he rambled on.
+
+Some of the men knew him and soon there flew from lip to lip, "Oh, it's
+only _Meshuggene David_."
+
+Mad Davy was a gifted Russian university student, who had been mixed up
+with nihilistic conspiracies and had fled to England where the struggle
+to find employ for his clerical talents had addled his brain. He had a
+gift for chess and mechanical invention, and in the early days had saved
+himself from starvation by the sale of some ingenious patents to a
+swaggering co-religionist who owned race-horses and a music-hall, but he
+sank into squaring the circle and inventing perpetual motion. He lived
+now on the casual crumbs of indigent neighbors, for the charitable
+organizations had marked him "dangerous." He was a man of infinite
+loquacity, with an intense jealousy of Simon Wolf or any such
+uninstructed person who assumed to lead the populace, but when the
+assembly accorded him his hearing he forgot the occasion of his rising
+in a burst of passionate invective against society.
+
+When the irrelevancy of his remarks became apparent, he was rudely
+howled down and his neighbors pulled him into his seat, where he
+gibbered and mowed inaudibly.
+
+Wolf continued his address.
+
+"_Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Secretary_?"
+
+This time there was no dissent. The _"Yes"_ came like thunder.
+
+"_Sind sie zufrieden mit ihrer Treasurer_?"
+
+_Yeas_ and _nays_ mingled. The question of the retention, of the
+functionary was put to the vote. But there was much confusion, for the
+East-End Jew is only slowly becoming a political animal. The ayes had
+it, but Wolf was not yet satisfied with the satisfaction of the
+gathering. He repeated the entire batch of questions in a new formula so
+as to drive them home.
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen mir_?" Which is Yiddish for "has any one
+anything to say against me?"
+
+"_No_!" came in a vehement roar.
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen dem secretary_?"
+
+"_No_!"
+
+"_Hot aner etwas zu sagen gegen dem treasurer_?"
+
+"_No!"_
+
+Having thus shown his grasp of logical exhaustiveness in a manner unduly
+exhausting to the more intelligent, Wolf consented to resume his
+oration. He had scored a victory, and triumph lent him added eloquence.
+When he ceased he left his audience in a frenzy of resolution and
+loyalty. In the flush of conscious power and freshly added influence, he
+found a niche for Pinchas's oratory.
+
+"Brethren in exile," said the poet in his best Yiddish.
+
+Pinchas spoke German which is an outlandish form of Yiddish and scarce
+understanded of the people, so that to be intelligible he had to divest
+himself of sundry inflections, and to throw gender to the winds and to
+say "wet" for "wird" and mix hybrid Hebrew and ill-pronounced English
+with his vocabulary. There was some cheering as Pinchas tossed his
+dishevelled locks and addressed the gathering, for everybody to whom he
+had ever spoken knew that he was a wise and learned man and a great
+singer in Israel.
+
+"Brethren in exile," said the poet. "The hour has come for laying the
+sweaters low. Singly we are sand-grains, together we are the simoom. Our
+great teacher, Moses, was the first Socialist. The legislation of the
+Old Testament--the land laws, the jubilee regulations, the tender care
+for the poor, the subordination of the rights of property to the
+interests of the working-men--all this is pure Socialism!"
+
+The poet paused for the cheers which came in a mighty volume. Few of
+those present knew what Socialism was, but all knew the word as a
+shibboleth of salvation from sweaters. Socialism meant shorter hours and
+higher wages and was obtainable by marching with banners and brass
+bands--what need to inquire further?
+
+"In short," pursued the poet, "Socialism is Judaism and Judaism is
+Socialism, and Karl Marx and Lassalle, the founders of Socialism, were
+Jews. Judaism does not bother with the next world. It says, 'Eat, drink
+and be satisfied and thank the Lord, thy God, who brought thee out of
+Egypt from the land of bondage.' But we have nothing to eat, we have
+nothing to drink, we have nothing to be satisfied with, we are still in
+the land of bondage." (Cheers.) "My brothers, how can we keep Judaism in
+a land where there is no Socialism? We must become better Jews, we must
+bring on Socialism, for the period of Socialism on earth and of peace
+and plenty and brotherly love is what all our prophets and great
+teachers meant by Messiah-times."
+
+A little murmur of dissent rose here and there, but Pinchas went on.
+
+"When Hillel the Great summed up the law to the would-be proselyte while
+standing on one leg, how did he express it? 'Do not unto others what you
+would not have others do unto you.' This is Socialism in a nut-shell. Do
+not keep your riches for yourself, spread them abroad. Do not fatten on
+the labor of the poor, but share it. Do not eat the food others have
+earned, but earn your own. Yes, brothers, the only true Jews in England
+are the Socialists. Phylacteries, praying-shawls--all nonsense. Work
+for Socialism--that pleases the Almighty. The Messiah will be a
+Socialist."
+
+There were mingled sounds, men asking each other dubiously, "What says
+he?" They began to sniff brimstone. Wolf, shifting uneasily on his
+chair, kicked the poet's leg in reminder of his own warning. But
+Pinchas's head was touching the stars again. Mundane considerations were
+left behind somewhere in the depths of space below his feet.
+
+"But how is the Messiah to redeem his people?" he asked. "Not now-a-days
+by the sword but by the tongue. He will plead the cause of Judaism, the
+cause of Socialism, in Parliament. He will not come with mock miracle
+like Bar Cochba or Zevi. At the general election, brothers, I will stand
+as the candidate for Whitechapel. I, a poor man, one of yourselves, will
+take my stand in that mighty assembly and touch the hearts of the
+legislators. They shall bend before my oratory as the bulrushes of the
+Nile when the wind passes. They will make me Prime Minister like Lord
+Beaconsfield, only he was no true lover of his people, he was not the
+Messiah. To hell with the rich bankers and the stockbrokers--we want
+them not. We will free ourselves."
+
+The extraordinary vigor of the poet's language and gestures told. Only
+half comprehending, the majority stamped and huzzahed. Pinchas swelled
+visibly. His slim, lithe form, five and a quarter feet high, towered
+over the assembly. His complexion was as burnished copper, his eyes
+flashed flame.
+
+"Yes, brethren," he resumed. "These Anglo-Jewish swine trample unheeding
+on the pearls of poetry and scholarship, they choose for Ministers men
+with four mistresses, for Chief Rabbis hypocrites who cannot even write
+the holy tongue grammatically, for _Dayanim_ men who sell their
+daughters to the rich, for Members of Parliament stockbrokers who cannot
+speak English, for philanthropists greengrocers who embezzle funds. Let
+us have nothing to do with these swine--Moses our teacher forbade it.
+(Laughter.) I will be the Member for Whitechapel. See, my name
+Melchitsedek Pinchas already makes M.P.--it was foreordained. If every
+letter of the _Torah_ has its special meaning, and none was put by
+chance, why should the finger of heaven not have written my name thus:
+M.P.--Melchitsedek Pinchas. Ah, our brother Wolf speaks truth--wisdom
+issues from his lips. Put aside your petty quarrels and unite in working
+for my election to Parliament. Thus and thus only shall you be redeemed
+from bondage, made from beasts of burden into men, from slaves to
+citizens, from false Jews to true Jews. Thus and thus only shall you
+eat, drink and be satisfied, and thank me for bringing you out of the
+land of bondage. Thus and thus only shall Judaism cover the world as the
+waters cover the sea."
+
+The fervid peroration overbalanced the audience, and from all sides
+except the platform applause warmed the poet's ears. He resumed his
+seat, and as he did so he automatically drew out a match and a cigar,
+and lit the one with the other. Instantly the applause dwindled, died;
+there was a moment of astonished silence, then a roar of execration. The
+bulk of the audience, as Pinchas, sober, had been shrewd enough to see,
+was still orthodox. This public desecration of the Sabbath by smoking
+was intolerable. How should the God of Israel aid the spread of
+Socialism and the shorter hours movement and the rise of prices a penny
+on a coat, if such devil's incense were borne to His nostrils? Their
+vague admiration of Pinchas changed into definite distrust. "_Epikouros,
+Epikouros, Meshumad_" resounded from all sides. The poet looked
+wonderingly about him, failing to grasp the situation. Simon Wolf saw
+his opportunity. With an angry jerk he knocked the glowing cigar from
+between the poet's teeth. There was a yell of delight and approbation.
+
+Wolf jumped to his feet. "Brothers," he roared, "you know I am not
+_froom_, but I will not have anybody else's feelings trampled upon." So
+saying, he ground the cigar under his heel.
+
+Immediately an abortive blow from the poet's puny arm swished the air.
+Pinchas was roused, the veins on his forehead swelled, his heart thumped
+rapidly in his bosom. Wolf shook his knobby fist laughingly at the poet,
+who made no further effort to use any other weapon of offence but his
+tongue.
+
+"Hypocrite!" he shrieked. "Liar! Machiavelli! Child of the separation! A
+black year on thee! An evil spirit in thy bones and in the bones of thy
+father and mother. Thy father was a proselyte and thy mother an
+abomination. The curses of Deuteronomy light on thee. Mayest thou become
+covered with boils like Job! And you," he added, turning on the
+audience, "pack of Men-of-the-earth! Stupid animals! How much longer
+will you bend your neck to the yoke of superstition while your bellies
+are empty? Who says I shall not smoke? Was tobacco known to Moses our
+Teacher? If so he would have enjoyed it on the _Shabbos_. He was a wise
+man like me. Did the Rabbis know of it? No, fortunately, else they were
+so stupid they would have forbidden it. You are all so ignorant that you
+think not of these things. Can any one show me where it stands that we
+must not smoke on _Shabbos_? Is not _Shabbos_ a day of rest, and how can
+we rest if we smoke not? I believe with the Baal-Shem that God is more
+pleased when I smoke my cigar than at the prayers of all the stupid
+Rabbis. How dare you rob me of my cigar--is that keeping _Shabbos_?" He
+turned back to Wolf, and tried to push his foot from off the cigar.
+There was a brief struggle. A dozen men leaped on the platform and
+dragged the poet away from his convulsive clasp of the labor-leader's
+leg. A few opponents of Wolf on the platform cried, "Let the man alone,
+give him his cigar," and thrust themselves amongst the invaders. The
+hall was in tumult. From the gallery the voice of Mad Davy resounded
+again:
+
+"Cursed sweaters--stealing men's brains--darkness and filth--curse them!
+Blow them up I as we blew up Alexander. Curse them!"
+
+Pinchas was carried, shrieking hysterically, and striving to bite the
+arms of his bearers, through the tumultuous crowd, amid a little
+ineffective opposition, and deposited outside the door.
+
+Wolf made another speech, sealing the impression he had made. Then the
+poor narrow-chested pious men went home through the cold air to recite
+the Song of Solomon in their stuffy back-rooms and garrets. "Behold thou
+art fair, my love," they intoned in a strange chant. "Behold thou art
+fair, thou hast doves' eyes. Behold thou art fair, my beloved, yea
+pleasant; also our couch is green. The beams of our house are cedar and
+our rafters are fir. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and
+gone; the flowers appear upon the earth; the time of the singing of
+birds is come and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Thy
+plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits, calamus,
+cinnamon with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloe with all the
+chief spices; a fountain of gardens; a well of living waters and streams
+from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind and come, thou south, blow upon my
+garden that the spices thereof may flow out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE HOPE EXTINCT.
+
+
+The strike came to an end soon after. To the delight of Melchitsedek
+Pinchas, Gideon, M.P., intervened at the eleventh hour, unceremoniously
+elbowing Simon Wolf out of his central position. A compromise was
+arranged and jubilance and tranquillity reigned for some months, till
+the corruptions of competitive human nature brought back the old state
+of things--for employers have quite a diplomatic reverence for treaties
+and the brotherly love of employees breaks down under the strain of
+supporting families. Rather to his own surprise Moses Ansell found
+himself in work at least three days a week, the other three being spent
+in hanging round the workshop waiting for it. It is an uncertain trade,
+is the manufacture of slops, which was all Moses was fitted for, but if
+you are not at hand you may miss the "work" when it does come.
+
+It never rains but it pours, and so more luck came to the garret of No.
+1 Royal Street. Esther won five pounds at school. It was the Henry
+Goldsmith prize, a new annual prize for general knowledge, instituted by
+a lady named Mrs. Henry Goldsmith who had just joined the committee, and
+the semi-divine person herself--a surpassingly beautiful radiant being,
+like a princess in a fairy tale--personally congratulated her upon her
+success. The money was not available for a year, but the neighbors
+hastened to congratulate the family on its rise to wealth. Even Levi
+Jacob's visits became more frequent, though this could scarcely be
+ascribed to mercenary motives.
+
+The Belcovitches recognized their improved status so far as to send to
+borrow some salt: for the colony of No. 1 Royal Street carried on an
+extensive system of mutual accommodation, coals, potatoes, chunks of
+bread, saucepans, needles, wood-choppers, all passing daily to and fro.
+Even garments and jewelry were lent on great occasions, and when that
+dear old soul Mrs. Simons went to a wedding she was decked out in
+contributions from a dozen wardrobes. The Ansells themselves were too
+proud to borrow though they were not above lending.
+
+It was early morning and Moses in his big phylacteries was droning his
+orisons. His mother had had an attack of spasms and so he was praying at
+home to be at hand in case of need. Everybody was up, and Moses was
+superintending the household even while he was gabbling psalms. He never
+minded breaking off his intercourse with Heaven to discuss domestic
+affairs, for he was on free and easy terms with the powers that be, and
+there was scarce a prayer in the liturgy which he would not interrupt to
+reprimand Solomon for lack of absorption in the same. The exception was
+the _Amidah_ or eighteen Blessings, so-called because there are
+twenty-two. This section must be said standing and inaudibly and when
+Moses was engaged upon it, a message from an earthly monarch would have
+extorted no reply from him. There were other sacred silences which Moses
+would not break save of dire necessity and then only by talking Hebrew;
+but the _Amidah_ was the silence of silences. This was why the utterly
+unprecedented arrival of a telegraph boy did not move him. Not even
+Esther's cry of alarm when she opened the telegram had any visible
+effect upon him, though in reality he whispered off his prayer at a
+record-beating rate and duly danced three times on his toes with
+spasmodic celerity at the finale.
+
+"Father," said Esther, the never before received species of letter
+trembling in her hand, "we must go at once to see Benjy. He is very
+ill."
+
+"Has he written to say so?"
+
+"No, this is a telegram. I have read of such. Oh! perhaps he is dead.
+It is always so in books. They break the news by saying the dead are
+still alive." Her tones died away in a sob. The children clustered round
+her--Rachel and Solomon fought for the telegram in their anxiety to read
+it. Ikey and Sarah stood grave and interested. The sick grandmother sat
+up in bed excited.
+
+"He never showed me his 'four corners,'" she moaned. "Perhaps he did not
+wear the fringes at all."
+
+"Father, dost thou hear?" said Esther, for Moses Ansell was fingering
+the russet envelope with a dazed air. "We must go to the Orphanage at
+once."
+
+"Read it! What stands in the letter?" said Moses Ansell.
+
+She took the telegram from the hands of Solomon. "It stands, 'Come up at
+once. Your son Benjamin very ill.'"
+
+"Tu! Tu! Tu!" clucked Moses. "The poor child. But how can we go up? Thou
+canst not walk there. It will take _me_ more than three hours."
+
+His praying-shawl slid from his shoulders in his agitation.
+
+"Thou must not walk, either!" cried Esther excitedly. "We must get to
+him at once! Who knows if he will be alive when we come? We must go by
+train from London Bridge the way Benjy came that Sunday. Oh, my poor
+Benjy!"
+
+"Give me back the paper, Esther," interrupted Solomon, taking it from
+her limp hand. "The boys have never seen a telegram."
+
+"But we cannot spare the money," urged Moses helplessly. "We have just
+enough money to get along with to-day. Solomon, go on with thy prayers;
+thou seizest every excuse to interrupt them. Rachel, go away from him.
+Thou art also a disturbing Satan to him. I do not wonder his teacher
+flogged him black and blue yesterday--he is a stubborn and rebellious
+son who should be stoned, according to Deuteronomy."
+
+"We must do without dinner," said Esther impulsively.
+
+Sarah sat down on the floor and howled "Woe is me! Woe is me!"
+
+"I didden touch 'er," cried Ikey in indignant bewilderment.
+
+"'Tain't Ikey!" sobbed Sarah. "Little Tharah wants 'er dinner."
+
+"Thou hearest?" said Moses pitifully. "How can we spare the money?"
+
+"How much is it?" asked Esther.
+
+"It will be a shilling each there and back," replied Moses, who from his
+long periods of peregrination was a connoisseur in fares. "How can we
+afford it when I lose a morning's work into the bargain?"
+
+"No, what talkest thou?" said Esther. "Thou art looking a few months
+ahead--thou deemest perhaps, I am already twelve. It will be only
+sixpence for me."
+
+Moses did not disclaim the implied compliment to his rigid honesty but
+answered:
+
+"Where is my head? Of course thou goest half-price. But even so where is
+the eighteenpence to come from?"
+
+"But it is not eighteenpence!" ejaculated Esther with a new inspiration.
+Necessity was sharpening her wits to extraordinary acuteness. "We need
+not take return tickets. We can walk back."
+
+"But we cannot be so long away from the mother--both of us," said Moses.
+"She, too, is ill. And how will the children do without thee? I will go
+by myself."
+
+"No, I must see Benjy!" Esther cried.
+
+"Be not so stiff-necked, Esther! Besides, it stands in the letter that I
+am to come--they do not ask thee. Who knows that the great people will
+not be angry if I bring thee with me? I dare say Benjamin will soon be
+better. He cannot have been ill long."
+
+"But, quick, then, father, quick!" cried Esther, yielding to the complex
+difficulties of the position. "Go at once."
+
+"Immediately, Esther. Wait only till I have finished my prayers. I am
+nearly done."
+
+"No! No!" cried Esther agonized. "Thou prayest so much--God will let
+thee off a little bit just for once. Thou must go at once and ride both
+ways, else how shall we know what has happened? I will pawn my new prize
+and that will give thee money enough."
+
+"Good!" said Moses. "While thou art pledging the book I shall have time
+to finish _davening_." He hitched up his _Talith_ and commenced to
+gabble off, "Happy are they who dwell in Thy house; ever shall they
+praise Thee, Selah," and was already saying, "And a Redeemer shall come
+unto Zion," by the time Esther rushed out through the door with the
+pledge. It was a gaudily bound volume called "Treasures of Science," and
+Esther knew it almost by heart, having read it twice from gilt cover to
+gilt cover. All the same, she would miss it sorely. The pawnbroker lived
+only round the corner, for like the publican he springs up wherever the
+conditions are favorable. He was a Christian; by a curious anomaly the
+Ghetto does not supply its own pawnbrokers, but sends them out to the
+provinces or the West End. Perhaps the business instinct dreads the
+solicitation of the racial.
+
+Esther's pawnbroker was a rubicund portly man. He knew the fortunes of a
+hundred families by the things left with him or taken back. It was on
+his stuffy shelves that poor Benjamin's coat had lain compressed and
+packed away when it might have had a beautiful airing in the grounds of
+the Crystal Palace. It was from his stuffy shelves that Esther's mother
+had redeemed it--a day after the fair--soon to be herself compressed and
+packed away in a pauper's coffin, awaiting in silence whatsoever
+Redemption might be. The best coat itself had long since been sold to a
+ragman, for Solomon, upon whose back it devolved, when Benjamin was so
+happily translated, could never be got to keep a best coat longer than a
+year, and when a best coat is degraded to every-day wear its attrition
+is much more than six times as rapid.
+
+"Good mornen, my little dear," said the rubicund man. "You're early this
+mornen." The apprentice had, indeed, only just taken down the shutters.
+"What can I do for you to-day? You look pale, my dear; what's the
+matter?"
+
+"I have a bran-new seven and sixpenny book," she answered hurriedly,
+passing it to him.
+
+He turned instinctively to the fly-leaf.
+
+"Bran-new book!" he said contemptuously. "'Esther Ansell--For
+improvement!' When a book's spiled like that, what can you expect for
+it?"
+
+"Why, it's the inscription that makes it valuable," said Esther
+tearfully.
+
+"Maybe," said the rubicund man gruffly. "But d'yer suppose I should just
+find a buyer named Esther Ansell?" Do you suppose everybody in the
+world's named Esther Ansell or is capable of improvement?"
+
+"No," breathed Esther dolefully. "But I shall take it out myself soon."
+
+"In this world," said the rubicund man, shaking his head sceptically,
+"there ain't never no knowing. Well, how much d'yer want?"
+
+"I only want a shilling," said Esther, "and threepence," she added as a
+happy thought.
+
+"All right," said the rubicund man softened. "I won't 'aggle this
+mornen. You look quite knocked up. Here you are!" and Esther darted out
+of the shop with the money clasped tightly in her palm.
+
+Moses had folded his phylacteries with pious primness and put them away
+in a little bag, and he was hastily swallowing a cup of coffee.
+
+"Here is the shilling," she cried. "And twopence extra for the 'bus to
+London Bridge. Quick!" She put the ticket away carefully among its
+companions in a discolored leather purse her father had once picked up
+in the street, and hurried him off. When his steps ceased on the stairs,
+she yearned to run after him and go with him, but Ikey was clamoring for
+breakfast and the children had to run off to school. She remained at
+home herself, for the grandmother groaned heavily. When the other
+children had gone off she tidied up the vacant bed and smoothed the old
+woman's pillows. Suddenly Benjamin's reluctance to have his father
+exhibited before his new companions recurred to her; she hoped Moses
+would not be needlessly obtrusive and felt that if she had gone with him
+she might have supplied tact in this direction. She reproached herself
+for not having made him a bit more presentable. She should have spared
+another halfpenny for a new collar, and seen that he was washed; but in
+the rush and alarm all thoughts of propriety had been submerged. Then
+her thoughts went off at a tangent and she saw her class-room, where new
+things were being taught, and new marks gained. It galled her to think
+she was missing both. She felt so lonely in the company of her
+grandmother, she could have gone downstairs and cried on Dutch Debby's
+musty lap. Then she strove to picture the room where Benjy was lying,
+but her imagination lacked the data. She would not let herself think the
+brilliant Benjamin was dead, that he would be sewn up in a shroud just
+like his poor mother, who had no literary talent whatever, but she
+wondered whether he was groaning like the grandmother. And so, half
+distracted, pricking up her ears at the slightest creak on the stairs,
+Esther waited for news of her Benjy. The hours dragged on and on, and
+the children coming home at one found dinner ready but Esther still
+waiting. A dusty sunbeam streamed in through the garret window as though
+to give her hope.
+
+Benjamin had been beguiled from his books into an unaccustomed game of
+ball in the cold March air. He had taken off his jacket and had got very
+hot with his unwonted exertions. A reactionary chill followed. Benjamin
+had a slight cold, which being ignored, developed rapidly into a heavy
+one, still without inducing the energetic lad to ask to be put upon the
+sick list. Was not the publishing day of _Our Own_ at hand?
+
+The cold became graver with the same rapidity, and almost as soon as the
+boy had made complaint he was in a high fever, and the official doctor
+declared that pneumonia had set in. In the night Benjamin was delirious,
+and the nurse summoned the doctor, and next morning his condition was so
+critical that his father was telegraphed for. There was little to be
+done by science--all depended on the patient's constitution. Alas! the
+four years of plenty and country breezes had not counteracted the eight
+and three-quarter years of privation and foul air, especially in a lad
+more intent on emulating Dickens and Thackeray than on profiting by the
+advantages of his situation.
+
+When Moses arrived he found his boy tossing restlessly in a little bed,
+in a private little room away from the great dormitories. "The
+matron"--a sweet-faced young lady--was bending tenderly over him, and a
+nurse sat at the bedside. The doctor stood--waiting--at the foot of the
+bed. Moses took his boy's hand. The matron silently stepped aside.
+Benjamin stared at him with wide, unrecognizing eyes.
+
+"_Nu_, how goes it, Benjamin?" cried Moses in Yiddish, with mock
+heartiness.
+
+"Thank you, old Four-Eyes. It's very good of you to come. I always said
+there mustn't be any hits at you in the paper. I always told the fellows
+you were a very decent chap."
+
+"What says he?" asked Moses, turning to the company. "I cannot
+understand English."
+
+They could not understand his own question, but the matron guessed it.
+She tapped her forehead and shook her head for reply. Benjamin closed
+his eyes and there was silence. Presently he opened them and looked
+straight at his father. A deeper crimson mantled on the flushed cheek as
+Benjamin beheld the dingy stooping being to whom he owed birth. Moses
+wore a dirty red scarf below his untrimmed beard, his clothes were
+greasy, his face had not yet been washed, and--for a climax--he had not
+removed his hat, which other considerations than those of etiquette
+should have impelled him to keep out of sight.
+
+"I thought you were old Four-Eyes," the boy murmured in
+confusion--"Wasn't he here just now?"
+
+"Go and fetch Mr. Coleman," said the matron, to the nurse, half-smiling
+through tears at her own knowledge of the teacher's nickname and
+wondering what endearing term she was herself known by.
+
+"Cheer up, Benjamin," said his father, seeing his boy had become
+sensible of his presence. "Thou wilt be all right soon. Thou hast been
+much worse than this."
+
+"What does he say?" asked Benjamin, turning his eyes towards the matron.
+
+"He says he is sorry to see you so bad," said the matron, at a venture.
+
+"But I shall be up soon, won't I? I can't have _Our Own_ delayed,"
+whispered Benjamin.
+
+"Don't worry about _Our Own_, my poor boy," murmured the matron,
+pressing his forehead. Moses respectfully made way for her.
+
+"What says he?" he asked. The matron repeated the words, but Moses could
+not understand the English.
+
+Old Four-Eyes arrived--a mild spectacled young man. He looked at the
+doctor, and the doctor's eye told him all.
+
+"Ah, Mr. Coleman," said Benjamin, with joyous huskiness, "you'll see
+that _Our Own_ comes out this week as usual. Tell Jack Simmonds he must
+not forget to rule black lines around the page containing Bruno's
+epitaph. Bony-nose--I--I mean Mr. Bernstein, wrote it for us in
+dog-Latin. Isn't it a lark? Thick, black lines, tell him. He was a good
+dog and only bit one boy in his life."
+
+"All right. I'll see to it," old Four-Eyes assured him with answering
+huskiness.
+
+"What says he?" helplessly inquired Moses, addressing himself to the
+newcomer.
+
+"Isn't it a sad case, Mr. Coleman?" said the matron, in a low tone.
+"They can't understand each other."
+
+"You ought to keep an interpreter on the premises," said the doctor,
+blowing his nose. Coleman struggled with himself. He knew the jargon to
+perfection, for his parents spoke it still, but he had always posed as
+being ignorant of it.
+
+"Tell my father to go home, and not to bother; I'm all right--only a
+little weak," whispered Benjamin.
+
+Coleman was deeply perturbed. He was wondering whether he should plead
+guilty to a little knowledge, when a change of expression came over the
+wan face on the pillow. The doctor came and felt the boy's pulse.
+
+"No, I don't want to hear that _Maaseh_," cried Benjamin. "Tell me about
+the Sambatyon, father, which refuses to flow on _Shabbos_."
+
+He spoke Yiddish, grown a child again. Moses's face lit up with joy. His
+eldest born had returned to intelligibility. There was hope still then.
+A sudden burst of sunshine flooded the room. In London the sun would not
+break through the clouds for some hours. Moses leaned over the pillow,
+his face working with blended emotions. Me let a hot tear fall on his
+boy's upturned face.
+
+"Hush, hush, my little Benjamin, don't cry," said Benjamin, and began to
+sing in his mothers jargon:
+
+    "Sleep, little father, sleep,
+    Thy father shall be a Rav,
+    Thy mother shall bring little apples,
+    Blessings on thy little head,"
+
+Moses saw his dead Gittel lulling his boy to sleep. Blinded by his
+tears, he did not see that they were falling thick upon the little white
+face.
+
+"Nay, dry thy tears, I tell thee, my little Benjamin," said Benjamin, in
+tones more tender and soothing, and launched into the strange wailing
+melody:
+
+    "Alas, woe is me!
+    How wretched to be
+    Driven away and banished,
+    Yet so young, from thee."
+
+"And Joseph's mother called to him from the grave: Be comforted, my son,
+a great future shall be thine."
+
+"The end is near," old Four-Eyes whispered to the father in jargon.
+Moses trembled from head to foot. "My poor lamb! My poor Benjamin," he
+wailed. "I thought thou wouldst say _Kaddish_ after me, not I for thee."
+Then he began to recite quietly the Hebrew prayers. The hat he should
+have removed was appropriate enough now.
+
+Benjamin sat up excitedly in bed: "There's mother, Esther!" he cried in
+English. "Coming back with my coat. But what's the use of it now?"
+
+His head fell back again. Presently a look of yearning came over the
+face so full of boyish beauty. "Esther," he said. "Wouldn't you like to
+be in the green country to-day? Look how the sun shines."
+
+It shone, indeed, with deceptive warmth, bathing in gold the green
+country that stretched beyond, and dazzling the eyes of the dying boy.
+The birds twittered outside the window. "Esther!" he said, wistfully,
+"do you think there'll be another funeral soon?".
+
+The matron burst into tears and turned away.
+
+"Benjamin," cried the father, frantically, thinking the end had come,
+"say the _Shemang_."
+
+The boy stared at him, a clearer look in his eyes.
+
+"Say the _Shemang_!" said Moses peremptorily. The word _Shemang_, the
+old authoritative tone, penetrated the consciousness of the dying boy.
+
+"Yes, father, I was just going to," he grumbled, submissively.
+
+They repeated the last declaration of the dying Israelite together. It
+was in Hebrew. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Both
+understood that.
+
+Benjamin lingered on a few more minutes, and died in a painless torpor.
+
+"He is dead," said the doctor.
+
+"Blessed be the true Judge," said Moses. He rent his coat, and closed
+the staring eyes. Then he went to the toilet table and turned the
+looking-glass to the wall, and opened the window and emptied the jug of
+water upon the green sunlit grass.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+THE JARGON PLAYERS.
+
+
+"No, don't stop me, Pinchas," said Gabriel Hamburg. "I'm packing up, and
+I shall spend my Passover in Stockholm. The Chief Rabbi there has
+discovered a manuscript which I am anxious to see, and as I have saved
+up a little money I shall speed thither."
+
+"Ah, he pays well, that boy-fool, Raphael Leon," said Pinchas, emitting
+a lazy ring of smoke.
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Gabriel, flushing angrily. "Do you mean,
+perhaps, that _you_ have been getting money out of him?"
+
+"Precisely. That is what I _do_ mean," said the poet naively. "What
+else?"
+
+"Well, don't let me hear you call him a fool. He _is_ one to send you
+money, but then it is for others to call him so. That boy will be a
+great man in Israel. The son of rich English Jews--a Harrow-boy, yet he
+already writes Hebrew almost grammatically."
+
+Pinchas was aware of this fact: had he not written to the lad (in
+response to a crude Hebrew eulogium and a crisp Bank of England note):
+"I and thou are the only two people in England who write the Holy Tongue
+grammatically."
+
+He replied now: "It is true; soon he will vie with me and you."
+
+The old scholar took snuff impatiently. The humors of Pinchas were
+beginning to pall upon him.
+
+"Good-bye," he said again.
+
+"No, wait, yet a little," said Pinchas, buttonholing him resolutely. "I
+want to show you my acrostic on Simon Wolf; ah! I will shoot him, the
+miserable labor-leader, the wretch who embezzles the money of the
+Socialist fools who trust him. Aha! it will sting like Juvenal, that
+acrostic."
+
+"I haven't time," said the gentle savant, beginning to lose his temper.
+
+"Well, have I time? I have to compose a three-act comedy by to-morrow
+at noon. I expect I shall have to sit up all night to get it done
+in time." Then, anxious to complete the conciliation of the
+old snuff-and-pepper-box, as he mentally christened him for his next
+acrostic, he added: "If there is anything in this manuscript that you
+cannot decipher or understand, a letter to me, care of Reb Shemuel, will
+always find me. Somehow I have a special genius for filling up _lacunae_
+in manuscripts. You remember the famous discovery that I made by
+rewriting the six lines torn out of the first page of that Midrash I
+discovered in Cyprus."
+
+"Yes, those six lines proved it thoroughly," sneered the savant.
+
+"Aha! You see!" said the poet, a gratified smile pervading his dusky
+features. "But I must tell you of this comedy--it will be a satirical
+picture (in the style of Moliere, only sharper) of Anglo-Jewish Society.
+The Rev. Elkan Benjamin, with his four mistresses, they will all be
+there, and Gideon, the Man-of-the-Earth, M.P.,--ah, it will be terrible.
+If I could only get them to see it performed, they should have free
+passes."
+
+"No, shoot them first; it would be more merciful. But where is this
+comedy to be played?" asked Hamburg curiously.
+
+"At the Jargon Theatre, the great theatre in Prince's Street, the only
+real national theatre in England. The English stage--Drury Lane--pooh!
+It is not in harmony with the people; it does not express them."
+
+Hamburg could not help smiling. He knew the wretched little hall, since
+tragically famous for a massacre of innocents, victims to the fatal cry
+of fire--more deadly than fiercest flame.
+
+"But how will your audience understand it?" he asked.
+
+"Aha!" said the poet, laying his finger on his nose and grinning. "They
+will understand. They know the corruptions of our society. All this
+conspiracy to crush me, to hound me out of England so that ignoramuses
+may prosper and hypocrites wax fat--do you think it is not the talk of
+the Ghetto? What! Shall it be the talk of Berlin, of Constantinople, of
+Mogadore, of Jerusalem, of Paris, and here it shall not be known?
+Besides, the leading actress will speak a prologue. Ah! she is
+beautiful, beautiful as Lilith, as the Queen of Sheba, as Cleopatra! And
+how she acts! She and Rachel--both Jewesses! Think of it! Ah, we are a
+great people. If I could tell you the secrets of her eyes as she looks
+at me--but no, you are dry as dust, a creature of prose! And there will
+be an orchestra, too, for Pesach Weingott has promised to play the
+overture on his fiddle. How he stirs the soul! It is like David playing
+before Saul."
+
+"Yes, but it won't be javelins the people will throw," murmured Hamburg,
+adding aloud: "I suppose you have written the music of this overture."
+
+"No, I cannot write music," said Pinchas.
+
+"Good heavens! You don't say so?" gasped Gabriel Hamburg. "Let that be
+my last recollection of you! No! Don't say another word! Don't spoil
+it! Good-bye." And he tore himself away, leaving the poet bewildered.
+
+"Mad! Mad!" said Pinchas, tapping his brow significantly; "mad, the old
+snuff-and-pepper-box." He smiled at the recollection of his latest
+phrase. "These scholars stagnate so. They see not enough of the women.
+Ha! I will go and see my actress."
+
+He threw out his chest, puffed out a volume of smoke, and took his way
+to Petticoat Lane. The compatriot of Rachel was wrapping up a scrag of
+mutton. She was a butcher's daughter and did not even wield the chopper,
+as Mrs. Siddons is reputed to have flourished the domestic table-knife.
+She was a simple, amiable girl, who had stepped into the position of
+lead in the stock jargon company as a way of eking out her pocket-money,
+and because there was no one else who wanted the post. She was rather
+plain except when be-rouged and be-pencilled. The company included
+several tailors and tailoresses of talent, and the low comedian was a
+Dutchman who sold herrings. They all had the gift of improvisation more
+developed than memory, and consequently availed themselves of the
+faculty that worked easier. The repertory was written by goodness knew
+whom, and was very extensive. It embraced all the species enumerated by
+Polonius, including comic opera, which was not known to the Danish
+saw-monger. There was nothing the company would not have undertaken to
+play or have come out of with a fair measure of success. Some of the
+plays were on Biblical subjects, but only a minority. There were also
+plays in rhyme, though Yiddish knows not blank verse. Melchitsedek
+accosted his interpretess and made sheep's-eyes at her. But an actress
+who serves in a butcher's shop is doubly accustomed to such, and being
+busy the girl paid no attention to the poet, though the poet was paying
+marked attention to her.
+
+"Kiss me, thou beauteous one, the gems of whose crown are foot-lights,"
+said the poet, when the custom ebbed for a moment.
+
+"If thou comest near me," said the actress whirling the chopper, "I'll
+chop thy ugly little head off."
+
+"Unless thou lendest me thy lips thou shalt not play in my comedy,"
+said Pinchas angrily.
+
+"_My_ trouble!" said the leading lady, shrugging her shoulders.
+
+Pinchas made several reappearances outside the open shop, with his
+insinuative finger on his nose and his insinuative smile on his face,
+but in the end went away with a flea in his ear and hunted up the
+actor-manager, the only person who made any money, to speak of, out of
+the performances. That gentleman had not yet consented to produce the
+play that Pinchas had ready in manuscript and which had been coveted by
+all the great theatres in the world, but which he, Pinchas, had reserved
+for the use of the only actor in Europe. The result of this interview
+was that the actor-manager yielded to Pinchas's solicitations, backed by
+frequent applications of poetic finger to poetic nose.
+
+"But," said the actor-manager, with a sudden recollection, "how about
+the besom?"
+
+"The besom!" repeated Pinchas, nonplussed for once.
+
+"Yes, thou sayest thou hast seen all the plays I have produced. Hast
+thou not noticed that I have a besom in all my plays?"
+
+"Aha! Yes, I remember," said Pinchas.
+
+"An old garden-besom it is," said the actor-manager. "And it is the
+cause of all my luck." He took up a house-broom that stood in the
+corner. "In comedy I sweep the floor with it--so--and the people grin;
+in comic-opera I beat time with it as I sing--so--and the people laugh;
+in farce I beat my mother-in-law with it--so--and the people roar; in
+tragedy I lean upon it--so--and the people thrill; in melodrama I sweep
+away the snow with it--so--and the people burst into tears. Usually I
+have my plays written beforehand and the authors are aware of the besom.
+Dost thou think," he concluded doubtfully, "that thou hast sufficient
+ingenuity to work in the besom now that the play is written?"
+
+Pinchas put his finger to his nose and smiled reassuringly.
+
+"It shall be all besom," he said.
+
+"And when wilt thou read it to me?"
+
+"Will to-morrow this time suit thee?"
+
+"As honey a bear."
+
+"Good, then!" said Pinchas; "I shall not fail."
+
+The door closed upon him. In another moment it reopened a bit and he
+thrust his grinning face through the aperture.
+
+"Ten per cent. of the receipts!" he said with his cajoling digito-nasal
+gesture.
+
+"Certainly," rejoined the actor-manager briskly. "After paying the
+expenses--ten per cent. of the receipts."
+
+"Thou wilt not forget?"
+
+"I shall not forget."
+
+Pinchas strode forth into the street and lit a new cigar in his
+exultation. How lucky the play was not yet written! Now he would be able
+to make it all turn round the axis of the besom. "It shall be all
+besom!" His own phrase rang in his ears like voluptuous marriage bells.
+Yes, it should, indeed, be all besom. With that besom he would sweep all
+his enemies--all the foul conspirators--in one clean sweep, down, down
+to Sheol. He would sweep them along the floor with it--so--and grin; he
+would beat time to their yells of agony--so--and laugh; he would beat
+them over the heads--so--and roar; he would lean upon it in statuesque
+greatness--so--and thrill; he would sweep away their remains with
+it--so--and weep for joy of countermining and quelling the long
+persecution.
+
+All night he wrote the play at railway speed, like a night
+express--puffing out volumes of smoke as he panted along. "I dip my pen
+in their blood," he said from time to time, and threw back his head and
+laughed aloud in the silence of the small hours.
+
+Pinchas had a good deal to do to explain the next day to the
+actor-manager where the fun came in. "Thou dost not grasp all the
+allusions, the back-handed slaps, the hidden poniards; perhaps not," the
+author acknowledged. "But the great heart of the people--it will
+understand."
+
+The actor-manager was unconvinced, but he admitted there was a good deal
+of besom, and in consideration of the poet bating his terms to five per
+cent. of the receipts he agreed to give it a chance. The piece was
+billed widely in several streets under the title of "The Hornet of
+Judah," and the name of Melchitsedek Pinchas appeared in letters of the
+size stipulated by the finger on the nose.
+
+But the leading actress threw up her part at the last moment, disgusted
+by the poet's amorous advances; Pinchas volunteered to play the part
+himself and, although his offer was rejected, he attired himself in
+skirts and streaked his complexion with red and white to replace the
+promoted second actress, and shaved off his beard.
+
+But in spite of this heroic sacrifice, the gods were unpropitious. They
+chaffed the poet in polished Yiddish throughout the first two acts.
+There was only a sprinkling of audience (most of it paper) in the
+dimly-lit hall, for the fame of the great writer had not spread from
+Berlin, Mogadore, Constantinople and the rest of the universe.
+
+No one could make head or tail of the piece with its incessant play of
+occult satire against clergymen with four mistresses, Rabbis who sold
+their daughters, stockbrokers ignorant of Hebrew and destitute of
+English, greengrocers blowing Messianic and their own trumpets,
+labor-leaders embezzling funds, and the like. In vain the actor-manager
+swept the floor with the besom, beat time with the besom, beat his
+mother-in-law with the besom, leaned on the besom, swept bits of white
+paper with the besom. The hall, empty of its usual crowd, was fuller of
+derisive laughter. At last the spectators tired of laughter and the
+rafters re-echoed with hoots. At the end of the second act, Melchitsedek
+Pinchas addressed the audience from the stage, in his ample petticoats,
+his brow streaming with paint and perspiration. He spoke of the great
+English conspiracy and expressed his grief and astonishment at finding
+it had infected the entire Ghetto.
+
+There was no third act. It was the poet's first--and last--appearance on
+any stage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+"FOR AULD LANG SYNE, MY DEAR."
+
+
+The learned say that Passover was a Spring festival even before it was
+associated with the Redemption from Egypt, but there is not much Nature
+to worship in the Ghetto and the historical elements of the Festival
+swamp all the others. Passover still remains the most picturesque of the
+"Three Festivals" with its entire transmogrification of things culinary,
+its thorough taboo of leaven. The audacious archaeologist of the
+thirtieth century may trace back the origin of the festival to the
+Spring Cleaning, the annual revel of the English housewife, for it is
+now that the Ghetto whitewashes itself and scrubs itself and paints
+itself and pranks itself and purifies its pans in a baptism of fire.
+Now, too, the publican gets unto himself a white sheet and suspends it
+at his door and proclaims that he sells _Kosher rum_ by permission of
+the Chief Rabbi. Now the confectioner exchanges his "stuffed monkeys,"
+and his bolas and his jam-puffs, and his cheese-cakes for unleavened
+"palavas," and worsted balls and almond cakes. Time was when the
+Passover dietary was restricted to fruit and meat and vegetables, but
+year by year the circle is expanding, and it should not be beyond the
+reach of ingenuity to make bread itself Passoverian. It is now that the
+pious shopkeeper whose store is tainted with leaven sells his business
+to a friendly Christian, buying it back at the conclusion of the
+festival. Now the Shalotten _Shammos_ is busy from morning to night
+filling up charity-forms, artistically multiplying the poor man's
+children and dividing his rooms. Now is holocaust made of a people's
+bread-crumbs, and now is the national salutation changed to "How do the
+_Motsos_ agree with you?" half of the race growing facetious, and the
+other half finical over the spotted Passover cakes.
+
+It was on the evening preceding the opening of Passover that Esther
+Ansell set forth to purchase a shilling's worth of fish in Petticoat
+Lane, involuntarily storing up in her mind vivid impressions of the
+bustling scene. It is one of the compensations of poverty that it allows
+no time for mourning. Daily duty is the poor man's nepenthe.
+
+Esther and her father were the only two members of the family upon whom
+the death of Benjamin made a deep impression. He had been so long away
+from home that he was the merest shadow to the rest. But Moses bore the
+loss with resignation, his emotions discharging themselves in the daily
+_Kaddish_. Blent with his personal grief was a sorrow for the
+commentaries lost to Hebrew literature by his boy's premature
+transference to Paradise. Esther's grief was more bitter and defiant.
+All the children were delicate, but it was the first time death had
+taken one. The meaningless tragedy of Benjamin's end shook the child's
+soul to its depths. Poor lad! How horrible to be lying cold and ghastly
+beneath the winter snow! What had been the use of all his long prepay
+rations to write great novels? The name of Ansell would now become
+ingloriously extinct. She wondered whether _Our Own_ would collapse and
+secretly felt it must. And then what of the hopes of worldly wealth she
+had built on Benjamin's genius? Alas! the emancipation of the Ansells
+from the yoke of poverty was clearly postponed. To her and her alone
+must the family now look for deliverance. Well, she would take up the
+mantle of the dead boy, and fill it as best she might. She clenched her
+little hands in iron determination. Moses Ansell knew nothing either of
+her doubts or her ambitions. Work was still plentiful three days a week,
+and he was unconscious he was not supporting his family in comparative
+affluence. But even with Esther the incessant grind of school-life and
+quasi-motherhood speedily rubbed away the sharper edges of sorrow,
+though the custom prohibiting obvious pleasures during the year of
+mourning went in no danger of transgression, for poor little Esther
+gadded neither to children's balls nor to theatres. Her thoughts were
+full of the prospects of piscine bargains, as she pushed her way through
+a crowd so closely wedged, and lit up by such a flare of gas from the
+shops and such streamers of flame from the barrows that the cold wind
+of early April lost its sting.
+
+Two opposing currents of heavy-laden pedestrians were endeavoring in
+their progress to occupy the same strip of pavement at the same moment,
+and the laws of space kept them blocked till they yielded to its
+remorseless conditions. Rich and poor elbowed one another, ladies in
+satins and furs were jammed against wretched looking foreign women with
+their heads swathed in dirty handkerchiefs; rough, red-faced English
+betting men struggled good-humoredly with their greasy kindred from over
+the North Sea; and a sprinkling of Christian yokels surveyed the Jewish
+hucksters and chapmen with amused superiority.
+
+For this was the night of nights, when the purchases were made for the
+festival, and great ladies of the West, leaving behind their daughters
+who played the piano and had a subscription at Mudie's, came down again
+to the beloved Lane to throw off the veneer of refinement, and plunge
+gloveless hands in barrels where pickled cucumbers weltered in their own
+"_russell_," and to pick fat juicy olives from the rich-heaped tubs. Ah,
+me! what tragic comedy lay behind the transient happiness of these
+sensuous faces, laughing and munching with the shamelessness of
+school-girls! For to-night they need not hanker in silence after the
+flesh-pots of Egypt. To-night they could laugh and talk over _Olov
+hasholom_ times--"Peace be upon him" times--with their old cronies, and
+loosen the stays of social ambition, even while they dazzled the Ghetto
+with the splendors of their get-up and the halo of the West End whence
+they came. It was a scene without parallel in the history of the
+world--this phantasmagoria of grubs and butterflies, met together for
+auld lang syne in their beloved hatching-place. Such violent contrasts
+of wealth and poverty as might be looked for in romantic gold-fields, or
+in unsettled countries were evolved quite naturally amid a colorless
+civilization by a people with an incurable talent for the picturesque.
+
+"Hullo! Can that be you, Betsy?" some grizzled shabby old man would
+observe in innocent delight to Mrs. Arthur Montmorenci; "Why so it is!
+I never would have believed my eyes! Lord, what a fine woman you've
+grown! And so you're little Betsy who used to bring her father's coffee
+in a brown jug when he and I stood side by side in the Lane! He used to
+sell slippers next to my cutlery stall for eleven years--Dear, dear, how
+time flies to be sure."
+
+Then Betsy Montmorenci's creamy face would grow scarlet under the
+gas-jets, and she would glower and draw her sables around her, and look
+round involuntarily, to see if any of her Kensington friends were within
+earshot.
+
+Another Betsy Montmorenci would feel Bohemian for this occasion only,
+and would receive old acquaintances' greeting effusively, and pass the
+old phrases and by-words with a strange sense of stolen sweets; while
+yet a third Betsy Montmorenci, a finer spirit this, and worthier of the
+name, would cry to a Betsy Jacobs:
+
+"Is that you, Betsy, how _are_ you? How _are_ you? I'm so glad to see
+you. Won't you come and treat me to a cup of chocolate at Bonn's, just
+to show you haven't forgot _Olov hasholom_ times?"
+
+And then, having thus thrown the responsibility of stand-offishness on
+the poorer Betsy, the Montmorenci would launch into recollections of
+those good old "Peace be upon him" times till the grub forgot the
+splendors of the caterpillar in a joyous resurrection of ancient
+scandals. But few of the Montmorencis, whatever their species, left the
+Ghetto without pressing bits of gold into half-reluctant palms in shabby
+back-rooms where old friends or poor relatives mouldered.
+
+Overhead, the stars burned silently, but no one looked up at them.
+Underfoot, lay the thick, black veil of mud, which the Lane never
+lifted, but none looked down on it. It was impossible to think of aught
+but humanity in the bustle and confusion, in the cram and crush, in the
+wedge and the jam, in the squeezing and shouting, in the hubbub and
+medley. Such a jolly, rampant, screaming, fighting, maddening, jostling,
+polyglot, quarrelling, laughing broth of a Vanity Fair! Mendicants,
+vendors, buyers, gossips, showmen, all swelled the roar.
+
+"Here's your cakes! All _yontovdik_ (for the festival)! _Yontovdik_--"
+
+"Braces, best braces, all--"
+
+"_Yontovdik_! Only one shilling--"
+
+"It's the Rav's orders, mum; all legs of mutton must be porged or my
+license--"
+
+"Cowcumbers! Cowcumbers!"
+
+"Now's your chance--"
+
+"The best trousers, gentlemen. Corst me as sure as I stand--"
+
+"On your own head, you old--"
+
+"_Arbah Kanfus_ (four fringes)! _Arbah_--"
+
+"My old man's been under an operation--"
+
+"Hokey Pokey! _Yontovdik_! Hokey--"
+
+"Get out of the way, can't you--"
+
+"By your life and mine, Betsy--"
+
+"Gord blesh you, mishter, a toisand year shall ye live."
+
+"Eat the best _Motsos_. Only fourpence--"
+
+"The bones must go with, marm. I've cut it as lean as possible."
+
+"_Charoises_ (a sweet mixture). _Charoises! Moroire_ (bitter herb)!
+_Chraine_ (horseradish)! _Pesachdik_ (for Passover)."
+
+"Come and have a glass of Old Tom, along o' me, sonny."
+
+"Fine plaice! Here y'are! Hi! where's yer pluck! S'elp me--"
+
+"Bob! _Yontovdik! Yontovdik_! Only a bob!"
+
+"Chuck steak and half a pound of fat."
+
+"A slap in the eye, if you--"
+
+"Gord bless you. Remember me to Jacob."
+
+"_Shaink_ (spare) _meer_ a 'apenny, missis _lieben_, missis _croin_
+(dear)--"
+
+"An unnatural death on you, you--"
+
+"Lord! Sal, how you've altered!"
+
+"Ladies, here you are--"
+
+"I give you my word, sir, the fish will be home before you."
+
+"Painted in the best style, for a tanner--"
+
+"A spoonge, mister?"
+
+"I'll cut a slice of this melon for you for--"
+
+"She's dead, poor thing, peace be upon him."
+
+"_Yontovdik_! Three bob for one purse containing--"
+
+"The real live tattooed Hindian, born in the African Harchipellygo. Walk
+up."
+
+"This way for the dwarf that will speak, dance, and sing."
+
+"Tree lemons a penny. Tree lemons--"
+
+"A _Shtibbur_ (penny) for a poor blind man--"
+
+"_Yontovdik! Yontovdik! Yontovdik! Yontovdik!_"
+
+And in this last roar, common to so many of the mongers, the whole Babel
+would often blend for a moment and be swallowed up, re-emerging anon in
+its broken multiplicity.
+
+Everybody Esther knew was in the crowd--she met them all sooner or
+later. In Wentworth Street, amid dead cabbage-leaves, and mud, and
+refuse, and orts, and offal, stood the woe-begone Meckisch, offering his
+puny sponges, and wooing the charitable with grinning grimaces tempered
+by epileptic fits at judicious intervals. A few inches off, his wife in
+costly sealskin jacket, purchased salmon with a Maida Vale manner.
+Compressed in a corner was Shosshi Shmendrik, his coat-tails yellow with
+the yolks of dissolving eggs from a bag in his pocket. He asked her
+frantically, if she had seen a boy whom he had hired to carry home his
+codfish and his fowls, and explained that his missus was busy in the
+shop, and had delegated to him the domestic duties. It is probable, that
+if Mrs. Shmendrik, formerly the widow Finkelstein, ever received these
+dainties, she found her good man had purchased fish artificially
+inflated with air, and fowls fattened with brown paper. Hearty Sam
+Abrahams, the bass chorister, whose genial countenance spread sunshine
+for yards around, stopped Esther and gave her a penny. Further, she met
+her teacher, Miss Miriam Hyams, and curtseyed to her, for Esther was not
+of those who jeeringly called "teacher" and "master" according to sex
+after her superiors, till the victims longed for Elisha's influence over
+bears. Later on, she was shocked to see her teacher's brother piloting
+bonny Bessie Sugarman through the thick of the ferment. Crushed between
+two barrows, she found Mrs. Belcovitch and Fanny, who were shopping
+together, attended by Pesach Weingott, all carrying piles of purchases.
+
+"Esther, if you should see my Becky in the crowd, tell her where I am,"
+said Mrs. Belcovitch. "She is with one of her chosen young men. I am so
+feeble, I can hardly crawl around, and my Becky ought to carry home the
+cabbages. She has well-matched legs, not one a thick one and one a thin
+one."'
+
+Around the fishmongers the press was great. The fish-trade was almost
+monopolized by English Jews--blonde, healthy-looking fellows, with
+brawny, bare arms, who were approached with dread by all but the bravest
+foreign Jewesses. Their scale of prices and politeness varied with the
+status of the buyer. Esther, who had an observant eye and ear for such
+things, often found amusement standing unobtrusively by. To-night there
+was the usual comedy awaiting her enjoyment. A well-dressed dame came up
+to "Uncle Abe's" stall, where half a dozen lots of fishy miscellanaea
+were spread out.
+
+"Good evening, madam. Cold night but fine. That lot? Well, you're an old
+customer and fish are cheap to-day, so I can let you have 'em for a
+sovereign. Eighteen? Well, it's hard, but--boy! take the lady's fish.
+Thank you. Good evening."
+
+"How much that?" says a neatly dressed woman, pointing to a precisely
+similar lot.
+
+"Can't take less than nine bob. Fish are dear to-day. You won't get
+anything cheaper in the Lane, by G---- you won't. Five shillings! By my
+life and by my children's life, they cost me more than that. So sure as
+I stand here and--well, come, gie's seven and six and they're yours. You
+can't afford more? Well, 'old up your apron, old gal. I'll make it up
+out of the rich. By your life and mine, you've got a _Metsiah_ (bargain)
+there!"
+
+Here old Mrs. Shmendrik, Shosshi's mother, came up, a rich Paisley shawl
+over her head in lieu of a bonnet. Lane women who went out without
+bonnets were on the same plane as Lane men who went out without collars.
+
+One of the terrors of the English fishmongers was that they required the
+customer to speak English, thus fulfilling an important educative
+function in the community. They allowed a certain percentage of
+jargon-words, for they themselves took licenses in this direction, but
+they professed not to understand pure Yiddish.
+
+"Abraham, 'ow mosh for dees lot," said old Mrs. Shmendrik, turning over
+a third similar heap and feeling the fish all over.
+
+"Paws off!" said Abraham roughly. "Look here! I know the tricks of you
+Polakinties. I'll name you the lowest price and won't stand a farthing's
+bating. I'll lose by you, but you ain't, going to worry me. Eight bob!
+There!"
+
+"Avroomkely (dear little Abraham) take lebbenpence!"
+
+"Elevenpence! By G----," cried Uncle Abe, desperately tearing his hair.
+"I knew it!" And seizing a huge plaice by the tail he whirled it round
+and struck Mrs. Shmendrik full in the face, shouting, "Take that, you
+old witch! Sling your hook or I'll murder you."
+
+"Thou dog!" shrieked Mrs. Shmendrik, falling back on the more copious
+resources of her native idiom. "A black year on thee! Mayest thou swell
+and die! May the hand that struck me rot away! Mayest thou be burned
+alive! Thy father was a _Gonof_ and thou art a _Gonof_ and thy whole
+family are _Gonovim_. May Pharaoh's ten plagues--"
+
+There was little malice at the back of it all--the mere imaginative
+exuberance of a race whose early poetry consisted in saying things twice
+over.
+
+Uncle Abraham menacingly caught up the plaice, crying:
+
+"May I be struck dead on the spot, if you ain't gone in one second I
+won't answer for the consequences. Now, then, clear off!"
+
+"Come, Avroomkely," said Mrs. Shmendrik, dropping suddenly from
+invective to insinuativeness. "Take fourteenpence. _Shemah, beni_!
+Fourteen _Shtibbur's_ a lot of _Gelt."_
+
+"Are you a-going?" cried Abraham in a terrible rage. "Ten bob's my price
+now."
+
+"Avroomkely, _noo, zoog_ (say now)! Fourteenpence 'apenny. I am a poor
+voman. Here, fifteenpence."
+
+Abraham seized her by the shoulders and pushed her towards the wall,
+where she cursed picturesquely. Esther thought it was a bad time to
+attempt to get her own shilling's worth--she fought her way towards
+another fishmonger.
+
+There was a kindly, weather-beaten old fellow with whom Esther had often
+chaffered job-lots when fortune smiled on the Ansells. Him, to her joy,
+Esther perceived--she saw a stack of gurnards on his improvised slab,
+and in imagination smelt herself frying them. Then a great shock as of a
+sudden icy douche traversed her frame, her heart seemed to stand still.
+For when she put her hand to her pocket to get her purse, she found but
+a thimble and a slate-pencil and a cotton handkerchief. It was some
+minutes before she could or would realize the truth that the four and
+sevenpence halfpenny on which so much depended was gone. Groceries and
+unleavened cakes Charity had given, raisin wine had been preparing for
+days, but fish and meat and all the minor accessories of a well-ordered
+Passover table--these were the prey of the pickpocket. A blank sense of
+desolation overcame the child, infinitely more horrible than that which
+she felt when she spilled the soup; the gurnards she could have touched
+with her finger seemed far off, inaccessible; in a moment more they and
+all things were blotted out by a hot rush of tears, and she was jostled
+as in a dream hither and thither by the double stream of crowd. Nothing
+since the death of Benjamin had given her so poignant a sense of the
+hollowness and uncertainty of existence. What would her father say,
+whose triumphant conviction that Providence had provided for his
+Passover was to be so rudely dispelled at the eleventh hour. Poor Moses!
+He had been so proud of having earned enough money to make a good
+_Yontov_, and was more convinced than ever that given a little capital
+to start with he could build up a colossal business! And now she would
+have to go home and spoil everybody's _Yontov_, and see the sour faces
+of her little ones round a barren _Seder_ table. Oh, it was terrible!
+and the child wept piteously, unheeded in the block, unheard amid the
+Babel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE DEAD MONKEY.
+
+
+An old _Maaseh_ the grandmother had told her came back to her fevered
+brain. In a town in Russia lived an old Jew who earned scarce enough to
+eat, and half of what he did earn was stolen from him in bribes to the
+officials to let him be. Persecuted and spat upon, he yet trusted in his
+God and praised His name. And it came on towards Passover and the winter
+was severe and the Jew was nigh starving and his wife had made no
+preparations for the Festival. And in the bitterness of her soul she
+derided her husband's faith and made mock of him, but he said, "Have
+patience, my wife! Our _Seder_ board shall be spread as in the days of
+yore and as in former years." But the Festival drew nearer and nearer
+and there was nothing in the house. And the wife taunted her husband yet
+further, saying, "Dost thou think that Elijah the prophet will call upon
+thee or that the Messiah will come?" But he answered: "Elijah the
+prophet walketh the earth, never having died; who knows but that he will
+cast an eye my way?" Whereat his wife laughed outright. And the days
+wore on to within a few hours of Passover and the larder was still empty
+of provender and the old Jew still full of faith. Now it befell that the
+Governor of the City, a hard and cruel man, sat counting out piles of
+gold into packets for the payment of the salaries of the officials and
+at his side sat his pet monkey, and as he heaped up the pieces, so his
+monkey imitated him, making little packets of its own to the amusement
+of the Governor. And when the Governor could not pick up a piece easily,
+he moistened his forefinger, putting it to his mouth, whereupon the
+monkey followed suit each time; only deeming its master was devouring
+the gold, it swallowed a coin every time he put his finger to his lips.
+So that of a sudden it was taken ill and died. And one of his men said,
+"Lo, the creature is dead. What shall we do with it?" And the Governor
+was sorely vexed in spirit, because he could not make his accounts
+straight and he answered gruffly, "Trouble me not! Throw it into the
+house of the old Jew down the street." So the man took the carcass and
+threw it with thunderous violence into the passage of the Jew's house
+and ran off as hard as he could. And the good wife came bustling out in
+alarm and saw a carcass hanging over an iron bucket that stood in the
+passage. And she knew that it was the act of a Christian and she took up
+the carrion to bury it when Lo! a rain of gold-pieces came from the
+stomach ripped up by the sharp rim of the vessel. And she called to her
+husband. "Hasten! See what Elijah the prophet hath sent us." And she
+scurried into the market-place and bought wine and unleavened bread, and
+bitter herbs and all things necessary for the _Seder_ table, and a
+little fish therewith which might be hastily cooked before the Festival
+came in, and the old couple were happy and gave the monkey honorable
+burial and sang blithely of the deliverance at the Red Sea and filled
+Elijah's goblet to the brim till the wine ran over upon the white cloth.
+
+Esther gave a scornful little sniff as the thought of this happy
+denouement flashed upon her. No miracle like that would happen to her or
+hers, nobody was likely to leave a dead monkey on the stairs of the
+garret--hardly even the "stuffed monkey" of contemporary confectionery.
+And then her queer little brain forgot its grief in sudden speculations
+as to what she would think if her four and sevenpence halfpenny came
+back. She had never yet doubted the existence of the Unseen Power; only
+its workings seemed so incomprehensibly indifferent to human joys and
+sorrows. Would she believe that her father was right in holding that a
+special Providence watched over him? The spirit of her brother Solomon
+came upon her and she felt that she would. Speculation had checked her
+sobs; she dried her tears in stony scepticism and, looking up, saw
+Malka's gipsy-like face bending over her, breathing peppermint.
+
+"What weepest thou, Esther?" she said not unkindly. "I did not know thou
+wast a gusher with the eyes."
+
+"I've lost my purse," sobbed Esther, softened afresh by the sight of a
+friendly face.
+
+"Ah, thou _Schlemihl_! Thou art like thy father. How much was in it?"
+
+"Four and sevenpence halfpenny!" sobbed Esther.
+
+"Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu!" ejaculated Malka in horror. "Thou art the ruin of
+thy father." Then turning to the fishmonger with whom she had just
+completed a purchase, she counted out thirty-five shillings into his
+hand. "Here, Esther," she said, "thou shalt carry my fish and I will
+give thee a shilling."
+
+A small slimy boy who stood expectant by scowled at Esther as she
+painfully lifted the heavy basket and followed in the wake of her
+relative whose heart was swelling with self-approbation.
+
+Fortunately Zachariah Square was near and Esther soon received her
+shilling with a proportionate sense of Providence. The fish was
+deposited at Milly's house, which was brightly illuminated and seemed to
+poor Esther a magnificent palace of light and luxury. Malka's own house,
+diagonally across the Square, was dark and gloomy. The two families
+being at peace, Milly's house was the headquarters of the clan and the
+clothes-brush. Everybody was home for _Yomtov_. Malka's husband,
+Michael, and Milly's husband, Ephraim, were sitting at the table smoking
+big cigars and playing Loo with Sam Levine and David Brandon, who had
+been seduced into making a fourth. The two young husbands had but that
+day returned from the country, for you cannot get unleavened bread at
+commercial hotels, and David in spite of a stormy crossing had arrived
+from Germany an hour earlier than he had expected, and not knowing what
+to do with himself had been surveying the humors of the Festival Fair
+till Sam met him and dragged him round to Zachariah Square. It was too
+late to call that night on Hannah to be introduced to her parents,
+especially as he had wired he would come the next day. There was no
+chance of Hannah being at the club, it was too busy a night for all
+angels of the hearth; even to-morrow, the even of the Festival, would be
+an awkward time for a young man to thrust his love-affairs upon a
+household given over to the more important matters of dietary
+preparation. Still David could not consent to live another whole day
+without seeing the light of his eyes.
+
+Leah, inwardly projecting an orgie of comic operas and dances, was
+assisting Milly in the kitchen. Both young women were covered with flour
+and oil and grease, and their coarse handsome faces were flushed, for
+they had been busy all day drawing fowls, stewing prunes and pippins,
+gutting fish, melting fat, changing the crockery and doing the thousand
+and one things necessitated by gratitude for the discomfiture of Pharaoh
+at the Red Sea; Ezekiel slumbered upstairs in his crib.
+
+"Mother," said Michael, pulling pensively at his whisker as he looked at
+his card. "This is Mr. Brandon, a friend of Sam's. Don't get up,
+Brandon, we don't make ceremonies here. Turn up yours--ah, the nine of
+trumps."
+
+"Lucky men!" said Malka with festival flippancy. "While I must hurry off
+my supper so as to buy the fish, and Milly and Leah must sweat in the
+kitchen, you can squat yourselves down and play cards."
+
+"Yes," laughed Sam, looking up and adding in Hebrew, "Blessed art thou,
+O Lord, who hath not made me a woman."
+
+"Now, now," said David, putting his hand jocosely across the young man's
+mouth. "No more Hebrew. Remember what happened last time. Perhaps
+there's some mysterious significance even in that, and you'll find
+yourself let in for something before you know where you are."
+
+"You're not going to prevent me talking the language of my Fathers,"
+gurgled Sam, bursting into a merry operatic whistle when the pressure
+was removed.
+
+"Milly! Leah!" cried Malka. "Come and look at my fish! Such a _Metsiah_!
+See, they're alive yet."
+
+"They _are_ beauties, mother," said Leah, entering with her sleeves half
+tucked up, showing the finely-moulded white arms in curious
+juxtaposition with the coarse red hands.
+
+"O, mother, they're alive!" said Milly, peering over her younger
+sister's shoulder.
+
+Both knew by bitter experience that their mother considered herself a
+connoisseur in the purchase of fish.
+
+"And how much do you think I gave for them?" went on Malka triumphantly.
+
+"Two pounds ten," said Milly.
+
+Malka's eyes twinkled and she shook her head.
+
+"Two pounds fifteen," said Leah, with the air of hitting it now.
+
+Still Malka shook her head.
+
+"Here, Michael, what do you think I gave for all this lot?"
+
+"Diamonds!" said Michael.
+
+"Be not a fool, Michael," said Malka sternly. "Look here a minute."
+
+"Eh? Oh!" said Michael looking up from his cards. "Don't bother, mother.
+My game!"
+
+"Michael!" thundered Malka. "Will you look at this fish? How much do you
+think I gave for this splendid lot? here, look at 'em, alive yet."
+
+"H'm--Ha!" said Michael, taking his complex corkscrew combination out of
+his pocket and putting it back again. "Three guineas?"
+
+"Three guineas!" laughed Malka, in good-humored scorn. "Lucky I don't
+let _you_ do my marketing."
+
+"Yes, he'd be a nice fishy customer!" said Sam Levine with a guffaw.
+
+"Ephraim, what think you I got this fish for? Cheap now, you know?"
+
+"I don't know, mother," replied the twinkling-eyed Pole obediently.
+"Three pounds, perhaps, if you got it cheap."
+
+Samuel and David duly appealed to, reduced the amount to two pounds five
+and two pounds respectively. Then, having got everybody's attention
+fixed upon her, she exclaimed:
+
+"Thirty shillings!"
+
+She could not resist nibbling off the five shillings. Everybody drew a
+long breath.
+
+"Tu! Tu!" they ejaculated in chorus. "What a _Metsiah_!"
+
+"Sam," said Ephraim immediately afterwards, "_You_ turned up the ace."
+
+Milly and Leah went back into the kitchen.
+
+It was rather too quick a relapse into the common things of life and
+made Malka suspect the admiration was but superficial.
+
+She turned, with a spice of ill-humor, and saw Esther still standing
+timidly behind her. Her face flushed for she knew the child had
+overheard her in a lie.
+
+"What art thou waiting about for?" she said roughly in Yiddish. "Na!
+there's a peppermint."
+
+"I thought you might want me for something else," said Esther, blushing
+but accepting the peppermint for Ikey. "And I--I--"
+
+"Well, speak up! I won't bite thee." Malka continued to talk in Yiddish
+though the child answered her in English. "I--I--nothing," said Esther,
+turning away.
+
+"Here, turn thy face round, child," said Malka, putting her hand on the
+girl's forcibly averted head. "Be not so sullen, thy mother was like
+that, she'd want to bite my head off if I hinted thy father was not the
+man for her, and then she'd _schmull_ and sulk for a week after. Thank
+God, we have no one like that in this house. I couldn't live for a day
+with people with such nasty tempers. Her temper worried her into the
+grave, though, if thy father had not brought his mother over from Poland
+my poor cousin might have carried home my fish to-night instead of thee.
+Poor Gittel, peace be upon him! Come tell me what ails thee, or thy dead
+mother will be cross with thee."
+
+Esther turned her head and murmured: "I thought you might lend me the
+three and sevenpence halfpenny!"
+
+"Lend thee--?" exclaimed Malka. "Why, how canst thou ever repay it?"
+
+"Oh yes," affirmed Esther earnestly. "I have lots of money in the bank."
+
+"Eh! what? In the bank!" gasped Malka.
+
+"Yes. I won five pounds in the school and I'll pay you out of that."
+
+"Thy father never told me that!" said Malka. "He kept that dark. Ah, he
+is a regular _Schnorrer_!"
+
+"My father hasn't seen you since," retorted Esther hotly. "If you had
+come round when he was sitting _shiva_ for Benjamin, peace be upon him,
+you would have known."
+
+Malka got as red as fire. Moses had sent Solomon round to inform the
+_Mishpocha_ of his affliction, but at a period when the most casual
+acquaintance thinks it his duty to call (armed with hard boiled eggs, a
+pound of sugar, or an ounce of tea) on the mourners condemned to sit on
+the floor for a week, no representative of the "family" had made an
+appearance. Moses took it meekly enough, but his mother insisted that
+such a slight from Zachariah Square would never have been received if he
+had married another woman, and Esther for once agreed with her
+grandmother's sentiments if not with her Hibernian expression of them.
+
+But that the child should now dare to twit the head of the family with
+bad behavior was intolerable to Malka, the more so as she had no
+defence.
+
+"Thou impudent of face!" she cried sharply. "Dost thou forget whom thou
+talkest to?"
+
+"No," retorted Esther. "You are my father's cousin--that is why you
+ought to have come to see him."
+
+"I am not thy father's cousin, God forbid!" cried Malka. "I was thy
+mother's cousin, God have mercy on her, and I wonder not you drove her
+into the grave between the lot of you. I am no relative of any of you,
+thank God, and from this day forwards I wash my hands of the lot of you,
+you ungrateful pack! Let thy father send you into the streets, with
+matches, not another thing will I do for thee."
+
+"Ungrateful!" said Esther hotly. "Why, what have you ever done for us?
+When my poor mother was alive you made her scrub your floors and clean
+your windows, as if she was an Irishwoman."
+
+"Impudent of face!" cried Malka, almost choking with rage. "What have I
+done for you? Why--why--I--I--shameless hussy! And this is what
+Judaism's coming to in England! This is the manners and religion they
+teach thee at thy school, eh? What have I--? Impudent of face! At this
+very moment thou holdest one of my shillings in thy hand."
+
+"Take it!" said Esther. And threw the coin passionately to the floor,
+where it rolled about pleasantly for a terrible minute of human
+silence. The smoke-wreathed card-players looked up at last.
+
+"Eh? Eh? What's this, my little girl." said Michael genially. "What
+makes you so naughty?"
+
+A hysterical fit of sobbing was the only reply. In the bitterness of
+that moment Esther hated the whole world.
+
+"Don't cry like that! Don't!" said David Brandon kindly.
+
+Esther, her little shoulders heaving convulsively, put her hand on the
+latch.
+
+"What's the matter with the girl, mother?" said Michael.
+
+"She's _meshugga_!" said Malka. "Raving mad!" Her face was white and she
+spoke as if in self-defence. "She's such a _Schlemihl_ that she lost her
+purse in the Lane, and I found her gushing with the eyes, and I let her
+carry home my fish and gave her a shilling and a peppermint, and thou
+seest how she turns on me, thou seest."
+
+"Poor little thing!" said David impulsively. "Here, come here, my
+child."'
+
+Esther refused to budge.
+
+"Come here," he repeated gently. "See, I will make up the loss to you.
+Take the pool. I've just won it, so I shan't miss it."
+
+Esther sobbed louder, but she did not move.
+
+David rose, emptied the heap of silver into his palm, walked over to
+Esther, and pushed it into her pocket. Michael got up and added half a
+crown to it, and the other two men followed suit. Then David opened the
+door, put her outside gently and said: "There! Run away, my little dear,
+and be more careful of pickpockets."
+
+All this while Malka had stood frozen to the stony dignity of a dingy
+terra-cotta statue. But ere the door could close again on the child, she
+darted forward and seized her by the collar of her frock.
+
+"Give me that money," she cried.
+
+Half hypnotized by the irate swarthy face, Esther made no resistance
+while Malka rifled her pocket less dexterously than the first operator.
+
+Malka counted it out.
+
+"Seventeen and sixpence," she announced in terrible tones. "How darest
+thou take all this money from strangers, and perfect strangers? Do my
+children think to shame me before my own relative?" And throwing the
+money violently into the plate she took out a gold coin and pressed it
+into the bewildered child's hand.
+
+"There!" she shouted. "Hold that tight! It is a sovereign. And if ever I
+catch thee taking money from any one in this house but thy mother's own
+cousin, I'll wash my hands of thee for ever. Go now! Go on! I can't
+afford any more, so it's useless waiting. Good-night, and tell thy
+father I wish him a happy _Yontov_, and I hope he'll lose no more
+children."
+
+She hustled the child into the Square and banged the door upon her, and
+Esther went about her mammoth marketing half-dazed, with an undercurrent
+of happiness, vaguely apologetic towards her father and his Providence.
+
+Malka stooped down, picked up the clothes-brush from under the
+side-table, and strode silently and diagonally across the Square.
+
+There was a moment's dread silence. The thunderbolt had fallen. The
+festival felicity of two households trembled in the balance. Michael
+muttered impatiently and went out on his wife's track.
+
+"He's an awful fool," said Ephraim. "I should make her pay for her
+tantrums."
+
+The card party broke up in confusion. David Brandon took his leave and
+strolled about aimlessly under the stars, his soul blissful with the
+sense of a good deed that had only superficially miscarried. His feet
+took him to Hannah's house. All the windows were lit up. His heart began
+to ache at the thought that his bright, radiant girl was beyond that
+doorstep he had never crossed.
+
+He pictured the love-light in her eyes; for surely she was dreaming of
+him, as he of her. He took out his watch--the time was twenty to nine.
+After all, would it be so outrageous to call? He went away twice. The
+third time, defying the _convenances_, he knocked at the door, his heart
+beating almost as loudly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE SHADOW OF RELIGION.
+
+
+The little servant girl who opened the door for him looked relieved by
+the sight of him, for it might have been the Rebbitzin returning from
+the Lane with heaps of supplies and an accumulation of ill-humor. She
+showed him into the study, and in a few moments Hannah hurried in with a
+big apron and a general flavor of the kitchen.
+
+"How dare you come to-night?" she began, but the sentence died on her
+lips.
+
+"How hot your face is," he said, dinting the flesh fondly with his
+finger, "I see my little girl is glad to have me back."
+
+"It's not that. It's the fire. I'm frying fish for _Yomtov_," she said,
+with a happy laugh.
+
+"And yet you say you're not a good Jewess," he laughed back.
+
+"You had no right to come and catch me like this," she pouted. "All
+greasy and dishevelled. I'm not made up to receive visitors."
+
+"Call me a visitor?" he grumbled. "Judging by your appearance, I should
+say you were always made up. Why, you're perfectly radiant."
+
+Then the talk became less intelligible. The first symptom of returning
+rationality was her inquiry--
+
+"What sort of a journey did you have back?"
+
+"The sea was rough, but I'm a good sailor."
+
+"And the poor fellow's father and mother?"
+
+"I wrote you about them."
+
+"So you did; but only just a line."
+
+"Oh, don't let us talk about the subject just now, dear, it's too
+painful. Come, let me kiss that little woe-begone look out of your eyes.
+There! Now, another--that was only for the right eye, this is for the
+left. But where's your mother?"
+
+"Oh, you innocent!" she replied. "As if you hadn't watched her go out
+of the house!"
+
+"'Pon my honor, not," he said smiling. "Why should I now? Am I not the
+accepted son-in-law of the house, you silly timid little thing? What a
+happy thought it was of yours to let the cat out of the bag. Come, let
+me give you another kiss for it--Oh, I really must. You deserve it, and
+whatever it costs me you shall be rewarded. There! Now, then! Where's
+the old man? I have to receive his blessing, I know, and I want to get
+it over."
+
+"It's worth having, I can tell you, so speak more respectfully," said
+Hannah, more than half in earnest.
+
+"_You_ are the best blessing he can give me--and that's worth--well, I
+wouldn't venture to price it."
+
+"It's not your line, eh?"
+
+"I don't know, I have done a good deal in gems; but where _is_ the
+Rabbi?"
+
+"Up in the bedrooms, gathering the _Chomutz_. You know he won't trust
+anybody else. He creeps under all the beds, hunting with a candle for
+stray crumbs, and looks in all the wardrobes and the pockets of all my
+dresses. Luckily, I don't keep your letters there. I hope he won't set
+something alight--he did once. And one year--Oh, it was so funny!--after
+he had ransacked every hole and corner of the house, imagine his horror,
+in the middle of Passover to find a crumb of bread audaciously
+planted--where do you suppose? In his Passover prayer-book!! But,
+oh!"--with a little scream--"you naughty boy! I quite forgot." She took
+him by the shoulders, and peered along his coat. "Have you brought any
+crumbs with you? This room's _pesachdik_ already."
+
+He looked dubious.
+
+She pushed him towards the door. "Go out and give yourself a good
+shaking on the door-step, or else we shall have to clean out the room
+all over again."
+
+"Don't!" he protested. "I might shake out that."
+
+"What?"
+
+"The ring."
+
+She uttered a little pleased sigh.
+
+"Oh, have you brought that?"
+
+"Yes, I got it while I was away. You know I believe the reason you sent
+me trooping to the continent in such haste, was you wanted to ensure
+your engagement ring being 'made in Germany.' It's had a stormy passage
+to England, has that ring, I suppose the advantage of buying rings in
+Germany is that you're certain not to get Paris diamonds in them, they
+are so intensely patriotic, the Germans. That was your idea, wasn't it,
+Hannah?"
+
+"Oh, show it me! Don't talk so much," she said, smiling.
+
+"No," he said, teasingly. "No more accidents for me! I'll wait to make
+sure--till your father and mother have taken me to their arms.
+Rabbinical law is so full of pitfalls--I might touch your finger this or
+that way, and then we should be married. And then, if your parents said
+'no,' after all--"
+
+"We should have to make the best of a bad job," she finished up
+laughingly.
+
+"All very well," he went on in his fun, "but it would be a pretty kettle
+of fish."
+
+"Heavens!" she cried, "so it will be. They will be charred to ashes."
+And turning tail, she fled to the kitchen, pursued by her lover. There,
+dead to the surprise of the servant, David Brandon fed his eyes on the
+fair incarnation of Jewish domesticity, type of the vestal virgins of
+Israel, Ministresses at the hearth. It was a very homely kitchen; the
+dressers glistening with speckless utensils, and the deep red glow of
+the coal over which the pieces of fish sputtered and crackled in their
+bath of oil, filling the room with a sense of deep peace and cosy
+comfort. David's imagination transferred the kitchen to his future home,
+and he was almost dazzled by the thought of actually inhabiting such a
+fairyland alone with Hannah. He had knocked about a great deal, not
+always innocently, but deep down at his heart was the instinct of
+well-ordered life. His past seemed joyless folly and chill emptiness. He
+felt his eyes growing humid as he looked at the frank-souled girl who
+had given herself to him. He was not humble, but for a moment he found
+himself wondering how he deserved the trust, and there was reverence in
+the touch with which he caressed her hair. In another moment the frying
+was complete, and the contents of the pan neatly added to the dish. Then
+the voice of Reb Shemuel crying for Hannah came down the kitchen stairs,
+and the lovers returned to the upper world. The Reb had a tiny harvest
+of crumbs in a brown paper, and wanted Hannah to stow it away safely
+till the morning, when, to make assurance doubly sure, a final
+expedition in search of leaven would be undertaken. Hannah received the
+packet and in return presented her betrothed.
+
+Reb Shemuel had not of course expected him till the next morning, but he
+welcomed him as heartily as Hannah could desire.
+
+"The Most High bless you!" he said in his charming foreign accents. "May
+you make my Hannah as good a husband as she will make you a wife."
+
+"Trust me, Reb Shemuel," said David, grasping his great hand warmly.
+
+"Hannah says you're a sinner in Israel," said the Reb, smiling
+playfully, though there was a touch of anxiety in the tones. "But I
+suppose you will keep a _kosher_ house."
+
+"Make your mind easy, sir," said David heartily. "We must, if it's only
+to have the pleasure of your dining with us sometimes."
+
+The old man patted him gently on the shoulder.
+
+"Ah, you will soon become a good Jew," he said. "My Hannah will teach
+you, God bless her." Reb Shemuel's voice was a bit husky. He bent down
+and kissed Hannah's forehead. "I was a bit _link_ myself before I
+married my Simcha" he added encouragingly.
+
+"No, no, not you," said David, smiling in response to the twinkle in the
+Reb's eye. "I warrant _you_ never skipped a _Mitzvah_ even as a
+bachelor."
+
+"Oh yes, I did," replied the Reb, letting the twinkle develop to a broad
+smile, "for when I was a bachelor I hadn't fulfilled the precept to
+marry, don't you see?"
+
+"Is marriage a _Mitzvah_, then?" inquired David, amused.
+
+"Certainly. In our holy religion everything a man ought to do is a
+_Mitzvah_, even if it is pleasant."
+
+"Oh, then, even I must have laid up some good deeds," laughed David,
+"for I have always enjoyed myself. Really, it isn't such a bad religion
+after all."
+
+"Bad religion!" echoed Reb Shemuel genially. "Wait till you've tried it.
+You've never had a proper training, that's clear. Are your parents
+alive?"
+
+"No, they both died when I was a child," said David, becoming serious.
+
+"I thought so!" said Reb Shemuel. "Fortunately my Hannah's didn't." He
+smiled at the humor of the phrase and Hannah took his hand and pressed
+it tenderly. "Ah, it will be all right," said the Reb with a
+characteristic burst of optimism. "God is good. You have a sound Jewish
+heart at bottom, David, my son. Hannah, get the _Yomtovdik_ wine. We
+will drink, a glass for _Mazzoltov_, and I hope your mother will be back
+in time to join in."
+
+Hannah ran into the kitchen feeling happier than she had ever been in
+her life. She wept a little and laughed a little, and loitered a little
+to recover her composure and allow the two men to get to know each other
+a little.
+
+"How is your Hannah's late husband?" inquired the Reb with almost a
+wink, for everything combined to make him jolly as a sandboy. "I
+understand he is a friend of yours."
+
+"We used to be schoolboys together, that is all. Though strangely enough
+I just spent an hour with him. He is very well," answered David smiling.
+"He is about to marry again."
+
+"His first love of course," said the Reb.
+
+"Yes, people always come back to that," said David laughing.
+
+"That's right, that's right," said the Reb. "I am glad there was no
+unpleasantness."
+
+"Unpleasantness. No, how could there be? Leah knew it was only a joke.
+All's well that ends well, and we may perhaps all get married on the
+same day and risk another mix-up. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
+
+"Is it your wish to marry soon, then?"
+
+"Yes; there are too many long engagements among our people. They often
+go off."
+
+"Then I suppose you have the means?"
+
+"Oh yes, I can show you my--"
+
+The old man waved his hand.
+
+"I don't want to see anything. My girl must be supported decently--that
+is all I ask. What do you do for a living?"
+
+"I have made a little money at the Cape and now I think of going into
+business."
+
+"What business?"
+
+"I haven't settled."
+
+"You won't open on _Shabbos_?" said the Reb anxiously.
+
+David hesitated a second. In some business, Saturday is the best day.
+Still he felt that he was not quite radical enough to break the Sabbath
+deliberately, and since he had contemplated settling down, his religion
+had become rather more real to him. Besides he must sacrifice something
+for Hannah's sake.
+
+"Have no fear, sir," he said cheerfully.
+
+Reb Shemuel gripped his hand in grateful silence.
+
+"You mustn't think me quite a lost soul," pursued David after a moment
+of emotion. "You don't remember me, but I had lots of blessings and
+halfpence from you when I was a lad. I dare say I valued the latter more
+in those days." He smiled to hide his emotion.
+
+Reb Shemuel was beaming. "Did you, really?" he inquired. "I don't
+remember you. But then I have blessed so many little children. Of course
+you'll come to the _Seder_ to-morrow evening and taste some of Hannah's
+cookery. You're one of the family now, you know."
+
+"I shall be delighted to have the privilege of having _Seder_ with you,"
+replied David, his heart going out more and more to the fatherly old
+man.
+
+"What _Shool_ will you be going to for Passover? I can get you a seat in
+mine if you haven't arranged."
+
+"Thank you, but I promised Mr. Birnbaum to come to the little synagogue
+of which he is President. It seems they have a scarcity of _Cohenim_,
+and they want me to bless the congregation, I suppose."
+
+"What!" cried Reb Shemuel excitedly. "Are you a _Cohen_?"
+
+"Of course I am. Why, they got me to bless them in the Transvaal last
+_Yom Kippur_. So you see I'm anything but a sinner in Israel." He
+laughed--but his laugh ended abruptly. Reb Shemuel's face had grown
+white. His hands were trembling.
+
+"What is the matter? You are ill," cried David.
+
+The old man shook his head. Then he struck his brow with his fist.
+"_Ach, Gott_!" he cried. "Why did I not think of finding out before? But
+thank God I know it in time."
+
+"Finding out what?" said David, fearing the old man's reason was giving
+way.
+
+"My daughter cannot marry you," said Reb Shemuel in hushed, quavering
+tones.
+
+"Eh? What?" said David blankly.
+
+"It is impossible."
+
+"What are you talking about. Reb Shemuel?"
+
+"You are a _Cohen_. Hannah cannot marry a _Cohen_."
+
+"Not marry a _Cohen_? Why, I thought they were Israel's aristocracy."
+
+"That is why. A _Cohen_ cannot marry a divorced woman."
+
+The fit of trembling passed from the old Reb to the young man. His heart
+pulsed as with the stroke of a mighty piston. Without comprehending,
+Hannah's prior misadventure gave him a horrible foreboding of critical
+complications.
+
+"Do you mean to say I can't marry Hannah?" he asked almost in a whisper.
+
+"Such is the law. A woman who has had _Gett_ may not marry a _Cohen_."
+
+"But you surely wouldn't call Hannah a divorced woman?" he cried
+hoarsely.
+
+"How shall I not? I gave her the divorce myself."
+
+"Great God!" exclaimed David. "Then Sam has ruined our lives." He stood
+a moment in dazed horror, striving to grasp the terrible tangle. Then he
+burst forth. "This is some of your cursed Rabbinical laws, it is not
+Judaism, it is not true Judaism. God never made any such law."
+
+"Hush!" said Reb Shemuel sternly. "It is the holy Torah. It is not even
+the Rabbis, of whom you speak like an Epicurean. It is in Leviticus,
+chapter 21, verse 7: '_Neither shall they take a woman put away from her
+husband; for he is holy unto his God. Thou shalt sanctify him,
+therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God; he shall be holy unto
+thee, for I the Lord which sanctify you am holy._'"
+
+For an instant David was overwhelmed by the quotation, for the Bible was
+still a sacred book to him. Then he cried indignantly:
+
+"But God never meant it to apply to a case like this!"
+
+"We must obey God's law," said Reb Shemuel.
+
+"Then it is the devil's law!" shouted David, losing all control of
+himself.
+
+The Reb's face grew dark as night. There was a moment of dread silence.
+
+"Here you are, father," said Hannah, returning with the wine and some
+glasses which she had carefully dusted. Then she paused and gave a
+little cry, nearly losing her hold of the tray.
+
+"What's the matter? What has happened?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Take away the wine--we shall drink nobody's health to-night," cried
+David brutally.
+
+"My God!" said Hannah, all the hue of happiness dying out of her cheeks.
+She threw down the tray on the table and ran to her father's arms.
+
+"What is it! Oh, what is it, father?" she cried. "You haven't had a
+quarrel?"
+
+The old man was silent. The girl looked appealingly from one to the
+other.
+
+"No, it's worse than that," said David in cold, harsh tones. "You
+remember your marriage in fun to Sam?"
+
+"Yes. Merciful heavens! I guess it! There was something not valid in the
+_Gett_ after all."
+
+Her anguish at the thought of losing him was so apparent that he
+softened a little.
+
+"No, not that," he said more gently. "But this blessed religion of ours
+reckons you a divorced woman, and so you can't marry me because I'm a
+_Cohen_."
+
+"Can't marry you because you're a _Cohen_!" repeated Hannah, dazed in
+her turn.
+
+"We must obey the Torah," said Reb Shemuel again, in low, solemn tones.
+"It is your friend Levine who has erred, not the Torah."
+
+"The Torah cannot visit a mere bit of fun so cruelly," protested David.
+"And on the innocent, too."
+
+"Sacred things should not be jested with," said the old man in stern
+tones that yet quavered with sympathy and pity. "On his head is the sin;
+on his head is the responsibility."
+
+"Father," cried Hannah in piercing tones, "can nothing be done?"
+
+The old man shook his head sadly. The poor, pretty face was pallid with
+a pain too deep for tears. The shock was too sudden, too terrible. She
+sank helplessly into a chair.
+
+"Something must be done, something shall be done," thundered David. "I
+will appeal to the Chief Rabbi."
+
+"And what can he do? Can he go behind the Torah?" said Reb Shemuel
+pitifully.
+
+"I won't ask him to. But if he has a grain of common sense he will see
+that our case is an exception, and cannot come under the Law."
+
+"The Law knows no exceptions," said Reb Shemuel gently, quoting in
+Hebrew, "'The Law of God is perfect, enlightening the eyes.' Be patient,
+my dear children, in your affliction. It is the will of God. The Lord
+giveth and the Lord taketh away--bless ye the name of the Lord."
+
+"Not I!" said David harshly. "But look to Hannah. She has fainted."
+
+"No, I am all right," said Hannah wearily, opening the eyes she had
+closed. "Do not make so certain, father. Look at your books again.
+Perhaps they do make an exception in such a case."
+
+The Reb shook his head hopelessly.
+
+"Do not expect that," he said. "Believe me, my Hannah, if there were a
+gleam of hope I would not hide it from you. Be a good girl, dear, and
+bear your trouble like a true Jewish maiden. Have faith in God, my
+child. He doeth all things for the best. Come now--rouse yourself. Tell
+David you will always be a friend, and that your father will love him as
+though he were indeed his son." He moved towards her and touched her
+tenderly. He felt a violent spasm traversing her bosom.
+
+"I can't, father," she cried in a choking voice. "I can't. Don't ask
+me."
+
+David leaned against the manuscript-littered table in stony silence. The
+stern granite faces of the old continental Rabbis seemed to frown down
+on him from the walls and he returned the frown with interest. His heart
+was full of bitterness, contempt, revolt. What a pack of knavish bigots
+they must all have been! Reb Shemuel bent down and took his daughter's
+head in his trembling palms. The eyes were closed again, the chest
+heaved painfully with silent sobs.
+
+"Do you love him so much, Hannah?" whispered the old man.
+
+Her sobs answered, growing loud at last.
+
+"But you love your religion more, my child?" he murmured anxiously.
+"That will bring you peace."
+
+Her sobs gave him no assurance. Presently the contagion of sobbing took
+him too.
+
+"O God! God!" he moaned. "What sin have I committed; that thou shouldst
+punish my child thus?"
+
+"Don't blame God!" burst forth David at last. "It's your own foolish
+bigotry. Is it not enough your daughter doesn't ask to marry a
+Christian? Be thankful, old man, for that and put away all this
+antiquated superstition. We're living in the nineteenth century."
+
+"And what if we are!" said Reb Shemuel, blazing up in turn. "The Torah
+is eternal. Thank God for your youth, and your health and strength, and
+do not blaspheme Him because you cannot have all the desire of your
+heart or the inclination of your eyes."
+
+"The desire of my heart," retorted David. "Do you imagine I am only
+thinking of my own suffering? Look at your daughter--think of what you
+are doing to her and beware before it is too late."
+
+"Is it in my hand to do or to forbear?" asked the old man, "It is the
+Torah. Am I responsible for that?"
+
+"Yes," said David, out of mere revolt. Then, seeking to justify himself,
+his face lit up with sudden inspiration. "Who need ever know? The
+_Maggid_ is dead. Old Hyams has gone to America. So Hannah has told me.
+It's a thousand to one Leah's people never heard of the Law of
+Leviticus. If they had, it's another thousand to one against their
+putting two and two together. It requires a Talmudist like you to even
+dream of reckoning Hannah as an ordinary divorced woman. If they did,
+it's a third thousand to one against their telling anybody. There is no
+need for you to perform the ceremony yourself. Let her be married by
+some other minister--by the Chief Rabbi himself, and to make assurance
+doubly sure I'll not mention that I'm a _Cohen_" The words poured forth
+like a torrent, overwhelming the Reb for a moment. Hannah leaped up with
+a hysterical cry of joy.
+
+"Yes, yes, father. It will be all right, after all. Nobody knows. Oh,
+thank God! thank God!"
+
+There was a moment of tense silence. Then the old man's voice rose
+slowly and painfully.
+
+"Thank God!" he repeated. "Do you dare mention the Name even when you
+propose to profane it? Do you ask me, your father, Reb Shemuel, to
+consent to such a profanation of the Name?"
+
+"And why not?" said David angrily. "Whom else has a daughter the right
+to ask mercy from, if not her father?"
+
+"God have mercy on me!" groaned the old Reb, covering his face with his
+hands.
+
+"Come, come!" said David impatiently. "Be sensible. It's nothing
+unworthy of you at all. Hannah was never really married, so cannot be
+really divorced. We only ask you to obey the spirit of the Torah instead
+of the letter."
+
+The old man shook his head, unwavering. His cheeks were white and wet,
+but his expression was stern and solemn.
+
+"Just think!" went on David passionately. "What am I better than another
+Jew--than yourself for instance--that I shouldn't marry a divorced
+woman?"
+
+"It is the Law. You are a _Cohen_--a priest."
+
+"A priest, Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed David bitterly. "A priest--in the
+nineteenth century! When the Temple has been destroyed these two
+thousand years."
+
+"It will be rebuilt, please God," said Reb Shemuel. "We must be ready
+for it."
+
+"Oh yes, I'll be ready--Ha! Ha! Ha! A priest! Holy unto the Lord--I a
+priest! Ha! Ha! Ha! Do you know what my holiness consists in? In eating
+_tripha_ meat, and going to _Shool_ a few times a year! And I, _I_ am
+too holy to marry _your_ daughter. Oh, it is rich!" He ended in
+uncontrollable mirth, slapping his knee in ghastly enjoyment.
+
+His laughter rang terrible. Reb Shemuel trembled from head to foot.
+Hannah's cheek was drawn and white. She seemed overwrought beyond
+endurance. There followed a silence only less terrible than David's
+laughter.
+
+"A _Cohen_," burst forth David again. "A holy _Cohen_ up to date. Do you
+know what the boys say about us priests when we're blessing you common
+people? They say that if you look on us once during that sacred
+function, you'll get blind, and if you look on us a second time you'll
+die. A nice reverent joke that, eh! Ha! Ha! Ha! You're blind already,
+Reb Shemuel. Beware you don't look at me again or I'll commence to bless
+you. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
+
+Again the terrible silence.
+
+"Ah well," David resumed, his bitterness welling forth in irony. "And so
+the first sacrifice the priest is called upon to make is that of your
+daughter. But I won't, Reb Shemuel, mark my words; I won't, not till she
+offers her own throat to the knife. If she and I are parted, on you and
+you alone the guilt must rest. _You_ will have to perform the
+sacrifice."
+
+"What God wishes me to do I will do," said the old man in a broken
+voice. "What is it to that which our ancestors suffered for the glory of
+the Name?"
+
+"Yes, but it seems you suffer by proxy," retorted David, savagely.
+
+"My God! Do you think I would not die to make Hannah happy?" faltered
+the old man. "But God has laid the burden on her--and I can only help
+her to bear it. And now, sir, I must beg you to go. You do but distress
+my child."
+
+"What say you, Hannah? Do you wish me to go?"
+
+"Yes--What is the use--now?" breathed Hannah through white quivering
+lips.
+
+"My child!" said the old man pitifully, while he strained her to his
+breast.
+
+"All right!" said David in strange harsh tones, scarcely recognizable as
+his. "I see you are your father's daughter."
+
+He took his hat and turned his back upon the tragic embrace.
+
+"David!" She called his name in an agonized hoarse voice. She held her
+arms towards him. He did not turn round.
+
+"David!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "You will not leave me?"
+
+He faced her exultant.
+
+"Ah, you will come with me. You will be my wife."
+
+"No--no--not now, not now. I cannot answer you now. Let me
+think--good-bye, dearest, good-bye." She burst out weeping. David took
+her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Then he went out hurriedly.
+
+Hannah wept on--her father holding her hand in piteous silence.
+
+"Oh, it is cruel, your religion," she sobbed. "Cruel, cruel!"
+
+"Hannah! Shemuel! Where are you?" suddenly came the excited voice of
+Simcha from the passage. "Come and look at the lovely fowls I've
+bought--and such _Metsiahs_. They're worth double. Oh, what a beautiful
+_Yomtov_ we shall have!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+SEDER NIGHT.
+
+
+    "Prosaic miles of street stretch all around,
+    Astir with restless, hurried life, and spanned
+    By arches that with thund'rous trains resound,
+    And throbbing wires that galvanize the land;
+    Gin palaces in tawdry splendor stand;
+    The newsboys shriek of mangled bodies found;
+    The last burlesque is playing in the Strand--
+    In modern prose, all poetry seems drowned.
+    Yet in ten thousand homes this April night
+    An ancient people celebrates its birth
+    To Freedom, with a reverential mirth,
+    With customs quaint and many a hoary rite,
+    Waiting until, its tarnished glories bright,
+    Its God shall be the God of all the Earth."
+
+To an imaginative child like Esther, _Seder_ night was a charmed time.
+The strange symbolic dishes--the bitter herbs and the sweet mixture of
+apples, almonds, spices and wine, the roasted bone and the lamb, the
+salt water and the four cups of raisin wine, the great round unleavened
+cakes, with their mottled surfaces, some specially thick and sacred, the
+special Hebrew melodies and verses with their jingle of rhymes and
+assonances, the quaint ceremonial with its striking moments, as when the
+finger was dipped in the wine and the drops sprinkled over the shoulder
+in repudiation of the ten plagues of Egypt cabalistically magnified to
+two hundred and fifty; all this penetrated deep into her consciousness
+and made the recurrence of every Passover coincide with a rush of
+pleasant anticipations and a sense of the special privilege of being
+born a happy Jewish child. Vaguely, indeed, did she co-ordinate the
+celebration with the history enshrined in it or with the prospective
+history of her race. It was like a tale out of the fairy-books, this
+miraculous deliverance of her forefathers in the dim haze of antiquity;
+true enough but not more definitely realized on that account. And yet
+not easily dissoluble links were being forged with her race, which has
+anticipated Positivism in vitalizing history by making it religion.
+
+The _Matzoth_ that Esther ate were not dainty--they were coarse, of the
+quality called "seconds," for even the unleavened bread of charity is
+not necessarily delicate eating--but few things melted sweeter on the
+palate than a segment of a _Matso_ dipped in cheap raisin wine: the
+unconventionally of the food made life less common, more picturesque.
+Simple Ghetto children into whose existence the ceaseless round of fast
+and feast, of prohibited and enjoyed pleasures, of varying species of
+food, brought change and relief! Imprisoned in the area of a few narrow
+streets, unlovely and sombre, muddy and ill-smelling, immured in dreary
+houses and surrounded with mean and depressing sights and sounds, the
+spirit of childhood took radiance and color from its own inner light and
+the alchemy of youth could still transmute its lead to gold. No little
+princess in the courts of fairyland could feel a fresher interest and
+pleasure in life than Esther sitting at the _Seder_ table, where her
+father--no longer a slave in Egypt--leaned royally upon two chairs
+supplied with pillows as the _Din_ prescribes. Not even the monarch's
+prime minister could have had a meaner opinion of Pharaoh than Moses
+Ansell in this symbolically sybaritic attitude. A live dog is better
+than a dead lion, as a great teacher in Israel had said. How much better
+then a live lion than a dead dog? Pharaoh, for all his purple and fine
+linen and his treasure cities, was at the bottom of the Red Sea, smitten
+with two hundred and fifty plagues, and even if, as tradition asserted,
+he had been made to live on and on to be King of Nineveh, and to give
+ear to the warnings of Jonah, prophet and whale-explorer, even so he was
+but dust and ashes for other sinners to cover themselves withal; but he,
+Moses Ansell, was the honored master of his household, enjoying a
+foretaste of the lollings of the righteous in Paradise; nay, more,
+dispensing hospitality to the poor and the hungry. Little fleas have
+lesser fleas, and Moses Ansell had never fallen so low but that, on this
+night of nights when the slave sits with the master on equal terms, he
+could manage to entertain a Passover guest, usually some newly-arrived
+Greener, or some nondescript waif and stray returned to Judaism for the
+occasion and accepting a seat at the board in that spirit of
+_camaraderie_ which is one of the most delightful features of the Jewish
+pauper. _Seder_ was a ceremonial to be taken in none too solemn and
+sober a spirit, and there was an abundance of unreproved giggling
+throughout from the little ones, especially in those happy days when
+mother was alive and tried to steal the _Afikuman_ or _Matso_ specially
+laid aside for the final morsel, only to be surrendered to father when
+he promised to grant her whatever she wished. Alas! it is to be feared
+Mrs. Ansell's wishes did not soar high. There was more giggling when the
+youngest talking son--it was poor Benjamin in Esther's earliest
+recollections--opened the ball by inquiring in a peculiarly pitched
+incantation and with an air of blank ignorance why this night differed
+from all other nights--in view of the various astonishing peculiarities
+of food and behavior (enumerated in detail) visible to his vision. To
+which Moses and the _Bube_ and the rest of the company (including the
+questioner) invariably replied in corresponding sing-song: "Slaves have
+we been in Egypt," proceeding to recount at great length, stopping for
+refreshment in the middle, the never-cloying tale of the great
+deliverance, with irrelevant digressions concerning Haman and Daniel and
+the wise men of Bona Berak, the whole of this most ancient of the
+world's extant domestic rituals terminating with an allegorical ballad
+like the "house that Jack built," concerning a kid that was eaten by a
+cat, which was bitten by a dog, which was beaten by a stick, which was
+burned by a fire, which was quenched by some water, which was drunk by
+an ox, which was slaughtered by a slaughterer, who was slain by the
+Angel of Death, who was slain by the Holy One, blessed be He.
+
+In wealthy houses this _Hagadah_ was read from manuscripts with rich
+illuminations--the one development of pictorial art among the Jews--but
+the Ansells had wretchedly-printed little books containing quaint but
+unintentionally comic wood-cuts, pre-Raphaelite in perspective and
+ludicrous in draughtsmanship, depicting the Miracles of the Redemption,
+Moses burying the Egyptian, and sundry other passages of the text. In
+one a king was praying in the Temple to an exploding bomb intended to
+represent the Shechinah or divine glory. In another, Sarah attired in a
+matronly cap and a fashionable jacket and skirt, was standing behind the
+door of the tent, a solid detached villa on the brink of a lake, whereon
+ships and gondolas floated, what time Abraham welcomed the three
+celestial messengers, unobtrusively disguised with heavy pinions. What
+delight as the quaking of each of the four cups of wine loomed in sight,
+what disappointment and mutual bantering when the cup had merely to be
+raised in the hand, what chaff of the greedy Solomon who was careful not
+to throw away a drop during the digital manoeuvres when the wine must be
+jerked from the cup at the mention of each plague. And what a solemn
+moment was that when the tallest goblet was filled to the brim for the
+delectation of the prophet Elijah and the door thrown open for his
+entry. Could one almost hear the rustling of the prophet's spirit
+through the room? And what though the level of the wine subsided not a
+barley-corn? Elijah, though there was no difficulty in his being in all
+parts of the world simultaneously, could hardly compass the greater
+miracle of emptying so many million goblets. Historians have traced this
+custom of opening the door to the necessity of asking the world to look
+in and see for itself that no blood of Christian child figured in the
+ceremonial--and for once science has illumined naive superstition with a
+tragic glow more poetic still. For the London Ghetto persecution had
+dwindled to an occasional bellowing through the keyhole, as the local
+rowdies heard the unaccustomed melodies trolled forth from jocund lungs
+and then the singers would stop for a moment, startled, and some one
+would say: "Oh, it's only a Christian rough," and take up the thread of
+song.
+
+And then, when the _Ajikuman_ had been eaten and the last cup of wine
+drunk, and it was time to go to bed, what a sweet sense of sanctity and
+security still reigned. No need to say your prayers to-night, beseeching
+the guardian of Israel, who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, to watch
+over you and chase away the evil spirits; the angels are with
+you--Gabriel on your right and Raphael on your left, and Michael behind
+you. All about the Ghetto the light of the Passover rested,
+transfiguring the dreary rooms and illumining the gray lives.
+
+Dutch Debby sat beside Mrs. Simons at the table of that good soul's
+married daughter; the same who had suckled little Sarah. Esther's
+frequent eulogiums had secured the poor lonely narrow-chested seamstress
+this enormous concession and privilege. Bobby squatted on the mat in the
+passage ready to challenge Elijah. At this table there were two pieces
+of fried fish sent to Mrs. Simons by Esther Ansell. They represented the
+greatest revenge of Esther's life, and she felt remorseful towards
+Malka, remembering to whose gold she owed this proud moment. She made up
+her mind to write her a letter of apology in her best hand.
+
+At the Belcovitches' the ceremonial was long, for the master of it
+insisted on translating the Hebrew into jargon, phrase by phrase; but no
+one found it tedious, especially after supper. Pesach was there, hand in
+hand with Fanny, their wedding very near now; and Becky lolled royally
+in all her glory, aggressive of ringlet, insolently unattached, a
+conscious beacon of bedazzlement to the pauper _Pollack_ we last met at
+Reb Shemuel's Sabbath table, and there, too, was Chayah, she of the
+ill-matched legs. Be sure that Malka had returned the clothes-brush, and
+was throned in complacent majesty at Milly's table; and that Sugarman
+the _Shadchan_ forgave his monocular consort her lack of a fourth uncle;
+while Joseph Strelitski, dreamer of dreams, rich with commissions from
+"Passover" cigars, brooded on the Great Exodus. Nor could the Shalotten
+_Shammos_ be other than beaming, ordering the complex ceremonial with
+none to contradict; nor Karlkammer be otherwise than in the seven
+hundred and seventy-seventh heaven, which, calculated by _Gematriyah_,
+can easily be reduced to the seventh.
+
+Shosshi Shmendrik did not fail to explain the deliverance to the
+ex-widow Finkelstein, nor Guedalyah, the greengrocer, omit to hold his
+annual revel at the head of half a hundred merry "pauper-aliens."
+Christian roughs bawled derisively in the street, especially when doors
+were opened for Elijah; but hard words break no bones, and the Ghetto
+was uplifted above insult.
+
+Melchitsedek Pinchas was the Passover guest at Reb Shemuel's table, for
+the reek of his Sabbath cigar had not penetrated to the old man's
+nostrils. It was a great night for Pinchas; wrought up to fervid
+nationalistic aspirations by the memory of the Egyptian deliverance,
+which he yet regarded as mythical in its details. It was a terrible
+night for Hannah, sitting opposite to him under the fire of his poetic
+regard. She was pale and rigid, moving and speaking mechanically. Her
+father glanced towards her every now and again, compassionately, but
+with trust that the worst was over. Her mother realized the crisis much
+less keenly than he, not having been in the heart of the storm. She had
+never even seen her intended son-in-law except through the lens of a
+camera. She was sorry--that was all. Now that Hannah had broken the ice,
+and encouraged one young man, there was hope for the others.
+
+Hannah's state of mind was divined by neither parent. Love itself is
+blind in those tragic silences which divide souls.
+
+All night, after that agonizing scene, she did not sleep; the feverish
+activity of her mind rendered that impossible, and unerring instinct
+told her that David was awake also--that they two, amid the silence of a
+sleeping city, wrestled in the darkness with the same terrible problem,
+and were never so much at one as in this their separation. A letter came
+for her in the morning. It was unstamped, and had evidently been dropped
+into the letter-box by David's hand. It appointed an interview at ten
+o'clock at a corner of the Ruins; of course, he could not come to the
+house. Hannah was out: with a little basket to make some purchases.
+There was a cheery hum of life about the Ghetto; a pleasant festival
+bustle; the air resounded with the raucous clucking of innumerable fowls
+on their way to the feather-littered, blood-stained shambles, where
+professional cut-throats wielded sacred knives; boys armed with little
+braziers of glowing coal ran about the Ruins, offering halfpenny pyres
+for the immolation of the last crumbs of leaven. Nobody paid the
+slightest attention to the two tragic figures whose lives turned on the
+brief moments of conversation snatched in the thick of the hurrying
+crowd.
+
+David's clouded face lightened a little as he saw Hannah advancing
+towards him.
+
+"I knew you would come," he said, taking her hand for a moment. His palm
+burned, hers was cold and limp. The stress of a great tempest of emotion
+had driven the blood from her face and limbs, but inwardly she was on
+fire. As they looked each read revolt in the other's eyes.
+
+"Let us walk on," he said.
+
+They moved slowly forwards. The ground was slippery and muddy under
+foot. The sky was gray. But the gayety of the crowds neutralized the
+dull squalor of the scene.
+
+"Well?" he said, in a low tone.
+
+"I thought you had something to propose," she murmured.
+
+"Let me carry your basket."
+
+"No, no; go on. What have you determined?"
+
+"Not to give you up, Hannah, while I live."
+
+"Ah!" she said quietly. "I have thought it all over, too, and I shall
+not leave you. But our marriage by Jewish law is impossible; we could
+not marry at any synagogue without my father's knowledge; and he would
+at once inform the authorities of the bar to our union."
+
+"I know, dear. But let us go to America, where no one will know. There
+we shall find plenty of Rabbis to marry us. There is nothing to tie me
+to this country. I can start my business in America just as well as
+here. Your parents, too, will think more kindly of you when you are
+across the seas. Forgiveness is easier at a distance. What do you say,
+dear?"
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"Why should we be married in a synagogue?" she asked.
+
+"Why?" repeated he, puzzled.
+
+"Yes, why?"
+
+"Because we are Jews."
+
+"You would use Jewish forms to outwit Jewish laws?" she asked quietly.
+
+"No, no. Why should you put it that way? I don't doubt the Bible is all
+right in making the laws it does. After the first heat of my anger was
+over, I saw the whole thing in its proper bearings. Those laws about
+priests were only intended for the days when we had a Temple, and in any
+case they cannot apply to a merely farcical divorce like yours. It is
+these old fools,--I beg your pardon,--it is these fanatical Rabbis who
+insist on giving them a rigidity God never meant them to have, just as
+they still make a fuss about _kosher_ meat. In America they are less
+strict; besides, they will not know I am a _Cohen_."
+
+"No. David," said Hannah firmly. "There must be no more deceit. What
+need have we to seek the sanction of any Rabbi? If Jewish law cannot
+marry us without our hiding something, then I will have nothing to do
+with Jewish law. You know my opinions: I haven't gone so deeply into
+religious questions as you have--"
+
+"Don't be sarcastic," he interrupted.
+
+"I have always been sick to death of this eternal ceremony, this endless
+coil of laws winding round us and cramping our lives at every turn; and
+now it has become too oppressive to be borne any longer. Why should we
+let it ruin our lives? And why, if we determine to break from it, shall
+we pretend to keep to it? What do you care for Judaism? You eat
+_triphas_, you smoke on _Shabbos_ when you want to--"
+
+"Yes, I know, perhaps I'm wrong. But everybody does it now-a-days. When
+I was a boy nobody dared be seen riding in a 'bus on _Shabbos_--now you
+meet lots. But all that is only old-fashioned Judaism. There must be a
+God, else we shouldn't be here, and it's impossible to believe that
+Jesus was He. A man must have some religion, and there isn't anything
+better. But that's neither here nor there. If you don't care for my
+plan," he concluded anxiously, "what's yours?"
+
+"Let us be married honestly by a Registrar."
+
+"Any way you like, dear," he said readily, "so long as we are
+married--and quickly."
+
+"As quickly as you like."
+
+He seized her disengaged hand and pressed it passionately. "That's my
+own darling Hannah. Oh, if you could realize what I felt last night when
+you seemed to be drifting away from me."
+
+There was an interval of silence, each thinking excitedly. Then David
+said:
+
+"But have you the courage to do this and remain in London?"
+
+"I have courage for anything. But, as you say, it might be better to
+travel. It will be less of a break if we break away altogether--change
+everything at once. It sounds contradictory, but you understand what I
+mean."
+
+"Perfectly. It is difficult to live a new life with all the old things
+round you. Besides, why should we give our friends the chance to
+cold-shoulder us? They will find all sorts of malicious reasons why we
+were not married in a _Shool_, and if they hit on the true one they may
+even regard our marriage as illegal. Let us go to America, as I
+proposed."
+
+"Very well. Do we go direct from London?"
+
+"No, from Liverpool."
+
+"Then we can be married at Liverpool before sailing?"
+
+"A good idea. But when do we start?"
+
+"At once. To-night. The sooner the better."
+
+He looked at her quickly. "Do you mean it?" he said. His heart beat
+violently as if it would burst. Waves of dazzling color swam before his
+eyes.
+
+"I mean it," she said gravely and quietly. "Do you think I could face my
+father and mother, knowing I was about to wound them to the heart? Each
+day of delay would be torture to me. Oh, why is religion such a curse?"
+She paused, overwhelmed for a moment by the emotion she had been
+suppressing. She resumed in the same quiet manner. "Yes, we must break
+away at once. We have kept our last Passover. We shall have to eat
+leavened food--it will be a decisive break. Take me to Liverpool, David,
+this very day. You are my chosen husband; I trust in you."
+
+She looked at him frankly with her dark eyes that stood out in lustrous
+relief against the pale skin. He gazed into those eyes, and a flash as
+from the inner heaven of purity pierced his soul.
+
+"Thank you, dearest," he said in a voice with tears in it.
+
+They walked on silently. Speech was as superfluous as it was
+inadequate. When they spoke again their voices were calm. The peace that
+comes of resolute decision was theirs at last, and each was full of the
+joy of daring greatly for the sake of their mutual love. Petty as their
+departure from convention might seem to the stranger, to them it loomed
+as a violent breach with all the traditions of the Ghetto and their past
+lives; they were venturing forth into untrodden paths, holding each
+other's hand.
+
+Jostling the loquacious crowd, in the unsavory by-ways of the Ghetto, in
+the gray chillness of a cloudy morning, Hannah seemed to herself to walk
+in enchanted gardens, breathing the scent of love's own roses mingled
+with the keen salt air that blew in from the sea of liberty. A fresh,
+new blessed life was opening before her. The clogging vapors of the past
+were rolling away at last. The unreasoning instinctive rebellion, bred
+of ennui and brooding dissatisfaction with the conditions of her
+existence and the people about her, had by a curious series of accidents
+been hastened to its acutest development; thought had at last fermented
+into active resolution, and the anticipation of action flooded her soul
+with peace and joy, in which all recollection of outside humanity was
+submerged.
+
+"What time can you be ready by?" he said before they parted.
+
+"Any time," she answered. "I can take nothing with me. I dare not pack
+anything. I suppose I can get necessaries in Liverpool. I have merely my
+hat and cloak to put on."
+
+"But that will be enough," he said ardently. "I want but you."
+
+"I know it, dear," she answered gently. "If you were as other Jewish
+young men I could not give up all else for you."
+
+"You shall never regret it, Hannah," he said, moved to his depths, as
+the full extent of her sacrifice for love dawned upon him. He was a
+vagabond on the face of the earth, but she was tearing herself away from
+deep roots in the soil of home, as well as from the conventions of her
+circle and her sex. Once again he trembled with a sense of unworthiness,
+a sudden anxious doubt if he were noble enough to repay her trust.
+Mastering his emotion, he went on: "I reckon my packing and arrangements
+for leaving the country will take me all day at least. I must see my
+bankers if nobody else. I shan't take leave of anybody, that would
+arouse suspicion. I will be at the corner of your street with a cab at
+nine, and we'll catch the ten o'clock express from Euston. If we missed
+that, we should have to wait till midnight. It will be dark; no one is
+likely to notice me. I will get a dressing-case for you and anything
+else I can think of and add it to my luggage."
+
+"Very well," she said simply.
+
+They did not kiss; she gave him her hand, and, with a sudden
+inspiration, he slipped the ring he had brought the day before on her
+finger. The tears came into her eyes as she saw what he had done. They
+looked at each other through a mist, feeling bound beyond human
+intervention.
+
+"Good-bye," she faltered.
+
+"Good-bye," he said. "At nine."
+
+"At nine," she breathed. And hurried off without looking behind.
+
+It was a hard day, the minutes crawling reluctantly into the hours, the
+hours dragging themselves wearily on towards the night. It was typical
+April weather--squalls and sunshine in capricious succession. When it
+drew towards dusk she put on her best clothes for the Festival, stuffing
+a few precious mementoes into her pockets and wearing her father's
+portrait next to her lover's at her breast. She hung a travelling cloak
+and a hat on a peg near the hall-door ready to hand as she left the
+house. Of little use was she in the kitchen that day, but her mother was
+tender to her as knowing her sorrow. Time after time Hannah ascended to
+her bedroom to take a last look at the things she had grown so tired
+of--the little iron bed, the wardrobe, the framed lithographs, the jug
+and basin with their floral designs. All things seemed strangely dear
+now she was seeing them for the last time. Hannah turned over
+everything--even the little curling iron, and the cardboard box full of
+tags and rags of ribbon and chiffon and lace and crushed artificial
+flowers, and the fans with broken sticks and the stays with broken
+ribs, and the petticoats with dingy frills and the twelve-button ball
+gloves with dirty fingers, and the soiled pink wraps. Some of her books,
+especially her school-prizes, she would have liked to take with her--but
+that could not be. She went over the rest of the house, too, from top to
+bottom. It weakened her but she could not conquer the impulse of
+farewell, finally she wrote a letter to her parents and hid it under her
+looking-glass, knowing they would search her room for traces of her. She
+looked curiously at herself as she did so; the color had not returned to
+her cheeks. She knew she was pretty and always strove to look nice for
+the mere pleasure of the thing. All her instincts were aesthetic. Now
+she had the air of a saint wrought up to spiritual exaltation. She was
+almost frightened by the vision. She had seen her face frowning,
+weeping, overcast with gloom, never with an expression so fateful. It
+seemed as if her resolution was writ large upon every feature for all to
+read.
+
+In the evening she accompanied her father to _Shool_. She did not often
+go in the evening, and the thought of going only suddenly occurred to
+her. Heaven alone knew if she would ever enter a synagogue again--the
+visit would be part of her systematic farewell. Reb Shemuel took it as a
+symptom of resignation to the will of God, and he laid his hand lightly
+on her head in silent blessing, his eyes uplifted gratefully to Heaven.
+Too late Hannah felt the misconception and was remorseful. For the
+festival occasion Reb Shemuel elected to worship at the Great Synagogue;
+Hannah, seated among the sparse occupants of the Ladies' Gallery and
+mechanically fingering a _Machzor_, looked down for the last time on the
+crowded auditorium where the men sat in high hats and holiday garments.
+Tall wax-candles twinkled everywhere, in great gilt chandeliers
+depending from the ceiling, in sconces stuck about the window ledges, in
+candelabra branching from the walls. There was an air of holy joy about
+the solemn old structure with its massive pillars, its small
+side-windows, high ornate roof, and skylights, and its gilt-lettered
+tablets to the memory of pious donors.
+
+The congregation gave the responses with joyous unction. Some of the
+worshippers tempered their devotion by petty gossip and the beadle
+marshalled the men in low hats within the iron railings, sonorously
+sounding his automatic amens. But to-night Hannah had no eye for the
+humors that were wont to awaken her scornful amusement--a real emotion
+possessed her, the same emotion of farewell which she had experienced in
+her own bedroom. Her eyes wandered towards the Ark, surmounted by the
+stone tablets of the Decalogue, and the sad dark orbs filled with the
+brooding light of childish reminiscence. Once when she was a little girl
+her father told her that on Passover night an angel sometimes came out
+of the doors of the Ark from among the scrolls of the Law. For years she
+looked out for that angel, keeping her eyes patiently fixed on the
+curtain. At last she gave him up, concluding her vision was
+insufficiently purified or that he was exhibiting at other synagogues.
+To-night her childish fancy recurred to her--she found herself
+involuntarily looking towards the Ark and half-expectant of the angel.
+
+She had not thought of the _Seder_ service she would have to partially
+sit through, when she made her appointment with David in the morning,
+but when during the day it occurred to her, a cynical smile traversed
+her lips. How apposite it was! To-night would mark _her_ exodus from
+slavery. Like her ancestors leaving Egypt, she, too, would partake of a
+meal in haste, staff in hand ready for the journey. With what stout
+heart would she set forth, she, too, towards the promised land! Thus had
+she thought some hours since, but her mood was changed now. The nearer
+the _Seder_ approached, the more she shrank from the family ceremonial.
+A panic terror almost seized her now, in the synagogue, when the picture
+of the domestic interior flashed again before her mental vision--she
+felt like flying into the street, on towards her lover without ever
+looking behind. Oh, why could David not have fixed the hour earlier, so
+as to spare her an ordeal so trying to the nerves? The black-stoled
+choir was singing sweetly, Hannah banished her foolish flutter of alarm
+by joining in quietly, for congregational singing was regarded rather as
+an intrusion on the privileges of the choir and calculated to put them
+out in their elaborate four-part fugues unaided by an organ.
+
+"With everlasting love hast Thou loved the house of Israel, Thy people,"
+she sang: "a Law and commandments, statutes and judgments hast thou
+taught us. Therefore, O Lord our God, when we lie down and when we rise
+up we will meditate on Thy statutes: yea, we will rejoice in the words
+of Thy Law and in Thy commandments for ever, for they are our life and
+the length of our days, and will meditate on them day and night. And
+mayest Thou never take away Thy love from us. Blessed art Thou. O Lord,
+who lovest Thy people Israel."
+
+Hannah scanned the English version of the Hebrew in her _Machzor_ as she
+sang. Though she could translate every word, the meaning of what she
+sang was never completely conceived by her consciousness. The power of
+song over the soul depends but little on the words. Now the words seem
+fateful, pregnant with special message. Her eyes were misty when the
+fugues were over. Again she looked towards the Ark with its beautifully
+embroidered curtain, behind which were the precious scrolls with their
+silken swathes and their golden bells and shields and pomegranates. Ah,
+if the angel would come out now! If only the dazzling vision gleamed for
+a moment on the white steps. Oh, why did he not come and save her?
+
+Save her? From what? She asked herself the question fiercely, in
+defiance of the still, small voice. What wrong had she ever done that
+she so young and gentle should be forced to make so cruel a choice
+between the old and the new? This was the synagogue she should have been
+married in; stepping gloriously and honorably under the canopy, amid the
+pleasant excitement of a congratulatory company. And now she was being
+driven to exile and the chillness of secret nuptials. No, no; she did
+not want to be saved in the sense of being kept in the fold: it was the
+creed that was culpable, not she.
+
+The service drew to an end. The choir sang the final hymn, the _Chasan_
+giving the last verse at great length and with many musical flourishes.
+
+"The dead will God quicken in the abundance of His loving kindness.
+Blessed for evermore be His glorious name."
+
+There was a clattering of reading-flaps and seat-lids and the
+congregation poured out, amid the buzz of mutual "Good _Yomtovs."_
+Hannah rejoined her father, the sense of injury and revolt still surging
+in her breast. In the fresh starlit air, stepping along the wet gleaming
+pavements, she shook off the last influences of the synagogue; all her
+thoughts converged on the meeting with David, on the wild flight
+northwards while good Jews were sleeping off the supper in celebration
+of their Redemption; her blood coursed quickly through her veins, she
+was in a fever of impatience for the hour to come.
+
+And thus it was that she sat at the _Seder_ table, as in a dream, with
+images of desperate adventure flitting in her brain. The face of her
+lover floated before her eyes, close, close to her own as it should have
+been to-night had there been justice in Heaven. Now and again the scene
+about her flashed in upon her consciousness, piercing her to the heart.
+When Levi asked the introductory question, it set her wondering what
+would become of him? Would manhood bring enfranchisement to him as
+womanhood was doing to her? What sort of life would he lead the poor Reb
+and his wife? The omens were scarcely auspicious; but a man's charter is
+so much wider than a woman's; and Levi might do much without paining
+them as she would pain them. Poor father! The white hairs were
+predominating in his beard, she had never noticed before how old he was
+getting. And mother--her face was quite wrinkled. Ah, well; we must all
+grow old. What a curious man Melchitsedek Pinchas was, singing so
+heartily the wonderful story. Judaism certainly produced some curious
+types. A smile crossed her face as she thought of herself as his bride.
+
+At supper she strove to eat a little, knowing she would need it. In
+bringing some plates from the kitchen she looked at her hat and cloak,
+carefully hung up on the peg in the hall nearest the street door. It
+would take but a second to slip them on. She nodded her head towards
+them, as who should say "Yes, we shall meet again very soon." During the
+meal she found herself listening to the poet's monologues delivered in
+his high-pitched creaking voice.
+
+Melchitsedek Pinchas had much to say about a certain actor-manager who
+had spoiled the greatest jargon-play of the century and a certain
+labor-leader who, out of the funds of his gulls, had subsidized the
+audience to stay away, and (though here the Reb cut him short for
+Hannah's sake) a certain leading lady, one of the quartette of
+mistresses of a certain clergyman, who had been beguiled by her paramour
+into joining the great English conspiracy to hound down Melchitsedek
+Pinchas,--all of whom he would shoot presently and had in the meantime
+enshrined like dead flies in the amber of immortal acrostics. The wind
+began to shake the shutters as they finished supper and presently the
+rain began to patter afresh against the panes. Reb Shemuel distributed
+the pieces of _Afikuman_ with a happy sigh, and, lolling on his pillows
+and almost forgetting his family troubles in the sense of Israel's
+blessedness, began to chant the Grace like the saints in the Psalm who
+sing aloud on their couches. The little Dutch clock on the mantelpiece
+began to strike. Hannah did not move. Pale and trembling she sat riveted
+to her chair. One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight. She
+counted the strokes, as if to count them was the only means of telling
+the hour, as if her eyes had not been following the hands creeping,
+creeping. She had a mad hope the striking would cease with the eight and
+there would be still time to think. _Nine_! She waited, her ear longing
+for the tenth stroke. If it were only ten o'clock, it would be too late.
+The danger would be over. She sat, mechanically watching the hands. They
+crept on. It was five minutes past the hour. She felt sure that David
+was already at the corner of the street, getting wet and a little
+impatient. She half rose from her chair. It was not a nice night for an
+elopement. She sank back into her seat. Perhaps they had best wait till
+to-morrow night. She would go and tell David so. But then he would not
+mind the weather; once they had met he would bundle her into the cab and
+they would roll on leaving the old world irrevocably behind. She sat in
+a paralysis of volition; rigid on her chair, magnetized by the warm
+comfortable room, the old familiar furniture, the Passover table--with
+its white table-cloth and its decanter and wine-glasses, the faces of
+her father and mother eloquent with the appeal of a thousand memories.
+The clock ticked on loudly, fiercely, like a summoning drum; the rain
+beat an impatient tattoo on the window-panes, the wind rattled the doors
+and casements. "Go forth, go forth," they called, "go forth where your
+lover waits you, to bear you of into the new and the unknown." And the
+louder they called the louder Reb Shemuel trolled his hilarious Grace:
+_May He who maketh Peace in the High Heavens, bestow Peace upon us and
+upon all Israel and say ye, Amen_.
+
+The hands of the clock crept on. It was half-past nine. Hannah sat
+lethargic, numb, unable to think, her strung-up nerves grown flaccid,
+her eyes full of bitter-sweet tears, her soul floating along as in a
+trance on the waves of a familiar melody. Suddenly she became aware that
+the others had risen and that her father was motioning to her.
+Instinctively she understood; rose automatically and went to the door;
+then a great shock of returning recollection whelmed her soul. She stood
+rooted to the floor. Her father had filled Elijah's goblet with wine and
+it was her annual privilege to open the door for the prophet's entry.
+Intuitively she knew that David was pacing madly in front of the house,
+not daring to make known his presence, and perhaps cursing her
+cowardice. A chill terror seized her. She was afraid to face him--his
+will was strong and mighty; her fevered imagination figured it as the
+wash of a great ocean breaking on the doorstep threatening to sweep her
+off into the roaring whirlpool of doom. She threw the door of the room
+wide and paused as if her duty were done.
+
+"_Nu, nu_," muttered Reb Shemuel, indicating the outer door. It was so
+near that he always had that opened, too.
+
+Hannah tottered forwards through the few feet of hall. The cloak and hat
+on the peg nodded to her sardonically. A wild thrill of answering
+defiance shot through her: she stretched out her hands towards them.
+"Fly, fly; it is your last chance," said the blood throbbing in her
+ears. But her hand dropped to her side and in that brief instant of
+terrible illumination, Hannah saw down the whole long vista of her
+future life, stretching straight and unlovely between great blank walls,
+on, on to a solitary grave; knew that the strength had been denied her
+to diverge to the right or left, that for her there would be neither
+Exodus nor Redemption. Strong in the conviction of her weakness she
+noisily threw open the street door. The face of David, sallow and
+ghastly, loomed upon her in the darkness. Great drops of rain fell from
+his hat and ran down his cheeks like tears. His clothes seemed soaked
+with rain.
+
+"At last!" he exclaimed in a hoarse, glad whisper. "What has kept you?"
+
+"_Boruch Habo_! (Welcome art thou who arrivest)" came the voice of Reb
+Shemuel front within, greeting the prophet.
+
+"Hush!" said Hannah. "Listen a moment."
+
+The sing-song undulations of the old Rabbi's voice mingled harshly with
+the wail of the wind: "_Pour out Thy wrath on the heathen who
+acknowledge Thee not and upon the Kingdoms which invoke not Thy name,
+for they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his Temple. Pour out Thy
+indignation upon them and cause Thy fierce anger to overtake them.
+Pursue them in wrath and destroy them from under the heavens of the
+Lord_."
+
+"Quick, Hannah!" whispered David. "We can't wait a moment more. Put on
+your things. We shall miss the train."
+
+A sudden inspiration came to her. For answer she drew his ring out of
+her pocket and slipped it into his hand.
+
+"Good-bye!" she murmured in a strange hollow voice, and slammed the
+street door in his face.
+
+"Hannah!"
+
+His startled cry of agony and despair penetrated the woodwork, muffled
+to an inarticulate shriek. He rattled the door violently in unreasoning
+frenzy.
+
+"Who's that? What's that noise?" asked the Rebbitzin.
+
+"Only some Christian rough shouting in the street," answered Hannah.
+
+It was truer than she knew.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The rain fell faster, the wind grew shriller, but the Children of the
+Ghetto basked by their firesides in faith and hope and contentment.
+Hunted from shore to shore through the ages, they had found the national
+aspiration--Peace--in a country where Passover came, without menace of
+blood. In the garret of Number 1 Royal Street little Esther Ansell sat
+brooding, her heart full of a vague tender poetry and penetrated by the
+beauties of Judaism, which, please God, she would always cling to; her
+childish vision looking forward hopefully to the larger life that the
+years would bring.
+
+
+END OF BOOK I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+
+THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
+
+
+Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver,
+exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of
+shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional
+accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
+
+It was not a large party. Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect
+guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-a-brac--and with an eye
+to general conversation. The elements of the social salad were
+sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
+
+For the history of the Grandchildren of the Ghetto, which is mainly a
+history of the middle-classes, is mainly a history of isolation. "The
+Upper Ten" is a literal phrase in Judah, whose aristocracy just about
+suffices for a synagogue quorum. Great majestic luminaries, each with
+its satellites, they swim serenely in the golden heavens. And the
+middle-classes look up in worship and the lower-classes in supplication.
+"The Upper Ten" have no spirit of exclusiveness; they are willing to
+entertain royalty, rank and the arts with a catholic hospitality that is
+only Eastern in its magnificence, while some of them only remain Jews
+for fear of being considered snobs by society. But the middle-class Jew
+has been more jealous of his caste, and for caste reasons. To exchange
+hospitalities with the Christian when you cannot eat his dinners were to
+get the worse of the bargain; to invite his sons to your house when they
+cannot marry your daughters were to solicit awkward complications. In
+business, in civic affairs, in politics, the Jew has mixed freely with
+his fellow-citizens, but indiscriminate social relations only become
+possible through a religious decadence, which they in turn accelerate.
+A Christian in a company of middle-class Jews is like a lion in a den of
+Daniels. They show him deference and their prophetic side.
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith was of the upper middle-classes, and her husband
+was the financial representative of the Kensington Synagogue at the
+United Council, but her swan-like neck was still bowed beneath the yoke
+of North London, not to say provincial, Judaism. So to-night there were
+none of those external indications of Christmas which are so frequent at
+"good" Jewish houses; no plum-pudding, snapdragon, mistletoe, not even a
+Christmas tree. For Mrs. Henry Goldsmith did not countenance these
+coquettings with Christianity. She would have told you that the
+incidence of her dinner on Christmas Eve was merely an accident, though
+a lucky accident, in so far as Christmas found Jews perforce at leisure
+for social gatherings. What she was celebrating was the feast of
+Chanukah--of the re-dedication of the Temple after the pollutions of
+Antiochus Epiphanes--and the memory of the national hero, Judas
+Maccabaeus. Christmas crackers would have been incompatible with the
+Chanukah candles which the housekeeper, Mary O'Reilly, forced her master
+to light, and would have shocked that devout old dame. For Mary
+O'Reilly, as good a soul as she was a Catholic, had lived all her life
+with Jews, assisting while yet a girl in the kitchen of Henry
+Goldsmith's father, who was a pattern of ancient piety and a prop of the
+Great Synagogue. When the father died, Mary, with all the other family
+belongings, passed into the hands of the son, who came up to London from
+a provincial town, and with a grateful recollection of her motherliness
+domiciled her in his own establishment. Mary knew all the ritual laws
+and ceremonies far better than her new mistress, who although a native
+of the provincial town in which Mr. Henry Goldsmith had established a
+thriving business, had received her education at a Brussels
+boarding-school. Mary knew exactly how long to keep the meat in salt and
+the heinousness of frying steaks in butter. She knew that the fire must
+not be poked on the Sabbath, nor the gas lit or extinguished, and that
+her master must not smoke till three stars appeared in the sky. She knew
+when the family must fast, and when and how it must feast. She knew all
+the Hebrew and jargon expressions which her employers studiously
+boycotted, and she was the only member of the household who used them
+habitually in her intercourse with the other members. Too late the Henry
+Goldsmiths awoke to the consciousness of her tyranny which did not
+permit them to be irreligious even in private. In the fierce light which
+beats upon a provincial town with only one synagogue, they had been
+compelled to conform outwardly with many galling restrictions, and they
+had sub-consciously looked forward to emancipation in the mighty
+metropolis. But Mary had such implicit faith in their piety, and was so
+zealous in the practice of her own faith, that they had not the courage
+to confess that they scarcely cared a pin about a good deal of that for
+which she was so solicitous. They hesitated to admit that they did not
+respect their religion (or what she thought was their religion) as much
+as she did hers. It would have equally lowered them in her eyes to admit
+that their religion was not so good as hers, besides being disrespectful
+to the cherished memory of her ancient master. At first they had
+deferred to Mary's Jewish prejudices out of good nature and
+carelessness, but every day strengthened her hold upon them; every act
+of obedience to the ritual law was a tacit acknowledgment of its
+sanctity, which made it more and more difficult to disavow its
+obligation. The dread of shocking Mary came to dominate their lives, and
+the fashionable house near Kensington Gardens was still a veritable
+centre of true Jewish orthodoxy, with little or nothing to make old
+Aaron Goldsmith turn in his grave. It is probable, though, that Mrs.
+Henry Goldsmith would have kept a _kosher_ table, even if Mary had never
+been born. Many of their acquaintances and relatives were of an orthodox
+turn. A _kosher_ dinner could be eaten even by the heterodox; whereas a
+_tripha_ dinner choked off the orthodox. Thus it came about that even
+the Rabbinate might safely stoke its spiritual fires at Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith's.
+
+Hence, too, the prevalent craving for a certain author's blood could not
+be gratified at Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's Chanukah dinner. Besides, nobody
+knew where to lay hands upon Edward Armitage, the author in question,
+whose opprobrious production, _Mordecai Josephs_, had scandalized West
+End Judaism.
+
+"Why didn't he describe our circles?" asked the hostess, an angry fire
+in her beautiful eyes. "It would have, at least, corrected the picture.
+As it is, the public will fancy that we are all daubed with the same
+brush: that we have no thought in life beyond dress, money, and solo
+whist."
+
+"He probably painted the life he knew," said Sidney Graham, in defence.
+
+"Then I am sorry for him," retorted Mrs. Goldsmith. "It's a great pity
+he had such detestable acquaintances. Of course, he has cut himself off
+from the possibility of any better now."
+
+The wavering flush on her lovely face darkened with disinterested
+indignation, and her beautiful bosom heaved with judicial grief.
+
+"I should hope so," put in Miss Cissy Levine, sharply. She was a pale,
+bent woman, with spectacles, who believed in the mission of Israel, and
+wrote domestic novels to prove that she had no sense of humor. "No one
+has a right to foul his own nest. Are there not plenty of subjects for
+the Jew's pen without his attacking his own people? The calumniator of
+his race should be ostracized from decent society."
+
+"As according to him there is none," laughed Graham, "I cannot see where
+the punishment comes in."
+
+"Oh, he may say so in that book," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels, an amiable,
+loose-thinking lady of florid complexion, who dabbled exasperatingly in
+her husband's philanthropic concerns from the vain idea that the wife of
+a committee-man is a committee-woman. "But he knows better."
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Mr. Montagu Samuels. "The rascal has only written
+this to make money. He knows it's all exaggeration and distortion; but
+anything spicy pays now-a-days."
+
+"As a West Indian merchant he ought to know," murmured Sidney Graham to
+his charming cousin, Adelaide Leon. The girl's soft eyes twinkled, as
+she surveyed the serious little city magnate with his placid spouse.
+Montagu Samuels was narrow-minded and narrow-chested, and managed to be
+pompous on a meagre allowance of body. He was earnest and charitable
+(except in religious wrangles, when he was earnest and uncharitable),
+and knew himself a pillar of the community, an exemplar to the drones
+and sluggards who shirked their share of public burdens and were callous
+to the dazzlement of communal honors.
+
+"Of course it was written for money, Monty," his brother, Percy Saville,
+the stockbroker, reminded him. "What else do authors write for? It's the
+way they earn their living."
+
+Strangers found difficulty in understanding the fraternal relation of
+Percy Saville and Montagu Samuels; and did not readily grasp that Percy
+Saville was an Anglican version of Pizer Samuels, more in tune with the
+handsome well-dressed personality it denoted. Montagu had stuck loyally
+to his colors, but Pizer had drooped under the burden of carrying his
+patronymic through the theatrical and artistic circles he favored after
+business hours. Of such is the brotherhood of Israel.
+
+"The whole book's written with gall," went on Percy Saville,
+emphatically. "I suppose the man couldn't get into good Jewish houses,
+and he's revenged himself by slandering them."
+
+"Then he ought to have got into good Jewish houses," said Sidney. "The
+man has talent, nobody can deny that, and if he couldn't get into good
+Jewish society because he didn't have money enough, isn't that proof
+enough his picture is true?"
+
+"I don't deny that there are people among us who make money the one open
+sesame to their houses," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, magnanimously.
+
+"Deny it, indeed? Money is the open sesame to everything," rejoined
+Sidney Graham, delightedly scenting an opening for a screed. He liked to
+talk bomb-shells, and did not often get pillars of the community to
+shatter. "Money manages the schools and the charities, and the
+synagogues, and indirectly controls the press. A small body of
+persons--always the same--sits on all councils, on all boards! Why?
+Because they pay the piper."
+
+"Well, sir, and is not that a good reason?" asked Montagu Samuels. "The
+community is to be congratulated on having a few public-spirited men
+left in days when there are wealthy German Jews in our midst who not
+only disavow Judaism, but refuse to support its institutions. But, Mr.
+Graham, I would join issue with you. The men you allude to are elected
+not because they are rich, but because they are good men of business and
+most of the work to be done is financial."
+
+"Exactly," said Sidney Graham, in sinister agreement. "I have always
+maintained that the United Synagogue could be run as a joint-stock
+company for the sake of a dividend, and that there wouldn't be an atom
+of difference in the discussions if the councillors were directors. I do
+believe the pillars of the community figure the Millenium as a time when
+every Jew shall have enough to eat, a place to worship in, and a place
+to be buried in. Their State Church is simply a financial system, to
+which the doctrines of Judaism happen to be tacked on. How many of the
+councillors believe in their Established Religion? Why, the very beadles
+of their synagogues are prone to surreptitious shrimps and unobtrusive
+oysters! Then take that institution for supplying _kosher_ meat. I am
+sure there are lots of its Committee who never inquire into the
+necrologies of their own chops and steaks, and who regard kitchen
+Judaism as obsolete. But, all the same, they look after the finances
+with almost fanatical zeal. Finance fascinates them. Long after Judaism
+has ceased to exist, excellent gentlemen will be found regulating its
+finances."
+
+There was that smile on the faces of the graver members of the party
+which arises from reluctance to take a dangerous speaker seriously.
+
+Sidney Graham was one of those favorites of society who are allowed
+Touchstone's license. He had just as little wish to reform, and just as
+much wish to abuse society as society has to be reformed and abused. He
+was a dark, bright-eyed young artist with a silky moustache. He had
+lived much in Paris, where he studied impressionism and perfected his
+natural talent for _causerie_ and his inborn preference for the
+hedonistic view of life. Fortunately he had plenty of money, for he was
+a cousin of Raphael Leon on the mother's side, and the remotest twigs of
+the Leon genealogical tree bear apples of gold. His real name was
+Abrahams, which is a shade too Semitic. Sidney was the black sheep of
+the family; good-natured to the core and artistic to the finger-tips,
+he was an avowed infidel in a world where avowal is the unpardonable
+sin. He did not even pretend to fast on the Day of Atonement. Still
+Sidney Graham was a good deal talked of in artistic circles, his name
+was often in the newspapers, and so more orthodox people than Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith were not averse from having him at their table, though they
+would have shrunk from being seen at his. Even cousin Addie, who had a
+charming religious cast of mind, liked to be with him, though she
+ascribed this to family piety. For there is a wonderful solidarity about
+many Jewish families, the richer members of which assemble loyally at
+one another's births, marriages, funerals, and card-parties, often to
+the entire exclusion of outsiders. An ordinary well-regulated family (so
+prolific is the stream of life), will include in its bosom ample
+elements for every occasion.
+
+"Really, Mr. Graham, I think you are wrong about the _kosher_ meat,"
+said Mr. Henry Goldsmith. "Our statistics show no falling-off in the
+number of bullocks killed, while there is a rise of two per cent, in the
+sheep slaughtered. No, Judaism is in a far more healthy condition than
+pessimists imagine. So far from sacrificing our ancient faith we are
+learning to see how tuberculosis lurks in the lungs of unexamined
+carcasses and is communicated to the consumer. As for the members of the
+_Shechitah_ Board not eating _kosher_, look at me."
+
+The only person who looked at the host was the hostess. Her look was one
+of approval. It could not be of aesthetic approval, like the look Percy
+Saville devoted to herself, for her husband was a cadaverous little man
+with prominent ears and teeth.
+
+"And if Mr. Graham should ever join us on the Council of the United
+Synagogue," added Montagu Samuels, addressing the table generally, "he
+will discover that there is no communal problem with which we do not
+loyally grapple."
+
+"No, thank you," said Sidney, with a shudder. "When I visit Raphael, I
+sometimes pick up a Jewish paper and amuse myself by reading the debates
+of your public bodies. I understand most of your verbiage is edited
+away." He looked Montagu Samuels full in the face with audacious
+_naivete_. "But there is enough left to show that our monotonous group
+of public men consists of narrow-minded mediocrities. The chief public
+work they appear to do outside finance is when public exams, fall on
+Sabbaths or holidays, getting special dates for Jewish candidates to
+whom these examinations are the avenues to atheism. They never see the
+joke. How can they? Why, they take even themselves seriously."
+
+"Oh, come!" said Miss Cissy Levine indignantly. "You often see
+'laughter' in the reports."
+
+"That must mean the speaker was laughing," explained Sidney, "for you
+never see anything to make the audience laugh. I appeal to Mr. Montagu
+Samuels."
+
+"It is useless discussing a subject with a man who admittedly speaks
+without knowledge," replied that gentleman with dignity.
+
+"Well, how do you expect me to get the knowledge?" grumbled Sidney. "You
+exclude the public from your gatherings. I suppose to prevent their
+rubbing shoulders with the swells, the privilege of being snubbed by
+whom is the reward of public service. Wonderfully practical idea
+that--to utilize snobbery as a communal force. The United Synagogue is
+founded on it. Your community coheres through it."
+
+"There you are scarcely fair," said the hostess with a charming smile of
+reproof. "Of course there are snobs amongst us, but is it not the same
+in all sects?"
+
+"Emphatically not," said Sidney. "If one of our swells sticks to a shred
+of Judaism, people seem to think the God of Judah should be thankful,
+and if he goes to synagogue once or twice a year, it is regarded as a
+particular condescension to the Creator."
+
+"The mental attitude you caricature is not so snobbish as it seems,"
+said Raphael Leon, breaking into the conversation for the first time.
+"The temptations to the wealthy and the honored to desert their
+struggling brethren are manifold, and sad experience has made our race
+accustomed to the loss of its brightest sons."
+
+"Thanks for the compliment, fair coz," said Sidney, not without a
+complacent cynical pleasure in the knowledge that Raphael spoke truly,
+that he owed his own immunity from the obligations of the faith to his
+artistic success, and that the outside world was disposed to accord him
+a larger charter of morality on the same grounds. "But if you can only
+deny nasty facts by accounting for them, I dare say Mr. Armitage's book
+will afford you ample opportunities for explanation. Or have Jews the
+brazenness to assert it is all invention?"
+
+"No, no one would do that," said Percy Saville, who had just done it.
+"Certainly there is a good deal of truth in the sketch of the
+ostentatious, over-dressed Johnsons who, as everybody knows, are meant
+for the Jonases."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. "And it is quite evident that the
+stockbroker who drops half his h's and all his poor acquaintances and
+believes in one Lord, is no other than Joel Friedman."
+
+"And the house where people drive up in broughams for supper and solo
+whist after the theatre is the Davises' in Maida Vale," said Miss Cissy
+Levine.
+
+"Yes, the book's true enough," began Mrs. Montagu Samuels. She stopped
+suddenly, catching her husband's eye, and the color heightened on her
+florid cheek. "What I say is," she concluded awkwardly, "he ought to
+have come among us, and shown the world a picture of the cultured Jews."
+
+"Quite so, quite so," said the hostess. Then turning to the tall
+thoughtful-looking young man who had hitherto contributed but one
+sentence to the conversation, she said, half in sly malice, half to draw
+him out: "Now you, Mr. Leon, whose culture is certified by our leading
+university, what do you think of this latest portrait of the Jew?"
+
+"I don't know, I haven't read it!" replied Raphael apologetically.
+
+"No more have I," murmured the table generally.
+
+"I wouldn't touch it with a pitchfork," said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"I think it's a shame they circulate it at the libraries," said Mrs.
+Montagu Samuels. "I just glanced over it at Mrs. Hugh Marston's house.
+It's vile. There are actually jargon words in it. Such vulgarity!"
+
+"Shameful!" murmured Percy Saville; "Mr. Lazarus was telling me about
+it. It's plain treachery and disloyalty, this putting of weapons into
+the hands of our enemies. Of course we have our faults, but we should be
+told of them privately or from the pulpit."
+
+"That would be just as efficacious," said Sidney admiringly.
+
+"More efficacious," said Percy Saville, unsuspiciously. "A preacher
+speaks with authority, but this penny-a-liner--"
+
+"With truth?" queried Sidney.
+
+Saville stopped, disgusted, and the hostess answered Sidney
+half-coaxingly.
+
+"Oh, I am sure you can't think that. The book is so one-sided. Not a
+word about our generosity, our hospitality, our domesticity, the
+thousand-and-one good traits all the world allows us."
+
+"Of course not; since all the world allows them, it was unnecessary,"
+said Sidney.
+
+"I wonder the Chief Rabbi doesn't stop it," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels.
+
+"My dear, how can he?" inquired her husband. "He has no control over the
+publishing trade."
+
+"He ought to talk to the man," persisted Mrs. Samuels.
+
+"But we don't even know who he is," said Percy Saville, "probably Edward
+Armitage is only a _nom-de-plume_. You'd be surprised to learn the real
+names of some of the literary celebrities I meet about."
+
+"Oh, if he's a Jew you may be sure it isn't his real name," laughed
+Sidney. It was characteristic of him that he never spared a shot even
+when himself hurt by the kick of the gun. Percy colored slightly,
+unmollified by being in the same boat with the satirist.
+
+"I have never seen the name in the subscription lists," said the hostess
+with ready tact.
+
+"There is an Armitage who subscribes two guineas a year to the Board of
+Guardians," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels. "But his Christian name is
+George."
+
+"'Christian' name is distinctly good for 'George,'" murmured Sidney.
+
+"There was an Armitage who sent a cheque to the Russian Fund," said Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith, "but that can't be an author--it was quite a large
+cheque!"
+
+"I am sure I have seen Armitage among the Births, Marriages and Deaths,"
+said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"How well-read they all are in the national literature," Sidney murmured
+to Addie.
+
+Indeed the sectarian advertisements served to knit the race together,
+counteracting the unravelling induced by the fashionable dispersion of
+Israel and waxing the more important as the other links--the old
+traditional jokes, by-words, ceremonies, card-games, prejudices and
+tunes, which are more important than laws and more cementatory than
+ideals--were disappearing before the over-zealousness of a _parvenu_
+refinement that had not yet attained to self-confidence. The Anglo-Saxon
+stolidity of the West-End Synagogue service, on week days entirely given
+over to paid praying-men, was a typical expression of the universal
+tendency to exchange the picturesque primitiveness of the Orient for the
+sobrieties of fashionable civilization. When Jeshurun waxed fat he did
+not always kick, but he yearned to approximate as much as possible to
+John Bull without merging in him; to sink himself and yet not be
+absorbed, not to be and yet to be. The attempt to realize the asymptote
+in human mathematics was not quite successful, too near an approach to
+John Bull generally assimilating Jeshurun away. For such is the nature
+of Jeshurun. Enfranchise him, give him his own way and you make a new
+man of him; persecute him and he is himself again.
+
+"But if nobody has read the man's book," Raphael Leon ventured to
+interrupt at last, "is it quite fair to assume his book isn't fit to
+read?"
+
+The shy dark little girl he had taken down to dinner darted an
+appreciative glance at her neighbor. It was in accordance with Raphael's
+usual anxiety to give the devil his due, that he should be unwilling to
+condemn even the writer of an anti-Semitic novel unheard. But then it
+was an open secret in the family that Raphael was mad. They did their
+best to hush it up, but among themselves they pitied him behind his
+back. Even Sidney considered his cousin Raphael pushed a dubious virtue
+too far in treating people's very prejudices with the deference due to
+earnest reasoned opinions.
+
+"But we know enough of the book to know we are badly treated," protested
+the hostess.
+
+"We have always been badly treated in literature," said Raphael. "We are
+made either angels or devils. On the one hand, Lessing and George Eliot,
+on the other, the stock dramatist and novelist with their low-comedy
+villain."
+
+"Oh," said Mrs. Goldsmith, doubtfully, for she could not quite think
+Raphael had become infected by his cousin's propensity for paradox. "Do
+you think George Eliot and Lessing didn't understand the Jewish
+character?"
+
+"They are the only writers who have ever understood it," affirmed Miss
+Cissy Levine, emphatically.
+
+A little scornful smile played for a second about the mouth of the dark
+little girl.
+
+"Stop a moment," said Sidney. "I've been so busy doing justice to this
+delicious asparagus, that I have allowed Raphael to imagine nobody here
+has read _Mordecai Josephs_. I have, and I say there is more actuality
+in it than in _Daniel Deronda_ and _Nathan der Weise_ put together. It
+is a crude production, all the same; the writer's artistic gift seems
+handicapped by a dead-weight of moral platitudes and highfalutin, and
+even mysticism. He not only presents his characters but moralizes over
+them--actually cares whether they are good or bad, and has yearnings
+after the indefinable--it is all very young. Instead of being satisfied
+that Judaea gives him characters that are interesting, he actually
+laments their lack of culture. Still, what he has done is good enough to
+make one hope his artistic instinct will shake off his moral."
+
+"Oh, Sidney, what are you saying?" murmured Addie.
+
+"It's all right, little girl. You don't understand Greek."
+
+"It's not Greek," put in Raphael. "In Greek art, beauty of soul and
+beauty of form are one. It's French you are talking, though the ignorant
+_ateliers_ where you picked it up flatter themselves it's Greek."
+
+"It's Greek to Addie, anyhow," laughed Sidney. "But that's what makes
+the anti-Semitic chapters so unsatisfactory."
+
+"We all felt their unsatisfactoriness, if we could not analyze it so
+cleverly," said the hostess.
+
+"We all felt it," said Mrs. Montagu Samuels.
+
+"Yes, that's it," said Sidney, blandly. "I could have forgiven the
+rose-color of the picture if it had been more artistically painted."
+
+"Rose-color!" gasped Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, "rose-color, indeed!" Not
+even Sidney's authority could persuade the table into that.
+
+Poor rich Jews! The upper middle-classes had every excuse for being
+angry. They knew they were excellent persons, well-educated and
+well-travelled, interested in charities (both Jewish and Christian),
+people's concerts, district-visiting, new novels, magazines,
+reading-circles, operas, symphonies, politics, volunteer regiments,
+Show-Sunday and Corporation banquets; that they had sons at Rugby and
+Oxford, and daughters who played and painted and sang, and homes that
+were bright oases of optimism in a jaded society; that they were good
+Liberals and Tories, supplementing their duties as Englishmen with a
+solicitude for the best interests of Judaism; that they left no stone
+unturned to emancipate themselves from the secular thraldom of
+prejudice; and they felt it very hard that a little vulgar section
+should always be chosen by their own novelists, and their efforts to
+raise the tone of Jewish society passed by.
+
+Sidney, whose conversation always had the air of aloofness from the
+race, so that his own foibles often came under the lash of his sarcasm,
+proceeded to justify his assertion of the rose-color picture in
+_Mordecai Josephs_. He denied that modern English Jews had any religion
+whatever; claiming that their faith consisted of forms that had to be
+kept up in public, but which they were too shrewd and cute to believe in
+or to practise in private, though every one might believe every one else
+did; that they looked upon due payment of their synagogue bills as
+discharging all their obligations to Heaven; that the preachers secretly
+despised the old formulas, and that the Rabbinate declared its
+intention of dying for Judaism only as a way of living by it; that the
+body politic was dead and rotten with hypocrisy, though the augurs said
+it was alive and well. He admitted that the same was true of
+Christianity. Raphael reminded him that a number of Jews had drifted
+quite openly from the traditional teaching, that thousands of
+well-ordered households found inspiration and spiritual satisfaction in
+every form of it, and that hypocrisy was too crude a word for the
+complex motives of those who obeyed it without inner conviction.
+
+"For instance," said he, "a gentleman said to me the other day--I was
+much touched by the expression--'I believe with my father's heart.'"
+
+"It is a good epigram," said Sidney, impressed. "But what is to be said
+of a rich community which recruits its clergy from the lower classes?
+The method of election by competitive performance, common as it is among
+poor Dissenters, emphasizes the subjection of the shepherd to his flock.
+You catch your ministers young, when they are saturated with suppressed
+scepticism, and bribe them with small salaries that seem affluence to
+the sons of poor immigrants. That the ministry is not an honorable
+profession may be seen from the anxiety of the minister to raise his
+children in the social scale by bringing them up to some other line of
+business."
+
+"That is true," said Raphael, gravely. "Our wealthy families must be
+induced to devote a son each to the Synagogue."
+
+"I wish they would," said Sidney. "At present, every second man is a
+lawyer. We ought to have more officers and doctors, too. I like those
+old Jews who smote the Philistines hip and thigh; it is not good for a
+race to run all to brain: I suppose, though, we had to develop cunning
+to survive at all. There was an enlightened minister whose Friday
+evenings I used to go to when a youth--delightful talk we had there,
+too; you know whom I mean. Well, one of his sons is a solicitor, and the
+other a stockbroker. The rich men he preached to helped to place his
+sons. He was a charming man, but imagine him preaching to them the
+truths in _Mordecai Josephs_, as Mr. Saville suggested."
+
+"_Our_ minister lets us have it hot enough, though," said Mr. Henry
+Goldsmith with a guffaw.
+
+His wife hastened to obliterate the unrefined expression.
+
+"Mr. Strelitski is a wonderfully eloquent young man, so quiet and
+reserved in society, but like an ancient prophet in the pulpit."
+
+"Yes, we were very lucky to get him," said Mr. Henry Goldsmith.
+
+The little dark girl shuddered.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Raphael softly.
+
+"I don't know. I don't like the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. He is eloquent,
+but his dogmatism irritates me. I don't believe he is sincere. He
+doesn't like me, either."
+
+"Oh, you're both wrong," he said in concern.
+
+"Strelitski is a draw, I admit," said Mr. Montagu Samuels, who was the
+President of a rival synagogue. "But Rosenbaum is a good pull-down on
+the other side, eh?"
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith groaned. The second minister of the Kensington
+synagogue was the scandal of the community. He wasn't expected to
+preach, and he didn't practise.
+
+"I've heard of that man," said Sidney laughing. "He's a bit of a gambler
+and a spendthrift, isn't he? Why do you keep him on?"
+
+"He has a fine voice, you see," said Mr. Goldsmith. "That makes a
+Rosenbaum faction at once. Then he has a wife and family. That makes
+another."
+
+"Strelitski isn't married, is he?" asked Sidney.
+
+"No," said Mr. Goldsmith, "not yet. The congregation expects him to,
+though. I don't care to give him the hint myself; he is a little queer
+sometimes."
+
+"He owes it to his position," said Miss Cissy Levine.
+
+"That is what we think," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, with the majestic
+manner that suited her opulent beauty.
+
+"I wish we had him in our synagogue," said Raphael. "Michaels is a
+well-meaning worthy man, but he is dreadfully dull."
+
+"Poor Raphael!" said Sidney. "Why did you abolish the old style of
+minister who had to slaughter the sheep? Now the minister reserves all
+his powers of destruction for his own flock.'"
+
+"I have given him endless hints to preach only once a month," said Mr.
+Montagu Samuels dolefully. "But every Saturday our hearts sink as we see
+him walk to the pulpit."
+
+"You see, Addie, how a sense of duty makes a man criminal," said
+Sidney. "Isn't Michaels the minister who defends orthodoxy in a way that
+makes the orthodox rage over his unconscious heresies, while the
+heterodox enjoy themselves by looking out for his historical and
+grammatical blunders!"
+
+"Poor man, he works hard," said Raphael, gently. "Let him be."
+
+Over the dessert the conversation turned by way of the Rev. Strelitski's
+marriage, to the growing willingness of the younger generation to marry
+out of Judaism. The table discerned in inter-marriage the beginning of
+the end.
+
+"But why postpone the inevitable?" asked Sidney calmly. "What is this
+mania for keeping up an effete _ism_? Are we to cripple our lives for
+the sake of a word? It's all romantic fudge, the idea of perpetual
+isolation. You get into little cliques and mistaken narrow-mindedness
+for fidelity to an ideal. I can live for months and forget there are
+such beings as Jews in the world. I have floated down the Nile in a
+_dahabiya_ while you were beating your breasts in the Synagogue, and the
+palm-trees and pelicans knew nothing of your sacrosanct chronological
+crisis, your annual epidemic of remorse."
+
+The table thrilled with horror, without, however, quite believing in the
+speaker's wickedness. Addie looked troubled.
+
+"A man and wife of different religions can never know true happiness,"
+said the hostess.
+
+"Granted," retorted Sidney. "But why shouldn't Jews without Judaism
+marry Christians without Christianity? Must a Jew needs have a Jewess to
+help him break the Law?"
+
+"Inter-marriage must not be tolerated," said Raphael. "It would hurt us
+less if we had a country. Lacking that, we must preserve our human
+boundaries."
+
+"You have good phrases sometimes," admitted Sidney. "But why must we
+preserve any boundaries? Why must we exist at all as a separate people?"
+
+"To fulfil the mission of Israel," said Mr. Montagu Samuels solemnly.
+
+"Ah, what is that? That is one of the things nobody ever seems able to
+tell me."
+
+"We are God's witnesses," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, snipping off for
+herself a little bunch of hot-house grapes.
+
+"False witnesses, mostly then," said Sidney. "A Christian friend of
+mine, an artist, fell in love with a girl and courted her regularly at
+her house for four years. Then he proposed; she told him to ask her
+father, and he then learned for the first time that the family were
+Jewish, and his suit could not therefore be entertained. Could a
+satirist have invented anything funnier? Whatever it was Jews have to
+bear witness to, these people had been bearing witness to so effectually
+that a daily visitor never heard a word of the evidence during four
+years. And this family is not an exception; it is a type. Abroad the
+English Jew keeps his Judaism in the background, at home in the back
+kitchen. When he travels, his Judaism is not packed up among his
+_impedimenta_. He never obtrudes his creed, and even his Jewish
+newspaper is sent to him in a wrapper labelled something else. How's
+that for witnesses? Mind you, I'm not blaming the men, being one of 'em.
+They may be the best fellows going, honorable, high-minded,
+generous--why expect them to be martyrs more than other Englishmen?
+Isn't life hard enough without inventing a new hardship? I declare
+there's no narrower creature in the world than your idealist; he sets up
+a moral standard which suits his own line of business, and rails at men
+of the world for not conforming to it. God's witnesses, indeed! I say
+nothing of those who are rather the Devil's witnesses, but think of the
+host of Jews like myself who, whether they marry Christians or not,
+simply drop out, and whose absence of all religion escapes notice in the
+medley of creeds. We no more give evidence than those old Spanish
+Jews--Marannos, they were called, weren't they?--who wore the Christian
+mask for generations. Practically, many of us are Marannos still; I
+don't mean the Jews who are on the stage and the press and all that,
+but the Jews who have gone on believing. One Day of Atonement I amused
+myself by noting the pretexts on the shutters of shops that were closed
+in the Strand. 'Our annual holiday,' Stock-taking day,' 'Our annual
+bean-feast.' 'Closed for repairs.'"
+
+"Well, it's something if they keep the Fast at all," said Mr. Henry
+Goldsmith. "It shows spirituality is not dead in them."
+
+"Spirituality!" sneered Sidney. "Sheer superstition, rather. A dread of
+thunderbolts. Besides, fasting is a sensuous _attraction_. But for the
+fasting, the Day of Atonement would have long since died out for these
+men. 'Our annual bean-feast'! There's witnesses for you."
+
+"We cannot help if we have false witnesses among us," said Raphael Leon
+quietly. "Our mission is to spread the truth of the Torah till the earth
+is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
+
+"But we don't spread it."
+
+"We do. Christianity and Mohammedanism are offshoots of Judaism; through
+them we have won the world from Paganism and taught it that God is one
+with the moral law."
+
+"Then we are somewhat in the position of an ancient school-master
+lagging superfluous in the school-room where his whilom pupils are
+teaching."
+
+"By no means. Rather of one who stays on to protest against the false
+additions of his whilom pupils."
+
+"But we don't protest."
+
+"Our mere existence since the Dispersion is a protest," urged Raphael.
+"When the stress of persecution lightens, we may protest more
+consciously. We cannot have been preserved in vain through so many
+centuries of horrors, through the invasions of the Goths and Huns,
+through the Crusades, through the Holy Roman Empire, through the times
+of Torquemada. It is not for nothing that a handful of Jews loom so
+large in the history of the world that their past is bound up with every
+noble human effort, every high ideal, every development of science,
+literature and art. The ancient faith that has united us so long must
+not be lost just as it is on the very eve of surviving the faiths that
+sprang from it, even as it has survived Egypt, Assyria, Rome, Greece
+and the Moors. If any of us fancy we have lost it, let us keep together
+still. Who knows but that it will be born again in us if we are only
+patient? Race affinity is a potent force; why be in a hurry to dissipate
+it? The Marannos you speak of were but maimed heroes, yet one day the
+olden flame burst through the layers of three generations of Christian
+profession and inter-marriage, and a brilliant company of illustrious
+Spaniards threw up their positions and sailed away in voluntary exile to
+serve the God of Israel. We shall yet see a spiritual revival even among
+our brilliant English Jews who have hid their face from their own
+flesh."
+
+The dark little girl looked up into his face with ill-suppressed wonder.
+
+"Have you done preaching at me, Raphael?" inquired Sidney. "If so, pass
+me a banana."
+
+Raphael smiled sadly and obeyed.
+
+"I'm afraid if I see much of Raphael I shall be converted to Judaism,"
+said Sidney, peeling the banana. "I had better take a hansom to the
+Riviera at once. I intended to spend Christmas there; I never dreamed I
+should be talking theology in London."
+
+"Oh, I think Christmas in London is best," said the hostess unguardedly.
+
+"Oh, I don't know. Give me Brighton," said the host.
+
+"Well, yes, I suppose Brighton _is_ pleasanter," said Mr. Montagu
+Samuels.
+
+"Oh, but so many Jews go there," said Percy Saville.
+
+"Yes, that _is_ the drawback," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. "Do you know,
+some years ago I discovered a delightful village in Devonshire, and took
+the household there in the summer. The very next year when I went down I
+found no less than two Jewish families temporarily located there. Of
+course, I have never gone there since."
+
+"Yes, it's wonderful how Jews scent out all the nicest places," agreed
+Mrs. Montagu Samuels. "Five years ago you could escape them by not going
+to Ramsgate; now even the Highlands are getting impossible."
+
+Thereupon the hostess rose and the ladies retired to the drawing-room,
+leaving the gentlemen to discuss coffee, cigars and the paradoxes of
+Sidney, who, tired of religion, looked to dumb show plays for the
+salvation of dramatic literature.
+
+There was a little milk-jug on the coffee-tray, it represented a victory
+over Mary O'Reilly. The late Aaron Goldsmith never took milk till six
+hours after meat, and it was with some trepidation that the present Mr.
+Goldsmith ordered it to be sent up one evening after dinner. He took an
+early opportunity of explaining apologetically to Mary that some of his
+guests were not so pious as himself, and hospitality demanded the
+concession.
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith did not like his coffee black. His dinner-table was
+hardly ever without a guest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+RAPHAEL LEON.
+
+
+When the gentlemen joined the ladies, Raphael instinctively returned to
+his companion of the dinner-table. She had been singularly silent during
+the meal, but her manner had attracted him. Over his black coffee and
+cigarette it struck him that she might have been unwell, and that he had
+been insufficiently attentive to the little duties of the table, and he
+hastened to ask if she had a headache.
+
+"No, no," she said, with a grateful smile. "At least not more than
+usual." Her smile was full of pensive sweetness, which made her face
+beautiful. It was a face that would have been almost plain but for the
+soul behind. It was dark, with great earnest eyes. The profile was
+disappointing, the curves were not perfect, and there was a reminder of
+Polish origin in the lower jaw and the cheek-bone. Seen from the front,
+the face fascinated again, in the Eastern glow of its coloring, in the
+flash of the white teeth, in the depths of the brooding eyes, in the
+strength of the features that yet softened to womanliest tenderness and
+charm when flooded by the sunshine of a smile. The figure was _petite_
+and graceful, set off by a simple tight-fitting, high-necked dress of
+ivory silk draped with lace, with a spray of Neapolitan violets at the
+throat. They sat in a niche of the spacious and artistically furnished
+drawing-room, in the soft light of the candles, talking quietly while
+Addie played Chopin.
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's aesthetic instincts had had full play in the
+elaborate carelessness of the _ensemble_, and the result was a triumph,
+a medley of Persian luxury and Parisian grace, a dream of somniferous
+couches and arm-chairs, rich tapestry, vases, fans, engravings, books,
+bronzes, tiles, plaques and flowers. Mr. Henry Goldsmith was himself a
+connoisseur in the arts, his own and his father's fortunes having been
+built up in the curio and antique business, though to old Aaron
+Goldsmith appreciation had meant strictly pricing, despite his genius
+for detecting false Correggios and sham Louis Quatorze cabinets.
+
+"Do you suffer from headaches?" inquired Raphael solicitously.
+
+"A little. The doctor says I studied too much and worked too hard when a
+little girl. Such is the punishment of perseverance. Life isn't like the
+copy-books."
+
+"Oh, but I wonder your parents let you over-exert yourself."
+
+A melancholy smile played about the mobile lips. "I brought myself up,"
+she said. "You look puzzled--Oh, I know! Confess you think I'm Miss
+Goldsmith!"
+
+"Why--are--you--not?" he stammered.
+
+"No, my name is Ansell, Esther Ansell."
+
+"Pardon me. I am so bad at remembering names in introductions. But I've
+just come back from Oxford and it's the first time I've been to this
+house, and seeing you here without a cavalier when we arrived, I thought
+you lived here."
+
+"You thought rightly, I do live here." She laughed gently at his
+changing expression.
+
+"I wonder Sidney never mentioned you to me," he said.
+
+"Do you mean Mr. Graham?" she said with a slight blush.
+
+"Yes, I know he visits here."
+
+"Oh, he is an artist. He has eyes only for the beautiful." She spoke
+quickly, a little embarrassed.
+
+"You wrong him; his interests are wider than that."
+
+"Do you know I am so glad you didn't pay me the obvious compliment?" she
+said, recovering herself. "It looked as if I were fishing for it. I'm so
+stupid."
+
+He looked at her blankly.
+
+"_I'm_ stupid," he said, "for I don't know what compliment I missed
+paying."
+
+"If you regret it I shall not think so well of you," she said. "You know
+I've heard all about your brilliant success at Oxford."
+
+"They put all those petty little things in the Jewish papers, don't
+they?"
+
+"I read it in the _Times_," retorted Esther. "You took a double first
+and the prize for poetry and a heap of other things, but I noticed the
+prize for poetry, because it is so rare to find a Jew writing poetry."
+
+"Prize poetry is not poetry," he reminded her. "But, considering the
+Jewish Bible contains the finest poetry in the world, I do not see why
+you should be surprised to find a Jew trying to write some."
+
+"Oh, you know what I mean," answered Esther. "What is the use of talking
+about the old Jews? We seem to be a different race now. Who cares for
+poetry?"
+
+"Our poet's scroll reaches on uninterruptedly through the Middle Ages.
+The passing phenomenon of to-day must not blind us to the real traits of
+our race," said Raphael.
+
+"Nor must we be blind to the passing phenomenon of to-day," retorted
+Esther. "We have no ideals now."
+
+"I see Sidney has been infecting you," he said gently.
+
+"No, no; I beg you will not think that," she said, flushing almost
+resentfully. "I have thought these things, as the Scripture tells us to
+meditate on the Law, day and night, sleeping and waking, standing up and
+sitting down."
+
+"You cannot have thought of them without prejudice, then," he answered,
+"if you say we have no ideals."
+
+"I mean, we're not responsive to great poetry--to the message of a
+Browning for instance."
+
+"I deny it. Only a small percentage of his own race is responsive. I
+would wager our percentage is proportionally higher. But Browning's
+philosophy of religion is already ours, for hundreds of years every
+Saturday night every Jew has been proclaiming the view of life and
+Providence in 'Pisgah Sights.'"
+
+    All's lend and borrow,
+      Good, see, wants evil,
+    Joy demands sorrow,
+      Angel weds devil.
+
+"What is this but the philosophy of our formula for ushering out the
+Sabbath and welcoming in the days of toil, accepting the holy and the
+profane, the light and the darkness?"
+
+"Is that in the prayer-book?" said Esther astonished.
+
+"Yes; you see you are ignorant of our own ritual while admiring
+everything non-Jewish. Excuse me if I am frank, Miss Ansell, but there
+are many people among us who rave over Italian antiquities but can see
+nothing poetical in Judaism. They listen eagerly to Dante but despise
+David."
+
+"I shall certainly look up the liturgy," said Esther. "But that will not
+alter my opinion. The Jew may say these fine things, but they are only a
+tune to him. Yes, I begin to recall the passage in Hebrew--I see my
+father making _Havdolah_--the melody goes in my head like a sing-song.
+But I never in my life thought of the meaning. As a little girl I always
+got my conscious religious inspiration out of the New Testament. It
+sounds very shocking, I know."
+
+"Undoubtedly you put your finger on an evil. But there is religious
+edification in common prayers and ceremonies even when divorced from
+meaning. Remember the Latin prayers of the Catholic poor. Jews may be
+below Judaism, but are not all men below their creed? If the race which
+gave the world the Bible knows it least--" He stopped suddenly, for
+Addie was playing pianissimo, and although she was his sister, he did
+not like to put her out.
+
+"It comes to this," said Esther when Chopin spoke louder, "our
+prayer-book needs depolarization, as Wendell Holmes says of the Bible."
+
+"Exactly," assented Raphael. "And what our people need is to make
+acquaintance with the treasure of our own literature. Why go to Browning
+for theism, when the words of his 'Rabbi Ben Ezra' are but a synopsis of
+a famous Jewish argument:
+
+      "'I see the whole design.
+    I, who saw Power, see now Love, perfect too.
+      Perfect I call Thy plan,
+      Thanks that I was a man!
+    Maker, remaker, complete, I trust what thou shalt do.'
+
+"It sounds like a bit of Bachja. That there is a Power outside us nobody
+denies; that this Power works for our good and wisely, is not so hard to
+grant when the facts of the soul are weighed with the facts of Nature.
+Power, Love, Wisdom--there you have a real trinity which makes up the
+Jewish God. And in this God we trust, incomprehensible as are His ways,
+unintelligible as is His essence. 'Thy ways are not My ways nor Thy
+thoughts My thoughts.' That comes into collision with no modern
+philosophies; we appeal to experience and make no demands upon the
+faculty for believing things 'because they are impossible.' And we are
+proud and happy in that the dread Unknown God of the infinite Universe
+has chosen our race as the medium by which to reveal His will to the
+world. We are sanctified to His service. History testifies that this has
+verily been our mission, that we have taught the world religion as truly
+as Greece has taught beauty and science. Our miraculous survival through
+the cataclysms of ancient and modern dynasties is a proof that our
+mission is not yet over."
+
+The sonata came to an end; Percy Saville started a comic song, playing
+his own accompaniment. Fortunately, it was loud and rollicking.
+
+"And do you really believe that we are sanctified to God's service?"
+said Esther, casting a melancholy glance at Percy's grimaces.
+
+"Can there be any doubt of it? God made choice of one race to be
+messengers and apostles, martyrs at need to His truth. Happily, the
+sacred duty is ours," he said earnestly, utterly unconscious of the
+incongruity that struck Esther so keenly. And yet, of the two, he had by
+far the greater gift of humor. It did not destroy his idealism, but kept
+it in touch with things mundane. Esther's vision, though more
+penetrating, lacked this corrective of humor, which makes always for
+breadth of view. Perhaps it was because she was a woman, that the
+trivial, sordid details of life's comedy hurt her so acutely that she
+could scarcely sit out the play patiently. Where Raphael would have
+admired the lute, Esther was troubled by the little rifts in it.
+
+"But isn't that a narrow conception of God's revelation?" she asked.
+
+"No. Why should God not teach through a great race as through a great
+man?"
+
+"And you really think that Judaism is not dead, intellectually
+speaking?"
+
+"How can it die? Its truths are eternal, deep in human nature and the
+constitution of things. Ah, I wish I could get you to see with the eyes
+of the great Rabbis and sages in Israel; to look on this human life of
+ours, not with the pessimism of Christianity, but as a holy and precious
+gift, to be enjoyed heartily yet spent in God's service--birth,
+marriage, death, all holy; good, evil, alike holy. Nothing on God's
+earth common or purposeless. Everything chanting the great song of God's
+praise; the morning stars singing together, as we say in the Dawn
+Service."
+
+As he spoke Esther's eyes filled with strange tears. Enthusiasm always
+infected her, and for a brief instant her sordid universe seemed to be
+transfigured to a sacred joyous reality, full of infinite potentialities
+of worthy work and noble pleasure. A thunder of applausive hands marked
+the end of Percy Saville's comic song. Mr. Montagu Samuels was beaming
+at his brother's grotesque drollery. There was an interval of general
+conversation, followed by a round game in which Raphael and Esther had
+to take part. It was very dull, and they were glad to find themselves
+together again.
+
+"Ah, yes," said Esther, sadly, resuming the conversation as if there
+had been no break, "but this is a Judaism of your own creation. The real
+Judaism is a religion of pots and pans. It does not call to the soul's
+depths like Christianity."
+
+"Again, it is a question of the point of view taken. From a practical,
+our ceremonialism is a training in self-conquest, while it links the
+generations 'bound each to each by natural piety,' and unifies our atoms
+dispersed to the four corners of the earth as nothing else could. From a
+theoretical, it is but an extension of the principle I tried to show
+you. Eating, drinking, every act of life is holy, is sanctified by some
+relation to heaven. We will not arbitrarily divorce some portions of
+life from religion, and say these are of the world, the flesh, or the
+devil, any more than we will save up our religion for Sundays. There is
+no devil, no original sin, no need of salvation from it, no need of a
+mediator. Every Jew is in as direct relation with God as the Chief
+Rabbi. Christianity is an historical failure--its counsels of
+perfection, its command to turn the other cheek--a farce. When a modern
+spiritual genius, a Tolstoi, repeats it, all Christendom laughs, as at a
+new freak of insanity. All practical, honorable men are Jews at heart.
+Judaism has never tampered with human dignity, nor perverted the moral
+consciousness. Our housekeeper, a Christian, once said to my sifter
+Addie, 'I'm so glad to see you do so much charity, Miss; _I_ need not,
+because I'm saved already.' Judaism is the true 'religion of humanity.'
+It does not seek to make men and women angels before their time. Our
+marriage service blesses the King of the Universe, who has created 'joy
+and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and
+delight, love, brotherhood, peace and fellowship.'"
+
+"It is all very beautiful in theory," said Esther. "But so is
+Christianity, which is also not to be charged with its historical
+caricatures, nor with its superiority to average human nature. As for
+the doctrine of original sin, it is the one thing that the science of
+heredity has demonstrated, with a difference. But do not be alarmed, I
+do not call myself a Christian because I see some relation between the
+dogmas of Christianity and the truths of experience, nor even
+because"--here she smiled, wistfully--"I should like to believe in
+Jesus. But you are less logical. When you said there was no devil, I
+felt sure I was right; that you belong to the modern schools, who get
+rid of all the old beliefs but cannot give up the old names. You know,
+as well as I do, that, take away the belief in hell, a real
+old-fashioned hell of fire and brimstone, even such Judaism as survives
+would freeze to death without that genial warmth."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind," he said, "and I am in no sense a modern. I
+am (to adopt a phrase which is, to me, tautologous) an orthodox Jew."
+
+Esther smiled. "Forgive my smiling," she said. "I am thinking of the
+orthodox Jews I used to know, who used to bind their phylacteries on
+their arms and foreheads every morning."
+
+"I bind my phylacteries on my arm and forehead every morning," he said,
+simply.
+
+"What!" gasped Esther. "You an Oxford man!"
+
+"Yes," he said, gravely. "Is it so astonishing to you?"
+
+"Yes, it is. You are the first educated Jew I have ever met who believed
+in that sort of thing."
+
+"Nonsense?" he said, inquiringly. "There are hundreds like me."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"There's the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. I suppose _he_ does, but then he's
+paid for it."
+
+"Oh, why will you sneer at Strelitski?" he said, pained. "He has a noble
+soul. It is to the privilege of his conversation that I owe my best
+understanding of Judaism."
+
+"Ah, I was wondering why the old arguments sounded so different, so much
+more convincing, from your lips," murmured Esther. "Now I know; because
+he wears a white tie. That sets up all my bristles of contradiction when
+he opens his mouth."
+
+"But I wear a white tie, too," said Raphael, his smile broadening in
+sympathy with the slow response on the girl's serious face.
+
+"That's not a trade-mark," she protested. "But forgive me; I didn't
+know Strelitski was a friend of yours. I won't say a word against him
+any more. His sermons really are above the average, and he strives more
+than the others to make Judaism more spiritual."
+
+"More spiritual!" he repeated, the pained expression returning. "Why,
+the very theory of Judaism has always been the spiritualization of the
+material."
+
+"And the practice of Judaism has always been the materialization of the
+spiritual," she answered.
+
+He pondered the saying thoughtfully, his face growing sadder.
+
+"You have lived among your books," Esther went on. "I have lived among
+the brutal facts. I was born in the Ghetto, and when you talk of the
+mission of Israel, silent sardonic laughter goes through me as I think
+of the squalor and the misery."
+
+"God works through human suffering; his ways are large," said Raphael,
+almost in a whisper.
+
+"And wasteful," said Esther. "Spare me clerical platitudes a la
+Strelitski. I have seen so much."
+
+"And suffered much?" he asked gently.
+
+She nodded scarce perceptibly. "Oh, if you only knew my life!"
+
+"Tell it me," he said. His voice was soft and caressing. His frank soul
+seemed to pierce through all conventionalities, and to go straight to
+hers.
+
+"I cannot, not now," she murmured. "There is so much to tell."
+
+"Tell me a little," he urged.
+
+She began to speak of her history, scarce knowing why, forgetting he was
+a stranger. Was it racial affinity, or was it merely the spiritual
+affinity of souls that feel their identity through all differences of
+brain?
+
+"What is the use?" she said. "You, with your childhood, could never
+realize mine. My mother died when I was seven; my father was a Russian
+pauper alien who rarely got work. I had an elder brother of brilliant
+promise. He died before he was thirteen. I had a lot of brothers and
+sisters and a grandmother, and we all lived, half starved, in a garret."
+
+Her eyes grew humid at the recollection; she saw the spacious
+drawing-room and the dainty bric-a-brac through a mist.
+
+"Poor child!" murmured Raphael.
+
+"Strelitski, by the way, lived in our street then. He sold cigars on
+commission and earned an honest living. Sometimes I used to think that
+is why he never cares to meet my eye; he remembers me and knows I
+remember him; at other times I thought he knew that I saw through his
+professions of orthodoxy. But as you champion him, I suppose I must look
+for a more creditable reason for his inability to look me straight in
+the face. Well, I grew up, I got on well at school, and about ten years
+ago I won a prize given by Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, whose kindly interest I
+excited thenceforward. At thirteen I became a teacher. This had always
+been my aspiration: when it was granted I was more unhappy than ever. I
+began to realize acutely that we were terribly poor. I found it
+difficult to dress so as to insure the respect of my pupils and
+colleagues; the work was unspeakably hard and unpleasant; tiresome and
+hungry little girls had to be ground to suit the inspectors, and fell
+victims to the then prevalent competition among teachers for a high
+percentage of passes. I had to teach Scripture history and I didn't
+believe in it. None of us believed in it; the talking serpent, the
+Egyptian miracles, Samson, Jonah and the whale, and all that. Everything
+about me was sordid and unlovely. I yearned for a fuller, wider life,
+for larger knowledge. I hungered for the sun. In short, I was intensely
+miserable. At home things went from bad to worse; often I was the sole
+bread-winner, and my few shillings a week were our only income. My
+brother Solomon grew up, but could not get into a decent situation
+because he must not work on the Sabbath. Oh, if you knew how young lives
+are cramped and shipwrecked at the start by this one curse of the
+Sabbath, you would not wish us to persevere in our isolation. It sent a
+mad thrill of indignation through me to find my father daily entreating
+the deaf heavens."
+
+He would not argue now. His eyes were misty.
+
+"Go on!" he murmured.
+
+"The rest is nothing. Mrs. Henry Goldsmith stepped in as the _dea ex
+machina_. She had no children, and she took it into her head to adopt
+me. Naturally I was dazzled, though anxious about my brothers and
+sisters. But my father looked upon it as a godsend. Without consulting
+me, Mrs. Goldsmith arranged that he and the other children should be
+shipped to America: she got him some work at a relative's in Chicago. I
+suppose she was afraid of having the family permanently hanging about
+the Terrace. At first I was grieved; but when the pain of parting was
+over I found myself relieved to be rid of them, especially of my father.
+It sounds shocking, I know, but I can confess all my vanities now, for I
+have learned all is vanity. I thought Paradise was opening before me; I
+was educated by the best masters, and graduated at the London
+University. I travelled and saw the Continent; had my fill of sunshine
+and beauty. I have had many happy moments, realized many childish
+ambitions, but happiness is as far away as ever. My old
+school-colleagues envy me, yet I do not know whether I would not go back
+without regret."
+
+"Is there anything lacking in your life, then?" he asked gently.
+
+"No, I happen to be a nasty, discontented little thing, that is all,"
+she said, with a faint smile. "Look on me as a psychological paradox, or
+a text for the preacher."
+
+"And do the Goldsmiths know of your discontent?"
+
+"Heaven forbid! They have been so very kind to me. We get along very
+well together. I never discuss religion with them, only the services and
+the minister."
+
+"And your relatives?"
+
+"Ah, they are all well and happy. Solomon has a store in Detroit. He is
+only nineteen and dreadfully enterprising. Father is a pillar of a
+Chicago _Chevra_. He still talks Yiddish. He has escaped learning
+American just as he escaped learning English. I buy him a queer old
+Hebrew book sometimes with my pocket-money and he is happy. One little
+sister is a type-writer, and the other is just out of school and does
+the housework. I suppose I shall go out and see them all some day."
+
+"What became of the grandmother you mentioned?"
+
+"She had a Charity Funeral a year before the miracle happened. She was
+very weak and ill, and the Charity Doctor warned her that she must not
+fast on the Day of Atonement. But she wouldn't even moisten her parched
+lips with a drop of cold water. And so she died; exhorting my father
+with her last breath to beware of Mrs. Simons (a good-hearted widow who
+was very kind to us), and to marry a pious Polish woman."
+
+"And did he?"
+
+"No, I am still stepmotherless. Your white tie's gone wrong. It's all on
+one side."
+
+"It generally is," said Raphael, fumbling perfunctorily at the little
+bow.
+
+"Let me put it straight. There! And now you know all about me. I hope
+you are going to repay my confidences in kind."
+
+"I am afraid I cannot oblige with anything so romantic," he said
+smiling. "I was born of rich but honest parents, of a family settled in
+England for three generations, and went to Harrow and Oxford in due
+course. That is all. I saw a little of the Ghetto, though, when I was a
+boy. I had some correspondence on Hebrew Literature with a great Jewish
+scholar, Gabriel Hamburg (he lives in Stockholm now), and one day when I
+was up from Harrow I went to see him. By good fortune I assisted at the
+foundation of the Holy Land League, now presided over by Gideon, the
+member for Whitechapel. I was moved to tears by the enthusiasm; it was
+there I made the acquaintance of Strelitski. He spoke as if inspired. I
+also met a poverty-stricken poet, Melchitsedek Pinchas, who afterwards
+sent me his work, _Metatoron's Flames_, to Harrow. A real neglected
+genius. Now there's the man to bear in mind when one speaks of Jews and
+poetry. After that night I kept up a regular intercourse with the
+Ghetto, and have been there several times lately."
+
+"But surely you don't also long to return to Palestine?"
+
+"I do. Why should we not have our own country?"
+
+"It would be too chaotic! Fancy all the Ghettos of the world
+amalgamating. Everybody would want to be ambassador at Paris, as the old
+joke says."
+
+"It would be a problem for the statesmen among us. Dissenters,
+Churchmen, Atheists, Slum Savages, Clodhoppers, Philosophers,
+Aristocrats--make up Protestant England. It is the popular ignorance of
+the fact that Jews are as diverse as Protestants that makes such novels
+as we were discussing at dinner harmful."
+
+"But is the author to blame for that? He does not claim to present the
+whole truth but a facet. English society lionized Thackeray for his
+pictures of it. Good heavens! Do Jews suppose they alone are free from
+the snobbery, hypocrisy and vulgarity that have shadowed every society
+that has ever existed?"
+
+"In no work of art can the spectator be left out of account," he urged.
+"In a world full of smouldering prejudices a scrap of paper may start
+the bonfire. English society can afford to laugh where Jewish society
+must weep. That is why our papers are always so effusively grateful for
+Christian compliments. You see it is quite true that the author paints
+not the Jews but bad Jews, but, in the absence of paintings of good
+Jews, bad Jews are taken as identical with Jews."
+
+"Oh, then you agree with the others about the book?" she said in a
+disappointed tone.
+
+"I haven't read it; I am speaking generally. Have you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And what did you think of it? I don't remember your expressing an
+opinion at table."
+
+She pondered an instant.
+
+"I thought highly of it and agreed with every word of it." She paused.
+He looked expectantly into the dark intense face. He saw it was charged
+with further speech.
+
+"Till I met you," she concluded abruptly.
+
+A wave of emotion passed over his face.
+
+"You don't mean that?" he murmured.
+
+"Yes, I do. You have shown me new lights."
+
+"I thought I was speaking platitudes," he said simply. "It would be
+nearer the truth to say you have given _me_ new lights."
+
+The little face flushed with pleasure; the dark skin shining, the eyes
+sparkling. Esther looked quite pretty.
+
+"How is that possible?" she said. "You have read and thought twice as
+much as I."
+
+"Then you must be indeed poorly off," he said, smiling. "But I am really
+glad we met. I have been asked to edit a new Jewish paper, and our talk
+has made me see more clearly the lines on which it must be run, if it is
+to do any good. I am awfully indebted to you."
+
+"A new Jewish paper?" she said, deeply interested. "We have so many
+already. What is its _raison d'etre_?"
+
+"To convert you," he said smiling, but with a ring of seriousness in the
+words.
+
+"Isn't that like a steam-hammer cracking a nut or Hoti burning down his
+house to roast a pig? And suppose I refuse to take in the new Jewish
+paper? Will it suspend publication?" He laughed.
+
+"What's this about a new Jewish paper?" said Mrs. Goldsmith, suddenly
+appearing in front of them with her large genial smile. "Is that what
+you two have been plotting? I noticed you've laid your heads together
+all the evening. Ah well, birds of a feather flock together. Do you know
+my little Esther took the scholarship for logic at London? I wanted her
+to proceed to the M.A. at once, but the doctor said she must have a
+rest." She laid her hand affectionately on the girl's hair.
+
+Esther looked embarrassed.
+
+"And so she is still a Bachelor," said Raphael, smiling but evidently
+impressed.
+
+"Yes, but not for long I hope," returned Mrs. Goldsmith. "Come, darling,
+everybody's dying to hear one of your little songs."
+
+"The dying is premature," said Esther. "You know I only sing for my own
+amusement."
+
+"Sing for mine, then," pleaded Raphael.
+
+"To make you laugh?" queried Esther. "I know you'll laugh at the way I
+play the accompaniment. One's fingers have to be used to it from
+childhood--"
+
+Her eyes finished the sentence, "and you know what mine was."
+
+The look seemed to seal their secret sympathy.
+
+She went to the piano and sang in a thin but trained soprano. The song
+was a ballad with a quaint air full of sadness and heartbreak. To
+Raphael, who had never heard the psalmic wails of "The Sons of the
+Covenant" or the Polish ditties of Fanny Belcovitch, it seemed also full
+of originality. He wished to lose himself in the sweet melancholy, but
+Mrs. Goldsmith, who had taken Esther's seat at his side, would not let
+him.
+
+"Her own composition--words and music," she whispered. "I wanted her to
+publish it, but she is so shy and retiring. Who would think she was the
+child of a pauper emigrant, a rough jewel one has picked up and
+polished? If you really are going to start a new Jewish paper, she might
+be of use to you. And then there is Miss Cissy Levine--you have read her
+novels, of course? Sweetly pretty! Do you know, I think we are badly in
+want of a new paper, and you are the only man in the community who could
+give it us. We want educating, we poor people, we know so little of our
+faith and our literature."
+
+"I am so glad you feel the want of it," whispered Raphael, forgetting
+Esther in his pleasure at finding a soul yearning for the light.
+
+"Intensely. I suppose it will be advanced?"
+
+Raphael looked at her a moment a little bewildered.
+
+"No, it will be orthodox. It is the orthodox party that supplies the
+funds."
+
+A flash of light leaped into Mrs. Goldsmith's eyes.
+
+"I am so glad it is not as I feared." she said. "The rival party has
+hitherto monopolized the press, and I was afraid that like most of our
+young men of talent you would give it that tendency. Now at last we poor
+orthodox will have a voice. It will be written in English?"
+
+"As far as I can," he said, smiling.
+
+"No, you know what I mean. I thought the majority of the orthodox
+couldn't read English and that they have their jargon papers. Will you
+be able to get a circulation?"
+
+"There are thousands of families in the East End now among whom English
+is read if not written. The evening papers sell as well there as
+anywhere else in London."
+
+"Bravo!" murmured Mrs. Goldsmith, clapping her hands.
+
+Esther had finished her song. Raphael awoke to the remembrance of her.
+But she did not come to him again, sitting down instead on a lounge near
+the piano, where Sidney bantered Addie with his most paradoxical
+persiflage.
+
+Raphael looked at her. Her expression was abstracted, her eyes had an
+inward look. He hoped her headache had not got worse. She did not look
+at all pretty now. She seemed a frail little creature with a sad
+thoughtful face and an air of being alone in the midst of a merry
+company. Poor little thing! He felt as if he had known her for years.
+She seemed curiously out of harmony with all these people. He doubted
+even his own capacity to commune with her inmost soul. He wished he
+could be of service to her, could do anything for her that might lighten
+her gloom and turn her morbid thoughts in healthier directions.
+
+The butler brought in some claret negus. It was the break-up signal.
+Raphael drank his negus with a pleasant sense of arming himself against
+the cold air. He wanted to walk home smoking his pipe, which he always
+carried in his overcoat. He clasped Esther's hand with a cordial smile
+of farewell.
+
+"We shall meet again soon, I trust," he said.
+
+"I hope so," said Esther; "put me down as a subscriber to that paper."
+
+"Thank you," he said; "I won't forget."
+
+"What's that?" said Sidney, pricking up his ears; "doubled your
+circulation already?"
+
+Sidney put his cousin Addie into a hansom, as she did not care to walk,
+and got in beside her.
+
+"My feet are tired," she said; "I danced a lot last night, and was out a
+lot this afternoon. It's all very well for Raphael, who doesn't know
+whether he's walking on his head or his heels. Here, put your collar up,
+Raphael, not like that, it's all crumpled. Haven't you got a
+handkerchief to put round your throat? Where's that one I gave you? Lend
+him yours, Sidney."
+
+"You don't mind if _I_ catch my death of cold; I've got to go on a
+Christmas dance when I deposit you on your doorstep," grumbled Sidney.
+"Catch! There, you duffer! It's gone into the mud. Sure you won't jump
+in? Plenty of room. Addie can sit on my knee. Well, ta, ta! Merry
+Christmas."
+
+Raphael lit his pipe and strode off with long ungainly strides. It was a
+clear frosty night, and the moonlight glistened on the silent spaces of
+street and square.
+
+"Go to bed, my dear," said Mrs. Goldsmith, returning to the lounge where
+Esther still sat brooding. "You look quite worn out."
+
+Left alone, Mrs. Goldsmith smiled pleasantly at Mr. Goldsmith, who,
+uncertain of how he had behaved himself, always waited anxiously for the
+verdict. He was pleased to find it was "not guilty" this time.
+
+"I think that went off very well," she said. She was looking very lovely
+to-night, the low bodice emphasizing the voluptuous outlines of the
+bust.
+
+"Splendidly," he returned. He stood with his coat-tails to the fire, his
+coarse-grained face beaming like an extra lamp. "The people and those
+croquettes were A1. The way Mary's picked up French cookery is
+wonderful."
+
+"Yes, especially considering she denies herself butter. But I'm not
+thinking of that nor of our guests." He looked at her wonderingly.
+"Henry," she continued impressively, "how would you like to get into
+Parliament?"
+
+"Eh, Parliament? Me?" he stammered.
+
+"Yes, why not? I've always had it in my eye."
+
+His face grew gloomy. "It is not practicable," he said, shaking the head
+with the prominent teeth and ears.
+
+"Not practicable?" she echoed sharply. "Just think of what you've
+achieved already, and don't tell me you're going to stop now. Not
+practicable, indeed! Why, that's the very word you used years ago in the
+provinces when I said you ought to be President. You said old
+Winkelstein had been in the position too long to be ousted. And yet I
+felt certain your superior English would tell in the long run in such a
+miserable congregation of foreigners, and when Winkelstein had made that
+delicious blunder about the 'university' of the Exodus instead of the
+'anniversary,' and I went about laughing over it in all the best
+circles, the poor man's day was over. And when we came to London, and
+seemed to fall again to the bottom of the ladder because our greatness
+was swallowed up in the vastness, didn't you despair then? Didn't you
+tell me that we should never rise to the surface?"
+
+"It didn't seem probable, did it?" he murmured in self-defence.
+
+"Of course not. That's just my point. Your getting into the House of
+Commons doesn't seem probable now. But in those days your getting merely
+to know M.P.'s was equally improbable. The synagogal dignities were all
+filled up by old hands, there was no way of getting on the Council and
+meeting our magnates."
+
+"Yes, but your solution of that difficulty won't do here. I had not much
+difficulty in persuading the United Synagogue that a new synagogue was a
+crying want in Kensington, but I could hardly persuade the government
+that a new constituency is a crying want in London." He spoke pettishly;
+his ambition always required rousing and was easily daunted.
+
+"No, but somebody's going to start a new something else, Henry," said
+Mrs. Goldsmith with enigmatic cheerfulness. "Trust in me; think of what
+we have done in less than a dozen years at comparatively trifling costs,
+thanks to that happy idea of a new synagogue--you the representative of
+the Kensington synagogue, with a 'Sir' for a colleague and a
+congregation that from exceptionally small beginnings has sprung up to
+be the most fashionable in London; likewise a member of the Council of
+the Anglo-Jewish Association and an honorary officer of the _Shechitah_
+Board; I, connected with several first-class charities, on the Committee
+of our leading school, and the acknowledged discoverer of a girl who
+gives promise of doing something notable in literature or music. We have
+a reputation for wealth, culture and hospitality, and it is quite two
+years since we shook off the last of the Maida Vale lot, who are so
+graphically painted in that novel of Mr. Armitage's. Who are our guests
+now? Take to-night's! A celebrated artist, a brilliant young Oxford man,
+both scions of the same wealthy and well-considered family, an
+authoress of repute who dedicates her books (by permission) to the very
+first families of the community; and lastly the Montagu Samuels with the
+brother, Percy Saville, who both go only to the best houses. Is there
+any other house, where the company is so exclusively Jewish, that could
+boast of a better gathering?"
+
+"I don't say anything against the company," said her husband awkwardly,
+"it's better than we got in the Provinces. But your company isn't your
+constituency. What constituency would have me?"
+
+"Certainly, no ordinary constituency would have you," admitted his wife
+frankly. "I am thinking of Whitechapel."
+
+"But Gideon represents Whitechapel."
+
+"Certainly; as Sidney Graham says, he represents it very well. But he
+has made himself unpopular, his name has appeared in print as a guest at
+City banquets, where the food can't be _kosher_. He has alienated a
+goodly proportion of the Jewish vote."
+
+"Well?" said Mr. Goldsmith, still wonderingly.
+
+"Now is the time to bid for his shoes. Raphael Leon is about to
+establish a new Jewish paper. I was mistaken about that young man. You
+remember my telling you I had heard he was eccentric and despite his
+brilliant career a little touched on religious matters. I naturally
+supposed his case was like that of one or two other Jewish young men we
+know and that he yearned for spirituality, and his remarks at table
+rather confirmed the impression. But he is worse than that--and I nearly
+put my foot in it--his craziness is on the score of orthodoxy! Fancy
+that! A man who has been to Harrow and Oxford longing for a gaberdine
+and side curls! Well, well, live and learn. What a sad trial for his
+parents!" She paused, musing.
+
+"But, Rosetta, what has Raphael Leon to do with my getting into
+Parliament?"
+
+"Don't be stupid, Henry. Haven't I explained to you that Leon is going
+to start an orthodox paper which will be circulated among your future
+constituents. It's extremely fortunate that we have always kept our
+religion. We have a widespread reputation for orthodoxy. We are friends
+with Leon, and we can get Esther to write for the paper (I could see he
+was rather struck by her). Through this paper we can keep you and your
+orthodoxy constantly before the constituency. The poor people are quite
+fascinated by the idea of rich Jews like us keeping a strictly _kosher_
+table; but the image of a Member of Parliament with phylacteries on his
+forehead will simply intoxicate them." She smiled, herself, at the
+image; the smile that always intoxicated Percy Saville.
+
+"You're a wonderful woman, Rosetta," said Henry, smiling in response
+with admiring affection and making his incisors more prominent. He drew
+her head down to him and kissed her lips. She returned his kiss
+lingeringly and they had a flash of that happiness which is born of
+mutual fidelity and trust.
+
+"Can I do anything for you, mum, afore I go to bed?" said stout old Mary
+O'Reilly, appearing at the door. Mary was a privileged person,
+unappalled even by the butler. Having no relatives, she never took a
+holiday and never went out except to Chapel.
+
+"No, Mary, thank you. The dinner was excellent. Good night and merry
+Christmas."
+
+"Same to you, mum," and as the unconscious instrument of Henry
+Goldsmith's candidature turned away, the Christmas bells broke merrily
+upon the night. The peals fell upon the ears of Raphael Leon, still
+striding along, casting a gaunt shadow on the hoar-frosted pavement, but
+he marked them not; upon Addie sitting by her bedroom mirror thinking of
+Sidney speeding to the Christmas dance; upon Esther turning restlessly
+on the luxurious eider-down, oppressed by panoramic pictures of the
+martyrdom of her race. Lying between sleep and waking, especially when
+her brain had been excited, she had the faculty of seeing wonderful
+vivid visions, indistinguishable from realities. The martyrs who mounted
+the scaffold and the stake all had the face of Raphael.
+
+"The mission of Israel" buzzed through her brain. Oh, the irony of
+history! Here was another life going to be wasted on an illusory dream.
+The figures of Raphael and her father suddenly came into grotesque
+juxtaposition. A bitter smile passed across her face.
+
+The Christmas bells rang on, proclaiming Peace in the name of Him who
+came to bring a sword into the world.
+
+"Surely," she thought, "the people of Christ has been the Christ of
+peoples."
+
+And then she sobbed meaninglessly in the darkness
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+"THE FLAG OF JUDAH."
+
+
+The call to edit the new Jewish paper seemed to Raphael the voice of
+Providence. It came just when he was hesitating about his future,
+divided between the attractions of the ministry, pure Hebrew scholarship
+and philanthropy. The idea of a paper destroyed these conflicting claims
+by comprehending them all. A paper would be at once a pulpit, a medium
+for organizing effective human service, and an incentive to serious
+study in the preparation of scholarly articles.
+
+The paper was to be the property of the Co-operative Kosher Society, an
+association originally founded to supply unimpeachable Passover cakes.
+It was suspected by the pious that there was a taint of heresy in the
+flour used by the ordinary bakers, and it was remarked that the
+Rabbinate itself imported its _Matzoth_ from abroad. Successful in its
+first object, the Co-operative Kosher Society extended its operations to
+more perennial commodities, and sought to save Judaism from dubious
+cheese and butter, as well as to provide public baths for women in
+accordance with the precepts of Leviticus. But these ideals were not so
+easy to achieve, and so gradually the idea of a paper to preach them to
+a godless age formed itself. The members of the Society met in Aaron
+Schlesinger's back office to consider them. Schlesinger was a cigar
+merchant, and the discussions of the Society were invariably obscured by
+gratuitous smoke Schlesinger's junior partner, Lewis De Haan, who also
+had a separate business as a surveyor, was the soul of the Society, and
+talked a great deal. He was a stalwart old man, with a fine imagination
+and figure, boundless optimism, a big biceps, a long venerable white
+beard, a keen sense of humor, and a versatility which enabled him to
+turn from the price of real estate to the elucidation of a Talmudical
+difficulty, and from the consignment of cigars to the organization of
+apostolic movements. Among the leading spirits were our old friends,
+Karlkammer the red-haired zealot, Sugarman the _Shadchan_, and Guedalyah
+the greengrocer, together with Gradkoski the scholar, fancy goods
+merchant and man of the world. A furniture-dealer, who was always
+failing, was also an important personage, while Ebenezer Sugarman, a
+young man who had once translated a romance from the Dutch, acted as
+secretary. Melchitsedek Pinchas invariably turned up at the meetings and
+smoked Schlesinger's cigars. He was not a member; he had not qualified
+himself by taking ten pound shares (far from fully paid up), but nobody
+liked to eject him, and no hint less strong than a physical would have
+moved the poet.
+
+All the members of the Council of the Co-operative Kosher Society spoke
+English volubly and more or less grammatically, but none had sufficient
+confidence in the others to propose one of them for editor, though it is
+possible that none would have shrunk from having a shot. Diffidence is
+not a mark of the Jew. The claims of Ebenezer Sugarman and of
+Melchitsedek Pinchas were put forth most vehemently by Ebenezer and
+Melchitsedek respectively, and their mutual accusations of incompetence
+enlivened Mr. Schlesinger's back office.
+
+"He ain't able to spell the commonest English words," said Ebenezer,
+with a contemptuous guffaw that sounded like the croak of a raven.
+
+The young litterateur, the sumptuousness of whose _Barmitzvah_-party was
+still a memory with his father, had lank black hair, with a long nose
+that supported blue spectacles.
+
+"What does he know of the Holy Tongue?" croaked Melchitsedek
+witheringly, adding in a confidential whisper to the cigar merchant: "I
+and you, Schlesinger, are the only two men in England who can write the
+Holy Tongue grammatically."
+
+The little poet was as insinutive and volcanic (by turns) as ever. His
+beard was, however, better trimmed and his complexion healthier, and he
+looked younger than ten years ago. His clothes were quite spruce. For
+several years he had travelled about the Continent, mainly at Raphael's
+expense. He said his ideas came better in touring and at a distance from
+the unappreciative English Jewry. It was a pity, for with his linguistic
+genius his English would have been immaculate by this time. As it was,
+there was a considerable improvement in his writing, if not so much in
+his accent.
+
+"What do I know of the Holy Tongue!" repeated Ebenezer scornfully. "Hold
+yours!"
+
+The Committee laughed, but Schlesinger, who was a serious man, said,
+"Business, gentlemen, business."
+
+"Come, then! I'll challenge you to translate a page of _Metatoron's
+Flames_," said Pinchas, skipping about the office like a sprightly flea.
+"You know no more than the Reverend Joseph Strelitski vith his vite tie
+and his princely income."
+
+De Haan seized the poet by the collar, swung him off his feet and tucked
+him up in the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Yah!" croaked Ebenezer. "Here's a fine editor. Ho! Ho! Ho!"
+
+"We cannot have either of them. It's the only way to keep them quiet,"
+said the furniture-dealer who was always failing.
+
+Ebenezer's face fell and his voice rose.
+
+"I don't see why I should be sacrificed to _'im_. There ain't a man in
+England who can write English better than me. Why, everybody says so.
+Look at the success of my book, _The Old Burgomaster_, the best Dutch
+novel ever written. The _St. Pancras Press_ said it reminded them of
+Lord Lytton, it did indeed. I can show you the paper. I can give you one
+each if you like. And then it ain't as if I didn't know 'Ebrew, too.
+Even if I was in doubt about anything, I could always go to my father.
+You give me this paper to manage and I'll make your fortunes for you in
+a twelvemonth; I will as sure as I stand here."
+
+Pinchas had made spluttering interruptions as frequently as he could in
+resistance of De Haan's brawny, hairy hand which was pressed against his
+nose and mouth to keep him down in the coal-scuttle, but now he exploded
+with a force that shook off the hand like a bottle of soda water
+expelling its cork.
+
+"You Man-of-the-Earth," he cried, sitting up in the coal-scuttle. "You
+are not even orthodox. Here, my dear gentlemen, is the very position
+created by Heaven for me--in this disgraceful country where genius
+starves. Here at last you have the opportunity of covering yourselves
+vid eternal glory. Have I not given you the idea of starting this paper?
+And vas I not born to be a Redacteur, a Editor, as you call it? Into the
+paper I vill pour all the fires of my song--"
+
+"Yes, burn it up," croaked Ebenezer.
+
+"I vill lead the Freethinkers and the Reformers back into the fold. I
+vill be Elijah and my vings shall be quill pens. I vill save Judaism."
+He started up, swelling, but De Haan caught him by his waistcoat and
+readjusted him in the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Here, take another cigar, Pinchas," he said, passing Schlesinger's
+private box, as if with a twinge of remorse for his treatment of one he
+admired as a poet though he could not take him seriously as a man.
+
+The discussion proceeded; the furniture-dealer's counsel was followed;
+it was definitely decided to let the two candidates neutralize each
+other.
+
+"Vat vill you give me, if I find you a Redacteur?" suddenly asked
+Pinchas. "I give up my editorial seat--"
+
+"Editorial coal-scuttle," growled Ebenezer.
+
+"Pooh! I find you a first-class Redacteur who vill not want a big
+salary; perhaps he vill do it for nothing. How much commission vill you
+give me?"
+
+"Ten shillings on every pound if he does not want a big salary," said De
+Haan instantly, "and twelve and sixpence on every pound if he does it
+for nothing."
+
+And Pinchas, who was easily bamboozled when finance became complex, went
+out to find Raphael.
+
+Thus at the next meeting the poet produced Raphael in triumph, and
+Gradkoski, who loved a reputation for sagacity, turned a little green
+with disgust at his own forgetfulness. Gradkoski was among those
+founders of the Holy Land League with whom Raphael had kept up
+relations, and he could not deny that the young enthusiast was the ideal
+man for the post. De Haan, who was busy directing the clerks to write
+out ten thousand wrappers for the first number, and who had never heard
+of Raphael before, held a whispered confabulation with Gradkoski and
+Schlesinger and in a few moments Raphael was rescued from obscurity and
+appointed to the editorship of the _Flag of Judah_ at a salary of
+nothing a year. De Haan immediately conceived a vast contemptuous
+admiration of the man.
+
+"You von't forget me," whispered Pinchas, buttonholing the editor at the
+first opportunity, and placing his forefinger insinuatingly alongside
+his nose. "You vill remember that I expect a commission on your salary."
+
+Raphael smiled good-naturedly and, turning to De Haan, said: "But do you
+think there is any hope of a circulation?"
+
+"A circulation, sir, a circulation!" repeated De Haan. "Why, we shall
+not be able to print fast enough. There are seventy-thousand orthodox
+Jews in London alone."
+
+"And besides," added Gradkoski, in a corroboration strongly like a
+contradiction, "we shall not have to rely on the circulation. Newspapers
+depend on their advertisements."
+
+"Do they?" said Raphael, helplessly.
+
+"Of course," said Gradkoski with his air of worldly wisdom, "And don't
+you see, being a religious paper we are bound to get all the communal
+advertisements. Why, we get the Co-operative Kosher Society to start
+with."
+
+"Yes, but we ain't: going to pay for that,"' said Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_.
+
+"That doesn't matter," said De Haan. "It'll look well--we can fill up a
+whole page with it. You know what Jews are--they won't ask 'is this
+paper wanted?' they'll balance it in their hand, as if weighing up the
+value of the advertisements, and ask 'does it pay?' But it _will_ pay,
+it must pay; with you at the head of it, Mr. Leon, a man whose fame and
+piety are known and respected wherever a _Mezuzah_ adorns a door-post,
+a man who is in sympathy with the East End, and has the ear of the West,
+a man who will preach the purest Judaism in the best English, with such
+a man at the head of it, we shall be able to ask bigger prices for
+advertisements than the existing Jewish papers."
+
+Raphael left the office in a transport of enthusiasm, full of Messianic
+emotions. At the next meeting he announced that he was afraid he could
+not undertake the charge of the paper. Amid universal consternation,
+tempered by the exultation of Ebenezer, he explained that he had been
+thinking it over and did not see how it could be done. He said he had
+been carefully studying the existing communal organs, and saw that they
+dealt with many matters of which he knew nothing; whilst he might be
+competent to form the taste of the community in religious and literary
+matters, it appeared that the community was chiefly excited about
+elections and charities. "Moreover," said he, "I noticed that it is
+expected of these papers to publish obituaries of communal celebrities,
+for whose biographies no adequate materials are anywhere extant. It
+would scarcely be decent to obtrude upon the sacred grief of the
+bereaved relatives with a request for particulars."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," laughed De Haan. "I'm sure _my_ wife would be
+glad to give you any information."
+
+"Of course, of course," said Gradkoski, soothingly. "You will get the
+obituaries sent in of themselves by the relatives."
+
+Raphael's brow expressed surprise and incredulity.
+
+"And besides, we are not going to crack up the same people as the other
+papers," said De Haan; "otherwise we should not supply a want. We must
+dole out our praise and blame quite differently, and we must be very
+scrupulous to give only a little praise so that it shall be valued the
+more." He stroked his white, beard tranquilly.
+
+"But how about meetings?" urged Raphael. "I find that sometimes two take
+place at once. I can go to one, but I can't be at both."
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," said De Haan airily. "We will leave out
+one and people will think it is unimportant. We are bringing out a
+paper for our own ends, not to report the speeches of busybodies."
+
+Raphael was already exhibiting a conscientiousness which must be nipped
+in the bud. Seeing him silenced, Ebenezer burst forth anxiously:
+
+"But Mr. Leon is right. There must be a sub-editor."
+
+"Certainly there must be a sub-editor," cried Pinchas eagerly.
+
+"Very well, then," said De Haan, struck with a sudden thought. "It is
+true Mr. Leon cannot do all the work. I know a young fellow who'll be
+just the very thing. He'll come for a pound a week."
+
+"But I'll come for a pound a week," said Ebenezer.
+
+"Yes, but you won't get it," said Schlesinger impatiently.
+
+"_Sha_, Ebenezer," said old Sugarman imperiously.
+
+De Haan thereupon hunted up a young gentleman, who dwelt in his mind as
+"Little Sampson," and straightway secured him at the price named. He was
+a lively young Bohemian born in Australia, who had served an
+apprenticeship on the Anglo-Jewish press, worked his way up into the
+larger journalistic world without, and was now engaged in organizing a
+comic-opera touring company, and in drifting back again into Jewish
+journalism. This young gentleman, who always wore long curling locks, an
+eye-glass and a romantic cloak which covered a multitude of
+shabbinesses, fully allayed Raphael's fears as to the difficulties of
+editorship.
+
+"Obituaries!" he said scornfully. "You rely on me for that! The people
+who are worth chronicling are sure to have lived in the back numbers of
+our contemporaries, and I can always hunt them up in the Museum. As for
+the people who are not, their families will send them in, and your only
+trouble will be to conciliate the families of those you ignore."
+
+"But about all those meetings?" said Raphael.
+
+"I'll go to some," said the sub-editor good-naturedly, "whenever they
+don't interfere with the rehearsals of my opera. You know of course I am
+bringing out a comic-opera, composed by myself, some lovely tunes in it;
+one goes like this: Ta ra ra ta, ta dee dum dee--that'll knock 'em.
+Well, as I was saying, I'll help you as much as I can find time for.
+You rely on me for that."
+
+"Yes," said poor Raphael with a sickly smile, "but suppose neither of us
+goes to some important meeting."
+
+"No harm done. God bless you, I know the styles of all our chief
+speakers--ahem--ha!--pauperization of the East End, ha!--I would
+emphatically say that this scheme--ahem!--his lordship's untiring zeal
+for hum!--the welfare of--and so on. Ta dee dum da, ta, ra, rum dee.
+They always send on the agenda beforehand. That's all I want, and I'll
+lay you twenty to one I'll turn out as good a report as any of our
+rivals. You rely on me for _that_! I know exactly how debates go. At the
+worst I can always swop with another reporter--a prize distribution for
+an obituary, or a funeral for a concert."
+
+"And do you really think we two between us can fill up the paper every
+week?" said Raphael doubtfully.
+
+Little Sampson broke into a shriek of laughter, dropped his eyeglass and
+collapsed helplessly into the coal-scuttle. The Committeemen looked up
+from their confabulations in astonishment.
+
+"Fill up the paper! Ho! Ho! Ho!" roared little Sampson, still doubled
+up. "Evidently _you've_ never had anything to do with papers. Why, the
+reports of London and provincial sermons alone would fill three papers a
+week."
+
+"Yes, but how are we to get these reports, especially from the
+provinces?"
+
+"How? Ho! Ho! Ho!" And for some time little Sampson was physically
+incapable of speech. "Don't you know," he gasped, "that the ministers
+always send up their own sermons, pages upon pages of foolscap?"
+
+"Indeed?" murmured Raphael.
+
+"What, haven't you noticed all Jewish sermons are eloquent?".
+
+"They write that themselves?"
+
+"Of course; sometimes they put 'able,' and sometimes 'learned,' but, as
+a rule, they prefer to be 'eloquent.' The run on that epithet is
+tremendous. Ta dee dum da. In holiday seasons they are also very fond of
+'enthralling the audience,' and of 'melting them to tears,' but this is
+chiefly during the Ten Days of Repentance, or when a boy is
+_Barmitzvah_. Then, think of the people who send in accounts of the
+oranges they gave away to distressed widows, or of the prizes won by
+their children at fourth-rate schools, or of the silver pointers they
+present to the synagogue. Whenever a reader sends a letter to an evening
+paper, he will want you to quote it; and, if he writes a paragraph in
+the obscurest leaflet, he will want you to note it as 'Literary
+Intelligence.' Why, my dear fellow, your chief task will be to cut down.
+Ta, ra, ra, ta! Any Jewish paper could be entirely supported by
+voluntary contributions--as, for the matter of that, could any newspaper
+in the world." He got up and shook the coal-dust languidly from his
+cloak.
+
+"Besides, we shall all be helping you with articles," said De Haan,
+encouragingly.
+
+"Yes, we shall all be helping you," said Ebenezer.
+
+"I vill give you from the Pierian spring--bucketsful," said Pinchas in a
+flush of generosity.
+
+"Thank you, I shall be much obliged," said Raphael, heartily, "for I
+don't quite see the use of a paper filled up as Mr. Sampson suggests."
+He flung his arms out and drew them in again. It was a way he had when
+in earnest. "Then, I should like to have some foreign news. Where's that
+to come from?"
+
+"You rely on me for _that_," said little Sampson, cheerfully. "I will
+write at once to all the chief Jewish papers in the world, French,
+German, Dutch, Italian, Hebrew, and American, asking them to exchange
+with us. There is never any dearth of foreign news. I translate a thing
+from the Italian _Vessillo Israelitico_, and the _Israelitische
+Nieuwsbode_ copies it from us; _Der Israelit_ then translates it into
+German, whence it gets into Hebrew, in _Hamagid_, thence into _L'Univers
+Israelite_, of Paris, and thence into the _American Hebrew_. When I see
+it in American, not having to translate it, it strikes me as fresh, and
+so I transfer it bodily to our columns, whence it gets translated into
+Italian, and so the merry-go-round goes eternally on. Ta dee rum day.
+You rely on me for your foreign news. Why, I can get you foreign
+telegrams if you'll only allow me to stick 'Trieste, December 21,' or
+things of that sort at the top. Ti, tum, tee ti." He went on humming a
+sprightly air, then, suddenly interrupting himself, he said, "but have
+you got an advertisement canvasser, Mr. De Haan?"
+
+"No, not yet," said De Haan, turning around. The committee had resolved
+itself into animated groups, dotted about the office, each group marked
+by a smoke-drift. The clerks were still writing the ten thousand
+wrappers, swearing inaudibly.
+
+"Well, when are you going to get him?"
+
+"Oh, we shall have advertisements rolling in of themselves," said De
+Haan, with a magnificent sweep of the arm. "And we shall all assist in
+that department! Help yourself to another cigar, Sampson." And he passed
+Schlesinger's box. Raphael and Karlkammer were the only two men in the
+room not smoking cigars--Raphael, because he preferred his pipe, and
+Karlkammer for some more mystic reason.
+
+"We must not ignore Cabalah," the zealot's voice was heard to observe.
+
+"You can't get advertisements by Cabalah," drily interrupted Guedalyah,
+the greengrocer, a practical man, as everybody knew.
+
+"No, indeed," protested Sampson. "The advertisement canvasser is a more
+important man than the editor."
+
+Ebenezer pricked up his ears.
+
+"I thought _you_ undertook to do some canvassing for your money," said
+De Haan.
+
+"So I will, so I will; rely on me for that. I shouldn't be surprised if
+I get the capitalists who are backing up my opera to give you the
+advertisements of the tour, and I'll do all I can in my spare time. But
+I feel sure you'll want another man--only, you must pay him well and
+give him a good commission. It'll pay best in the long run to have a
+good man, there are so many seedy duffers about," said little Sampson,
+drawing his faded cloak loftily around him. "You want an eloquent,
+persuasive man, with a gift of the gab--"
+
+"Didn't I tell you so?" interrupted Pinchas, putting his finger to his
+nose. "I vill go to the advertisers and speak burning words to them. I
+vill--"
+
+"Garn! They'd kick you out!" croaked Ebenezer. "They'll only listen to
+an Englishman." His coarse-featured face glistened with spite.
+
+"My Ebenezer has a good appearance," said old Sugarman, "and his English
+is fine, and dat is half de battle."
+
+Schlesinger, appealed to, intimated that Ebenezer might try, but that
+they could not well spare him any percentage at the start. After much
+haggling, Ebenezer consented to waive his commission, if the committee
+would consent to allow an original tale of his to appear in the paper.
+
+The stipulation having been agreed to, he capered joyously about the
+office and winked periodically at Pinchas from behind the battery of his
+blue spectacles. The poet was, however, rapt in a discussion as to the
+best printer. The Committee were for having Gluck, who had done odd jobs
+for most of them, but Pinchas launched into a narrative of how, when he
+edited a great organ in Buda-Pesth, he had effected vast economies by
+starting a little printing-office of his own in connection with the
+paper.
+
+"You vill set up a little establishment," he said. "I vill manage it for
+a few pounds a veek. Then I vill not only print your paper, I vill get
+you large profits from extra printing. Vith a man of great business
+talent at the head of it--"
+
+De Haan made a threatening movement, and Pinchas edged away from the
+proximity of the coal-scuttle.
+
+"Gluck's our printer!" said De Haan peremptorily. "He has Hebrew type.
+We shall want a lot of that. We must have a lot of Hebrew
+quotations--not spell Hebrew words in English like the other papers. And
+the Hebrew date must come before the English. The public must see at
+once that our principles are superior. Besides, Gluck's a Jew, which
+will save us from the danger of having any of the printing done on
+Saturdays."
+
+"But shan't we want a publisher?" asked Sampson.
+
+"That's vat I say," cried Pinchas. "If I set up this office, I can be
+your publisher too. Ve must do things business-like."
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense! We are our own publishers," said De Haan. "Our
+clerks will send out the invoices and the subscription copies, and an
+extra office-boy can sell the papers across the counter."
+
+Sampson smiled in his sleeve.
+
+"All right. That will do--for the first number," he said cordially. "Ta
+ra ra ta."
+
+"Now then, Mr. Leon, everything is settled," said De Haan, stroking his
+beard briskly. "I think I'll ask you to help us to draw up the posters.
+We shall cover all London, sir, all London."
+
+"But wouldn't that be wasting money?" said Raphael.
+
+"Oh, we're going to do the thing properly. I don't believe in meanness."
+
+"It'll be enough if we cover the East End," said Schlesinger, drily.
+
+"Quite so. The East End _is_ London as far as we're concerned," said De
+Haan readily.
+
+Raphael took the pen and the paper which De Haan tendered him and wrote
+_The Flag of Judah_, the title having been fixed at their first
+interview.
+
+"The only orthodox paper!" dictated De Haan. "Largest circulation of any
+Jewish paper in the world!"
+
+"No, how can we say that?" said Raphael, pausing.
+
+"No, of course not," said De Haan. "I was thinking of the subsequent
+posters. Look out for the first number--on Friday, January 1st. The best
+Jewish writers! The truest Jewish teachings! Latest Jewish news and
+finest Jewish stories. Every Friday. Twopence."
+
+"Twopence?" echoed Raphael, looking up. "I thought you wanted to appeal
+to the masses. I should say it must be a penny."
+
+"It _will_ be a penny," said De Haan oracularly.
+
+"We have thought it all over," interposed Gradkoski. "The first number
+will be bought up out of curiosity, whether at a penny or at twopence.
+The second will go almost as well, for people will be anxious to see how
+it compares with the first. In that number we shall announce that owing
+to the enormous success we have been able to reduce it to a penny;
+meantime we make all the extra pennies."
+
+"I see," said Raphael dubiously.
+
+"We must have _Chochma_" said De Haan. "Our sages recommend that."
+
+Raphael still had his doubts, but he had also a painful sense of his
+lack of the "practical wisdom" recommended by the sages cited. He
+thought these men were probably in the right. Even religion could not be
+pushed on the masses without business methods, and so long as they were
+in earnest about the doctrines to be preached, he could even feel a dim
+admiration for their superior shrewdness in executing a task in which he
+himself would have hopelessly broken down. Raphael's mind was large; and
+larger by being conscious of its cloistral limitations. And the men were
+in earnest; not even their most intimate friends could call this into
+question.
+
+"We are going to save London," De Haan put it in one of his dithyrambic
+moments. "Orthodoxy has too long been voiceless, and yet it is
+five-sixths of Judaea. A small minority has had all the say. We must
+redress the balance. We must plead the cause of the People against the
+Few."
+
+Raphael's breast throbbed with similar hopes. His Messianic emotions
+resurged. Sugarman's solicitous request that he should buy a Hamburg
+Lottery Ticket scarcely penetrated his consciousness. Carrying the copy
+of the poster, he accompanied De Haan to Gluck's. It was a small shop in
+a back street with jargon-papers and hand-bills in the window and a
+pervasive heavy oleaginous odor. A hand-press occupied the centre of the
+interior, the back of which was partitioned of and marked "Private."
+Gluck came forward, grinning welcome. He wore an unkempt beard and a
+dusky apron.
+
+"Can you undertake to print an eight-page paper?" inquired De Haan.
+
+"If I can print at all, I can print anything," responded Gluck
+reproachfully. "How many shall you want?"
+
+"It's the orthodox paper we've been planning so long," said De Haan
+evasively.
+
+Gluck nodded his head.
+
+"There are seventy thousand orthodox Jews in London alone," said De
+Haan, with rotund enunciation. "So you see what you may have to print.
+It'll be worth your while to do it extra cheap."
+
+Gluck agreed readily, naming a low figure. After half an hour's
+discussion it was reduced by ten per cent.
+
+"Good-bye, then," said De Haan. "So let it stand. We shall start with a
+thousand copies of the first number, but where we shall end, the Holy
+One, blessed be He, alone knows. I will now leave you and the editor to
+talk over the rest. To-day's Monday. We must have the first number out
+by Friday week. Can you do that, Mr. Leon?"
+
+"Oh, that will be ample," said Raphael, shooting out his arms.
+
+He did not remain of that opinion. Never had he gone through such an
+awful, anxious time, not even in his preparations for the stiffest
+exams. He worked sixteen hours a day at the paper. The only evening he
+allowed himself off was when he dined with Mrs. Henry Goldsmith and met
+Esther. First numbers invariably take twice as long to produce as second
+numbers, even in the best regulated establishments. All sorts of
+mysterious sticks and leads, and fonts and forms, are found wanting at
+the eleventh hour. As a substitute for gray hair-dye there is nothing in
+the market to compete with the production of first numbers. But in
+Gluck's establishment, these difficulties were multiplied by a hundred.
+Gluck spent a great deal of time in going round the corner to get
+something from a brother printer. It took an enormous time to get a
+proof of any article out of Gluck.
+
+"My men are so careful," Gluck explained. "They don't like to pass
+anything till it's free from typos."
+
+The men must have been highly disappointed, for the proofs were
+invariably returned bristling with corrections and having a highly
+hieroglyphic appearance. Then Gluck would go in and slang his men. He
+kept them behind the partition painted "Private."
+
+The fatal Friday drew nearer and nearer. By Thursday not a single page
+had been made up. Still Gluck pointed out that there were only eight,
+and the day was long. Raphael had not the least idea in the world how to
+make up a paper, but about eleven little Sampson kindly strolled into
+Gluck's, and explained to his editor his own method of pasting the
+proofs on sheets of paper of the size of the pages. He even made up one
+page himself to a blithe vocal accompaniment. When the busy composer and
+acting-manager hurried off to conduct a rehearsal, Raphael expressed his
+gratitude warmly. The hours flew; the paper evolved as by geologic
+stages. As the fateful day wore on, Gluck was scarcely visible for a
+moment. Raphael was left alone eating his heart out in the shop, and
+solacing himself with huge whiffs of smoke. At immense intervals Gluck
+appeared from behind the partition bearing a page or a galley slip. He
+said his men could not be trusted to do their work unless he was
+present. Raphael replied that he had not seen the compositors come
+through the shop to get their dinners, and he hoped Gluck would not find
+it necessary to cut off their meal-times. Gluck reassured him on this
+point; he said his men were so loyal that they preferred to bring their
+food with them rather than have the paper delayed. Later on he casually
+mentioned that there was a back entrance. He would not allow Raphael to
+talk to his workmen personally, arguing that it spoiled their
+discipline. By eleven o'clock at night seven pages had been pulled and
+corrected: but the eighth page was not forthcoming. The _Flag_ had to be
+machined, dried, folded, and a number of copies put into wrappers and
+posted by three in the morning. The situation looked desperate. At a
+quarter to twelve, Gluck explained that a column of matter already set
+up had been "pied" by a careless compositor. It happened to be the
+column containing the latest news and Raphael had not even seen a proof
+of it. Still, Gluck conjured him not to trouble further: he would give
+his reader strict injunctions not to miss the slightest error. Raphael
+had already seen and passed the first column of this page, let him leave
+it to Gluck to attend to this second column; all would be well without
+his remaining later, and he would receive a copy of the _Flag_ by the
+first post. The poor editor, whose head was splitting, weakly yielded;
+he just caught the midnight train to the West End and he went to bed
+feeling happy and hopeful.
+
+At seven o'clock the next morning the whole Leon household was roused by
+a thunderous double rat-tat at the door. Addie was even heard to scream.
+A housemaid knocked at Raphael's door and pushed a telegram under it.
+Raphael jumped out of bed and read: "Third of column more matter wanted.
+Come at once. Gluck."
+
+"How can that be?" he asked himself in consternation. "If the latest
+news made a column when it was first set up before the accident, how can
+it make less now?"
+
+He dashed up to Gluck's office in a hansom and put the conundrum to him.
+
+"You see we had no time to distribute the 'pie,' and we had no more type
+of that kind, so we had to reset it smaller," answered Gluck glibly. His
+eyes were blood-shot, his face was haggard. The door of the private
+compartment stood open.
+
+"Your men are not come yet, I suppose," said Raphael.
+
+"No," said Gluck. "They didn't go away till two, poor fellows. Is that
+the copy?" he asked, as Raphael handed him a couple of slips he had
+distractedly scribbled in the cab under the heading of "Talmudic Tales."
+"Thank you, it's just about the size. I shall have to set it myself."
+
+"But won't we be terribly late?" said poor Raphael.
+
+"We shall be out to-day," responded Gluck cheerfully. "We shall be in
+time for the Sabbath, and that's the important thing. Don't you see
+they're half-printed already?" He indicated a huge pile of sheets.
+Raphael examined them with beating heart. "We've only got to print 'em
+on the other side and the thing's done," said Gluck.
+
+"Where are your machines?"
+
+"There," said Gluck, pointing.
+
+"That hand-press!" cried Raphael, astonished. "Do you mean to say you
+print them all with your own hand?"
+
+"Why not?" said the dauntless Gluck. "I shall wrap them up for the
+post, too." And he shut himself up with the last of the "copy."
+
+Raphael having exhausted his interest in the half-paper, fell to
+striding about the little shop, when who should come in but Pinchas,
+smoking a cigar of the Schlesinger brand.
+
+"Ah, my Prince of Redacteurs," said Pinchas, darting at Raphael's hand
+and kissing it. "Did I not say you vould produce the finest paper in the
+kingdom? But vy have I not my copy by post? You must not listen to
+Ebenezer ven he says I must not be on the free list, the blackguard."
+
+Raphael explained to the incredulous poet that Ebenezer had not said
+anything of the kind. Suddenly Pinchas's eye caught sight of the sheets.
+He swooped down upon them like a hawk. Then he uttered a shriek of
+grief.
+
+"Vere's my poem, my great poesie?"
+
+Raphael looked embarrassed.
+
+"This is only half the paper," he said evasively.
+
+"Ha, then it vill appear in the other half, _hein_?" he said with hope
+tempered by a terrible suspicion.
+
+"N--n--o," stammered Raphael timidly.
+
+"No?" shrieked Pinchas.
+
+"You see--the--fact is, it wouldn't scan. Your Hebrew poetry is perfect,
+but English poetry is made rather differently and I've been too busy to
+correct it."
+
+"But it is exactly like Lord Byron's!" shrieked Pinchas. "Mein Gott! All
+night I lie avake--vaiting for the post. At eight o'clock the post
+comes--but _The Flag of Judah_ she vaves not! I rush round here--and now
+my beautiful poem vill not appear." He seized the sheet again, then
+cried fiercely: "You have a tale, 'The Waters of Babylon,' by Ebenezer
+the fool-boy, but my poesie have you not. _Gott in Himmel_!" He tore the
+sheet frantically across and rushed from the shop. In five minutes he
+reappeared. Raphael was absorbed in reading the last proof. Pinchas
+plucked timidly at his coat-tails.
+
+"You vill put it in next veek?" he said winningly.
+
+"I dare say," said Raphael gently.
+
+"Ah, promise me. I vill love you like a brother, I vill be grateful to
+you for ever and ever. I vill never ask another favor of you in all my
+life. Ve are already like brothers--_hein_? I and you, the only two
+men--"
+
+"Yes, yes," interrupted Raphael, "it shall appear next week."
+
+"God bless you!" said Pinchas, kissing Raphael's coat-tails passionately
+and rushing without.
+
+Looking up accidentally some minutes afterwards, Raphael was astonished
+to see the poet's carneying head thrust through the half-open door with
+a finger laid insinuatingly on the side of the nose. The head was fixed
+there as if petrified, waiting to catch the editor's eye.
+
+The first number of _The Flag of Judah_ appeared early in the afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE TROUBLES OF AN EDITOR.
+
+
+The new organ did not create a profound impression. By the rival party
+it was mildly derided, though many fair-minded persons were impressed by
+the rather unusual combination of rigid orthodoxy with a high spiritual
+tone and Raphael's conception of Judaism as outlined in his first
+leader, his view of it as a happy human compromise between an empty
+unpractical spiritualism and a choked-up over-practical formalism,
+avoiding the opposite extremes of its offshoots, Christianity and
+Mohammedanism, was novel to many of his readers, unaccustomed to think
+about their faith. Dissatisfied as Raphael was with the number, he felt
+he had fluttered some of the dove-cotes at least. Several people of
+taste congratulated him during Saturday and Sunday, and it was with a
+continuance of Messianic emotions and with agreeable anticipations that
+he repaired on Monday morning to the little den which had been
+inexpensively fitted up for him above the offices of Messrs. Schlesinger
+and De Haan. To his surprise he found it crammed with the committee; all
+gathered round little Sampson, who, with flushed face and cloak
+tragically folded, was expostulating at the top of his voice. Pinchas
+stood at the back in silent amusement. As Raphael entered jauntily,
+from a dozen lips, the lowering faces turned quickly towards him.
+Involuntarily Raphael started back in alarm, then stood rooted to the
+threshold. There was a dread ominous silence. Then the storm burst.
+
+"_Du Shegetz! Du Pasha Yisroile!_" came from all quarters of the
+compass.
+
+To be called a graceless Gentile and a sinner in Israel is not pleasant
+to a pious Jew: but all Raphael's minor sensations were swallowed up in
+a great wonderment.
+
+"We are ruined!" moaned the furniture-dealer, who was always failing.
+
+"You have ruined us!" came the chorus from the thick, sensuous lips, and
+swarthy fists were shaken threateningly. Sugarman's hairy paw was almost
+against his face. Raphael turned cold, then a rush of red-hot blood
+flooded his veins. He put out his good right hand and smote the nearest
+fist aside. Sugarman blenched and skipped back and the line of fists
+wavered.
+
+"Don't be fools, gentlemen," said De Haan, his keen sense of humor
+asserting itself. "Let Mr. Leon sit down."
+
+Raphael, still dazed, took his seat on the editorial chair. "Now, what
+can I do for you?" he said courteously. The fists dropped at his calm.
+
+"Do for us," said Schlesinger drily. "You've done for the paper. It's
+not worth twopence."
+
+"Well, bring it out at a penny at once then," laughed little Sampson,
+reinforced by the arrival of his editor.
+
+Guedalyah the greengrocer glowered at him.
+
+"I am very sorry, gentlemen, I have not been able to satisfy you," said
+Raphael. "But in a first number one can't do much."
+
+"Can't they?" said De Haan. "You've done so much damage to orthodoxy
+that we don't know whether to go on with the paper."
+
+"You're joking," murmured Raphael.
+
+"I wish I was," laughed De Haan bitterly.
+
+"But you astonish me." persisted Raphael. "Would you be so good as to
+point out where I have gone wrong?"
+
+"With pleasure. Or rather with pain," said De Haan. Each of the
+committee drew a tattered copy from his pocket, and followed De Haan's
+demonstration with a murmured accompaniment of lamentation.
+
+"The paper was founded to inculcate the inspection of cheese, the better
+supervision of the sale of meat, the construction of ladies' baths, and
+all the principles of true Judaism," said De Haan gloomily, "and there's
+not one word about these things, but a great deal about spirituality and
+the significance of the ritual. But I will begin at the beginning. Page
+1--"
+
+"But that's advertisements," muttered Raphael.
+
+"The part surest to be read! The very first line of the paper is simply
+shocking. It reads:
+
+"Death: On the 59th ult., at 22 Buckley St., the Rev. Abraham Barnett,
+in his fifty-fourth--"
+
+"But death is always shocking; what's wrong about that?" interposed
+little Sampson.
+
+"Wrong!" repeated De Haan, witheringly. "Where did you get that from?
+That was never sent in."
+
+"No, of course not," said the sub-editor. "But we had to have at least
+one advertisement of that kind; just to show we should be pleased to
+advertise our readers' deaths. I looked in the daily papers to see if
+there were any births or marriages with Jewish names, but I couldn't
+find any, and that was the only Jewish-sounding death I could see."
+
+"But the Rev. Abraham Barnett was a _Meshumad_," shrieked Sugarman the
+_Shadchan_. Raphael turned pale. To have inserted an advertisement about
+an apostate missionary was indeed terrible. But little Sampson's
+audacity did not desert him.
+
+"I thought the orthodox party would be pleased to hear of the death of a
+_Meshumad_," he said suavely, screwing his eyeglass more tightly into
+its orbit, "on the same principle that anti-Semites take in the Jewish
+papers to hear of the death of Jews."
+
+For a moment De Haan was staggered. "That would be all very well," he
+said; "let him be an atonement for us all, but then you've gone and put
+'May his soul he bound up in the bundle of life.'"
+
+It was true. The stock Hebrew equivalent for R.I.P. glared from the
+page.
+
+"Fortunately, that taking advertisement of _kosher_ trousers comes just
+underneath," said De Haan, "and that may draw off the attention. On page
+2 you actually say in a note that Rabbenu Bachja's great poem on
+repentance should be incorporated in the ritual and might advantageously
+replace the obscure _Piyut_ by Kalir. But this is rank Reform--it's
+worse than the papers we come to supersede."
+
+"But surely you know it is only the Printing Press that has stereotyped
+our liturgy, that for Maimonides and Ibn Ezra, for David Kimchi and
+Joseph Albo, the contents were fluid, that--"
+
+"We don't deny that," interrupted Schlesinger drily. "But we can't have
+any more alterations now-a-days. Who is there worthy to alter them?
+You?"
+
+"Certainly not. I merely suggest."
+
+"You are playing into the hands of our enemies," said De Haan, shaking
+his head. "We must not let our readers even imagine that the prayer-book
+can be tampered with. It's the thin end of the wedge. To trim our
+liturgy is like trimming living flesh; wherever you cut, the blood
+oozes. The four cubits of the _Halacha_--that is what is wanted, not
+changes in the liturgy. Once touch anything, and where are you to stop?
+Our religion becomes a flux. Our old Judaism is like an old family
+mansion, where each generation has left a memorial and where every room
+is hallowed with traditions of merrymaking and mourning. We do not want
+our fathers' home decorated in the latest style; the next step will be
+removal to a new dwelling altogether. On page 3 you refer to the second
+Isaiah."
+
+"But I deny that there were two Isaiahs."
+
+"So you do; but it is better for our readers not to hear of such impious
+theories. The space would be much better occupied in explaining the
+Portion for the week. The next leaderette has a flippant tone, which has
+excited unfavorable comment among some of the most important members of
+the Dalston Synagogue. They object to humor in a religious paper. On
+page 4 you have deliberately missed an opportunity of puffing the Kosher
+Co-operative Society. Indeed, there is not a word throughout about our
+Society. But I like Mr. Henry Goldsmith's letter on this page, though;
+he is a good orthodox man and he writes from a good address. It will
+show we are not only read in the East End. Pity he's such a
+Man-of-the-Earth, though. Yes, and that's good--the communication from
+the Rev. Joseph Strelitski. I think he's a bit of an _Epikouros_ but it
+looks as if the whole of the Kensington Synagogue was with us. I
+understand he is a friend of yours: it will be as well for you to
+continue friendly. Several of us here knew him well in _Olov Hasholom_
+times, but he is become so grand and rarely shows himself at the Holy
+Land League Meetings. He can help us a lot if he will."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure he will," said Raphael.
+
+"That's good," said De Haan, caressing his white beard. Then growing
+gloomy again, he went on, "On page 5 you have a little article by
+Gabriel Hamburg, a well-known _Epikouros_."
+
+"Oh, but he's one of the greatest scholars in Europe!" broke in Raphael.
+"I thought you'd be extra pleased to have it. He sent it to me from
+Stockholm as a special favor." He did not mention he had secretly paid
+for it. "I know some of his views are heterodox, and I don't agree with
+half he says, but this article is perfectly harmless."
+
+"Well, let it pass--very few of our readers have ever heard of him. But
+on the same page you have a Latin quotation. I don't say there's
+anything wrong in that, but it smacks of Reform. Our readers don't
+understand it and it looks as if our Hebrew were poor. The Mishna
+contains texts suited for all purposes. We are in no need of Roman
+writers. On page 6 you speak of the Reform _Shool_, as if it were to be
+reasoned with. Sir, if we mention these freethinkers at all, it must be
+in the strongest language. By worshipping bare-headed and by seating the
+sexes together they have denied Judaism."
+
+"Stop a minute!" interrupted Raphael warmly. "Who told you the Reformers
+do this?"
+
+"Who told me, indeed? Why, it's common knowledge. That's how they've
+been going on for the last fifty years." "Everybody knows it," said the
+Committee in chorus.
+
+"Has one of you ever been there?" said Raphael, rising in excitement.
+
+"God forbid!" said the chorus.
+
+"Well, I have, and it's a lie," said Raphael. His arms whirled round to
+the discomfort of the Committee.
+
+"You ought not to have gone there," said Schlesinger severely. "Besides,
+will you deny they have the organ in their Sabbath services?"
+
+"No, I won't!"
+
+"Well, then!" said De Haan, triumphantly. "If they are capable of that,
+they are capable of any wickedness. Orthodox people can have nothing to
+do with them."
+
+"But orthodox immigrants take their money," said Raphael.
+
+"Their money is _kosher_', they are _tripha_," said De Haan
+sententiously. "Page 7, now we get to the most dreadful thing of all!" A
+solemn silence fell on the room, Pinchas sniggered unobtrusively.
+
+"You have a little article headed, 'Talmudic Tales.' Why in heaven's
+name you couldn't have finished the column with bits of news I don't
+know. Satan himself must have put the thought into your head. Just at
+the end of the paper, too! For I can't reckon page 8, which is simply
+our own advertisement."
+
+"I thought it would be amusing," said Raphael.
+
+"Amusing! If you had simply told the tales, it might have been. But look
+how you introduce them! 'These amusing tales occur in the fifth chapter
+of Baba Bathra, and are related by Rabbi Bar Bar Channah. Our readers
+will see that they are parables or allegories rather than actual
+facts.'"
+
+"But do you mean to say you look upon them as facts?" cried Raphael,
+sawing the air wildly and pacing about on the toes of the Committee.
+
+"Surely!" said De Haan, while a low growl at his blasphemous doubts ran
+along the lips of the Committee.
+
+"Was it treacherously to undermine Judaism that you so eagerly offered
+to edit for nothing?" said the furniture-dealer who was always failing.
+
+"But listen here!" cried Raphael, exasperated. "Harmez, the son of
+Lilith, a demon, saddled two mules and made them stand on opposite sides
+of the River Doneg. He then jumped from the back of one to that of the
+other. He had, at the time, a cup of wine in each hand, and as he
+jumped, he threw the wine from each cup into the other without spilling
+a drop, although a hurricane was blowing at the time. When the King of
+demons heard that Harmez had been thus showing off to mortals, he slew
+him. Does any of you believe that?"
+
+"Vould our Sages (their memories for a blessing) put anything into the
+Talmud that vasn't true?" queried Sugarman. "Ve know there are demons
+because it stands that Solomon knew their language."
+
+"But then, what about this?" pursued Raphael. "'I saw a frog which was
+as big as the district of Akra Hagronia. A sea-monster came and
+swallowed the frog, and a raven came and ate the sea-monster. The raven
+then went and perched on a tree' Consider how strong that tree must have
+been. R. Papa ben Samuel remarks, 'Had I not been present, I should not
+have believed it.' Doesn't this appendix about ben Samuel show that it
+was never meant to be taken seriously?"
+
+"It has some high meaning we do not understand in these degenerate
+times," said Guedalyah the greengrocer. "It is not for our paper to
+weaken faith in the Talmud."
+
+"Hear, hear!" said De Haan, while "_Epikouros_" rumbled through the air,
+like distant thunder.
+
+"Didn't I say an Englishman could never master the Talmud?" Sugarman
+asked in triumph.
+
+This reminder of Raphael's congenital incompetence softened their minds
+towards him, so that when he straightway resigned his editorship, their
+self-constituted spokesman besought him to remain. Perhaps they
+remembered, too, that he was cheap.
+
+"But we must all edit the paper," said De Haan enthusiastically, when
+peace was re-established. "We must have meetings every day and every
+article must he read aloud before it is printed."
+
+Little Sampson winked cynically, passing his hand pensively through his
+thick tangled locks, but Raphael saw no objection to the arrangement. As
+before, he felt his own impracticability borne in upon him, and he
+decided to sacrifice himself for the Cause as far as conscience
+permitted. Excessive as it was the zeal of these men, it was after all
+in the true groove. His annoyance returned for a while, however, when
+Sugarman the _Shadchan_ seized the auspicious moment of restored amity
+to inquire insinuatingly if his sister was engaged. Pinchas and little
+Sampson went down the stairs, quivering with noiseless laughter, which
+became boisterous when they reached the street. Pinchas was in high
+feather.
+
+"The fool-men!" he said, as he led the sub-editor into a public-house
+and regaled him on stout and sandwiches. "They believe any
+_Narrischkeit_. I and you are the only two sensible Jews in England. You
+vill see that my poesie goes in next week--promise me that! To your
+life!" here they touched glasses. "Ah, it is beautiful poesie. Such high
+tragic ideas! You vill kiss me when you read them!" He laughed in
+childish light-heartedness. "Perhaps I write you a comic opera for your
+company--_hein_? Already I love you like a brother. Another glass stout?
+Bring us two more, thou Hebe of the hops-nectar. You have seen my comedy
+'The Hornet of Judah'--No?--Ah, she vas a great comedy, Sampson. All
+London talked of her. She has been translated into every tongue. Perhaps
+I play in your company. I am a great actor--_hein_? You know not my
+forte is voman's parts--I make myself so lovely complexion vith red
+paint, I fall in love vith me." He sniggered over his stout. "The
+Redacteur vill not redact long, _hein_?" he said presently. "He is a
+fool-man. If he work for nothing they think that is what he is worth.
+They are orthodox, he, he!"
+
+"But he is orthodox too," said little Sampson.
+
+"Yes," replied Pinchas musingly. "It is strange. It is very strange. I
+cannot understand him. Never in all my experience have I met another
+such man. There vas an Italian exile I talked vith once in the island
+of Chios, his eyes were like Leon's, soft vith a shining splendor like
+the stars vich are the eyes of the angels of love. Ah, he is a good man,
+and he writes sharp; he has ideas, not like an English Jew at all. I
+could throw my arms round him sometimes. I love him like a brother." His
+voice softened. "Another glass stout; ve vill drink to him."
+
+Raphael did not find the editing by Committee feasible. The friction was
+incessant, the waste of time monstrous. The second number cost him even
+more headaches than the first, and this, although the gallant Gluck
+abandoning his single-handed emprise fortified himself with a real live
+compositor and had arranged for the paper to be printed by machinery.
+The position was intolerable. It put a touch of acid into his
+dulciferous mildness! Just before going to press he was positively rude
+to Pinchas. It would seem that little Sampson sheltering himself behind
+his capitalists had refused to give the poet a commission for a comic
+opera, and Pinchas raved at Gideon, M.P., who he was sure was Sampson's
+financial backer, and threatened to shoot him and danced maniacally
+about the office.
+
+"I have written an attack on the Member for Vitechapel," he said,
+growing calmer, "to hand him down to the execration of posterity, and I
+have brought it to the _Flag_. It must go in this veek."
+
+"We have already your poem," said Raphael.
+
+"I know, but I do not grudge my work, I am not like your money-making
+English Jews."
+
+"There is no room. The paper is full."
+
+"Leave out Ebenezer's tale--with the blue spectacles."
+
+"There is none. It was completed in one number."
+
+"Well, must you put in your leader?"
+
+"Absolutely; please go away. I have this page to read."
+
+"But you can leave out some advertisements?"
+
+"I must not. We have too few as it is."
+
+The poet put his finger alongside his nose, but Raphael was adamant.
+
+"Do me this one favor," he pleaded. "I love you like a brother; just
+this one little thing. I vill never ask another favor of you all my
+life."
+
+"I would not put it in, even if there was room. Go away," said Raphael,
+almost roughly.
+
+The unaccustomed accents gave Pinchas a salutary shock. He borrowed two
+shillings and left, and Raphael was afraid to look up lest he should see
+his head wedged in the doorway. Soon after Gluck and his one compositor
+carried out the forms to be machined. Little Sampson, arriving with a
+gay air on his lips, met them at the door.
+
+On the Friday, Raphael sat in the editorial chair, utterly dispirited, a
+battered wreck. The Committee had just left him. A heresy had crept into
+a bit of late news not inspected by them, and they declared that the
+paper was not worth twopence and had better be stopped. The demand for
+this second number was, moreover, rather poor, and each man felt his ten
+pound share melting away, and resolved not to pay up the half yet
+unpaid. It was Raphael's first real experience of men--after the
+enchanted towers of Oxford, where he had foregathered with dreamers.
+
+His pipe hung listless in his mouth; an extinct volcano. His first fit
+of distrust in human nature, nay, even in the purifying powers of
+orthodoxy, was racking him. Strangely enough this wave of scepticism
+tossed up the thought of Esther Ansell, and stranger still on the top of
+this thought, in walked Mr. Henry Goldsmith. Raphael jumped up and
+welcomed his late host, whose leathery countenance shone with the polish
+of a sweet smile. It appeared that the communal pillar had been passing
+casually, and thought he'd look Raphael up.
+
+"So you don't pull well together," he said, when he had elicited an
+outline of the situation from the editor.
+
+"No, not altogether," admitted Raphael.
+
+"Do you think the paper'll live?"
+
+"I can't say," said Raphael, dropping limply into his chair. "Even if it
+does. I don't know whether it will do much good if run on their lines,
+for although it is of great importance that we get _kosher_ food and
+baths. I hardly think they go about it in the right spirit. I may be
+wrong. They are older men than I and have seen more of actual life, and
+know the class we appeal to better."
+
+"No, no, you are not wrong," said Mr. Goldsmith vehemently. "I am
+myself dissatisfied with some of the Committee's contributions to this
+second number. It is a great opportunity to save English Judaism, but it
+is being frittered away."
+
+"I am afraid it is," said Raphael, removing his empty pipe from his
+mouth, and staring at it blankly.
+
+Mr. Goldsmith brought his fist down sharp on the soft litter that
+covered the editorial table.
+
+"It shall not be frittered away!" he cried. "No, not if I have to buy
+the paper!"
+
+Raphael looked up eagerly.
+
+"What do you say?" said Goldsmith. "Shall I buy it up and let you work
+it on your lines?"
+
+"I shall be very glad," said Raphael, the Messianic look returning to
+his face.
+
+"How much will they want for it?"
+
+"Oh, I think they'll be glad to let you take it over. They say it's not
+worth twopence, and I'm sure they haven't got the funds to carry it on,"
+replied Raphael, rising. "I'll go down about it at once. The Committee
+have just been here, and I dare say they are still in Schlesinger's
+office."
+
+"No, no," said Goldsmith, pushing him down into his seat. "It will never
+do if people know I'm the proprietor."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Oh, lots of reasons. I'm not a man to brag; if I want to do a good
+thing for Judaism, there's no reason for all the world to know it. Then
+again, from my position on all sorts of committees I shall be able to
+influence the communal advertisements in a way I couldn't if people knew
+I had any connection with the paper. So, too, I shall be able to
+recommend it to my wealthy friends (as no doubt it will deserve to be
+recommended) without my praise being discounted."
+
+"Well, but then what am I to say to the Committee?"
+
+"Can't you say you want to buy it for yourself? They know you can afford
+it."
+
+Raphael hesitated. "But why shouldn't I buy it for myself?"
+
+"Pooh! Haven't you got better use for your money?"
+
+It was true. Raphael had designs more tangibly philanthropic for the
+five thousand pounds left him by his aunt. And he was business-like
+enough to see that Mr. Goldsmith's money might as well be utilized for
+the good of Judaism. He was not quite easy about the little fiction that
+would he necessary for the transaction, but the combined assurances of
+Mr. Goldsmith and his own common sense that there was no real deception
+or harm involved in it, ultimately prevailed. Mr. Goldsmith left,
+promising to call again in an hour, and Raphael, full of new hopes,
+burst upon the Committee.
+
+But his first experience of bargaining was no happier than the rest of
+his worldly experience. When he professed his willingness to relieve
+them of the burden of carrying on the paper they first stared, then
+laughed, then shook their fists. As if they would leave him to corrupt
+the Faith! When they understood he was willing to pay something, the
+value of _The Flag of Judah_ went up from less than twopence to more
+than two hundred pounds. Everybody was talking about it, its reputation
+was made, they were going to print double next week.
+
+"But it has not cost you forty pounds yet?" said the astonished Raphael.
+
+"What are you saying? Look at the posters alone!" said Sugarman.
+
+"But you don't look at it fairly," argued De Haan, whose Talmudical
+studies had sharpened wits already super-subtle. "Whatever it has cost
+us, it would have cost as much more if we had had to pay our editor, and
+it is very unfair of you to leave that out of account."
+
+Raphael was overwhelmed. "It's taking away with the left hand what you
+gave us with the right," added De Haan, with infinite sadness. "I had
+thought better of you, Mr. Leon."
+
+"But you got a good many twopences back," murmured Raphael.
+
+"It's the future profits that we're losing," explained Schlesinger.
+
+In the end Raphael agreed to give a hundred pounds, which made the
+members inwardly determine to pay up the residue on their shares at
+once. De Haan also extorted a condition that the _Flag_ should continue
+to be the organ of the Kosher Co-operative Society, for at least six
+months, doubtless perceiving that should the paper live and thrive over
+that period, it would not then pay the proprietor to alter its
+principles. By which bargain the Society secured for itself a sum of
+money together with an organ, gratis, for six months and, to all
+seeming, in perpetuity, for at bottom they knew well that Raphael's
+heart was sound. They were all on the free list, too, and they knew he
+would not trouble to remove them.
+
+Mr. Henry Goldsmith, returning, was rather annoyed at the price, but did
+not care to repudiate his agent.
+
+"Be economical," he said. "I will get you a better office and find a
+proper publisher and canvasser. But cut it as close as you can."
+
+Raphael's face beamed with joy. "Oh, depend upon me," he said.
+
+"What is your own salary?" asked Goldsmith.
+
+"Nothing," said Raphael.
+
+A flash passed across Goldsmith's face, then he considered a moment.
+
+"I wish you would let it be a guinea," he said. "Quite nominal, you
+know. Only I like to have things in proper form. And if you ever want to
+go, you know, you'll give me a month's notice and," here he laughed
+genially, "I'll do ditto when I want to get rid of you. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is
+that a bargain?"
+
+Raphael smiled in reply and the two men's hands met in a hearty clasp.
+
+"Miss Ansell will help you, I know," said Goldsmith cheerily. "That
+girl's got it in her, I can tell you. She'll take the shine out of some
+of our West Enders. Do you know I picked her out of the gutter, so to
+speak?"
+
+"Yes, I know," said Raphael. "It was very good and discriminating of
+you. How is she?"
+
+"She's all right. Come up and see her about doing something for you. She
+goes to the Museum sometimes in the afternoons, but you'll always find
+her in on Sundays, or most Sundays. Come up and dine with us again
+soon, will you? Mrs. Goldsmith will be so pleased."
+
+"I will," said Raphael fervently. And when the door closed upon the
+communal pillar, he fell to striding feverishly about his little den.
+His trust in human nature was restored and the receding wave of
+scepticism bore off again the image of Esther Ansell. Now to work for
+Judaism!
+
+The sub-editor made his first appearance that day, carolling joyously.
+
+"Sampson," said Raphael abruptly, "your salary is raised by a guinea a
+week."
+
+The joyous song died away on little Sampson's lips. His eyeglass
+dropped. He let himself fall backwards, impinging noiselessly upon a
+heap of "returns" of number one.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A WOMAN'S GROWTH.
+
+
+The sloppy Sunday afternoon, which was the first opportunity Raphael had
+of profiting by Mr. Henry Goldsmith's general invitation to call and see
+Esther, happened to be that selected by the worthy couple for a round of
+formal visits. Esther was left at home with a headache, little expecting
+pleasanter company. She hesitated about receiving Raphael, but on
+hearing that he had come to see her rather than her patrons, she
+smoothed her hair, put on a prettier frock, and went down into the
+drawing-room, where she found him striding restlessly in bespattered
+boots and moist overcoat. When he became aware of her presence, he went
+towards her eagerly, and shook her hand with jerky awkwardness.
+
+"How are you?" he said heartily.
+
+"Very well, thank you," she replied automatically. Then a twinge, as of
+reproach at the falsehood, darted across her brow, and she added, "A
+trifle of the usual headache. I hope you are well."
+
+"Quite, thank you," he rejoined.
+
+His face rather contradicted him. It looked thin, pale, and weary.
+Journalism writes lines on the healthiest countenance. Esther looked at
+him disapprovingly; she had the woman's artistic instinct if not the
+artist's, and Raphael, with his damp overcoat, everlastingly crumpled at
+the collar, was not an aesthetic object. Whether in her pretty moods or
+her plain, Esther was always neat and dainty. There was a bit of ruffled
+lace at her throat, and the heliotrope of her gown contrasted agreeably
+with the dark skin of the vivid face.
+
+"Do take off your overcoat and dry yourself at the fire," she said.
+
+While he was disposing of it, she poked the fire into a big cheerful
+blaze, seating herself opposite him in a capacious arm-chair, where the
+flame picked her out in bright tints upon the dusky background of the
+great dim room.
+
+"And how is _The Flag of Judah_?" she said.
+
+"Still waving," he replied. "It is about that that I have come."
+
+"About that?" she said wonderingly. "Oh, I see; you want to know if the
+one person it is written at has read it. Well, make your mind easy. I
+have. I have read it religiously--No, I don't mean that; yes, I do; it's
+the appropriate word."
+
+"Really?" He tried to penetrate behind the bantering tone.
+
+"Yes, really. You put your side of the case eloquently and well. I look
+forward to Friday with interest. I hope the paper is selling?"
+
+"So, so," he said. "It is uphill work. The Jewish public looks on
+journalism as a branch of philanthropy, I fear, and Sidney suggests
+publishing our free-list as a 'Jewish Directory.'"
+
+She smiled. "Mr. Graham is very amusing. Only, he is too well aware of
+it. He has been here once since that dinner, and we discussed you. He
+says he can't understand how you came to be a cousin of his, even a
+second cousin. He says he is _L'Homme qui rit_, and you are _L'Homme qui
+prie_."
+
+"He has let that off on me already, supplemented by the explanation that
+every extensive Jewish family embraces a genius and a lunatic. He
+admits that he is the genius. The unfortunate part for me," ended
+Raphael, laughing, "is, that he _is_ a genius."
+
+"I saw two of his little things the other day at the Impressionist
+Exhibition in Piccadilly. They are very clever and dashing."
+
+"I am told he draws ballet-girls," said Raphael, moodily.
+
+"Yes, he is a disciple of Degas."
+
+"You don't like that style of art?" he said, a shade of concern in his
+voice.
+
+"I do not," said Esther, emphatically. "I am a curious mixture. In art,
+I have discovered in myself two conflicting tastes, and neither is for
+the modern realism, which I yet admire in literature. I like poetic
+pictures, impregnated with vague romantic melancholy; and I like the
+white lucidity of classic statuary. I suppose the one taste is the
+offspring of temperament, the other of thought; for intellectually, I
+admire the Greek ideas, and was glad to hear you correct Sidney's
+perversion of the adjective. I wonder," she added, reflectively, "if one
+can worship the gods of the Greeks without believing in them."
+
+"But you wouldn't make a cult of beauty?"
+
+"Not if you take beauty in the narrow sense in which I should fancy your
+cousin uses the word; but, in a higher and broader sense, is it not the
+one fine thing in life which is a certainty, the one ideal which is not
+illusion?"
+
+"Nothing is illusion," said Raphael, earnestly. "At least, not in your
+sense. Why should the Creator deceive us?"
+
+"Oh well, don't let us get into metaphysics. We argue from different
+platforms," she said. "Tell me what you really came about in connection
+with the _Flag_."
+
+"Mr. Goldsmith was kind enough to suggest that you might write for it."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Esther, sitting upright in her arm-chair. "I? I write
+for an orthodox paper?"
+
+"Yes, why not?"
+
+"Do you mean I'm to take part in my own conversion?"
+
+"The paper is not entirely religious," he reminded her.
+
+"No, there are the advertisements." she said slily.
+
+"Pardon me," he said. "We don't insert any advertisements contrary to
+the principles of orthodoxy. Not that we are much tempted."
+
+"You advertise soap," she murmured.
+
+"Oh, please! Don't you go in for those cheap sarcasms."
+
+"Forgive me," she said. "Remember my conceptions of orthodoxy are drawn
+mainly from the Ghetto, where cleanliness, so far from being next to
+godliness, is nowhere in the vicinity. But what can I do for you?"
+
+"I don't know. At present the staff, the _Flag_-staff as Sidney calls
+it, consists of myself and a sub-editor, who take it in turn to
+translate the only regular outside contributor's articles into English."
+
+"Who's that?"
+
+"Melchitsedek Pinchas, the poet I told you of."
+
+"I suppose he writes in Hebrew."
+
+"No, if he did the translation would be plain sailing enough. The
+trouble is that he will write in English. I must admit, though, he
+improves daily. Our correspondents, too, have the same weakness for the
+vernacular, and I grieve to add that when they do introduce a Hebrew
+word, they do not invariably spell it correctly."
+
+She smiled; her smile was never so fascinating as by firelight.
+
+Raphael rose and paced the room nervously, flinging out his arms in
+uncouth fashion to emphasize his speech.
+
+"I was thinking you might introduce a secular department of some sort
+which would brighten up the paper. My articles are so plaguy dull."
+
+"Not so dull, for religious articles," she assured him.
+
+"Could you treat Jewish matters from a social standpoint--gossipy sort
+of thing."
+
+She shook her head. "I'm afraid to trust myself to write on Jewish
+subjects. I should be sure to tread on somebody's corns."
+
+"Oh, I have it!" he cried, bringing his arms in contact with a small
+Venetian vase which Esther, with great presence of mind, just managed to
+catch ere it reached the ground.
+
+"No, I have it," she said, laughing. "Do sit down, else nobody can
+answer for the consequences."
+
+She half pushed him into his chair, where he fell to warming his hands
+contemplatively.
+
+"Well?" she said after a pause. "I thought you had an idea."
+
+"Yes, yes," he said, rousing himself. "The subject we were just
+discussing--Art."
+
+"But there is nothing Jewish about art."
+
+"All noble work has its religious aspects. Then there are Jewish
+artists."
+
+"Oh yes! your contemporaries do notice their exhibits, and there seem to
+be more of them than the world ever hears of. But if I went to a
+gathering for you how should I know which were Jews?"
+
+"By their names, of course."
+
+"By no means of course. Some artistic Jews have forgotten their own
+names."
+
+"That's a dig at Sidney."
+
+"Really, I wasn't thinking of him for the moment," she said a little
+sharply. "However, in any case there's nothing worth doing till May, and
+that's some months ahead. I'll do the Academy for you if you like."
+
+"Thank you. Won't Sidney stare if you pulverize him in _The Flag of
+Judah_? Some of the pictures have also Jewish subjects, you know."
+
+"Yes, but if I mistake not, they're invariably done by Christian
+artists."
+
+"Nearly always," he admitted pensively. "I wish we had a Jewish
+allegorical painter to express the high conceptions of our sages."
+
+"As he would probably not know what they are,"--she murmured. Then,
+seeing him rise as if to go, she said: "Won't you have a cup of tea?"
+
+"No, don't trouble," he answered.
+
+"Oh yes, do!" she pleaded. "Or else I shall think you're angry with me
+for not asking you before." And she rang the bell. She discovered, to
+her amusement, that Raphael took two pieces of sugar per cup, but that
+if they were not inserted, he did not notice their absence. Over tea,
+too, Raphael had a new idea, this time fraught with peril to the Sevres
+tea-pot.
+
+"Why couldn't you write us a Jewish serial story?" he said suddenly.
+"That would be a novelty in communal journalism."
+
+Esther looked startled by the proposition.
+
+"How do you know I could?" she said after a silence.
+
+"I don't know," he replied. "Only I fancy you could. Why not?" he said
+encouragingly. "You don't know what you can do till you try. Besides you
+write poetry."
+
+"The Jewish public doesn't like the looking-glass," she answered him,
+shaking her head.
+
+"Oh, you can't say that. They've only objected as yet to the distorting
+mirror. You're thinking of the row over that man Armitage's book. Now,
+why not write an antidote to that book? There now, there's an idea for
+you."
+
+"It _is_ an idea!" said Esther with overt sarcasm. "You think art can be
+degraded into an antidote."
+
+"Art is not a fetish," he urged. "What degradation is there in art
+teaching a noble lesson?"
+
+"Ah, that is what you religious people will never understand," she said
+scathingly. "You want everything to preach."
+
+"Everything does preach something," he retorted. "Why not have the
+sermon good?"
+
+"I consider the original sermon _was_ good," she said defiantly. "It
+doesn't need an antidote."
+
+"How can you say that? Surely, merely as one who was born a Jewess, you
+wouldn't care for the sombre picture drawn by this Armitage to stand as
+a portrait of your people."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders--the ungraceful shrug of the Ghetto. "Why
+not? It is one-sided, but it is true."
+
+"I don't deny that; probably the man was sincerely indignant at certain
+aspects. I am ready to allow he did not even see he was one-sided. But
+if _you_ see it, why not show the world the other side of the shield?"
+
+She put her hand wearily to her brow.
+
+"Do not ask me," she said. "To have my work appreciated merely because
+the moral tickled the reader's vanity would be a mockery. The suffrages
+of the Jewish public--I might have valued them once; now I despise
+them." She sank further back on the chair, pale and silent.
+
+"Why, what harm have they done you?" he asked.
+
+"They are so stupid," she said, with a gesture of distaste.
+
+"That is a new charge against the Jews."
+
+"Look at the way they have denounced this Armitage, saying his book is
+vulgar and wretched and written for gain, and all because it does not
+flatter them."
+
+"Can you wonder at it? To say 'you're another' may not be criticism, but
+it is human nature."
+
+Esther smiled sadly. "I cannot make you out at all," she said.
+
+"Why? What is there strange about me?"
+
+"You say such shrewd, humorous things sometimes; I wonder how you can
+remain orthodox."
+
+"Now I can't understand _you_," he said, puzzled.
+
+"Oh well. Perhaps if you could, you wouldn't be orthodox. Let us remain
+mutual enigmas. And will you do me a favor?"
+
+"With pleasure," he said, his face lighting up.
+
+"Don't mention Mr. Armitage's book to me again. I am sick of hearing
+about it."
+
+"So am I," he said, rather disappointed. "After that dinner I thought it
+only fair to read it, and although I detect considerable crude power in
+it, still I am very sorry it was ever published. The presentation of
+Judaism is most ignorant. All the mystical yearnings of the heroine
+might have found as much satisfaction in the faith of her own race as
+they find expression in its poetry."
+
+He rose to go. "Well, I am to take it for granted you will not write
+that antidote?"
+
+"I'm afraid it would be impossible for me to undertake it," she said
+more mildly than before, and pressed her hand again to her brow.
+
+"Pardon me," he said in much concern. "I am too selfish. I forgot you
+are not well. How is your head feeling now?"
+
+"About the same, thank you," she said, forcing a grateful smile. "You
+may rely on me for art; yes, and music, too, if you like."
+
+"Thank you," he said. "You read a great deal, don't you?"
+
+She nodded her head. "Well, every week books are published of more or
+less direct Jewish interest. I should be glad of notes about such to
+brighten up the paper."
+
+"For anything strictly unorthodox you may count on me. If that antidote
+turns up, I shall not fail to cackle over it in your columns. By the by,
+are you going to review the poison? Excuse so many mixed metaphors," she
+added, with a rather forced laugh.
+
+"No, I shan't say anything about it. Why give it an extra advertisement
+by slating it?"
+
+"Slating," she repeated with a faint smile. "I see you have mastered all
+the slang of your profession."
+
+"Ah, that's the influence of my sub-editor," he said, smiling in return.
+"Well, good-bye."
+
+"You're forgetting your overcoat," she said, and having smoothed out
+that crumpled collar, she accompanied him down the wide soft-carpeted
+staircase into the hall with its rich bronzes and glistening statues.
+
+"How are your people in America?" he bethought himself to ask on the way
+down.
+
+"They are very well, thank you," she said. "I send my brother Solomon
+_The Flag of Judah_. He is also, I am afraid, one of the unregenerate.
+You see I am doing my best to enlarge your congregation."
+
+He could not tell whether it was sarcasm or earnest.
+
+"Well, good-bye," he said, holding out his hand. "Thank you for your
+promise."
+
+"Oh, that's not worth thanking me for," she said, touching his long
+white fingers for an instant. "Look at the glory of seeing myself in
+print. I hope you're not annoyed with me for refusing to contribute
+fiction," she ended, growing suddenly remorseful at the moment of
+parting.
+
+"Of course not. How could I be?"
+
+"Couldn't your sister Adelaide do you a story?"
+
+"Addle?" he repeated laughing, "Fancy Addie writing stories! Addie has
+no literary ability."
+
+"That's always the way with brothers. Solomon says--" She paused
+suddenly.
+
+"I don't remember for the moment that Solomon has any proverb on the
+subject," he said, still amused at the idea of Addie as an authoress.
+
+"I was thinking of something else. Good-bye. Remember me to your sister,
+please."
+
+"Certainly," he said. Then he exclaimed, "Oh, what a block-head I am! I
+forgot to remember her to you. She says she would be so pleased if you
+would come and have tea and a chat with her some day. I should like you
+and Addie to know each other."
+
+"Thanks, I will. I will write to her some day. Good-bye, once more."
+
+He shook hands with her and fumbled at the door.
+
+"Allow me!" she said, and opened it upon the gray dulness of the
+dripping street. "When may I hope for the honor of another visit from a
+real live editor?"
+
+"I don't know," he said, smiling. "I'm awfully busy, I have to read a
+paper on Ibn Ezra at Jews' College to-day fortnight."
+
+"Outsiders admitted?" she asked.
+
+"The lectures _are_ for outsiders," he said. "To spread the knowledge of
+our literature. Only they won't come. Have you never been to one?"
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"There!" he said. "You complain of our want of culture, and you don't
+even know what's going on."
+
+She tried to take the reproof with a smile, but the corners of her mouth
+quivered. He raised his hat and went down the steps.
+
+She followed him a little way along the Terrace, with eyes growing dim
+with tears she could not account for. She went back to the drawing-room
+and threw herself into the arm-chair where he had sat, and made her
+headache worse by thinking of all her unhappiness. The great room was
+filling with dusk, and in the twilight pictures gathered and dissolved.
+What girlish dreams and revolts had gone to make that unfortunate book,
+which after endless boomerang-like returns from the publishers, had
+appeared, only to be denounced by Jewry, ignored by its journals and
+scantily noticed by outside criticisms. _Mordecai Josephs_ had fallen
+almost still-born from the press; the sweet secret she had hoped to tell
+her patroness had turned bitter like that other secret of her dead love
+for Sidney, in the reaction from which she had written most of her book.
+How fortunate at least that her love had flickered out, had proved but
+the ephemeral sentiment of a romantic girl for the first brilliant man
+she had met. Sidney had fascinated her by his verbal audacities in a
+world of narrow conventions; he had for the moment laughed away
+spiritual aspirations and yearnings with a raillery that was almost like
+ozone to a young woman avid of martyrdom for the happiness of the world.
+How, indeed, could she have expected the handsome young artist to feel
+the magic that hovered about her talks with him, to know the thrill that
+lay in the formal hand-clasp, to be aware that he interpreted for her
+poems and pictures, and incarnated the undefined ideal of girlish
+day-dreams? How could he ever have had other than an intellectual
+thought of her; how could any man, even the religious Raphael? Sickly,
+ugly little thing that she was! She got up and looked in the glass now
+to see herself thus, but the shadows had gathered too thickly. She
+snatched up a newspaper that lay on a couch, lit it, and held it before
+the glass; it flared up threateningly and she beat it out, laughing
+hysterically and asking herself if she was mad. But she had seen the
+ugly little face; its expression frightened her. Yes, love was not for
+her; she could only love a man of brilliancy and culture, and she was
+nothing but a Petticoat Lane girl, after all. Its coarseness, its
+vulgarity underlay all her veneer. They had got into her book; everybody
+said so. Raphael said so. How dared she write disdainfully of Raphael's
+people? She an upstart, an outsider? She went to the library, lit the
+gas, got down a volume of Graetz's history of the Jews, which she had
+latterly taken to reading, and turned over its wonderful pages. Then she
+wandered restlessly back to the great dim drawing-room and played
+amateurish fantasias on the melancholy Polish melodies of her childhood
+till Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith returned. They had captured the Rev.
+Joseph Strelitski and brought him back to dinner, Esther would have
+excused herself from the meal, but Mrs. Goldsmith insisted the minister
+would think her absence intentionally discourteous. In point of fact,
+Mrs. Goldsmith, like all Jewesses a born match-maker, was not
+disinclined to think of the popular preacher as a sort of adopted
+son-in-law. She did not tell herself so, but she instinctively resented
+the idea of Esther marrying into the station of her patroness.
+Strelitski, though his position was one of distinction for a Jewish
+clergyman, was, like Esther, of humble origin; it would be a match which
+she could bless from her pedestal in genuine good-will towards both
+parties.
+
+The fashionable minister was looking careworn and troubled. He had aged
+twice ten years since his outburst at the Holy Land League. The black
+curl hung disconsolately on his forehead. He sat at Esther's side, but
+rarely looking at her, or addressing her, so that her taciturnity and
+scarcely-veiled dislike did not noticeably increase his gloom. He
+rallied now and again out of politeness to his hostess, flashing out a
+pregnant phrase or two. But prosperity did not seem to have brought
+happiness to the whilom, poor Russian student, even though he had fought
+his way to it unaided.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?
+
+
+The weeks went on and Passover drew nigh. The recurrence of the feast
+brought no thrill to Esther now. It was no longer a charmed time, with
+strange things to eat and drink, and a comparative plenty of
+them--stranger still. Lack of appetite was the chief dietary want now.
+Nobody had any best clothes to put on in a world where everything was
+for the best in the way of clothes. Except for the speckled Passover
+cakes, there was hardly any external symptom of the sacred Festival.
+While the Ghetto was turning itself inside out, the Kensington Terrace
+was calm in the dignity of continuous cleanliness. Nor did Henry
+Goldsmith himself go prowling about the house in quest of vagrant
+crumbs. Mary O'Reilly attended to all that, and the Goldsmiths had
+implicit confidence in her fidelity to the traditions of their faith.
+Wherefore, the evening of the day before Passover, instead of being
+devoted to frying fish and provisioning, was free for more secular
+occupations; Esther, for example, had arranged to go to see the _debut_
+of a new Hamlet with Addie. Addie had asked her to go, mentioned that
+Raphael, who was taking her, had suggested that she should bring her
+friend. For they had become great friends, had Addie and Esther, ever
+since Esther had gone to take that cup of tea, with the chat that is
+more essential than milk or sugar.
+
+The girls met or wrote every week. Raphael, Esther never met nor heard
+from directly. She found Addie a sweet, lovable girl, full of frank
+simplicity and unquestioning piety. Though dazzlingly beautiful, she had
+none of the coquetry which Esther, with a touch of jealousy, had been
+accustomed to associate with beauty, and she had little of the petty
+malice of girlish gossip. Esther summed her up as Raphael's heart
+without his head. It was unfair, for Addie's own head was by no means
+despicable. But Esther was not alone in taking eccentric opinions as the
+touchstone of intellectual vigor. Anyhow, she was distinctly happier
+since Addie had come into her life, and she admired her as a mountain
+torrent might admire a crystal pool--half envying her happier
+temperament.
+
+The Goldsmiths were just finishing dinner, when the expected ring came.
+To their surprise, the ringer was Sidney. He was shown into the
+dining-room.
+
+"Good evening, all," he said. "I've come as a substitute for Raphael."
+
+Esther grew white. "Why, what has happened to him?" she asked.
+
+"Nothing, I had a telegram to say he was unexpectedly detained in the
+city, and asking me to take Addie and to call for you."
+
+Esther turned from white to red. How rude of Raphael! How disappointing
+not to meet him, after all! And did he think she could thus
+unceremoniously be handed over to somebody else? She was about to beg to
+be excused, when it struck her a refusal would look too pointed.
+Besides, she did not fear Sidney now. It would be a test of her
+indifference. So she murmured instead, "What can detain him?"
+
+"Charity, doubtless. Do you know, that after he is fagged out with
+upholding the _Flag_ from early morning till late eve, he devotes the
+later eve to gratuitous tuition, lecturing and the like."
+
+"No," said Esther, softened. "I knew he came home late, but I thought he
+had to report communal meetings."
+
+"That, too. But Addie tells me he never came home at all one night last
+week. He was sitting up with some wretched dying pauper."
+
+"He'll kill himself," said Esther, anxiously.
+
+"People are right about him. He is quite hopeless," said Percy Saville,
+the solitary guest, tapping his forehead significantly.
+
+"Perhaps it is we who are hopeless," said Esther, sharply.
+
+"I wish we were all as sensible," said Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, turning on
+the unhappy stockbroker with her most superior air. "Mr. Leon always
+reminds me of Judas Maccabaeus."
+
+He shrank before the blaze of her mature beauty, the fulness of her
+charms revealed by her rich evening dress, her hair radiating strange,
+subtle perfume. His eye sought Mr. Goldsmith's for refuge and
+consolation.
+
+"That is so," said Mr. Goldsmith, rubbing his red chin. "He is an
+excellent young man."
+
+"May I trouble you to put on your things at once, Miss Ansell?" said
+Sidney. "I have left Addie in the carriage, and we are rather late. I
+believe it is usual for ladies to put on 'things,' even when in evening
+dress. I may mention that there is a bouquet for you in the carriage,
+and, however unworthy a substitute I may be for Raphael, I may at least
+claim he would have forgotten to bring you that."
+
+Esther smiled despite herself as she left the room to get her cloak. She
+was chagrined and disappointed, but she resolved not to inflict her
+ill-humor on her companions.
+
+She had long since got used to carriages, and when they arrived at the
+theatre, she took her seat in the box without heart-fluttering. It was
+an old discovery now that boxes had no connection with oranges nor
+stalls with costers' barrows.
+
+The house was brilliant. The orchestra was playing the overture.
+
+"I wish Mr. Shakspeare would write a new play," grumbled Sidney. "All
+these revivals make him lazy. Heavens! what his fees must tot up to! If
+I were not sustained by the presence of you two girls, I should no more
+survive the fifth act than most of the characters. Why don't they
+brighten the piece up with ballet-girls?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose you blessed Mr. Leon when you got his telegram," said
+Esther. "What a bore it must be to you to be saddled with his duties!"
+
+"Awful!" admitted Sidney gravely. "Besides, it interferes with my work."
+
+"Work?" said Addie. "You know you only work by sunlight."
+
+"Yes, that's the best of my profession--in England. It gives you such
+opportunities of working--at other professions."
+
+"Why, what do you work at?" inquired Esther, laughing.
+
+"Well, there's amusement, the most difficult of all things to achieve!
+Then there's poetry. You don't know what a dab I am at rondeaux and
+barcarolles. And I write music, too, lovely little serenades to my
+lady-loves and reveries that are like dainty pastels."
+
+"All the talents!" said Addie, looking at him with a fond smile. "But if
+you have any time to spare from the curling of your lovely silken
+moustache, which is entirely like a delicate pastel, will you kindly
+tell me what celebrities are present?"
+
+"Yes, do," added Esther, "I have only been to two first nights, and then
+I had nobody to point out the lions."
+
+"Well, first of all I see a very celebrated painter in a box--a man who
+has improved considerably on the weak draughtsmanship displayed by
+Nature in her human figures, and the amateurishness of her glaring
+sunsets."
+
+"Who's that?" inquired Addie and Esther eagerly.
+
+"I think he calls himself Sidney Graham--but that of course is only a
+_nom de pinceau_."
+
+"Oh!" said, the girls, with a reproachful smile.
+
+"Do be serious!" said Esther. "Who is that stout gentleman with the bald
+head?" She peered down curiously at the stalls through her opera-glass.
+
+"What, the lion without the mane? That's Tom Day, the dramatic critic of
+a dozen papers. A terrible Philistine. Lucky for Shakspeare he didn't
+flourish in Elizabethan times."
+
+He rattled on till the curtain rose and the hushed audience settled down
+to the enjoyment of the tragedy.
+
+"This looks as if it is going to be the true Hamlet," said Esther, after
+the first act.
+
+"What do you mean by the true Hamlet?" queried Sidney cynically.
+
+"The Hamlet for whom life is at once too big and too little," said
+Esther.
+
+"And who was at once mad and sane," laughed Sidney. "The plain truth is
+that Shakspeare followed the old tale, and what you take for subtlety is
+but the blur of uncertain handling. Aha! You look shocked. Have I found
+your religion at last?"
+
+"No; my reverence for our national bard is based on reason," rejoined
+Esther seriously. "To conceive Hamlet, the typical nineteenth-century
+intellect, in that bustling picturesque Elizabethan time was a creative
+feat bordering on the miraculous. And then, look at the solemn
+inexorable march of destiny in his tragedies, awful as its advance in
+the Greek dramas. Just as the marvels of the old fairy-tales were an
+instinctive prevision of the miracles of modern science, so this idea
+of destiny seems to me an instinctive anticipation of the formulas of
+modern science. What we want to-day is a dramatist who shall show us the
+great natural silent forces, working the weal and woe of human life
+through the illusions of consciousness and free will."
+
+"What you want to-night, Miss Ansell, is black coffee," said Sidney,
+"and I'll tell the attendant to get you a cup, for I dragged you away
+from dinner before the crown and climax of the meal; I have always
+noticed myself that when I am interrupted in my meals, all sorts of
+bugbears, scientific or otherwise, take possession of my mind."
+
+He called the attendant.
+
+"Esther has the most nonsensical opinions," said Addie gravely. "As if
+people weren't responsible for their actions! Do good and all shall be
+well with thee, is sound Bible teaching and sound common sense."
+
+"Yes, but isn't it the Bible that says, 'The fathers have eaten a sour
+grape and the teeth of the children are set on edge'?" Esther retorted.
+
+Addie looked perplexed. "It sounds contradictory," she said honestly.
+
+"Not at all, Addie," said Esther. "The Bible is a literature, not a
+book. If you choose to bind Tennyson and Milton in one volume that
+doesn't make them a book. And you can't complain if you find
+contradictions in the text. Don't you think the sour grape text the
+truer, Mr. Graham?"
+
+"Don't ask me, please. I'm prejudiced against anything that appears in
+the Bible."
+
+In his flippant way Sidney spoke the truth. He had an almost physical
+repugnance for his fathers' ways of looking at things.
+
+"I think you're the two most wicked people in the world," exclaimed
+Addie gravely.
+
+"We are," said Sidney lightly. "I wonder you consent to sit in the same
+box with us. How you can find my company endurable I can never make
+out."
+
+Addie's lovely face flushed and her lip quivered a little.
+
+"It's your friend who's the wickeder of the two," pursued Sidney. "For
+she's in earnest and I'm not. Life's too short for us to take the
+world's troubles on our shoulders, not to speak of the unborn millions.
+A little light and joy, the flush of sunset or of a lovely woman's face,
+a fleeting strain of melody, the scent of a rose, the flavor of old
+wine, the flash of a jest, and ah, yes, a cup of coffee--here's yours,
+Miss Ansell--that's the most we can hope for in life. Let us start a
+religion with one commandment: 'Enjoy thyself.'"
+
+"That religion has too many disciples already," said Esther, stirring
+her coffee.
+
+"Then why not start it if you wish to reform the world," asked Sidney.
+"All religions survive merely by being broken. With only one commandment
+to break, everybody would jump at the chance. But so long as you tell
+people they mustn't enjoy themselves, they will, it's human nature, and
+you can't alter that by Act of Parliament or Confession of Faith. Christ
+ran amuck at human nature, and human nature celebrates his birthday with
+pantomimes."
+
+"Christ understood human nature better than the modern young man," said
+Esther scathingly, "and the proof lies in the almost limitless impress
+he has left on history."
+
+"Oh, that was a fluke," said Sidney lightly. "His real influence is only
+superficial. Scratch the Christian and you find the Pagan--spoiled."
+
+"He divined by genius what science is slowly finding out," said Esther,
+"when he said, 'Forgive them for they know not what they do'!--"
+
+Sidney laughed heartily. "That seems to be your King Charles's
+head--seeing divinations of modern science in all the old ideas.
+Personally I honor him for discovering that the Sabbath was made for
+man, not man for the Sabbath. Strange he should have stopped half-way to
+the truth!"
+
+"What is the truth?" asked Addie curiously.
+
+"Why, that morality was made for man, not man for morality," said
+Sidney. "That chimera of meaningless virtue which the Hebrew has brought
+into the world is the last monster left to slay. The Hebrew view of life
+is too one-sided. The Bible is a literature without a laugh in it. Even
+Raphael thinks the great Radical of Galilee carried spirituality too
+far."
+
+"Yes, he thinks he would have been reconciled to the Jewish doctors and
+would have understood them better," said Addie, "only he died so young."
+
+"That's a good way of putting it!" said Sidney admiringly. "One can see
+Raphael is my cousin despite his religious aberrations. It opens up new
+historical vistas. Only it is just like Raphael to find excuses for
+everybody, and Judaism in everything. I am sure he considers the devil a
+good Jew at heart; if he admits any moral obliquity in him, he puts it
+down to the climate."
+
+This made Esther laugh outright, even while there were tears for Raphael
+in the laugh. Sidney's intellectual fascination reasserted itself over
+her; there seemed something inspiring in standing with him on the free
+heights that left all the clogging vapors and fogs of moral problems
+somewhere below; where the sun shone and the clear wind blew and talk
+was a game of bowls with Puritan ideals for ninepins. He went on amusing
+her till the curtain rose, with a pretended theory of Mohammedology
+which he was working at. Just as for the Christian Apologist the Old
+Testament was full of hints of the New, so he contended was the New
+Testament full of foreshadowings of the Koran, and he cited as a most
+convincing text, "In Heaven, there shall be no marrying, nor giving in
+marriage." He professed to think that Mohammedanism was the dark horse
+that would come to the front in the race of religions and win in the
+west as it had won in the east.
+
+"There's a man staring dreadfully at you, Esther," said Addie, when the
+curtain fell on the second act.
+
+"Nonsense!" said Esther, reluctantly returning from the realities of the
+play to the insipidities of actual life. "Whoever it is, it must be at
+you."
+
+She looked affectionately at the great glorious creature at her side,
+tall and stately, with that winning gentleness of expression which
+spiritualizes the most voluptuous beauty. Addie wore pale sea-green, and
+there were lilies of the valley at her bosom, and a diamond star in her
+hair. No man could admire her more than Esther, who felt quite vain of
+her friend's beauty and happy to bask in its reflected sunshine. Sidney
+followed her glance and his cousin's charms struck him with almost novel
+freshness. He was so much with Addie that he always took her for
+granted. The semi-unconscious liking he had for her society was based on
+other than physical traits. He let his eyes rest upon her for a moment
+in half-surprised appreciation, figuring her as half-bud, half-blossom.
+Really, if Addie had not been his cousin and a Jewess! She was not much
+of a cousin, when he came to cipher it out, but then she was a good deal
+of a Jewess!
+
+"I'm sure it's you he's staring at," persisted Addie.
+
+"Don't be ridiculous," persisted Esther. "Which man do you mean?"
+
+"There! The fifth row of stalls, the one, two, four, seven, the seventh
+man from the end! He's been looking at you all through, but now he's
+gone in for a good long stare. There! next to that pretty girl in pink."
+
+"Do you mean the young man with the dyed carnation in his buttonhole and
+the crimson handkerchief in his bosom?"
+
+"Yes, that's the one. Do you know him?"
+
+"No," said Esther, lowering her eyes and looking away. But when Addie
+informed her that the young man had renewed his attentions to the girl
+in pink, she levelled her opera-glass at him. Then she shook her head.
+
+"There seems something familiar about his face, but I cannot for the
+life of me recall who it is."
+
+"The something familiar about his face is his nose," said Addie
+laughing, "for it is emphatically Jewish."
+
+"At that rate," said Sidney, "nearly half the theatre would be familiar,
+including a goodly proportion of the critics, and Hamlet and Ophelia
+themselves. But I know the fellow."
+
+"You do? Who is he?" asked the girls eagerly.
+
+"I don't know. He's one of the mashers of the _Frivolity_. I'm another,
+and so we often meet. But we never speak as we pass by. To tell the
+truth, I resent him."
+
+"It's wonderful how fond Jews are of the theatre," said Esther, "and
+how they resent other Jews going."
+
+"Thank you," said Sidney. "But as I'm not a Jew the arrow glances off."
+
+"Not a Jew?" repeated Esther in amaze.
+
+"No. Not in the current sense. I always deny I'm a Jew."
+
+"How do you justify that?" said Addie incredulously.
+
+"Because it would be a lie to say I was. It would be to produce a false
+impression. The conception of a Jew in the mind of the average Christian
+is a mixture of Fagin, Shylock, Rothschild and the caricatures of the
+American comic papers. I am certainly not like that, and I'm not going
+to tell a lie and say I am. In conversation always think of your
+audience. It takes two to make a truth. If an honest man told an old
+lady he was an atheist, that would be a lie, for to her it would mean he
+was a dissolute reprobate. To call myself 'Abrahams' would be to live a
+daily lie. I am not a bit like the picture called up by Abrahams. Graham
+is a far truer expression of myself."
+
+"Extremely ingenious," said Esther smiling. "But ought you not rather to
+utilize yourself for the correction of the portrait of Abrahams?"
+
+Sidney shrugged his shoulders. "Why should I subject myself to petty
+martyrdom for the sake of an outworn creed and a decaying sect?"
+
+"We are not decaying," said Addie indignantly.
+
+"Personally you are blossoming," said Sidney, with a mock bow. "But
+nobody can deny that our recent religious history has been a series of
+dissolving views. Look at that young masher there, who is still ogling
+your fascinating friend; rather, I suspect, to the annoyance of the
+young lady in pink, and compare him with the old hard-shell Jew. When I
+was a lad named Abrahams, painfully training in the way I wasn't going
+to go, I got an insight into the lives of my ancestors. Think of the
+people who built up the Jewish prayer-book, who added line to line and
+precept to precept, and whose whole thought was intertwined with
+religion, and then look at that young fellow with the dyed carnation and
+the crimson silk handkerchief, who probably drives a drag to the Derby,
+and for aught I know runs a music hall. It seems almost incredible he
+should come of that Puritan old stock."
+
+"Not at all," said Esther. "If you knew more of our history, you would
+see it is quite normal. We were always hankering after the gods of the
+heathen, and we always loved magnificence; remember our Temples. In
+every land we have produced great merchants and rulers, prime-ministers,
+viziers, nobles. We built castles in Spain (solid ones) and palaces in
+Venice. We have had saints and sinners, free livers and ascetics,
+martyrs and money-lenders. Polarity, Graetz calls the self-contradiction
+which runs through our history. I figure the Jew as the eldest-born of
+Time, touching the Creation and reaching forward into the future, the
+true _blase_ of the Universe; the Wandering Jew who has been everywhere,
+seen everything, done everything, led everything, thought everything and
+suffered everything."
+
+"Bravo, quite a bit of Beaconsfieldian fustian," said Sidney laughing,
+yet astonished. "One would think you were anxious to assert yourself
+against the ancient peerage of this mushroom realm."
+
+"It is the bare historical truth," said Esther, quietly. "We are so
+ignorant of our own history--can we wonder at the world's ignorance of
+it? Think of the part the Jew has played--Moses giving the world its
+morality, Jesus its religion, Isaiah its millennial visions, Spinoza its
+cosmic philosophy, Ricardo its political economy, Karl Marx and Lassalle
+its socialism, Heine its loveliest poetry, Mendelssohn its most restful
+music, Rachael its supreme acting--and then think of the stock Jew of
+the American comic papers! There lies the real comedy, too deep for
+laughter."
+
+"Yes, but most of the Jews you mention were outcasts or apostates,"
+retorted Sidney. "There lies the real tragedy, too deep for tears. Ah,
+Heine summed it up best: 'Judaism is not a religion; it is a
+misfortune.' But do you wonder at the intolerance of every nation
+towards its Jews? It is a form of homage. Tolerate them and they spell
+'Success,' and patriotism is an ineradicable prejudice. Since when have
+you developed this extraordinary enthusiasm for Jewish history? I
+always thought you were an anti-Semite."
+
+Esther blushed and meditatively sniffed at her bouquet, but fortunately
+the rise of the curtain relieved her of the necessity far a reply. It
+was only a temporary relief, however, for the quizzical young artist
+returned to the subject immediately the act was over.
+
+"I know you're in charge of the aesthetic department of the _Flag_," he
+said. "I had no idea you wrote the leaders."
+
+"Don't be absurd!" murmured Esther.
+
+"I always told Addie Raphael could never write so eloquently; didn't I,
+Addie? Ah, I see you're blushing to find it fame, Miss Ansell."
+
+Esther laughed, though a bit annoyed. "How can you suspect me of writing
+orthodox leaders?" she asked.
+
+"Well, who else _is_ there?" urged Sidney, with mock _naivete_. "I went
+down there once and saw the shanty. The editorial sanctum was crowded.
+Poor Raphael was surrounded by the queerest looking set of creatures I
+ever clapped eyes on. There was a quaint lunatic in a check suit,
+describing his apocalyptic visions; a dragoman with sore eyes and a
+grievance against the Board of Guardians; a venerable son of Jerusalem
+with a most artistic white beard, who had covered the editorial table
+with carved nick-nacks in olive and sandal-wood; an inventor who had
+squared the circle and the problem of perpetual motion, but could not
+support himself; a Roumanian exile with a scheme for fertilizing
+Palestine; and a wild-eyed hatchet-faced Hebrew poet who told me I was a
+famous patron of learning, and sent me his book soon after with a Hebrew
+inscription which I couldn't read, and a request for a cheque which I
+didn't write. I thought I just capped the company of oddities, when in
+came a sallow red-haired chap, with the extraordinary name of
+Karlkammer, and kicked up a deuce of a shine with Raphael for altering
+his letter. Raphael mildly hinted that the letter was written in such
+unintelligible English that he had to grapple with it for an hour before
+he could reduce it to the coherence demanded of print. But it was no
+use; it seems Raphael had made him say something heterodox he didn't
+mean, and he insisted on being allowed to reply to his own letter! He
+had brought the counter-blast with him; six sheets of foolscap with all
+the t's uncrossed, and insisted on signing it with his own name. I said,
+'Why not? Set a Karlkammer to answer to a Karlkammer.' But Raphael said
+it would make the paper a laughing-stock, and between the dread of that
+and the consciousness of having done the man a wrong, he was quite
+unhappy. He treats all his visitors with angelic consideration, when in
+another newspaper office the very office-boy would snub them. Of course,
+nobody has a bit of consideration for him or his time or his purse."
+
+"Poor Raphael!" murmured Esther, smiling sadly at the grotesque images
+conjured up by Sidney's description.
+
+"I go down there now whenever I want models," concluded Sidney gravely.
+
+"Well, it is only right to hear what those poor people have to say,"
+Addie observed. "What is a paper for except to right wrongs?"
+
+"Primitive person!" said Sidney. "A paper exists to make a profit."
+
+"Raphael's doesn't," retorted Addie.
+
+"Of course not," laughed Sidney. "It never will, so long as there's a
+conscientious editor at the helm. Raphael flatters nobody and reserves
+his praises for people with no control of the communal advertisements.
+Why, it quite preys upon his mind to think that he is linked to an
+advertisement canvasser with a gorgeous imagination, who goes about
+representing to the unwary Christian that the _Flag_ has a circulation
+of fifteen hundred."
+
+"Dear me!" said Addie, a smile of humor lighting up her beautiful
+features.
+
+"Yes," said Sidney, "I think he salves his conscience by an extra hour's
+slumming in the evening. Most religious folks do their moral
+book-keeping by double entry. Probably that's why he's not here
+to-night."
+
+"It's too bad!" said Addie, her face growing grave again. "He comes home
+so late and so tired that he always falls asleep over his books."
+
+"I don't wonder," laughed Sidney. "Look what he reads! Once I found him
+nodding peacefully over Thomas a Kempis."
+
+"Oh, he often reads that," said Addie. "When we wake him up and tell him
+to go to bed, he says he wasn't sleeping, but thinking, turns over a
+page and falls asleep again."
+
+They all laughed.
+
+"Oh, he's a famous sleeper," Addie continued. "It's as difficult to get
+him out of bed as into it. He says himself he's an awful lounger and
+used to idle away whole days before he invented time-tables. Now, he has
+every hour cut and dried--he says his salvation lies in regular hours."
+
+"Addie, Addie, don't tell tales out of school," said Sidney.
+
+"Why, what tales?" asked Addie, astonished. "Isn't it rather to his
+credit that he has conquered his bad habits?"
+
+"Undoubtedly; but it dissipates the poetry in which I am sure Miss
+Ansell was enshrouding him. It shears a man of his heroic proportions,
+to hear he has to be dragged out of bed. These things should be kept in
+the family."
+
+Esther stared hard at the house. Her cheeks glowed as if the limelight
+man had turned his red rays on them. Sidney chuckled mentally over his
+insight. Addie smiled.
+
+"Oh, nonsense. I'm sure Esther doesn't think less of him because he
+keeps a time-table."
+
+"You forget your friend has what you haven't--artistic instinct. It's
+ugly. A man should be a man, not a railway system. If I were you, Addie,
+I'd capture that time-table, erase lecturing and substitute
+'cricketing.' Raphael would never know, and every afternoon, say at 2
+P.M., he'd consult his time-table, and seeing he had to cricket, he'd
+take up his stumps and walk to Regent's Park."
+
+"Yes, but he can't play cricket," said Esther, laughing and glad of the
+opportunity.
+
+"Oh, can't he?" Sidney whistled. "Don't insult him by telling him that.
+Why, he was in the Harrow eleven and scored his century in the match
+with Eton; those long arms of his send the ball flying as if it were a
+drawing-room ornament."
+
+"Oh yes," affirmed Addie. "Even now, cricket is his one temptation."
+
+Esther was silent. Her Raphael seemed toppling to pieces. The silence
+seemed to communicate itself to her companions. Addie broke it by
+sending Sidney to smoke a cigarette in the lobby. "Or else I shall feel
+quite too selfish," she said. "I know you're just dying to talk to some
+sensible people. Oh, I beg your pardon, Esther."
+
+The squire of dames smiled but hesitated.
+
+"Yes, do go," said Esther. "There's six or seven minutes more interval.
+This is the longest wait."
+
+"Ladies' will is my law," said Sidney, gallantly, and, taking a
+cigarette case from his cloak, which was hung on a peg at the back of a
+box, he strolled out. "Perhaps," he said, "I shall skip some Shakspeare
+if I meet a congenial intellectual soul to gossip with."
+
+He had scarce been gone two minutes when there came a gentle tapping at
+the door and, the visitor being invited to come in, the girls were
+astonished to behold the young gentleman with the dyed carnation and the
+crimson silk handkerchief. He looked at Esther with an affable smile.
+
+"Don't you remember me?" he said. The ring of his voice woke some
+far-off echo in her brain. But no recollection came to her.
+
+"I remembered you almost at once," he went on, in a half-reproachful
+tone, "though I didn't care about coming up while you had another fellow
+in the box. Look at me carefully, Esther."
+
+The sound of her name on the stranger's lips set all the chords of
+memory vibrating--she looked again at the dark oval face with the
+aquiline nose, the glittering eyes, the neat black moustache, the
+close-shaved cheeks and chin, and in a flash the past resurged and she
+murmured almost incredulously, "Levi!"
+
+The young man got rather red. "Ye-e-s!" he stammered. "Allow me to
+present you my card." He took it out of a little ivory case and handed
+it to her. It read, "Mr. Leonard James."
+
+An amused smile flitted over Esther's face, passing into one of welcome.
+She was not at all displeased to see him.
+
+"Addie," she said. "This is Mr. Leonard James, a friend I used to know
+in my girlhood."
+
+"Yes, we were boys together, as the song says," said Leonard James,
+smiling facetiously.
+
+Addie inclined her head in the stately fashion which accorded so well
+with her beauty and resumed her investigation of the stalls. Presently
+she became absorbed in a tender reverie induced by the passionate waltz
+music and she forgot all about Esther's strange visitor, whose words
+fell as insensibly on her ears as the ticking of a familiar clock. But
+to Esther, Leonard James's conversation was full of interest. The two
+ugly ducklings of the back-pond had become to all appearance swans of
+the ornamental water, and it was natural that they should gabble of auld
+lang syne and the devious routes by which they had come together again.
+
+"You see, I'm like you, Esther," explained the young man. "I'm not
+fitted for the narrow life that suits my father and mother and my
+sister. They've got no ideas beyond the house, and religion, and all
+that sort of thing. What do you think my father wanted me to be? A
+minister! Think of it! Ha! ha! ha! Me a minister! I actually did go for
+a couple of terms to Jews' College. Oh, yes, you remember! Why, I was
+there when you were a school-teacher and got taken up by the swells. But
+our stroke of fortune came soon after yours. Did you never hear of it?
+My, you must have dropped all your old acquaintances if no one ever told
+you that! Why, father came in for a couple of thousand pounds! I thought
+I'd make you stare. Guess who from?"
+
+"I give it up," said Esther.
+
+"Thank you. It was never yours to give," said Leonard, laughing jovially
+at his wit. "Old Steinwein--you remember his death. It was in all the
+papers; the eccentric old buffer, who was touched in the upper story,
+and used to give so much time and money to Jewish affairs, setting up
+lazy old rabbis in Jerusalem to shake themselves over their Talmuds. You
+remember his gifts to the poor--six shillings sevenpence each because he
+was seventy-nine years old and all that. Well, he used to send the
+pater a basket of fruit every _Yomtov_. But he used to do that to every
+Rabbi, all around, and my old man had not the least idea he was the
+object of special regard till the old chap pegged out. Ah, there's
+nothing like Torah, after all."
+
+"You don't know what you may have lost through not becoming a minister,"
+suggested Esther slily.
+
+"Ah, but I know what I've gained. Do you think I could stand having my
+hands and feet tied with phylacteries?" asked Leonard, becoming vividly
+metaphoric in the intensity of his repugnance to the galling bonds of
+orthodoxy. "Now, I do as I like, go where I please, eat what I please.
+Just fancy not being able to join fellows at supper, because you mustn't
+eat oysters or steak? Might as well go into a monastery at once. All
+very well in ancient Jerusalem, where everybody was rowing in the same
+boat. Have you ever tasted pork, Esther?"
+
+"No," said Esther, with a faint smile.
+
+"I have," said Leonard. "I don't say it to boast, but I have had it
+times without number. I didn't like it the first time--thought it would
+choke me, you know, but that soon wears off. Now I breakfast off ham and
+eggs regularly. I go the whole hog, you see. Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+"If I didn't see from your card you're not living at home, that would
+have apprised me of it," said Esther.
+
+"Of course, I couldn't live at home. Why the guvnor couldn't bear to let
+me shave. Ha! ha! ha! Fancy a religion that makes you keep your hair on
+unless you use a depilatory. I was articled to a swell solicitor. The
+old man resisted a long time, but he gave in at last, and let me live
+near the office."
+
+"Ah, then I presume you came in for some of the two thousand, despite
+your non-connection with Torah?"
+
+"There isn't much left of it now," said Leonard, laughing. "What's two
+thousand in seven years in London? There were over four hundred guineas
+swallowed up by the premium, and the fees, and all that."
+
+"Well, let us hope it'll all come back in costs."
+
+"Well, between you and me," said Leonard, seriously, "I should be
+surprised if it does. You see, I haven't yet scraped through the Final;
+they're making the beastly exam. stiffer every year. No, it isn't to
+that quarter I look to recoup myself for the outlay on my education."
+
+"No?" said Esther.
+
+"No. Fact is--between you and me--I'm going to be an actor."
+
+"Oh!" said Esther.
+
+"Yes. I've played several times in private theatricals; you know we Jews
+have a knack for the stage; you'd be surprised to know how many pros are
+Jews. There's heaps of money to be made now-a-days on the boards. I'm in
+with lots of 'em, and ought to know. It's the only profession where you
+don't want any training, and these law books are as dry as the Mishna
+the old man used to make me study. Why, they say to-night's 'Hamlet' was
+in a counting-house four years ago."
+
+"I wish you success," said Esther, somewhat dubiously. "And how is your
+sister Hannah? Is she married yet?"
+
+"Married! Not she! She's got no money, and you know what our Jewish
+young men are. Mother wanted her to have the two thousand pounds for a
+dowry, but fortunately Hannah had the sense to see that it's the man
+that's got to make his way in the world. Hannah is always certain of her
+bread and butter, which is a good deal in these hard times. Besides,
+she's naturally grumpy, and she doesn't go out of her way to make
+herself agreeable to young men. It's my belief she'll die an old maid.
+Well, there's no accounting for tastes."
+
+"And your father and mother?"
+
+"They're all right, I believe. I shall see them to-morrow
+night--Passover, you know. I haven't missed a single _Seder_ at home,"
+he said, with conscious virtue. "It's an awful bore, you know. I often
+laugh to think of the chappies' faces if they could see me leaning on a
+pillow and gravely asking the old man why we eat Passover cakes." He
+laughed now to think of it. "But I never miss; they'd cut up rough, I
+expect, if I did."
+
+"Well, that's something in your favor," murmured Esther gravely.
+
+He looked at her sharply; suddenly suspecting that his auditor was not
+perfectly sympathetic. She smiled a little at the images passing through
+her mind, and Leonard, taking her remark for badinage, allowed his own
+features to relax to their original amiability.
+
+"You're not married, either, I suppose," he remarked.
+
+"No," said Esther. "I'm like your sister Hannah."
+
+He shook his head sceptically.
+
+"Ah, I expect you'll be looking very high," he said.
+
+"Nonsense," murmured Esther, playing with her bouquet.
+
+A flash passed across his face, but he went on in the same tone. "Ah,
+don't tell me. Why shouldn't you? Why, you're looking perfectly charming
+to-night."
+
+"Please, don't," said Esther, "Every girl looks perfectly charming when
+she's nicely dressed. Who and what am I? Nothing. Let us drop the
+subject."
+
+"All right; but you _must_ have grand ideas, else you'd have sometimes
+gone to see my people as in the old days."
+
+"When did I visit your people? You used to come and see me sometimes." A
+shadow of a smile hovered about the tremulous lips. "Believe me, I
+didn't consciously drop any of my old acquaintances. My life changed; my
+family went to America; later on I travelled. It is the currents of
+life, not their wills, that bear old acquaintances asunder."
+
+He seemed pleased with her sentiments and was about to say something,
+but she added: "The curtain's going up. Hadn't you better go down to
+your friend? She's been looking up at us impatiently."
+
+"Oh, no, don't bother about her." said Leonard, reddening a little.
+"She--she won't mind. She's only--only an actress, you know, I have to
+keep in with the profession in case any opening should turn up. You
+never know. An actress may become a lessee at any moment. Hark! The
+orchestra is striking up again; the scene isn't set yet. Of course I'll
+go if you want me to!"
+
+"No, stay by all means if you want to," murmured Esther. "We have a
+chair unoccupied."
+
+"Do you expect that fellow Sidney Graham back?"
+
+"Yes, sooner or later. But how do you know his name?" queried Esther in
+surprise.
+
+"Everybody about town knows Sidney Graham, the artist. Why, we belong to
+the same club--the Flamingo--though he only turns up for the great
+glove-fights. Beastly cad, with all due respect to your friends, Esther.
+I was introduced to him once, but he stared at me next time so haughtily
+that I cut him dead. Do you know, ever since then I've suspected he's
+one of us; perhaps you can tell me, Esther? I dare say he's no more
+Sidney Graham than I am."
+
+"Hush!" said Esther, glancing warningly towards Addie, who, however,
+betrayed no sign of attention.
+
+"Sister?" asked Leonard, lowering his voice to a whisper.
+
+Esther shook her head. "Cousin; but Mr. Graham is a friend of mine as
+well and you mustn't talk of him like that."
+
+"Ripping fine girl!" murmured Leonard irrelevantly. "Wonder at his
+taste." He took a long stare at the abstracted Addie.
+
+"What do you mean?" said Esther, her annoyance increasing. Her old
+friend's tone jarred upon her.
+
+"Well, I don't know what he could see in the girl he's engaged to."
+
+Esther's face became white. She looked anxiously towards the unconscious
+Addie.
+
+"You are talking nonsense," she said, in a low cautious tone. "Mr.
+Graham is too fond of his liberty to engage himself to any girl."
+
+"Oho!" said Leonard, with a subdued whistle. "I hope you're not sweet on
+him yourself."
+
+Esther gave an impatient gesture of denial. She resented Leonard's rapid
+resumption of his olden familiarity.
+
+"Then take care not to be," he said. "He's engaged privately to Miss
+Hannibal, a daughter of the M.P. Tom Sledge, the sub-editor of the
+_Cormorant_, told me. You know they collect items about everybody and
+publish them at what they call the psychological moment. Graham goes to
+the Hannibals' every Saturday afternoon. They're very strict people; the
+father, you know, is a prominent Wesleyan and she's not the sort of girl
+to be played with."
+
+"For Heaven's sake speak more softly," said Esther, though the
+orchestra was playing _fortissimo_ now and they had spoken so quietly
+all along that Addie could scarcely have heard without a special effort.
+"It can't be true; you are repeating mere idle gossip."
+
+"Why, they know everything at the _Cormorant_," said Leonard,
+indignantly. "Do you suppose a man can take such a step as that without
+its getting known? Why, I shall be chaffed--enviously--about you two
+to-morrow! Many a thing the world little dreams of is an open secret in
+Club smoking-rooms. Generally more discreditable than Graham's, which
+must be made public of itself sooner or later."
+
+To Esther's relief, the curtain rose. Addie woke up and looked round,
+but seeing that Sidney had not returned, and that Esther was still in
+colloquy with the invader, she gave her attention to the stage. Esther
+could no longer bend her eye on the mimic tragedy; her eyes rested
+pityingly upon Addie's face, and Leonard's eyes rested admiringly upon
+Esther's. Thus Sidney found the group, when he returned in the middle of
+the act, to his surprise and displeasure. He stood silently at the back
+of the box till the act was over. Leonard James was the first to
+perceive him; knowing he had been telling tales about him, he felt
+uneasy under his supercilious gaze. He bade Esther good-bye, asking and
+receiving permission to call upon her. When he was gone, constraint fell
+upon the party. Sidney was moody; Addie pensive, Esther full of stifled
+wrath and anxiety. At the close of the performance Sidney took down the
+girls' wrappings from the pegs. He helped Esther courteously, then
+hovered over his cousin with a solicitude that brought a look of calm
+happiness into Addie's face, and an expression of pain into Esther's. As
+they moved slowly along the crowded corridors, he allowed Addie to get a
+few paces in advance. It was his last opportunity of saying a word to
+Esther alone.
+
+"If I were you, Miss Ansell, I would not allow that cad to presume on
+any acquaintance he may have."
+
+All the latent irritation in Esther's breast burst into flame at the
+idea of Sidney's constituting himself a judge.
+
+"If I had not cultivated his acquaintance I should not have had the
+pleasure of congratulating you on your engagement," she replied, almost
+in a whisper. To Sidney it sounded like a shout. His color heightened;
+he was visibly taken aback.
+
+"What are you talking about?" he murmured automatically.
+
+"About your engagement to Miss Hannibal."
+
+"That blackguard told you!" he whispered angrily, half to himself.
+"Well, what of it? I am not bound to advertise it, am I? It's my private
+business, isn't it? You don't expect me to hang a placard round my
+breast like those on concert-room chairs--'Engaged'!"
+
+"Certainly not," said Esther. "But you might have told your friends, so
+as to enable them to rejoice sympathetically."
+
+"You turn your sarcasm prettily," he said mildly, "but the sympathetic
+rejoicing was just what I wanted to avoid. You know what a Jewish
+engagement is, how the news spreads like wildfire from Piccadilly to
+Petticoat Lane, and the whole house of Israel gathers together to
+discuss the income and the prospects of the happy pair. I object to
+sympathetic rejoicing from the slums, especially as in this case it
+would probably be exchanged for curses. Miss Hannibal is a Christian,
+and for a Jew to embrace a Christian is, I believe, the next worse thing
+to his embracing Christianity, even when the Jew is a pagan." His wonted
+flippancy rang hollow. He paused suddenly and stole a look at his
+companion's face, in search of a smile, but it was pale and sorrowful.
+The flush on his own face deepened; his features expressed internal
+conflict. He addressed a light word to Addie in front. They were nearing
+the portico; it was raining outside and a cold wind blew in to meet
+them; he bent his head down to the delicate little face at his side, and
+his tones were changed.
+
+"Miss Ansell," he said tremulously, "if I have in any way misled you by
+my reticence, I beg you to believe it was unintentionally. The memory of
+the pleasant quarters of an hour we have spent together will always--"
+
+"Good God!" said Esther hoarsely, her cheeks flaming, her ears tingling.
+"To whom are you apologising?" He looked at her perplexed. "Why have
+you not told Addie?" she forced herself to say.
+
+In the press of the crowd, on the edge of the threshold, he stood still.
+Dazzled as by a flash of lightning, he gazed at his cousin, her
+beautifully poised head, covered with its fleecy white shawl, dominating
+the throng. The shawl became an aureole to his misty vision.
+
+"Have you told her?" he whispered with answering hoarseness.
+
+"No," said Esther.
+
+"Then don't tell her," he whispered eagerly.
+
+"I must. She must hear it soon. Such things must ooze out sooner or
+later."
+
+"Then let it be later. Promise me this."
+
+"No good can come of concealment."
+
+"Promise me, for a little while, till I give you leave."
+
+His pleading, handsome face was close to hers. She wondered how she
+could ever have cared for a creature so weak and pitiful.
+
+"So be it," she breathed.
+
+"Miss Leon's carriage," bawled the commissionaire. There was a confusion
+of rain-beaten umbrellas, gleaming carriage-lamps, zigzag rejections on
+the black pavements, and clattering omnibuses full inside. But the air
+was fresh.
+
+"Don't go into the rain, Addie," said Sidney, pressing forwards
+anxiously. "You're doing all my work to-night. Hallo! where did _you_
+spring from?"
+
+It was Raphael who had elicited the exclamation. He suddenly loomed upon
+the party, bearing a decrepit dripping umbrella. "I thought I should be
+in time to catch you--and to apologize," he said, turning to Esther.
+
+"Don't mention it," murmured Esther, his unexpected appearance
+completing her mental agitation.
+
+"Hold the umbrella over the girls, you beggar," said Sidney.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Raphael, poking the rim against a
+policeman's helmet in his anxiety to obey.
+
+"Don't mention it," said Addie smiling.
+
+"All right, sir," growled the policeman good-humoredly.
+
+Sidney laughed heartily.
+
+"Quite a general amnesty," he said. "Ah! here's the carriage. Why didn't
+you get inside it out of the rain or stand in the entrance--you're
+wringing wet."
+
+"I didn't think of it," said Raphael. "Besides, I've only been here a
+few minutes. The 'busses are so full when it rains I had to walk all the
+way from Whitechapel."
+
+"You're incorrigible," grumbled Sidney. "As if you couldn't have taken a
+hansom."
+
+"Why waste money?" said Raphael. They got into the carriage.
+
+"Well, did you enjoy yourselves?" he asked cheerfully.
+
+"Oh yes, thoroughly," said Sidney. "Addie wasted two
+pocket-handkerchiefs over Ophelia; almost enough to pay for that hansom.
+Miss Ansell doated on the finger of destiny and I chopped logic and
+swopped cigarettes with O'Donovan. I hope you enjoyed yourself equally."
+
+Raphael responded with a melancholy smile. He was seated opposite
+Esther, and ever and anon some flash of light from the street revealed
+clearly his sodden, almost shabby, garments and the weariness of his
+expression. He seemed quite out of harmony with the dainty
+pleasure-party, but just on that account the more in harmony with
+Esther's old image, the heroic side of him growing only more lovable for
+the human alloy. She bent towards him at last and said: "I am sorry you
+were deprived of your evening's amusement. I hope the reason didn't add
+to the unpleasantness."
+
+"It was nothing," he murmured awkwardly. "A little unexpected work. One
+can always go to the theatre."
+
+"Ah, I am afraid you overwork yourself too much. You mustn't. Think of
+your own health."
+
+His look softened. He was in a harassed, sensitive state. The sympathy
+of her gentle accents, the concern upon the eager little face, seemed to
+flood his own soul with a self-compassion new to him.
+
+"My health doesn't matter," he faltered. There were sweet tears in his
+eyes, a colossal sense of gratitude at his heart. He had always meant
+to pity her and help her; it was sweeter to be pitied, though of course
+she could not help him. He had no need of help, and on second thoughts
+he wondered what room there was for pity.
+
+"No, no, don't talk like that," said Esther. "Think of your parents--and
+Addle."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+WHAT THE YEARS BROUGHT.
+
+
+The next morning Esther sat in Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's boudoir, filling
+up some invitation forms for her patroness, who often took advantage of
+her literary talent in this fashion. Mrs. Goldsmith herself lay back
+languidly upon a great easy-chair before an asbestos fire and turned
+over the leaves of the new number of the _Acadaeum_. Suddenly she
+uttered a little exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" said Esther.
+
+"They've got a review here of that Jewish novel."
+
+"Have they?" said Esther, glancing up eagerly. "I'd given up looking for
+it."
+
+"You seem very interested in it," said Mrs. Goldsmith, with a little
+surprise.
+
+"Yes, I--I wanted to know what they said about it," explained Esther
+quickly; "one hears so many worthless opinions."
+
+"Well, I'm glad to see we were all right about it," said Mrs. Goldsmith,
+whose eye had been running down the column. "Listen here. 'It is a
+disagreeable book at best; what might have been a powerful tragedy being
+disfigured by clumsy workmanship and sordid superfluous detail. The
+exaggerated unhealthy pessimism, which the very young mistake for
+insight, pervades the work and there are some spiteful touches of
+observation which seem to point to a woman's hand. Some of the minor
+personages have the air of being sketched from life. The novel can
+scarcely be acceptable to the writer's circle. Readers, however, in
+search of the unusual will find new ground broken in this immature study
+of Jewish life.'"
+
+"There, Esther, isn't that just what I've been saying in other words?"
+
+"It's hardly worth bothering about the book now," said Esther in low
+tones, "it's such a long time ago now since it came out. I don't know
+what's the good of reviewing it now. These literary papers always seem
+so cold and cruel to unknown writers."
+
+"Cruel, it isn't half what he deserves," said Mrs. Goldsmith, "or ought
+I to say she? Do you think there's anything, Esther, in that idea of its
+being a woman?"
+
+"Really, dear, I'm sick to death of that book," said Esther. "These
+reviewers always try to be very clever and to see through brick walls.
+What does it matter if it's a he, or a she?"
+
+"It doesn't matter, but it makes it more disgraceful, if it's a woman. A
+woman has no business to know the seamy side of human nature."
+
+At this instant, a domestic knocked and announced that Mr. Leonard James
+had called to see Miss Ansell. Annoyance, surprise and relief struggled
+to express themselves on Esther's face.
+
+"Is the gentleman waiting to see me?" she said.
+
+"Yes, miss, he's in the hall."
+
+Esther turned to Mrs. Goldsmith. "It's a young man I came across
+unexpectedly last night at the theatre. He's the son of Reb Shemuel, of
+whom you may have heard. I haven't met him since we were boy and girl
+together. He asked permission to call, but I didn't expect him so soon."
+
+"Oh, see him by all means, dear. He is probably anxious to talk over old
+times."
+
+"May I ask him up here?"
+
+"No--unless you particularly want to introduce him to me. I dare say he
+would rather have you to himself." There was a touch of superciliousness
+about her tone, which Esther rather resented, although not particularly
+anxious for Levi's social recognition.
+
+"Show him into the library," she said to the servant. "I will be down
+in a minute." She lingered a few indifferent remarks with her companion
+and then went down, wondering at Levi's precipitancy in renewing the
+acquaintance. She could not help thinking of the strangeness of life.
+That time yesterday she had not dreamed of Levi, and now she was about
+to see him for the second time and seemed to know him as intimately as
+if they had never been parted.
+
+Leonard James was pacing the carpet. His face was perturbed, though his
+stylishly cut clothes were composed and immaculate. A cloak was thrown
+loosely across his shoulders. In his right hand he held a bouquet of
+Spring flowers, which he transferred to his left in order to shake hands
+with her.
+
+"Good afternoon, Esther," he said heartily. "By Jove, you have got among
+tip-top people. I had no idea. Fancy you ordering Jeames de la Pluche
+about. And how happy you must be among all these books! I've brought you
+a bouquet. There! Isn't it a beauty? I got it at Covent Garden this
+morning."
+
+"It's very kind of you," murmured Esther, not so pleased as she might
+have been, considering her love of beautiful things. "But you really
+ought not to waste your money like that."
+
+"What nonsense, Esther! Don't forget I'm not in the position my father
+was. I'm going to be a rich man. No, don't put it into a vase; put it in
+your own room where it will remind you of me. Just smell those violets,
+they are awfully sweet and fresh. I flatter myself, it's quite as swell
+and tasteful as the bouquet you had last night. Who gave you that.
+Esther?" The "Esther" mitigated the off-handedness of the question, but
+made the sentence jar doubly upon her ear. She might have brought
+herself to call him "Levi" in exchange, but then she was not certain he
+would like it. "Leonard" was impossible. So she forbore to call him by
+any name.
+
+"I think Mr. Graham brought it. Won't you sit down?" she said
+indifferently.
+
+"Thank you. I thought so. Luck that fellow's engaged. Do you know,
+Esther. I didn't sleep all night."
+
+"No?" said Esther. "You seemed quite well when I saw you."
+
+"So I was, but seeing you again, so unexpectedly, excited me. You have
+been whirling in my brain ever since. I hadn't thought of you for
+years--"
+
+"I hadn't thought of you," Esther echoed frankly.
+
+"No, I suppose not," he said, a little ruefully. "But, anyhow, fate has
+brought us together again. I recognized you the moment I set eyes on
+you, for all your grand clothes and your swell bouquets. I tell you I
+was just struck all of a heap; of course, I knew about your luck, but I
+hadn't realized it. There wasn't any one in the whole theatre who looked
+the lady more--'pon honor; you'd have no cause to blush in the company
+of duchesses. In fact I know a duchess or two who don't look near so
+refined. I was quite surprised. Do you know, if any one had told me you
+used to live up in a garret--"
+
+"Oh, please don't recall unpleasant things," interrupted Esther,
+petulantly, a little shudder going through her, partly at the picture he
+called up, partly at his grating vulgarity. Her repulsion to him was
+growing. Why had he developed so disagreeably? She had not disliked him
+as a boy, and he certainly had not inherited his traits of coarseness
+from his father, whom she still conceived as a courtly old gentleman.
+
+"Oh well, if you don't like it, I won't. I see you're like me; I never
+think of the Ghetto if I can help it. Well, as I was saying, I haven't
+had a wink of sleep since I saw you. I lay tossing about, thinking all
+sorts of things, till I could stand it no longer, and I got up and
+dressed and walked about the streets and strayed into Covent Garden
+Market, where the inspiration came upon me to get you this bouquet. For,
+of course, it was about you that I had been thinking."
+
+"About me?" said Esther, turning pale.
+
+"Yes, of course. Don't make _Schnecks_--you know what I mean. I can't
+help using the old expression when I look at you; the past seems all
+come back again. They were happy days, weren't they, Esther, when I used
+to come up to see you in Royal Street; I think you were a little sweet
+on me in those days, Esther, and I know I was regular mashed on you."
+
+He looked at her with a fond smile.
+
+"I dare say you were a silly boy," said Esther, coloring uneasily under
+his gaze. "However, you needn't reproach yourself now."
+
+"Reproach myself, indeed! Never fear that. What I have been reproaching
+myself with all night is never having looked you up. Somehow, do you
+know, I kept asking myself whether I hadn't made a fool of myself
+lately, and I kept thinking things might have been different if--"
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense," interrupted Esther with an embarrassed laugh.
+"You've been doing very well, learning to know the world and studying
+law and mixing with pleasant people."
+
+"Ah, Esther," he said, shaking his head, "it's very good of you to say
+that. I don't say I've done anything particularly foolish or out of the
+way. But when a man is alone, he sometimes gets a little reckless and
+wastes his time, and you know what it is. I've been thinking if I had
+some one to keep me steady, some one I could respect, it would be the
+best thing that could happen to me."
+
+"Oh, but surely you ought to have sense enough to take care of yourself.
+And there is always your father. Why don't you see more of him?"
+
+"Don't chaff a man when you see he's in earnest. You know what I mean.
+It's you I am thinking of."
+
+"Me? Oh well, if you think my friendship can be of any use to you I
+shall be delighted. Come and see me sometimes and tell me of your
+struggles."
+
+"You know I don't mean that," he said desperately. "Couldn't we be more
+than friends? Couldn't we commence again--where we left off"
+
+"How do you mean?" she murmured.
+
+"Why are you so cold to me?" he burst out. "Why do you make it so hard
+for me to speak? You know I love you, that I fell in love with you all
+over again last night. I never really forgot you; you were always deep
+down in my breast. All that I said about steadying me wasn't a lie. I
+felt that, too. But the real thing I feel is the need of you. I want you
+to care for me as I care for you. You used to, Esther; you know you
+did."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind," said Esther, "and I can't understand why a
+young fellow like you wants to bother his head with such ideas. You've
+got to make your way in the world--"
+
+"I know, I know; that's why I want you. I didn't tell you the exact
+truth last night, Esther, but I must really earn some money soon. All
+that two thousand is used up, and I only get along by squeezing some
+money out of the old man every now and again. Don't frown; he got a rise
+of screw three years ago and can well afford it. Now that's what I said
+to myself last night; if I were engaged, it would be an incentive to
+earning something."
+
+"For a Jewish young man, you are fearfully unpractical," said Esther,
+with a forced smile. "Fancy proposing to a girl without even prospects
+of prospects."
+
+"Oh, but I _have_ got prospects. I tell you I shall make no end of money
+on the stage."
+
+"Or no beginning," she said, finding the facetious vein easiest.
+
+"No fear. I know I've got as much talent as Bob Andrews (he admits it
+himself), and _he_ draws his thirty quid a week."
+
+"Wasn't that the man who appeared at the police-court the other day for
+being drunk and disorderly?"
+
+"Y-e-es," admitted Leonard, a little disconcerted. "He is a very good
+fellow, but he loses his head when he's in liquor."
+
+"I wonder you can care for society of that sort," said Esther.
+
+"Perhaps you're right. They're not a very refined lot. I tell you
+what--I'd like to go on the stage, but I'm not mad on it, and if you
+only say the word I'll give it up. There! And I'll go on with my law
+studies; honor bright, I will."
+
+"I should, if I were you," she said.
+
+"Yes, but I can't do it without encouragement. Won't you say 'yes'?
+Let's strike the bargain. I'll stick to law and you'll stick to me."
+
+She shook her head. "I am afraid I could not promise anything you mean.
+As I said before, I shall be always glad to see you. If you do well, no
+one will rejoice more than I."
+
+"Rejoice! What's the good of that to me? I want you to care for me; I
+want to took forward to your being my wife."
+
+"Really, I cannot take advantage of a moment of folly like this. You
+don't know what you're saying. You saw me last night, after many years,
+and in your gladness at seeing an old friend you flare up and fancy
+you're in love with me. Why, who ever heard of such foolish haste? Go
+back to your studies, and in a day or two you will find the flame
+sinking as rapidly as it leaped up."
+
+"No, no! Nothing of the kind!" His voice was thicker and there was real
+passion in it. She grew dearer to him as the hope of her love receded.
+"I couldn't forget you. I care for you awfully. I realized last night
+that my feeling for you is quite unlike what I have ever felt towards
+any other girl. Don't say no! Don't send me away despairing. I can
+hardly realize that you have grown so strange and altered. Surely you
+oughtn't to put on any side with me. Remember the times we have had
+together."
+
+"I remember," she said gently. "But I do not want to marry any one:
+indeed, I don't."
+
+"Then if there is no one else in your thoughts, why shouldn't it be me?
+There! I won't press you for an answer now. Only don't say it's out of
+the question."
+
+"I'm afraid I must."
+
+"No, you mustn't, Esther, you mustn't," he exclaimed excitedly. "Think
+of what it means for me. You are the only Jewish girl I shall ever care
+for; and father would be pleased if I were to marry you. You know if I
+wanted to marry a _Shiksah_ there'd be awful rows. Don't treat me as if
+I were some outsider with no claim upon you. I believe we should get on
+splendidly together, you and me. We've been through the same sort of
+thing in childhood, we should understand each other, and be in sympathy
+with each other in a way I could never be with another girl and I doubt
+if you could with another fellow."
+
+The words burst from him like a torrent, with excited foreign-looking
+gestures. Esther's headache was coming on badly.
+
+"What would be the use of my deceiving you?" she said gently. "I don't
+think I shall ever marry. I'm sure I could never make you--or any one
+else--happy. Won't you let me be your friend?"
+
+"Friend!" he echoed bitterly. "I know what it is; I'm poor. I've got no
+money bags to lay at your feet. You're like all the Jewish girls after
+all. But I only ask you to wait; I shall have plenty of money by and by.
+Who knows what more luck my father might drop in for? There are lots of
+rich religious cranks. And then I'll work hard, honor bright I will."
+
+"Pray be reasonable," said Esther quietly. "You know you are talking at
+random. Yesterday this time you had no idea of such a thing. To-day you
+are all on fire. To-morrow you will forget all about it."
+
+"Never! Never!" he cried. "Haven't I remembered you all these years?
+They talk of man's faithlessness and woman's faithfulness. It seems to
+me, it's all the other way. Women are a deceptive lot."
+
+"You know you have no right whatever to talk like that to me," said
+Esther, her sympathy beginning to pass over into annoyance. "To-morrow
+you will be sorry. Hadn't you better go before you give yourself--and
+me--more cause for regret?"
+
+"Ho, you're sending me away, are you?" he said in angry surprise.
+
+"I am certainly suggesting it as the wisest course."
+
+"Oh, don't give me any of your fine phrases!" he said brutally. "I see
+what it is--I've made a mistake. You're a stuck-up, conceited little
+thing. You think because you live in a grand house nobody is good enough
+for you. But what are you after all? a _Schnorrer_--that's all. A
+_Schnorrer_ living on the charity of strangers. If I mix with grand
+folks, it is as an independent man and an equal. But you, rather than
+marry any one who mightn't be able to give you carriages and footmen,
+you prefer to remain a _Schnorrer_."
+
+Esther was white and her lips trembled. "Now I must ask you to go," she
+said.
+
+"All right, don't flurry yourself!" he said savagely. "You don't impress
+me with your airs. Try them on people who don't know what you were--a
+_Schnorrer's_ daughter. Yes, your father was always a _Schnorrer_ and
+you are his child. It's in the blood. Ha! Ha! Ha! Moses Ansell's
+daughter! Moses Ansell's daughter--a peddler, who went about the country
+with brass jewelry and stood in the Lane with lemons and _schnorred_
+half-crowns of my father. You took jolly good care to ship him off to
+America, but 'pon my honor, you can't expect others to forget him as
+quickly as you. It's a rich joke, you refusing me. You're not fit for me
+to wipe my shoes on. My mother never cared for me to go to your garret;
+she said I must mix with my equals and goodness knew what disease I
+might pick up in the dirt; 'pon my honor the old girl was right."
+
+"She _was_ right," Esther was stung into retorting. "You must mix only
+with your equals. Please leave the room now or else I shall."
+
+His face changed. His frenzy gave way to a momentary shock of
+consternation as he realized what he had done.
+
+"No, no, Esther. I was mad, I didn't know what I was saying. I didn't
+mean it. Forget it."
+
+"I cannot. It was quite true," she said bitterly. "I am only a
+_Schnorrer's_ daughter. Well, are you going or must I?"
+
+He muttered something inarticulate, then seized his hat sulkily and went
+to the door without looking at her.
+
+"You have forgotten something," she said.
+
+He turned; her forefinger pointed to the bouquet on the table. He had a
+fresh access of rage at the sight of it, jerked it contemptuously to the
+floor with a sweep of his hat and stamped upon it. Then he rushed from
+the room and an instant after she heard the hall door slam.
+
+She sank against the table sobbing nervously. It was her first
+proposal! A _Schnorrer_ and the daughter of a _Schnorrer_. Yes,
+that-was what she was. And she had even repaid her benefactors with
+deception! What hopes could she yet cherish? In literature she was a
+failure; the critics gave her few gleams of encouragement, while all her
+acquaintances from Raphael downwards would turn and rend her, should she
+dare declare herself. Nay, she was ashamed of herself for the mischief
+she had wrought. No one in the world cared for her; she was quite alone.
+The only man in whose breast she could excite love or the semblance of
+it was a contemptible cad. And who was she, that she should venture to
+hope for love? She figured herself as an item in a catalogue; "a little,
+ugly, low-spirited, absolutely penniless young woman, subject to nervous
+headaches." Her sobs were interrupted by a ghastly burst of
+self-mockery. Yes, Levi was right. She ought to think herself lucky to
+get him. Again, she asked herself what had existence to offer her.
+Gradually her sobs ceased; she remembered to-night would be _Seder_
+night, and her thoughts, so violently turned Ghetto-wards, went back to
+that night, soon after poor Benjamin's death, when she sat before the
+garret fire striving to picture the larger life of the future. Well,
+this was the future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ENDS OF A GENERATION.
+
+
+The same evening Leonard James sat in the stalls of the Colosseum Music
+Hall, sipping champagne and smoking a cheroot. He had not been to his
+chambers (which were only round the corner) since the hapless interview
+with Esther, wandering about in the streets and the clubs in a spirit
+compounded of outraged dignity, remorse and recklessness. All men must
+dine; and dinner at the _Flamingo Club_ soothed his wounded soul and
+left only the recklessness, which is a sensation not lacking in
+agreeableness. Through the rosy mists of the Burgundy there began to
+surge up other faces than that cold pallid little face which had
+hovered before him all the afternoon like a tantalizing phantom; at the
+Chartreuse stage he began to wonder what hallucination, what aberration
+of sense had overcome him, that he should have been stirred to his
+depths and distressed so hugely. Warmer faces were these that swam
+before him, faces fuller of the joy of life. The devil take all stuck-up
+little saints!
+
+About eleven o'clock, when the great ballet of _Venetia_ was over,
+Leonard hurried round to the stage-door, saluted the door-keeper with a
+friendly smile and a sixpence, and sent in his card to Miss Gladys
+Wynne, on the chance that she might have no supper engagement. Miss
+Wynne was only a humble _coryphee_, but the admirers of her talent were
+numerous, and Leonard counted himself fortunate in that she was able to
+afford him the privilege of her society to-night. She came out to him in
+a red fur-lined cloak, for the air was keen. She was a majestic being
+with a florid complexion not entirely artificial, big blue eyes and
+teeth of that whiteness which is the practical equivalent of a sense of
+humor in evoking the possessor's smiles. They drove to a restaurant a
+few hundred yards distant, for Miss Wynne detested using her feet except
+to dance with. It was a fashionable restaurant, where the prices
+obligingly rose after ten, to accommodate the purses of the
+supper-_clientele_. Miss Wynne always drank champagne, except when
+alone, and in politeness Leonard had to imbibe more of this frothy
+compound. He knew he would have to pay for the day's extravagance by a
+week of comparative abstemiousness, but recklessness generally meant
+magnificence with him. They occupied a cosy little corner behind a
+screen, and Miss Wynne bubbled over with laughter like an animated
+champagne bottle. One or two of his acquaintances espied him and winked
+genially, and Leonard had the satisfaction of feeling that he was not
+dissipating his money without purchasing enhanced reputation. He had not
+felt in gayer spirits for months than when, with Gladys Wynne on his arm
+and a cigarette in his mouth, he sauntered out of the brilliantly-lit
+restaurant into the feverish dusk of the midnight street, shot with
+points of fire.
+
+"Hansom, sir!"
+
+"_Levi_!"
+
+A great cry of anguish rent the air--Leonard's cheeks burned.
+Involuntarily he looked round. Then his heart stood still. There, a few
+yards from him, rooted to the pavement, with stony staring face, was Reb
+Shemuel. The old man wore an unbrushed high hat and an uncouth
+unbuttoned overcoat. His hair and beard were quite white now, and the
+strong countenance lined with countless wrinkles was distorted with pain
+and astonishment. He looked a cross between an ancient prophet and a
+shabby street lunatic. The unprecedented absence of the son from the
+_Seder_ ceremonial had filled the Reb's household with the gravest
+alarm. Nothing short of death or mortal sickness could be keeping the
+boy away. It was long before the Reb could bring himself to commence the
+_Hagadah_ without his son to ask the time-honored opening question; and
+when he did he paused every minute to listen to footsteps or the voice
+of the wind without. The joyous holiness of the Festival was troubled, a
+black cloud overshadowed the shining table-cloth, at supper the food
+choked him. But _Seder_ was over and yet no sign of the missing guest;
+no word of explanation. In poignant anxiety, the old man walked the
+three miles that lay between him and tidings of the beloved son. At his
+chambers he learned that their occupant had not been in all day. Another
+thing he learned there, too; for the _Mezuzah_ which he had fixed up on
+the door-post when his boy moved in had been taken down, and it filled
+his mind with a dread suspicion that Levi had not been eating at the
+_kosher_ restaurant in Hatton Garden, as he had faithfully vowed to do.
+But even this terrible thought was swallowed up in the fear that some
+accident had happened to him. He haunted the house for an hour, filling
+up the intervals of fruitless inquiry with little random walks round the
+neighborhood, determined not to return home to his wife without news of
+their child. The restless life of the great twinkling streets was almost
+a novelty to him; it was rarely his perambulations in London extended
+outside the Ghetto, and the radius of his life was proportionately
+narrow,--with the intensity that narrowness forces on a big soul. The
+streets dazzled him, he looked blinkingly hither and thither in the
+despairing hope of finding his boy. His lips moved in silent prayer; he
+raised his eyes beseechingly to the cold glittering heavens. Then, all
+at once--as the clocks pointed to midnight--he found him. Found him
+coming out of an unclean place, where he had violated the Passover.
+Found him--fit climax of horror--with the "strange woman" of _The
+Proverbs_, for whom the faithful Jew has a hereditary hatred.
+
+His son--his. Reb Shemuel's! He, the servant of the Most High, the
+teacher of the Faith to reverential thousands, had brought a son into
+the world to profane the Name! Verily his gray hairs would go down with
+sorrow to a speedy grave! And the sin was half his own; he had weakly
+abandoned his boy in the midst of a great city. For one awful instant,
+that seemed an eternity, the old man and the young faced each other
+across the chasm which divided their lives. To the son the shock was
+scarcely less violent than to the father. The _Seder_, which the day's
+unwonted excitement had clean swept out of his mind, recurred to him in
+a flash, and by the light of it he understood the puzzle of his father's
+appearance. The thought of explaining rushed up only to be dismissed.
+The door of the restaurant had not yet ceased swinging behind him--there
+was too much to explain. He felt that all was over between him and his
+father. It was unpleasant, terrible even, for it meant the annihilation
+of his resources. But though he still had an almost physical fear of the
+old man, far more terrible even than the presence of his father was the
+presence of Miss Gladys Wynne. To explain, to brazen it out, either
+course was equally impossible. He was not a brave man, but at that
+moment he felt death were preferable to allowing her to be the witness
+of such a scene as must ensue. His resolution was taken within a few
+brief seconds of the tragic rencontre. With wonderful self-possession,
+he nodded to the cabman who had put the question, and whose vehicle was
+drawn up opposite the restaurant. Hastily he helped the unconscious
+Gladys into the hansom. He was putting his foot on the step himself when
+Reb Shemuel's paralysis relaxed suddenly. Outraged by this final
+pollution of the Festival, he ran forward and laid his hand on Levi's
+shoulder. His face was ashen, his heart thumped painfully; the hand on
+Levi's cloak shook as with palsy.
+
+Levi winced; the old awe was upon him. Through a blinding whirl he saw
+Gladys staring wonderingly at the queer-looking intruder. He gathered
+all his mental strength together with a mighty effort, shook off the
+great trembling hand and leaped into the hansom.
+
+"Drive on!" came in strange guttural tones from his parched throat.
+
+The driver lashed the horse; a rough jostled the old man aside and
+slammed the door to; Leonard mechanically threw him a coin; the hansom
+glided away.
+
+"Who was that, Leonard?" said Miss Wynne, curiously.
+
+"Nobody; only an old Jew who supplies me with cash."
+
+Gladys laughed merrily--a rippling, musical laugh.
+
+She knew the sort of person.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FLAG FLUTTERS.
+
+
+The _Flag of Judah_, price one penny, largest circulation of any Jewish
+organ, continued to flutter, defying the battle, the breeze and its
+communal contemporaries. At Passover there had been an illusive
+augmentation of advertisements proclaiming the virtues of unleavened
+everything. With the end of the Festival, most of these fell out,
+staying as short a time as the daffodils. Raphael was in despair at the
+meagre attenuated appearance of the erst prosperous-looking pages. The
+weekly loss on the paper weighed upon his conscience.
+
+"We shall never succeed," said the sub-editor, shaking his romantic
+hair, "till we run it for the Upper Ten. These ten people can make the
+paper, just as they are now killing it by refusing their countenance."
+
+"But they must surely reckon with us sooner or later," said Raphael.
+
+"It will he a long reckoning. I fear: you take my advice and put in more
+butter. It'll be _kosher_ butter, coming from us." The little Bohemian
+laughed as heartily as his eyeglass permitted.
+
+"No; we must stick to our guns. After all, we have had some very good
+things lately. Those articles of Pinchas's are not bad either."
+
+"They're so beastly egotistical. Still his theories are ingenious and
+far more interesting than those terribly dull long letters of Henry
+Goldsmith, which you will put in."
+
+Raphael flushed a little and began to walk up and down the new and
+superior sanctum with his ungainly strides, puffing furiously at his
+pipe The appearance of the room was less bare; the floor was carpeted
+with old newspapers and scraps of letters. A huge picture of an Atlantic
+Liner, the gift of a Steamship Company, leaned cumbrously against a
+wall.
+
+"Still, all our literary excellencies," pursued Sampson, "are outweighed
+by our shortcomings in getting births, marriages and deaths. We are
+gravelled for lack of that sort of matter What is the use of your
+elaborate essay on the Septuagint, when the public is dying to hear
+who's dead?"
+
+"Yes, I am afraid it is so." said Raphael, emitting a huge volume of
+smoke.
+
+"I'm sure it is so. If you would only give me a freer hand, I feel sure
+I could work up that column. We can at least make a better show: I would
+avoid the danger of discovery by shifting the scene to foreign parts. I
+could marry some people in Born-bay and kill some in Cape Town,
+redressing the balance by bringing others into existence at Cairo and
+Cincinnati. Our contemporaries would score off us in local interest, but
+we should take the shine out of them in cosmopolitanism."
+
+"No, no; remember that _Meshumad_" said Raphael, smiling.
+
+"He was real; if you had allowed me to invent a corpse, we should have
+been saved that _contretemps_. We have one 'death' this week
+fortunately, and I am sure to fish out another in the daily papers. But
+we haven't had a 'birth' for three weeks running; it's just ruining our
+reputation. Everybody knows that the orthodox are a fertile lot, and it
+looks as if we hadn't got the support even of our own party. Ta ra ra
+ta! Now you must really let me have a 'birth.' I give you my word,
+nobody'll suspect it isn't genuine. Come now. How's this?" He scribbled
+on a piece of paper and handed it to Raphael, who read:
+
+"BIRTH, on the 15th inst. at 17 East Stuart Lane, Kennington, the wife
+of Joseph Samuels of a son."
+
+"There!" said Sampson proudly, "Who would believe the little beggar had
+no existence? Nobody lives in Kennington, and that East Stuart Lane is a
+master-stroke. You might suspect Stuart Lane, but nobody would ever
+dream there's no such place as _East_ Stuart Lane. Don't say the little
+chap must die. I begin to take quite a paternal interest in him. May I
+announce him? Don't be too scrupulous. Who'll be a penny the worse for
+it?" He began to chirp, with bird-like trills of melody.
+
+Raphael hesitated: his moral fibre had been weakened. It is impossible
+to touch print and not be denied.
+
+Suddenly Sampson ceased to whistle and smote his head with his chubby
+fist. "Ass that I am!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What new reasons have you discovered to think so?" said Raphael.
+
+"Why, we dare not create boys. We shall be found out; boys must be
+circumcised and some of the periphrastically styled 'Initiators into the
+Abrahamic Covenant' may spot us. It was a girl that Mrs. Joseph Samuels
+was guilty of." He amended the sex.
+
+Raphael laughed heartily. "Put it by; there's another day yet; we shall
+see."
+
+"Very well," said Sampson resignedly. "Perhaps by to-morrow we shall be
+in luck and able to sing 'unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
+given.' By the way, did you see the letter complaining of our using that
+quotation, on the ground it was from the New Testament?"
+
+"Yes," said Raphael smiling. "Of course the man doesn't know his Old
+Testament, but I trace his misconception to his having heard Handel's
+Messiah. I wonder he doesn't find fault with the Morning Service for
+containing the Lord's Prayer, or with Moses for saying 'Thou shalt love
+thy neighbor as thyself.'"
+
+"Still, that's the sort of man newspapers have to cater for," said the
+sub-editor. "And we don't. We have cut down our Provincial Notes to a
+column. My idea would be to make two pages of them, not cutting out any
+of the people's names and leaving in more of the adjectives. Every man's
+name we mention means at least one copy sold. Why can't we drag in a
+couple of thousand names every week?"
+
+"That would make our circulation altogether nominal," laughed Raphael,
+not taking the suggestion seriously.
+
+Little Sampson was not only the Mephistopheles of the office, debauching
+his editor's guileless mind with all the wily ways of the old
+journalistic hand; he was of real use in protecting Raphael against the
+thousand and one pitfalls that make the editorial chair as perilous to
+the occupant as Sweeney Todd's; against the people who tried to get
+libels inserted as news or as advertisements, against the self-puffers
+and the axe-grinders. He also taught Raphael how to commence interesting
+correspondence and how to close awkward. The _Flag_ played a part in
+many violent discussions. Little Sampson was great in inventing communal
+crises, and in getting the public to believe it was excited. He also won
+a great victory over the other party every three weeks; Raphael did not
+wish to have so many of these victories, but little Sampson pointed out
+that if he did not have them, the rival newspaper would annex them. One
+of the earliest sensations of the _Flag_ was a correspondence exposing
+the misdeeds of some communal officials; but in the end the very persons
+who made the allegations ate humble pie. Evidently official pressure had
+been brought to bear, for red tape rampant might have been the heraldic
+device of Jewish officialdom. In no department did Jews exhibit more
+strikingly their marvellous powers of assimilation to their neighbors.
+
+Among the discussions which rent the body politic was the question of
+building a huge synagogue for the poor. The _Flag_ said it would only
+concentrate them, and its word prevailed. There were also the grave
+questions of English and harmoniums in the synagogue, of the
+confirmation of girls and their utilization in the choir. The Rabbinate,
+whose grave difficulties in reconciling all parties to its rule, were
+augmented by the existence of the _Flag_, pronounced it heinous to
+introduce English excerpts into the liturgy; if, however, they were not
+read from the central platform, they were legitimate; harmoniums were
+permissible, but only during special services; and an organization of
+mixed voices was allowable, but not a mixed choir; children might be
+confirmed, but the word "confirmation" should be avoided. Poor
+Rabbinate! The politics of the little community were extremely complex.
+What with rabid zealots yearning for the piety of the good old times,
+spiritually-minded ministers working with uncomfortable earnestness for
+a larger Judaism, radicals dropping out, moderates clamoring for quiet,
+and schismatics organizing new and tiresome movements, the Rabbinate
+could scarcely do aught else than emit sonorous platitudes and remain in
+office.
+
+And beneath all these surface ruffles was the steady silent drift of the
+new generation away from the old landmarks. The synagogue did not
+attract; it spoke Hebrew to those whose mother-tongue was English; its
+appeal was made through channels which conveyed nothing to them; it was
+out of touch with their real lives; its liturgy prayed for the
+restoration of sacrifices which they did not want and for the welfare of
+Babylonian colleges that had ceased to exist. The old generation merely
+believed its beliefs; if the new as much as professed them, it was only
+by virtue of the old home associations and the inertia of indifference.
+Practically, it was without religion. The Reform Synagogue, though a
+centre of culture and prosperity, was cold, crude and devoid of
+magnetism. Half a century of stagnant reform and restless dissolution
+had left Orthodoxy still the Established Doxy. For, as Orthodoxy
+evaporated in England, it was replaced by fresh streams from Russia, to
+be evaporated and replaced in turn, England acting as an automatic
+distillery. Thus the Rabbinate still reigned, though it scarcely
+governed either the East End or the West. For the East End formed a
+Federation of the smaller synagogues to oppose the dominance of the
+United Synagogue, importing a minister of superior orthodoxy from the
+Continent, and the _Flag_ had powerful leaders on the great struggle
+between plutocracy and democracy, and the voice of Mr. Henry Goldsmith
+was heard on behalf of Whitechapel. And the West, in so far as it had
+spiritual aspirations, fed them on non-Jewish literature and the higher
+thought of the age. The finer spirits, indeed, were groping for a
+purpose and a destiny, doubtful even, if the racial isolation they
+perpetuated were not an anachronism. While the community had been
+battling for civil and religious liberty, there had been a unifying,
+almost spiritualizing, influence in the sense of common injustice, and
+the question _cui bono_ had been postponed. Drowning men do not ask if
+life is worth living. Later, the Russian persecutions came to interfere
+again with national introspection, sending a powerful wave of racial
+sympathy round the earth. In England a backwash of the wave left the
+Asmonean Society, wherein, for the first time in history, Jews gathered
+with nothing in common save blood--artists, lawyers, writers,
+doctors--men who in pre-emancipation times might have become Christians
+like Heine, but who now formed an effective protest against the popular
+conceptions of the Jew, and a valuable antidote to the disproportionate
+notoriety achieved by less creditable types. At the Asmonean Society,
+brilliant free-lances, each thinking himself a solitary exception to a
+race of bigots, met one another in mutual astonishment. Raphael
+alienated several readers by uncompromising approval of this
+characteristically modern movement. Another symptom of the new intensity
+of national brotherhood was the attempt towards amalgamating the Spanish
+and German communities, but brotherhood broke down under the disparity
+of revenue, the rich Spanish sect displaying once again the
+exclusiveness which has marked its history.
+
+Amid these internal problems, the unspeakable immigrant was an added
+thorn. Very often the victim of Continental persecution was assisted on
+to America, but the idea that he was hurtful to native labor rankled in
+the minds of Englishmen, and the Jewish leaders were anxious to remove
+it, all but proving him a boon. In despair, it was sought to 'anglicize
+him by discourses in Yiddish. With the Poor Alien question was connected
+the return to Palestine. The Holy Land League still pinned its faith to
+Zion, and the _Flag_ was with it to the extent of preferring the ancient
+father-land, as the scene of agricultural experiments, to the South
+American soils selected by other schemes. It was generally felt that the
+redemption of Judaism lay largely in a return to the land, after several
+centuries of less primitive and more degrading occupations. When South
+America was chosen, Strelitski was the first to counsel the League to
+co-operate in the experiment, on the principle that half a loaf is
+better than no bread. But, for the orthodox the difficulties of
+regeneration by the spade were enhanced by the Sabbatical Year Institute
+of the Pentateuch, ordaining that land must lie fallow in the seventh
+year. It happened that this septennial holiday was just going on, and
+the faithful Palestine farmers were starving in voluntary martyrdom. The
+_Flag_ raised a subscription for their benefit. Raphael wished to head
+the list with twenty pounds, but on the advice of little Sampson he
+broke it up into a variety of small amounts, spread over several weeks,
+and attached to imaginary names and initials. Seeing so many other
+readers contributing, few readers felt called upon to tax themselves.
+The _Flag_ received the ornate thanks of a pleiad of Palestine Rabbis
+for its contribution of twenty-five guineas, two of which were from Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith. Gideon, the member for Whitechapel, remained callous to
+the sufferings of his brethren in the Holy Land. In daily contact with
+so many diverse interests, Raphael's mind widened as imperceptibly
+as the body grows. He learned the manners of many men and
+committees--admired the genuine goodness of some of the Jewish
+philanthropists and the fluent oratory of all; even while he realized
+the pettiness of their outlook and their reluctance to face facts. They
+were timorous, with a dread of decisive action and definitive speech,
+suggesting the differential, deprecatory corporeal wrigglings of the
+mediaeval few. They seemed to keep strict ward over the technical
+privileges of the different bodies they belonged to, and in their
+capacity of members of the Fiddle-de-dee to quarrel with themselves as
+members of the Fiddle-de-dum, and to pass votes of condolence or
+congratulation twice over as members of both. But the more he saw of his
+race the more he marvelled at the omnipresent ability, being tempted at
+times to allow truth to the view that Judaism was a successful
+sociological experiment, the moral and physical training of a chosen
+race whose very dietary had been religiously regulated.
+
+And even the revelations of the seamy side of human character which
+thrust themselves upon the most purblind of editors were blessings in
+disguise. The office of the _Flag_ was a forcing-house for Raphael; many
+latent thoughts developed into extraordinary maturity. A month of the
+_Flag_ was equal to a year of experience in the outside world. And not
+even little Sampson himself was keener to appreciate the humors of the
+office when no principle was involved; though what made the sub-editor
+roar with laughter often made the editor miserable for the day. For
+compensation, Raphael had felicities from which little Sampson was cut
+off; gladdened by revelations of earnestness and piety in letters that
+were merely bad English to the sub-editor.
+
+A thing that set them both laughing occurred on the top of their
+conversation about the reader who objected to quotations from the Old
+Testament. A package of four old _Flags_ arrived, accompanied by a
+letter. This was the letter:
+
+     "DEAR SIR:
+
+     "Your man called upon me last night, asking for payment for four
+     advertisements of my Passover groceries. But I have changed my mind
+     about them and do not want them; and therefore beg to return the
+     four numbers sent me You will see I have not opened them or soiled
+     them in any way, so please cancel the claim in your books.
+
+     "Yours truly,
+
+     "ISAAC WOLLBERG."
+
+"He evidently thinks the vouchers sent him _are_ the advertisements,"
+screamed little Sampson.
+
+"But if he is as ignorant as all that, how could he have written the
+letter?" asked Raphael.
+
+"Oh, it was probably written for him for twopence by the Shalotten
+_Shammos_, the begging-letter writer."
+
+"This is almost as funny as Karlkammer!" said Raphael.
+
+Karlkammer had sent in a long essay on the Sabbatical Year question,
+which Raphael had revised and published with Karlkammer's title at the
+head and Karlkammer's name at the foot. Yet, owing to the few
+rearrangements and inversions of sentences, Karlkammer never identified
+it as his own, and was perpetually calling to inquire when his article
+would appear. He brought with him fresh manuscripts of the article as
+originally written. He was not the only caller; Raphael was much
+pestered by visitors on kindly counsel bent or stern exhortation. The
+sternest were those who had never yet paid their subscriptions. De Haan
+also kept up proprietorial rights of interference. In private life
+Raphael suffered much from pillars of the Montagu Samuels type, who
+accused him of flippancy, and no communal crisis invented by little
+Sampson ever equalled the pother and commotion that arose when Raphael
+incautiously allowed him to burlesque the notorious _Mordecai Josephs_
+by comically exaggerating its exaggerations. The community took it
+seriously, as an attack upon the race. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith were
+scandalized, and Raphael had to shield little Sampson by accepting the
+whole responsibility for its appearance.
+
+"Talking of Karlkammer's article, are you ever going to use up Herman's
+scientific paper?" asked little Sampson.
+
+"I'm afraid so," said Raphael; "I don't know how we can get out of it.
+But his eternal _kosher_ meat sticks in my throat. We are Jews for the
+love of God, not to be saved from consumption bacilli. But I won't use
+it to-morrow; we have Miss Cissy Levine's tale. It's not half bad. What
+a pity she has the expenses of her books paid! If she had to achieve
+publication by merit, her style might be less slipshod."
+
+"I wish some rich Jew would pay the expenses of my opera tour," said
+little Sampson, ruefully. "My style of doing the thing would be
+improved. The people who are backing me up are awfully stingy, actually
+buying up battered old helmets for my chorus of Amazons."
+
+Intermittently the question of the sub-editor's departure for the
+provinces came up: it was only second in frequency to his "victories."
+About once a month the preparations for the tour were complete, and he
+would go about in a heyday of jubilant vocalization; then his comic
+prima-donna would fall ill or elope, his conductor would get drunk, his
+chorus would strike, and little Sampson would continue to sub-edit _The
+Flag of Judah_.
+
+Pinchas unceremoniously turned the handle of the door and came in. The
+sub-editor immediately hurried out to get a cup of tea. Pinchas had
+fastened upon him the responsibility for the omission of an article last
+week, and had come to believe that he was in league with rival
+Continental scholars to keep Melchitsedek Pinchas's effusions out of
+print, and so little Sampson dared not face the angry savant. Raphael,
+thus deserted, cowered in his chair. He did not fear death, but he
+feared Pinchas, and had fallen into the cowardly habit of bribing him
+lavishly not to fill the paper. Fortunately, the poet was in high
+feather.
+
+"Don't forget the announcement that I lecture at the Club on Sunday. You
+see all the efforts of Reb Shemuel, of the Rev. Joseph Strelitski, of
+the Chief Rabbi, of Ebenezer vid his blue spectacles, of Sampson, of all
+the phalanx of English Men-of-the-Earth, they all fail. Ab, I am a great
+man."
+
+"I won't forget," said Raphael wearily. "The announcement is already in
+print."
+
+"Ah, I love you. You are the best man in the vorld. It is you who have
+championed me against those who are thirsting for my blood. And now I
+vill tell you joyful news. There is a maiden coming up to see you--she
+is asking in the publisher's office--oh such a lovely maiden!"
+
+Pinchas grinned all over his face, and was like to dig his editor in the
+ribs.
+
+"What maiden?"
+
+"I do not know; but vai-r-r-y beaudiful. Aha, I vill go. Have you not
+been good to _me_? But vy come not beaudiful maidens to _me_?"
+
+"No, no, you needn't go," said Raphael, getting red.
+
+Pinchas grinned as one who knew better, and struck a match to rekindle a
+stump of cigar. "No, no, I go write my lecture--oh it vill be a great
+lecture. You vill announce it in the paper! You vill not leave it out
+like Sampson left out my article last week." He was at the door now,
+with his finger alongside his nose.
+
+Raphael shook himself impatiently, and the poet threw the door wide open
+and disappeared.
+
+For a full minute Raphael dared not look towards the door for fear of
+seeing the poet's cajoling head framed in the opening. When he did, he
+was transfixed to see Esther Ansell's there, regarding him pensively.
+
+His heart beat painfully at the shock; the room seemed flooded with
+sunlight.
+
+"May I come in?" she said, smiling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ESTHER DEFIES THE UNIVERSE.
+
+
+Esther wore a neat black mantle, and looked taller and more womanly than
+usual in a pretty bonnet and a spotted veil. There was a flush of color
+in her cheeks, her eyes sparkled. She had walked in cold sunny weather
+from the British Museum (where she was still supposed to be), and the
+wind had blown loose a little wisp of hair over the small shell-like
+ear. In her left hand she held a roll of manuscript. It contained her
+criticisms of the May Exhibitions. Whereby hung a tale.
+
+In the dark days that followed the scene with Levi, Esther's resolution
+had gradually formed. The position had become untenable. She could no
+longer remain a _Schnorrer_; abusing the bounty of her benefactors into
+the bargain. She must leave the Goldsmiths, and at once. That was
+imperative; the second step could be thought over when she had taken
+the first. And yet she postponed taking the first. Once she drifted out
+of her present sphere, she could not answer for the future, could not be
+certain, for instance, that she would be able to redeem her promise to
+Raphael to sit in judgment upon the Academy and other picture galleries
+that bloomed in May. At any rate, once she had severed connection with
+the Goldsmith circle, she would not care to renew it, even in the case
+of Raphael. No, it was best to get this last duty off her shoulders,
+then to say farewell to him and all the other human constituents of her
+brief period of partial sunshine. Besides, the personal delivery of the
+precious manuscript would afford her the opportunity of this farewell to
+him. With his social remissness, it was unlikely he would call soon upon
+the Goldsmiths, and she now restricted her friendship with Addie to
+receiving Addie's visits, so as to prepare for its dissolution. Addie
+amused her by reading extracts from Sidney's letters, for the brilliant
+young artist had suddenly gone off to Norway the morning after the
+_debut_ of the new Hamlet. Esther felt that it might be as well if she
+stayed on to see how the drama of these two lives developed. These
+things she told herself in the reaction from the first impulse of
+instant flight.
+
+Raphael put down his pipe at the sight of her and a frank smile of
+welcome shone upon his flushed face.
+
+"This is so kind of you!" he said; "who would have thought of seeing you
+here? I am so glad. I hope you are well. You look better." He was
+wringing her little gloved hand violently as he spoke.
+
+"I feel better, too, thank you. The air is so exhilarating. I'm glad to
+see you're still in the land of the living. Addie has told me of your
+debauches of work."
+
+"Addie is foolish. I never felt better. Come inside. Don't be afraid of
+walking on the papers. They're all old."
+
+"I always heard literary people were untidy," said Esther smiling.
+"_You_ must be a regular genius."
+
+"Well, you see we don't have many ladies coming here," said Raphael
+deprecatingly, "though we have plenty of old women."
+
+"It's evident you don't. Else some of them would go down on their hands
+and knees and never get up till this litter was tidied up a bit."
+
+"Never mind that now, Miss Ansell. Sit down, won't you? You must be
+tired. Take the editorial chair. Allow me a minute." He removed some
+books from it.
+
+"Is that the way you sit on the books sent in for review?" She sat down.
+"Dear me! It's quite comfortable. You men like comfort, even the most
+self-sacrificing. But where is your fighting-editor? It would be awkward
+if an aggrieved reader came in and mistook me for the editor, wouldn't
+it? It isn't safe for me to remain in this chair."
+
+"Oh, yes it is! We've tackled our aggrieved readers for to-day," he
+assured her.
+
+She looked curiously round. "Please pick up your pipe. It's going out. I
+don't mind smoke, indeed I don't. Even if I did, I should be prepared to
+pay the penalty of bearding an editor in his den."
+
+Raphael resumed his pipe gratefully.
+
+"I wonder though you don't set the place on fire," Esther rattled on,
+"with all this mass of inflammable matter about."
+
+"It is very dry, most of it," he admitted, with a smile.
+
+"Why don't you have a real fire? It must be quite cold sitting here all
+day. What's that great ugly picture over there?"
+
+"That steamer! It's an advertisement."
+
+"Heavens! What a decoration. I should like to have the criticism of that
+picture. I've brought you those picture-galleries, you know; that's what
+I've come for."
+
+"Thank you! That's very good of you. I'll send it to the printers at
+once." He took the roll and placed it in a pigeon-hole, without taking
+his eyes off her face.
+
+"Why don't you throw that awful staring thing away?" she asked,
+contemplating the steamer with a morbid fascination, "and sweep away the
+old papers, and have a few little water-colors hung up and put a vase of
+flowers on your desk. I wish I had the control of the office for a
+week."
+
+"I wish you had," he said gallantly. "I can't find time to think of
+those things. I am sure you are brightening it up already."
+
+The little blush on her cheek deepened. Compliment was unwonted with
+him; and indeed, he spoke as he felt. The sight of her seated so
+strangely and unexpectedly in his own humdrum sanctum; the imaginary
+picture of her beautifying it and evolving harmony out of the chaos with
+artistic touches of her dainty hands, filled him with pleasant, tender
+thoughts, such as he had scarce known before. The commonplace editorial
+chair seemed to have undergone consecration and poetic transformation.
+Surely the sunshine that streamed through the dusty window would for
+ever rest on it henceforwards. And yet the whole thing appeared
+fantastic and unreal.
+
+"I hope you are speaking the truth," replied Esther with a little laugh.
+"You need brightening, you old dry-as-dust philanthropist, sitting
+poring over stupid manuscripts when you ought to be in the country
+enjoying the sunshine." She spoke in airy accents, with an undercurrent
+of astonishment at her attack of high spirits on an occasion she had
+designed to be harrowing.
+
+"Why, I haven't _looked_ at your manuscript yet," he retorted gaily, but
+as he spoke there flashed upon him a delectable vision of blue sea and
+waving pines with one fair wood-nymph flitting through the trees, luring
+him on from this musty cell of never-ending work to unknown ecstasies of
+youth and joyousness. The leafy avenues were bathed in sacred sunlight,
+and a low magic music thrilled through the quiet air. It was but the
+dream of a second--the dingy walls closed round him again, the great
+ugly steamer, that never went anywhere, sailed on. But the wood-nymph
+did not vanish; the sunbeam was still on the editorial chair, lighting
+up the little face with a celestial halo. And when she spoke again, it
+was as if the music that filled the visionary glades was a reality, too.
+
+"It's all very well your treating reproof as a jest," she said, more
+gravely. "Can't you see that it's false economy to risk a break-down
+even if you use yourself purely for others? You're looking far from
+well. You are overtaxing human strength. Come now, admit my sermon is
+just. Remember I speak not as a Pharisee, but as one who made the
+mistake herself--a fellow-sinner." She turned her dark eyes
+reproachfully upon him.
+
+"I--I--don't sleep very well," he admitted, "but otherwise I assure you
+I feel all right."
+
+It was the second time she had manifested concern for his health. The
+blood coursed deliciously in his veins; a thrill ran through his whole
+form. The gentle anxious face seemed to grow angelic. Could she really
+care if his health gave way? Again he felt a rash of self-pity that
+filled his eyes with tears. He was grateful to her for sharing his sense
+of the empty cheerlessness of his existence. He wondered why it had
+seemed so full and cheery just before.
+
+"And you used to sleep so well," said Esther, slily, remembering Addie's
+domestic revelations. "My stupid manuscript should come in useful."
+
+"Oh, forgive my stupid joke!" he said remorsefully.
+
+"Forgive mine!" she answered. "Sleeplessness is too terrible to joke
+about. Again I speak as one who knows."
+
+"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that!" he said, his egoistic tenderness instantly
+transformed to compassionate solicitude.
+
+"Never mind me; I am a woman and can take care of myself. Why don't you
+go over to Norway and join Mr. Graham?"
+
+"That's quite out of the question," he said, puffing furiously at his
+pipe. "I can't leave the paper."
+
+"Oh, men always say that. Haven't you let your pipe go out? I don't see
+any smoke."
+
+He started and laughed. "Yes, there's no more tobacco in it." He laid it
+down.
+
+"No, I insist on your going on or else I shall feel uncomfortable.
+Where's your pouch?"
+
+He felt all over his pockets. "It must be on the table."
+
+She rummaged among the mass of papers. "Ha! There are your scissors'"
+she said scornfully, turning them up. She found the pouch in time and
+handed it to him. "I ought to have the management of this office for a
+day," she remarked again.
+
+"Well, fill my pipe for me," he said, with an audacious inspiration. He
+felt an unreasoning impulse to touch her hand, to smooth her soft cheek
+with his fingers and press her eyelids down over her dancing eyes. She
+filled the pipe, full measure and running over; he took it by the stem,
+her warm gloved fingers grazing his chilly bare hand and suffusing him
+with a delicious thrill.
+
+"Now you must crown your work," he said. "The matches are somewhere
+about."
+
+She hunted again, interpolating exclamations of reproof at the risk of
+fire.
+
+"They're safety matches, I think," he said. They proved to be wax
+vestas. She gave him a liquid glance of mute reproach that filled him
+with bliss as overbrimmingly as his pipe had been filled with bird's
+eye; then she struck a match, protecting the flame scientifically in the
+hollow of her little hand. Raphael had never imagined a wax vesta could
+be struck so charmingly. She tip-toed to reach the bowl in his mouth,
+but he bent his tall form and felt her breath upon his face. The volumes
+of smoke curled up triumphantly, and Esther's serious countenance
+relaxed in a smile of satisfaction. She resumed the conversation where
+it had been broken off by the idyllic interlude of the pipe.
+
+"But if you can't leave London, there's plenty of recreation to be had
+in town. I'll wager you haven't yet been to see _Hamlet_ in lieu of the
+night you disappointed us."
+
+"Disappointed myself, you mean," he said with a retrospective
+consciousness of folly. "No, to tell the truth, I haven't been out at
+all lately. Life is so short."
+
+"Then, why waste it?"
+
+"Oh come, I can't admit I waste it," he said, with a gentle smile that
+filled her with a penetrating emotion. "You mustn't take such material
+views of life." Almost in a whisper he quoted: "To him that hath the
+kingdom of God all things shall be added," and went on: "Socialism is at
+least as important as Shakspeare."
+
+"Socialism," she repeated. "Are you a Socialist, then?"
+
+"Of a kind," he answered. "Haven't you detected the cloven hoof in my
+leaders? I'm not violent, you know; don't be alarmed. But I have been
+doing a little mild propagandism lately in the evenings; land
+nationalization and a few other things which would bring the world more
+into harmony with the Law of Moses."
+
+"What! do you find Socialism, too, in orthodox Judaism?"
+
+"It requires no seeking."
+
+"Well, you're almost as bad as my father, who found every thing in the
+Talmud. At this rate you will certainly convert me soon; or at least I
+shall, like M. Jourdain, discover I've been orthodox all my life without
+knowing it."
+
+"I hope so," he said gravely. "But have you Socialistic sympathies?"
+
+She hesitated. As a girl she had felt the crude Socialism which is the
+unreasoned instinct of ambitious poverty, the individual revolt
+mistaking itself for hatred of the general injustice. When the higher
+sphere has welcomed the Socialist, he sees he was but the exception to a
+contented class. Esther had gone through the second phase and was in the
+throes of the third, to which only the few attain.
+
+"I used to be a red-hot Socialist once," she said. "To-day I doubt
+whether too much stress is not laid on material conditions. High
+thinking is compatible with the plainest living. 'The soul is its own
+place and can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.' Let the people
+who wish to build themselves lordly treasure-houses do so, if they can
+afford it, but let us not degrade our ideals by envying them."
+
+The conversation had drifted into seriousness. Raphael's thoughts
+reverted to their normal intellectual cast, but he still watched with
+pleasure the play of her mobile features as she expounded her opinions.
+
+"Ah, yes, that is a nice abstract theory," he said. "But what if the
+mechanism of competitive society works so that thousands don't even get
+the plainest living? You should just see the sights I have seen, then
+you would understand why for some time the improvement of the material
+condition of the masses must be the great problem. Of course, you won't
+suspect me of underrating the moral and religious considerations."
+
+Esther smiled almost Imperceptibly. The idea of Raphael, who could not
+see two inches before his nose, telling _her_ to examine the spectacle
+of human misery would have been distinctly amusing, even if her early
+life had been passed among the same scenes as his. It seemed a part of
+the irony of things and the paradox of fate that Raphael, who had never
+known cold or hunger, should be so keenly sensitive to the sufferings of
+others, while she who had known both had come to regard them with
+philosophical tolerance. Perhaps she was destined ere long to renew her
+acquaintance with them. Well, that would test her theories at any rate.
+
+"Who is taking material views of life now?" she asked.
+
+"It is by perfect obedience to the Mosaic Law that the kingdom of God is
+to be brought about on earth," he answered. "And in spirit, orthodox
+Judaism is undoubtedly akin to Socialism." His enthusiasm set him pacing
+the room as usual, his arms working like the sails of a windmill.
+
+Esther shook her head. "Well, give me Shakspeare," she said. "I had
+rather see _Hamlet_ than a world of perfect prigs." She laughed at the
+oddity of her own comparison and added, still smiling: "Once upon a time
+I used to think Shakspeare a fraud. But that was merely because he was
+an institution. It is a real treat to find one superstition that will
+stand analysis."
+
+"Perhaps you will find the Bible turn out like that," he said hopefully.
+
+"I _have_ found it. Within the last few months I have read it right
+through again--Old and New. It is full of sublime truths, noble
+apophthegms, endless touches of nature, and great poetry. Our tiny race
+may well be proud of having given humanity its greatest as well as its
+most widely circulated books. Why can't Judaism take a natural view of
+things and an honest pride in its genuine history, instead of building
+its synagogues on shifting sand?"
+
+"In Germany, later in America, the reconstruction of Judaism has been
+attempted in every possible way; inspiration has been sought not only in
+literature, but in archaeology, and even in anthropology; it is these
+which have proved the shifting sand. You see your scepticism is not
+even original." He smiled a little, serene in the largeness of his
+faith. His complacency grated upon her. She jumped up. "We always seem
+to get into religion, you and I," she said. "I wonder why. It is certain
+we shall never agree. Mosaism is magnificent, no doubt, but I cannot
+help feeling Mr. Graham is right when he points out its limitations.
+Where would the art of the world be if the second Commandment had been
+obeyed? Is there any such thing as an absolute system of morality? How
+is it the Chinese have got on all these years without religion? Why
+should the Jews claim the patent in those moral ideas which you find
+just as well in all the great writers of antiquity? Why--?" she stopped
+suddenly, seeing his smile had broadened.
+
+"Which of all these objections am I to answer?" he asked merrily. "Some
+I'm sure you don't mean."
+
+"I mean all those you can't answer. So please don't try. After all,
+you're not a professional explainer of the universe, that I should
+heckle you thus."
+
+"Oh, but I set up to be," he protested.
+
+"No, you don't. You haven't called me a blasphemer once. I'd better go
+before you become really professional. I shall be late for dinner."
+
+"What nonsense! It is only four o'clock," he pleaded, consulting an
+old-fashioned silver watch.
+
+"As late as that!" said Esther in horrified tones. "Good-bye! Take care
+to go through my 'copy' in case any heresies have filtered into it."
+
+"Your copy? Did you give it me?" he inquired.
+
+"Of course I did. You took it from me. Where did you put it? Oh, I hope
+you haven't mixed it up with those papers. It'll be a terrible task to
+find it," cried Esther excitedly.
+
+"I wonder if I could have put it in the pigeon-hole for 'copy,'" he
+said. "Yes! what luck!"
+
+Esther laughed heartily. "You seem tremendously surprised to find
+anything in its right place."
+
+The moment of solemn parting had come, yet she found herself laughing
+on. Perhaps she was glad to find the farewell easier than she had
+foreseen, it had certainly been made easier by the theological passage
+of arms, which brought out all her latent antagonism to the prejudiced
+young pietist. Her hostility gave rather a scornful ring to the laugh,
+which ended with a suspicion of hysteria.
+
+"What a lot of stuff you've written," he said. "I shall never be able to
+get this into one number."
+
+"I didn't intend you should. It's to be used in instalments, if it's
+good enough. I did it all in advance, because I'm going away."
+
+"Going away!" he cried, arresting himself in the midst of an inhalation
+of smoke. "Where?"
+
+"I don't know," she said wearily.
+
+He looked alarm and interrogation.
+
+"I am going to leave the Goldsmiths," she said. "I haven't decided
+exactly what to do next."
+
+"I hope you haven't quarrelled with them."
+
+"No, no, not at all. In fact they don't even know I am going. I only
+tell you in confidence. Please don't say anything to anybody. Good-bye.
+I may not come across you again. So this may be a last good-bye." She
+extended her hand; he took it mechanically.
+
+"I have no right to pry into your confidence," he said anxiously, "but
+you make me very uneasy." He did not let go her hand, the warm touch
+quickened his sympathy. He felt he could not part with her and let her
+drift into Heaven knew what. "Won't you tell me your trouble?" he went
+on. "I am sure it is some trouble. Perhaps I can help you. I should be
+so glad if you would give me the opportunity."
+
+The tears struggled to her eyes, but she did not speak. They stood in
+silence, with their hands still clasped, feeling very near to each
+other, and yet still so far apart.
+
+"Cannot you trust me?" he asked. "I know you are unhappy, but I had
+hoped you had grown cheerfuller of late. You told me so much at our
+first meeting, surely you might trust me yet a little farther."
+
+"I have told you enough," she said at last "I cannot any longer eat the
+bread of charity; I must go away and try to earn my own living."
+
+"But what will you do?"
+
+"What do other girls do? Teaching, needlework, anything. Remember, I'm
+an experienced teacher and a graduate to boot." Her pathetic smile lit
+up the face with tremulous tenderness.
+
+"But you would be quite alone in the world," he said, solicitude
+vibrating in every syllable.
+
+"I am used to being quite alone in the world."
+
+The phrase threw a flash of light along the backward vista of her life
+with the Goldsmiths, and filled his soul with pity and yearning.
+
+"But suppose you fail?"
+
+"If I fail--" she repeated, and rounded off the sentence with a shrug.
+It was the apathetic, indifferent shrug of Moses Ansell; only his was
+the shrug of faith in Providence, hers of despair. It filled Raphael's
+heart with deadly cold and his soul with sinister forebodings. The
+pathos of her position seemed to him intolerable.
+
+"No, no, this must not be!" he cried, and his hand gripped hers
+fiercely, as if he were afraid of her being dragged away by main force.
+He was terribly agitated; his whole being seemed to be undergoing
+profound and novel emotions. Their eyes met; in one and the same instant
+the knowledge broke upon her that she loved him, and that if she chose
+to play the woman he was hers, and life a Paradisian dream. The
+sweetness of the thought intoxicated her, thrilled her veins with fire.
+But the next instant she was chilled as by a gray cold fog. The
+realities of things came back, a whirl of self-contemptuous thoughts
+blent with a hopeless sense of the harshness of life. Who was she to
+aspire to such a match? Had her earlier day-dream left her no wiser than
+that? The _Schnorrer's_ daughter setting her cap at the wealthy Oxford
+man, forsooth! What would people say? And what would they say if they
+knew how she had sought him out in his busy seclusion to pitch a tale of
+woe and move him by his tenderness of heart to a pity he mistook
+momentarily for love? The image of Levi came back suddenly; she
+quivered, reading herself through his eyes. And yet would not his crude
+view be right? Suppress the consciousness as she would in her maiden
+breast, had she not been urged hither by an irresistible impulse?
+Knowing what she felt now, she could not realize she had been ignorant
+of it when she set out. She was a deceitful, scheming little thing.
+Angry with herself, she averted her gaze from the eyes that hungered for
+her, though they were yet unlit by self-consciousness; she loosed her
+hand from his, and as if the cessation of the contact restored her
+self-respect, some of her anger passed unreasonably towards him.
+
+"What right, have you to say it must not be?" she inquired haughtily.
+"Do you think I can't take care of myself, that I need any one to
+protect me or to help me?"
+
+"No--I--I--only mean--" he stammered in infinite distress, feeling
+himself somehow a blundering brute.
+
+"Remember I am not like the girls you are used to meet. I have known the
+worst that life can offer. I can stand alone, yes, and face the whole
+world. Perhaps you don't know that I wrote _Mordecai Josephs_, the book
+you burlesqued so mercilessly!"
+
+"_You_ wrote it!"
+
+"Yes, I. I am Edward Armitage. Did those initials never strike you? I
+wrote it and I glory in it. Though all Jewry cry out 'The picture is
+false,' I say it is true. So now you know the truth. Proclaim it to all
+Hyde Park and Maida Vale, tell it to all your narrow-minded friends and
+acquaintances, and let them turn and rend me. I can live without them or
+their praise. Too long they have cramped my soul. Now at last I am going
+to cut myself free. From them and from you and all your petty prejudices
+and interests. Good-bye, for ever."
+
+She went out abruptly, leaving the room dark and Raphael shaken and
+dumbfounded; she went down the stairs and into the keen bright air, with
+a fierce exultation at her heart, an intoxicating sense of freedom and
+defiance. It was over. She had vindicated herself to herself and to the
+imaginary critics. The last link that bound her to Jewry was snapped; it
+was impossible it could ever be reforged. Raphael knew her in her true
+colors at last. She seemed to herself a Spinoza the race had cast out.
+
+The editor of _The Flag of Judah_ stood for some minutes as if
+petrified; then he turned suddenly to the litter on his table and
+rummaged among it feverishly. At last, as with a happy recollection, he
+opened a drawer. What he sought was there. He started reading _Mordecai
+Josephs_, forgetting to close the drawer. Passage after passage suffused
+his eyes with tears; a soft magic hovered about the nervous sentences;
+he read her eager little soul in every line. Now he understood. How
+blind he had been! How could he have missed seeing? Esther stared at him
+from every page. She was the heroine of her own book; yes, and the hero,
+too, for he was but another side of herself translated into the
+masculine. The whole book was Esther, the whole Esther and nothing but
+Esther, for even the satirical descriptions were but the revolt of
+Esther's soul against mean and evil things. He turned to the great
+love-scene of the book, and read on and on, fascinated, without getting
+further than the chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+GOING HOME.
+
+
+No need to delay longer; every need for instant flight. Esther had found
+courage to confess her crime against the community to Raphael; there was
+no seething of the blood to nerve her to face Mrs. Henry Goldsmith. She
+retired to her room soon after dinner on the plea (which was not a
+pretext) of a headache. Then she wrote:
+
+     "DEAR MRS. GOLDSMITH:
+
+     "When you read this, I shall have left your house, never to return.
+     It would be idle to attempt to explain my reasons. I could not hope
+     to make you see through my eyes. Suffice it to say that I cannot
+     any longer endure a life of dependence, and that I feel I have
+     abused your favor by writing that Jewish novel of which you
+     disapprove so vehemently. I never intended to keep the secret from
+     you, after publication. I thought the book would succeed and you
+     would be pleased; at the same time I dimly felt that you might
+     object to certain things and ask to have them altered, and I have
+     always wanted to write my own ideas, and not other people's. With
+     my temperament, I see now that it was a mistake to fetter myself by
+     obligations to anybody, but the mistake was made in my girlhood
+     when I knew little of the world and perhaps less of myself.
+     Nevertheless, I wish you to believe, dear Mrs. Goldsmith, that all
+     the blame for the unhappy situation which has arisen I put upon my
+     own shoulders, and that I have nothing for you but the greatest
+     affection and gratitude for all the kindnesses I have received at
+     your hands. I beg you not to think that I make the slightest
+     reproach against you; on the contrary, I shall always henceforth
+     reproach myself with the thought that I have made you so poor a
+     return for your generosity and incessant thoughtfulness. But the
+     sphere in which you move is too high for me; I cannot assimilate
+     with it and I return, not without gladness, to the humble sphere
+     whence you took me. With kindest regards and best wishes,
+
+     "I am,
+
+     "Yours ever gratefully,
+
+     "ESTHER ANSELL."
+
+There were tears in Esther's eyes when she finished, and she was
+penetrated with admiration of her own generosity in so freely admitting
+Mrs. Goldsmith's and in allowing that her patron got nothing out of the
+bargain. She was doubtful whether the sentence about the high sphere was
+satirical or serious. People do not know what they mean almost as often
+as they do not say it.
+
+Esther put the letter into an envelope and placed it on the open
+writing-desk she kept on her dressing-table. She then packed a few
+toilette essentials in a little bag, together with some American
+photographs of her brother and sisters in various stages of adolescence.
+She was determined to go back empty-handed as she came, and was
+reluctant to carry off the few sovereigns of pocket-money in her purse,
+and hunted up a little gold locket she had received, while yet a
+teacher, in celebration of the marriage of a communal magnate's
+daughter. Thrown aside seven years ago, it now bade fair to be the
+corner-stone of the temple; she had meditated pledging it and living on
+the proceeds till she found work, but when she realized its puny
+pretensions to cozen pawnbrokers, it flashed upon her that she could
+always repay Mrs. Goldsmith the few pounds she was taking away. In a
+drawer there was a heap of manuscript carefully locked away; she took it
+and looked through it hurriedly, contemptuously. Some of it was music,
+some poetry, the bulk prose. At last she threw it suddenly on the bright
+fire which good Mary O'Reilly had providentially provided in her room;
+then, as it flared up, stricken with remorse, she tried to pluck the
+sheets from the flames; only by scorching her fingers and raising
+blisters did she succeed, and then, with scornful resignation, she
+instantly threw them back again, warming her feverish hands merrily at
+the bonfire. Rapidly looking through all her drawers, lest perchance in
+some stray manuscript she should leave her soul naked behind her, she
+came upon a forgotten faded rose. The faint fragrance was charged with
+strange memories of Sidney. The handsome young artist had given it her
+in the earlier days of their acquaintanceship. To Esther to-night it
+seemed to belong to a period infinitely more remote than her childhood.
+When the shrivelled rose had been further crumpled into a little ball
+and then picked to bits, it only remained to inquire where to go; what
+to do she could settle when there. She tried to collect her thoughts.
+Alas! it was not so easy as collecting her luggage. For a long time she
+crouched on the fender and looked into the fire, seeing in it only
+fragmentary pictures of the last seven years--bits of scenery, great
+Cathedral interiors arousing mysterious yearnings, petty incidents of
+travel, moments with Sidney, drawing-room episodes, strange passionate
+scenes with herself as single performer, long silent watches of study
+and aspiration, like the souls of the burned manuscripts made visible.
+Even that very afternoon's scene with Raphael was part of the "old
+unhappy far-off things" that could only live henceforwards in fantastic
+arcades of glowing coal, out of all relation to future realities. Her
+new-born love for Raphael appeared as ancient and as arid as the girlish
+ambitions that had seemed on the point of blossoming when she was
+transplanted from the Ghetto. That, too, was in the flames, and should
+remain there.
+
+At last she started up with a confused sense of wasted time and began to
+undress mechanically, trying to concentrate her thoughts the while on
+the problem that faced her. But they wandered back to her first night in
+the fine house, when a separate bedroom was a new experience and she was
+afraid to sleep alone, though turned fifteen. But she was more afraid of
+appearing a great baby, and so no one in the world ever knew what the
+imaginative little creature had lived down.
+
+In the middle of brushing her hair she ran to the door and locked it,
+from a sudden dread that she might oversleep herself and some one would
+come in and see the letter on the writing-desk. She had not solved the
+problem even by the time she got into bed; the fire opposite the foot
+was burning down, but there was a red glow penetrating the dimness. She
+had forgotten to draw the blind, and she saw the clear stars shining
+peacefully in the sky. She looked and looked at them and they led her
+thoughts away from the problem once more. She seemed to be lying in
+Victoria Park, looking up with innocent mystic rapture and restfulness
+at the brooding blue sky. The blood-and-thunder boys' story she had
+borrowed from Solomon had fallen from her hand and lay unheeded on the
+grass. Solomon was tossing a ball to Rachel, which he had acquired by a
+colossal accumulation of buttons, and Isaac and Sarah were rolling and
+wrangling on the grass. Oh, why had she deserted them? What were they
+doing now, without her mother-care, out and away beyond the great seas?
+For weeks together, the thought of them had not once crossed her mind;
+to-night she stretched her arms involuntarily towards her loved ones,
+not towards the shadowy figures of reality, scarcely less phantasmal
+than the dead Benjamin, but towards the childish figures of the past.
+What happy times they had had together in the dear old garret!
+
+In her strange half-waking hallucination, her outstretched arms were
+clasped round little Sarah. She was putting her to bed and the tiny
+thing was repeating after her, in broken Hebrew, the children's
+night-prayer: "Suffer me to lie down in peace, and let me rise up in
+peace. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one," with its
+unauthorized appendix in baby English: "Dod teep me, and mate me a dood
+dirl, orways."
+
+She woke to full consciousness with a start; her arms chilled, her face
+wet. But the problem was solved.
+
+She would go back to them, back to her true home, where loving faces
+waited to welcome her, where hearts were open and life was simple and
+the weary brain could find rest from the stress and struggle of
+obstinate questionings of destiny. Life was so simple at bottom; it was
+she that was so perversely complex. She would go back to her father
+whose naive devout face swam glorified upon a sea of tears; yea, and
+back to her father's primitive faith like a tired lost child that spies
+its home at last. The quaint, monotonous cadence of her father's prayers
+rang pathetically in her ears; and a great light, the light that Raphael
+had shown her, seemed to blend mystically with the once meaningless
+sounds. Yea, all things were from Him who created light and darkness,
+good and evil; she felt her cares falling from her, her soul absorbing
+itself in the sense of a Divine Love, awful, profound, immeasurable,
+underlying and transcending all things, incomprehensibly satisfying the
+soul and justifying and explaining the universe. The infinite fret and
+fume of life seemed like the petulance of an infant in the presence of
+this restful tenderness diffused through the great spaces. How holy the
+stars seemed up there in the quiet sky, like so many Sabbath lights
+shedding visible consecration and blessing!
+
+Yes, she would go back to her loved ones, back from this dainty room,
+with its white laces and perfumed draperies, back if need be to a Ghetto
+garret. And in the ecstasy of her abandonment of all worldly things, a
+great peace fell upon her soul.
+
+In the morning the nostalgia of the Ghetto was still upon her, blent
+with a passion of martyrdom that made her yearn for a lower social depth
+than was really necessary. But the more human aspects of the situation
+were paramount in the gray chillness of a bleak May dawn. Her resolution
+to cross the Atlantic forthwith seemed a little hasty, and though she
+did not flinch from it, she was not sorry to remember that she had not
+money enough for the journey. She must perforce stay in London till she
+had earned it; meantime she would go back to the districts and the
+people she knew so well, and accustom herself again to the old ways, the
+old simplicities of existence.
+
+She dressed herself in her plainest apparel, though she could not help
+her spring bonnet being pretty. She hesitated between a hat and a
+bonnet, but decided that her solitary position demanded as womanly an
+appearance as possible. Do what she would, she could not prevent herself
+looking exquisitely refined, and the excitement of adventure had lent
+that touch of color to her face which made it fascinating. About seven
+o'clock she left her room noiselessly and descended the stairs
+cautiously, holding her little black bag in her hand.
+
+"Och, be the holy mother, Miss Esther, phwat a turn you gave me," said
+Mary O'Reilly, emerging unexpectedly from the dining-room and meeting
+her at the foot of the stairs. "Phwat's the matther?"
+
+"I'm going out, Mary," she said, her heart beating violently.
+
+"Sure an' it's rale purty ye look, Miss Esther; but it's divil a bit the
+marnin' for a walk, it looks a raw kind of a day, as if the weather was
+sorry for bein' so bright yisterday."
+
+"Oh, but I must go, Mary."
+
+"Ah, the saints bliss your kind heart!" said Mary, catching sight of the
+bag. "Sure, then, it's a charity irrand you're bent on. I mind me how my
+blissed old masther, Mr. Goldsmith's father, _Olov Hasholom_, who's gone
+to glory, used to walk to _Shool_ in all winds and weathers; sometimes
+it was five o'clock of a winter's marnin' and I used to get up and make
+him an iligant cup of coffee before he wint to _Selichoth_; he niver
+would take milk and sugar in it, becaz that would be atin' belike, poor
+dear old ginthleman. Ah the Holy Vargin be kind to him!"
+
+"And may she be kind to you, Mary," said Esther. And she impulsively
+pressed her lips to the old woman's seamed and wrinkled cheek, to the
+astonishment of the guardian of Judaism. Virtue was its own reward, for
+Esther profited by the moment of the loquacious creature's
+breathlessness to escape. She opened the hall door and passed into the
+silent streets, whose cold pavements seemed to reflect the bleak stony
+tints of the sky.
+
+For the first few minutes she walked hastily, almost at a run. Then her
+pace slackened; she told herself there was no hurry, and she shook her
+head when a cabman interrogated her. The omnibuses were not running yet.
+When they commenced, she would take one to Whitechapel. The signs of
+awakening labor stirred her with new emotions; the early milkman with
+his cans, casual artisans with their tools, a grimy sweep, a work-girl
+with a paper lunch-package, an apprentice whistling. Great sleeping
+houses lined her path like gorged monsters drowsing voluptuously. The
+world she was leaving behind her grew alien and repulsive, her heart
+went out to the patient world of toil. What had she been doing all these
+years, amid her books and her music and her rose-leaves, aloof from
+realities?
+
+The first 'bus overtook her half-way and bore her back to the Ghetto.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Ghetto was all astir, for it was half-past eight of a work-a-day
+morning. But Esther had not walked a hundred yards before her breast was
+heavy with inauspicious emotions. The well-known street she had entered
+was strangely broadened. Instead of the dirty picturesque houses rose an
+appalling series of artisans' dwellings, monotonous brick barracks,
+whose dead, dull prose weighed upon the spirits. But, as in revenge,
+other streets, unaltered, seemed incredibly narrow. Was it possible it
+could have taken even her childish feet six strides to cross them, as
+she plainly remembered? And they seemed so unspeakably sordid and
+squalid. Could she ever really have walked them with light heart,
+unconscious of the ugliness? Did the gray atmosphere that overhung them
+ever lift, or was it their natural and appropriate mantle? Surely the
+sun could never shine upon these slimy pavements, kissing them to warmth
+and life.
+
+Great magic shops where all things were to be had; peppermints and
+cotton, china-faced dolls and lemons, had dwindled into the front
+windows of tiny private dwelling-houses; the black-wigged crones, the
+greasy shambling men, were uglier and greasier than she had ever
+conceived them. They seemed caricatures of humanity; scarecrows in
+battered hats or draggled skirts. But gradually, as the scene grew upon
+her, she perceived that in spite of the "model dwellings" builder, it
+was essentially unchanged. No vestige of improvement had come over
+Wentworth Street: the narrow noisy market street, where serried barrows
+flanked the reeking roadway exactly as of old, and where Esther trod on
+mud and refuse and babies. Babies! They were everywhere; at the breasts
+of unwashed women, on the knees of grandfathers smoking pipes, playing
+under the barrows, sprawling in the gutters and the alleys. All the
+babies' faces were sickly and dirty with pathetic, childish prettinesses
+asserting themselves against the neglect and the sallowness. One female
+mite in a dingy tattered frock sat in an orange-box, surveying the
+bustling scene with a preternaturally grave expression, and realizing
+literally Esther's early conception of the theatre. There was a sense of
+blankness in the wanderer's heart, of unfamiliarity in the midst of
+familiarity. What had she in common with all this mean wretchedness,
+with this semi-barbarous breed of beings? The more she looked, the more
+her heart sank. There was no flaunting vice, no rowdiness, no
+drunkenness, only the squalor of an oriental city without its quaintness
+and color. She studied the posters and the shop-windows, and caught old
+snatches of gossip from the groups in the butchers' shops--all seemed as
+of yore. And yet here and there the hand of Time had traced new
+inscriptions. For Baruch Emanuel the hand of Time had written a new
+placard. It was a mixture of German, bad English and Cockneyese,
+phonetically spelt in Hebrew letters:
+
+    Mens Solen Und Eelen, 2/6
+    Lydies Deeto, 1/6
+    Kindersche Deeto, 1/6
+    Hier wird gemacht
+    Aller Hant Sleepers
+      Fur Trebbelers
+    Zu De Billigsten Preissen.
+
+Baruch Emanuel had prospered since the days when he wanted "lasters and
+riveters" without being able to afford them. He no longer gratuitously
+advertised _Mordecai Schwartz_ in envious emulation, for he had several
+establishments and owned five two-story houses, and was treasurer of his
+little synagogue, and spoke of Socialists as an inferior variety of
+Atheists. Not that all this bourgeoning was to be counted to leather,
+for Baruch had developed enterprises in all directions, having all the
+versatility of Moses Ansell without his catholic capacity for failure.
+
+The hand of Time had also constructed a "working-men's Metropole" almost
+opposite Baruch Emanuel's shop, and papered its outside walls with moral
+pictorial posters, headed, "Where have you been to, Thomas Brown?" "Mike
+and his moke," and so on. Here, single-bedded cabins could be had as low
+as fourpence a night. From the journals in a tobacconist's window Esther
+gathered that the reading-public had increased, for there were
+importations from New York, both in jargon and in pure Hebrew, and from
+a large poster in Yiddish and English, announcing a public meeting, she
+learned of the existence of an off-shoot of the Holy Land League--"The
+Flowers of Zion Society--established by East-End youths for the study of
+Hebrew and the propagation of the Jewish National Idea." Side by side
+with this, as if in ironic illustration of the other side of the life of
+the Ghetto, was a seeming royal proclamation headed V.R., informing the
+public that by order of the Secretary of State for War a sale of
+wrought-and cast-iron, zinc, canvas, tools and leather would take place
+at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.
+
+As she wandered on, the great school-bell began to ring; involuntarily,
+she quickened her step and joined the chattering children's procession.
+She could have fancied the last ten years a dream. Were they, indeed,
+other children, or were they not the same that jostled her when she
+picked her way through this very slush in her clumsy masculine boots?
+Surely those little girls in lilac print frocks were her classmates! It
+was hard to realize that Time's wheel had been whirling on, fashioning
+her to a woman; that, while she had been living and learning and seeing
+the manners of men and cities, the Ghetto, unaffected by her
+experiences, had gone on in the same narrow rut. A new generation of
+children had arisen to suffer and sport in room of the old, and that was
+all. The thought overwhelmed her, gave her a new and poignant sense of
+brute, blind forces; she seemed to catch in this familiar scene of
+childhood the secret of the gray atmosphere of her spirit, it was here
+she had, all insensibly, absorbed those heavy vapors that formed the
+background of her being, a permanent sombre canvas behind all the
+iridescent colors of joyous emotion. _What_ had she in common with all
+this mean wretchedness? Why, everything. This it was with which her soul
+had intangible affinities, not the glory of sun and sea and forest, "the
+palms and temples of the South."
+
+The heavy vibrations of the bell ceased; the street cleared; Esther
+turned back and walked instinctively homewards--to Royal Street. Her
+soul was full of the sense of the futility of life; yet the sight of the
+great shabby house could still give her a chill. Outside the door a
+wizened old woman with a chronic sniff had established a stall for
+wizened old apples, but Esther passed her by heedless of her stare, and
+ascended the two miry steps that led to the mud-carpeted passage.
+
+The apple-woman took her for a philanthropist paying a surprise visit to
+one of the families of the house, and resented her as a spy. She was
+discussing the meanness of the thing with the pickled-herring dealer
+next door, while Esther was mounting the dark stairs with the confidence
+of old habit. She was making automatically for the garret, like a
+somnambulist, with no definite object--morbidly drawn towards the old
+home. The unchanging musty smells that clung to the staircase flew to
+greet her nostrils, and at once a host of sleeping memories started to
+life, besieging her and pressing upon her on every side. After a
+tumultuous intolerable moment a childish figure seemed to break from the
+gloom ahead--the figure of a little girl with a grave face and candid
+eyes, a dutiful, obedient shabby little girl, so anxious to please her
+schoolmistress, so full of craving to learn and to be good, and to be
+loved by God, so audaciously ambitious of becoming a teacher, and so
+confident of being a good Jewess always. Satchel in hand, the little
+girl sped up the stairs swiftly, despite her cumbrous, slatternly boots,
+and Esther, holding her bag, followed her more slowly, as if she feared
+to contaminate her by the touch of one so weary-worldly-wise, so full of
+revolt and despair.
+
+All at once Esther sidled timidly towards the balustrade, with an
+instinctive movement, holding her bag out protectingly. The figure
+vanished, and Esther awoke to the knowledge that "Bobby" was not at his
+post. Then with a flash came the recollection of Bobby's mistress--the
+pale, unfortunate young seamstress she had so unconscionably neglected.
+She wondered if she were alive or dead. A waft of sickly odors surged
+from below; Esther felt a deadly faintness coming over her; she had
+walked far, and nothing had yet passed her lips since yesterday's
+dinner, and at this moment, too, an overwhelming terrifying feeling of
+loneliness pressed like an icy hand upon her heart. She felt that in
+another instant she must swoon, there, upon the foul landing. She sank
+against the door, beating passionately at the panels. It was opened from
+within; she had just strength enough to clutch the door-post so as not
+to fall. A thin, careworn woman swam uncertainly before her eyes. Esther
+could not recognize her, but the plain iron bed, almost corresponding in
+area with that of the room, was as of old, and so was the little round
+table with a tea-pot and a cup and saucer, and half a loaf standing out
+amid a litter of sewing, as if the owner had been interrupted in the
+middle of breakfast. Stay--what was that journal resting against the
+half-loaf as for perusal during the meal? Was it not the _London
+Journal_? Again she looked, but with more confidence, at the woman's
+face. A wave of curiosity, of astonishment at the stylishly dressed
+visitor, passed over it, but in the curves of the mouth, in the movement
+of the eyebrows, Esther renewed indescribably subtle memories.
+
+"Debby!" she cried hysterically. A great flood of joy swamped her soul.
+She was not alone in the world, after all! Dutch Debby uttered a little
+startled scream. "I've come back, Debby, I've come back," and the next
+moment the brilliant girl-graduate fell fainting into the seamstress's
+arms.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A SHEAF OF SEQUELS.
+
+
+Within half an hour Esther was smiling pallidly and drinking tea out of
+Debby's own cup, to Debby's unlimited satisfaction. Debby had no spare
+cup, but she had a spare chair without a back, and Esther was of course
+seated on the other. Her bonnet and cloak were on the bed.
+
+"And where is Bobby?" inquired the young lady visitor.
+
+Debby's joyous face clouded.
+
+"Bobby is dead," she said softly. "He died four years ago, come next
+_Shevuos_."
+
+"I'm so sorry," said Esther, pausing in her tea-drinking with a pang of
+genuine emotion. "At first I was afraid of him, but that was before I
+knew him."
+
+"There never beat a kinder heart on God's earth," said Debby,
+emphatically. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
+
+Esther had often seen him snapping at flies, but she could not smile.
+
+"I buried him secretly in the back yard," Debby confessed. "See! there,
+where the paving stone is loose."
+
+Esther gratified her by looking through the little back window into the
+sloppy enclosure where washing hung. She noticed a cat sauntering
+quietly over the spot without any of the satisfaction it might have felt
+had it known it was walking over the grave of an hereditary enemy.
+
+"So I don't feel as if he was far away," said Debby. "I can always look
+out and picture him squatting above the stone instead of beneath it."
+
+"But didn't you get another?"
+
+"Oh, how can you talk so heartlessly?"
+
+"Forgive me, dear; of course you couldn't replace him. And haven't you
+had any other friends?"
+
+"Who would make friends with me, Miss Ansell?" Debby asked quietly.
+
+"I shall 'make out friends' with you, Debby, if you call me that," said
+Esther, half laughing, half crying. "What was it we used to say in
+school? I forget, but I know we used to wet our little fingers in our
+mouths and jerk them abruptly toward the other party. That's what I
+shall have to do with you."
+
+"Oh well, Esther, don't be cross. But you do look such a real lady. I
+always said you would grow up clever, didn't I, though?"
+
+"You did, dear, you did. I can never forgive myself for not having
+looked you up."
+
+"Oh, but you had so much to do, I have no doubt," said Debby
+magnanimously, though she was not a little curious to hear all Esther's
+wonderful adventures and to gather more about the reasons of the girl's
+mysterious return than had yet been vouchsafed her. All she had dared to
+ask was about the family in America.
+
+"Still, it was wrong of me," said Esther, in a tone that brooked no
+protest. "Suppose you had been in want and I could have helped you?"
+
+"Oh, but you know I never take any help," said Debby stiffly.
+
+"I didn't know that," said Esther, touched. "Have you never taken soup
+at the Kitchen?"
+
+"I wouldn't dream of such a thing. Do you ever remember me going to the
+Board of Guardians? I wouldn't go there to be bullied, not if I was
+starving. It's only the cadgers who don't want it who get relief. But,
+thank God, in the worst seasons I have always been able to earn a crust
+and a cup of tea. You see I am only a small family," concluded Debby
+with a sad smile, "and the less one has to do with other people the
+better."
+
+Esther started slightly, feeling a strange new kinship with this lonely
+soul.
+
+"But surely you would have taken help of me," she said. Debby shook her
+head obstinately.
+
+"Well, I'm not so proud," said Esther with a tremulous smile, "for see,
+I have come to take help of you."
+
+Then the tears welled forth and Debby with an impulsive movement
+pressed the little sobbing form against her faded bodice bristling with
+pin-heads. Esther recovered herself in a moment and drank some more tea.
+
+"Are the same people living here?" she said.
+
+"Not altogether. The Belcovitches have gone up in the world. They live
+on the first floor now."
+
+"Not much of a rise that," said Esther smiling, for the Belcovitches had
+always lived on the third floor.
+
+"Oh, they could have gone to a better street altogether," explained
+Debby, "only Mr. Belcovitch didn't like the expense of a van."
+
+"Then, Sugarman the _Shadchan_ must have moved, too," said Esther. "He
+used to have the first floor."
+
+"Yes, he's got the third now. You see, people get tired of living in the
+same place. Then Ebenezer, who became very famous through writing a book
+(so he told me), went to live by himself, so they didn't want to be so
+grand. The back apartment at the top of the house you used once to
+inhabit,"--Debby put it as delicately as she could--"is vacant. The last
+family had the brokers in."
+
+"Are the Belcovitches all well? I remember Fanny married and went to
+Manchester before I left here."
+
+"Oh yes, they are all well."
+
+"What? Even Mrs. Belcovitch?"
+
+"She still takes medicine, but she seems just as strong as ever."
+
+"Becky married yet?"
+
+"Oh no, but she has won two breach of promise cases."
+
+"She must be getting old."
+
+"She is a fine young woman, but the young men are afraid of her now."
+
+"Then they don't sit on the stairs in the morning any more?"
+
+"No, young men seem so much less romantic now-a-days," said Debby,
+sighing. "Besides there's one flight less now and half the stairs face
+the street door. The next flight was so private."
+
+"I suppose I shall look in and see them all," said Esther, smiling. "But
+tell me. Is Mrs. Simons living here still?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Where, then? I should like to see her. She was so very kind to little
+Sarah, you know. Nearly all our fried fish came from her."
+
+"She is dead. She died of cancer. She suffered a great deal."
+
+"Oh!" Esther put her cup down and sat back with face grown white.
+
+"I am afraid to ask about any one else," she said at last. "I suppose
+the Sons of the Covenant are getting on all right; _they_ can't be dead,
+at least not all of them."
+
+"They have split up," said Debby gravely, "into two communities. Mr.
+Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_ quarrelled about the sale of the
+_Mitzvahs_ at the Rejoicing of the Law two years ago. As far as I could
+gather, the carrying of the smallest scroll of the Law was knocked down
+to the Shalotten _Shammos_, for eighteenpence, but Mr. Belcovitch, who
+had gone outside a moment, said he had bought up the privilege in
+advance to present to Daniel Hyams, who was a visitor, and whose old
+father had just died in Jerusalem. There was nearly a free fight in the
+_Shool_. So the Shalotten _Shammos_ seceded with nineteen followers and
+their wives and set up a rival _Chevrah_ round the corner. The other
+twenty-five still come here. The deserters tried to take Greenberg the
+_Chazan_ with them, but Greenberg wanted a stipulation that they
+wouldn't engage an extra Reader to do his work during the High
+Festivals; he even offered to do it cheaper if they would let him do all
+the work, but they wouldn't consent. As a compromise, they proposed to
+replace him only on the Day of Atonement, as his voice was not agreeable
+enough for that. But Greenberg was obstinate. Now I believe there is a
+movement for the Sons of the Covenant to connect their _Chevrah_ with
+the Federation of minor synagogues, but Mr. Belcovitch says he won't
+join the Federation unless the term 'minor' is omitted. He is a great
+politician now."
+
+"Ah, I dare say he reads _The Flag of Judah_," said Esther, laughing,
+though Debby recounted all this history quite seriously. "Do you ever
+see that paper?"
+
+"I never heard of it before," said Debby simply. "Why should I waste
+money on new papers when I can always forget the _London journal_
+sufficiently?" Perhaps Mr. Belcovitch buys it: I have seen him with a
+Yiddish paper. The 'hands' say that instead of breaking off suddenly in
+the middle of a speech, as of old, he sometimes stops pressing for five
+minutes together to denounce Gideon, the member for Whitechapel, and to
+say that Mr. Henry Goldsmith is the only possible saviour of Judaism in
+the House of Commons."
+
+"Ah, then he does read _The flag of Judah_! His English must have
+improved."
+
+"I was glad to hear him say that," added Debby, when she had finished
+struggling with the fit of coughing brought on by too much monologue,
+"because I thought it must be the husband of the lady who was so good to
+you. I never forgot her name."
+
+Esther took up the _London Journal_ to hide her reddening cheeks.
+
+"Oh, read some of it aloud," cried Dutch Debby. "It'll be like old
+times."
+
+Esther hesitated, a little ashamed of such childish behavior. But,
+deciding to fall in for a moment with the poor woman's humor, and glad
+to change the subject, she read: "Soft scents steeped the dainty
+conservatory in delicious drowsiness. Reclining on a blue silk couch,
+her wonderful beauty rather revealed than concealed by the soft clinging
+draperies she wore, Rosaline smiled bewitchingly at the poor young peer,
+who could not pluck up courage to utter the words of flame that were
+scorching his lips. The moon silvered the tropical palms, and from the
+brilliant ball-room were wafted the sweet penetrating strains of the
+'Blue Danube' waltz--"
+
+Dutch Debby heaved a great sigh of rapture.
+
+"And you have seen such sights!" she said in awed admiration.
+
+"I have been in brilliant ball-rooms and moonlit conservatories," said
+Esther evasively. She did not care to rob Dutch Debby of her ideals by
+explaining that high life was not all passion and palm-trees.
+
+"I am so glad," said Debby affectionately. "I have often wished to
+myself, only a make-believe wish, you know, not a real wish, if you
+understand what I mean, for of course I know it's impossible. I
+sometimes sit at that window before going to bed and look at the moon as
+it silvers the swaying clothes-props, and I can easily imagine they are
+great tropical palms, especially when an organ is playing round the
+corner. Sometimes the moon shines straight down on Bobby's tombstone,
+and then I am glad. Ah, now you're smiling. I know you think me a crazy
+old thing."
+
+"Indeed, indeed, dear, I think you're the darlingest creature in the
+world," and Esther jumped up and kissed her to hide her emotion. "But I
+mustn't waste your time," she said briskly. "I know you have your sewing
+to do. It's too long to tell you my story now; suffice it to say (as the
+_London Journal_ says) that I am going to take a lodging in the
+neighborhood. Oh, dear, don't make those great eyes! I want to live in
+the East End."
+
+"You want to live here like a Princess in disguise. I see."
+
+"No you don't, you romantic old darling. I want to live here like
+everybody else. I'm going to earn my own living."
+
+"Oh, but you can never live by yourself."
+
+"Why not? Now from romantic you become conventional. _You've_ lived by
+yourself."
+
+"Oh, but I'm different," said Debby, flushing.
+
+"Nonsense, I'm just as good as you. But if you think it improper," here
+Esther had a sudden idea, "come and live with me."
+
+"What, be your chaperon!" cried Debby in responsive excitement; then her
+voice dropped again. "Oh, no, how could I?"
+
+"Yes, yes, you must," said Esther eagerly.
+
+Debby's obstinate shake of the head repelled the idea. "I couldn't leave
+Bobby," she said. After a pause, she asked timidly: "Why not stay here?"
+
+"Don't be ridiculous," Esther answered. Then she examined the bed. "Two
+couldn't sleep here," she said.
+
+"Oh yes, they could," said Debby, thoughtfully bisecting the blanket
+with her hand. "And the bed's quite clean or I wouldn't venture to ask
+you. Maybe it's not so soft as you've been used to."
+
+Esther pondered; she was fatigued and she had undergone too many
+poignant emotions already to relish the hunt for a lodging. It was
+really lucky this haven offered itself. "I'll stay for to-night,
+anyhow," she announced, while Debby's face lit up as with a bonfire of
+joy. "To-morrow we'll discuss matters further. And now, dear, can I help
+you with your sewing?"
+
+"No, Esther, thank you kindly. You see there's only enough for one,"
+said Debby apologetically. "To-morrow there may be more. Besides you
+were never as clever with your needle as your pen. You always used to
+lose marks for needlework, and don't you remember how you herring-boned
+the tucks of those petticoats instead of feather-stitching them? Ha, ha,
+ha! I have often laughed at the recollection."
+
+"Oh, that was only absence of mind," said Esther, tossing her head in
+affected indignation. "If my work isn't good enough for you, I think
+I'll go down and help Becky with her machine." She put on her bonnet,
+and, not without curiosity, descended a flight, of stairs and knocked at
+a door which, from the steady whirr going on behind it, she judged to be
+that of the work-room.
+
+"Art thou a man or a woman?" came in Yiddish the well-remembered tones
+of the valetudinarian lady.
+
+"A woman!" answered Esther in German. She was glad she learned German;
+it would be the best substitute for Yiddish in her new-old life.
+
+"_Herein_!" said Mrs. Belcovitch, with sentry-like brevity.
+
+Esther turned the handle, and her surprise was not diminished when she
+found herself not in the work-room, but in the invalid's bedroom. She
+almost stumbled over the pail of fresh water, the supply of which was
+always kept there. A coarse bouncing full-figured young woman, with
+frizzly black hair, paused, with her foot on the treadle of her machine,
+to stare at the newcomer. Mrs. Belcovitch, attired in a skirt and a
+night-cap, stopped aghast in the act of combing out her wig, which hung
+over an edge of the back of a chair, that served as a barber's block.
+Like the apple-woman, she fancied the apparition a lady
+philanthropist--and though she had long ceased to take charity, the old
+instincts leaped out under the sudden shock.
+
+"Becky, quick rub my leg with liniment, the thick one," she whispered in
+Yiddish.
+
+"It's only me, Esther Ansell!" cried the visitor.
+
+"What! Esther!" cried Mrs. Belcovitch. "_Gott in Himmel!"_ and, throwing
+down the comb, she fell in excess of emotion upon Esther's neck. "I have
+so often wanted to see you," cried the sickly-looking little woman who
+hadn't altered a wrinkle. "Often have I said to my Becky, where is
+little Esther?--gold one sees and silver one sees, but Esther sees one
+not. Is it not so, Becky? Oh, how fine you look! Why, I mistook you for
+a lady! You are married--not? Ah well, you'll find wooers as thick as
+the street dogs. And how goes it with the father and the family in
+America?"
+
+"Excellently," answered Esther. "How are you, Becky?"
+
+Becky murmured something, and the two young women shook hands. Esther
+had an olden awe of Becky, and Becky was now a little impressed by
+Esther.
+
+"I suppose Mr. Weingott is getting a good living now in Manchester?"
+Esther remarked cheerfully to Mrs. Belcovitch.
+
+"No, he has a hard struggle," answered his mother-in-law, "but I have
+seven grandchildren, God be thanked, and I expect an eighth. If my poor
+lambkin had been alive now, she would have been a great-grandmother. My
+eldest grandchild, Hertzel, has a talent for the fiddle. A gentleman is
+paying for his lessons, God be thanked. I suppose you have heard I won
+four pounds on the lotter_ee_. You see I have not tried thirty years for
+nothing! If I only had my health, I should have little to grumble at.
+Yes, four pounds, and what think you I have bought with it? You shall
+see it inside. A cupboard with glass doors, such as we left behind in
+Poland, and we have hung the shelves with pink paper and made loops for
+silver forks to rest in--it makes me feel as if I had just cut off my
+tresses. But then I look on my Becky and I remember that--go thou
+inside, Becky, my life! Thou makest it too hard for him. Give him a
+word while I speak with Esther."
+
+Becky made a grimace and shrugged her shoulders, but disappeared through
+the door that led to the real workshop.
+
+"A fine maid!" said the mother, her eyes following the girl with pride.
+"No wonder she is so hard to please. She vexes him so that he eats out
+his heart. He comes every morning with a bag of cakes or an orange or a
+fat Dutch herring, and now she has moved her machine to my bedroom,
+where he can't follow her, the unhappy youth."
+
+"Who is it now?" inquired Esther in amusement.
+
+"Shosshi Shmendrik."
+
+"Shosshi Shmendrik! Wasn't that the young man who married the Widow
+Finkelstein?"
+
+"Yes--a very honorable and seemly youth. But she preferred her first
+husband," said Mrs. Belcovitch laughing, "and followed him only four
+years after Shosshi's marriage. Shosshi has now all her money--a very
+seemly and honorable youth."
+
+"But will it come to anything?"
+
+"It is already settled. Becky gave in two days ago. After all, she will
+not always be young. The _Tanaim_ will be held next Sunday. Perhaps you
+would like to come and see the betrothal contract signed. The Kovna
+_Maggid_ will be here, and there will be rum and cakes to the heart's
+desire. Becky has Shosshi in great affection; they are just suited. Only
+she likes to tease, poor little thing. And then she is so shy. Go in and
+see them, and the cupboard with glass doors."
+
+Esther pushed open the door, and Mrs. Belcovitch resumed her loving
+manipulation of the wig.
+
+The Belcovitch workshop was another of the landmarks of the past that
+had undergone no change, despite the cupboard with glass doors and the
+slight difference in the shape of the room. The paper roses still
+bloomed in the corners of the mirror, the cotton-labels still adorned
+the wall around it. The master's new umbrella still stood unopened in a
+corner. The "hands" were other, but then Mr. Belcovitch's hands were
+always changing. He never employed "union-men," and his hirelings never
+stayed with him longer than they could help. One of the present batch,
+a bent, middle-aged man, with a deeply-lined face, was Simon Wolf, long
+since thrown over by the labor party he had created, and fallen lower
+and lower till he returned to the Belcovitch workshop whence he sprang.
+Wolf, who had a wife and six children, was grateful to Mr. Belcovitch in
+a dumb, sullen way, remembering how that capitalist had figured in his
+red rhetoric, though it was an extra pang of martyrdom to have to listen
+deferentially to Belcovitch's numerous political and economical
+fallacies. He would have preferred the curter dogmatism of earlier days.
+Shosshi Shmendrik was chatting quite gaily with Becky, and held her
+finger-tips cavalierly in his coarse fist, without obvious objection on
+her part. His face was still pimply, but it had lost its painful shyness
+and its readiness to blush without provocation. His bearing, too, was
+less clumsy and uncouth. Evidently, to love the Widow Finkelstein had
+been a liberal education to him. Becky had broken the news of Esther's
+arrival to her father, as was evident from the odor of turpentine
+emanating from the opened bottle of rum on the central table. Mr.
+Belcovitch, whose hair was gray now, but who seemed to have as much
+stamina as ever, held out his left hand (the right was wielding the
+pressing-iron) without moving another muscle.
+
+"_Nu_, it gladdens me to see you are better off than of old," he said
+gravely in Yiddish.
+
+"Thank you. I am glad to see you looking so fresh and healthy," replied
+Esther in German.
+
+"You were taken away to be educated, was it not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And how many tongues do you know?"
+
+"Four or five," said Esther, smiling.
+
+"Four or five!" repeated Mr. Belcovitch, so impressed that he stopped
+pressing. "Then you can aspire to be a clerk! I know several firms where
+they have young women now."
+
+"Don't be ridiculous, father," interposed Becky. "Clerks aren't so grand
+now-a-days as they used to be. Very likely she would turn up her nose at
+a clerkship."
+
+"I'm sure I wouldn't," said Esther.
+
+"There! thou hearest!" said Mr. Belcovitch, with angry satisfaction.
+"It is thou who hast too many flies in thy nostrils. Thou wouldst throw
+over Shosshi if thou hadst thine own way. Thou art the only person in
+the world who listens not to me. Abroad my word decides great matters.
+Three times has my name been printed in _The Flag of Judah_. Little
+Esther had not such a father as thou, but never did she make mock of
+him."
+
+"Of course, everybody's better than me," said Becky petulantly, as she
+snatched her fingers away from Shosshi.
+
+"No, thou art better than the whole world," protested Shosshi Shmendrik,
+feeling for the fingers.
+
+"Who spoke to thee?" demanded Belcovitch, incensed.
+
+"Who spoke to thee?" echoed Becky. And when Shosshi, with empurpled
+pimples, cowered before both, father and daughter felt allies again, and
+peace was re-established at Shosshi's expense. But Esther's curiosity
+was satisfied. She seemed to see the whole future of this domestic
+group: Belcovitch accumulating gold-pieces and Mrs. Belcovitch
+medicine-bottles till they died, and the lucky but henpecked Shosshi
+gathering up half the treasure on behalf of the buxom Becky. Refusing
+the glass of rum, she escaped.
+
+The dinner which Debby (under protest) did not pay for, consisted of
+viands from the beloved old cook-shop, the potatoes and rice of
+childhood being supplemented by a square piece of baked meat, likewise
+knives and forks. Esther was anxious to experience again the magic taste
+and savor of the once coveted delicacies. Alas! the preliminary sniff
+failed to make her mouth water, the first bite betrayed the inferiority
+of the potatoes used. Even so the unattainable tart of infancy mocks the
+moneyed but dyspeptic adult. But she concealed her disillusionment
+bravely.
+
+"Do you know," said Debby, pausing in her voluptuous scouring of the
+gravy-lined plate with a bit of bread, "I can hardly believe my eyes. It
+seems a dream that you are sitting at dinner with me. Pinch me, will
+you?"
+
+"You have been pinched enough," said Esther sadly. Which shows that one
+can pun with a heavy heart. This is one of the things Shakspeare knew
+and Dr. Johnson didn't.
+
+In the afternoon, Esther went round to Zachariah Square. She did not
+meet any of the old faces as she walked through the Ghetto, though a
+little crowd that blocked her way at one point turned out to be merely
+spectators of an epileptic performance by Meckisch. Esther turned away,
+in amused disgust. She wondered whether Mrs. Meckisch still flaunted it
+in satins and heavy necklaces, or whether Meckisch had divorced her, or
+survived her, or something equally inconsiderate. Hard by the old Ruins
+(which she found "ruined" by a railway) Esther was almost run over by an
+iron hoop driven by a boy with a long swarthy face that irresistibly
+recalled Malka's.
+
+"Is your grandmother in town?" she said at a venture.
+
+"Y--e--s," said the driver wonderingly. "She is over in her own house."
+
+Esther did not hasten towards it.
+
+"Your name's Ezekiel, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes," replied the boy; and then Esther was sure it was the Redeemed Son
+of whom her father had told her.
+
+"Are your mother and father well?"
+
+"Father's away travelling." Ezekiel's tone was a little impatient, his
+feet shuffled uneasily, itching to chase the flying hoop.
+
+"How's your aunt--your aunt--I forget her name."
+
+"Aunt Leah. She's gone to Liverpool."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"She lives there; she has opened a branch store of granma's business.
+Who are you?" concluded Ezekiel candidly.
+
+"You won't remember me," said Esther. "Tell me, your aunt is called Mrs.
+Levine, isn't she?"
+
+"Oh yes, but," with a shade of contempt, "she hasn't got any children."
+
+"How many brothers and sisters have _you_ got?" said Esther with a
+little laugh.
+
+"Heaps. Oh, but you won't see them if you go in; they're in school, most
+of 'em."
+
+"And why aren't you at school?"
+
+The Redeemed Son became scarlet. "I've got a bad leg," ran mechanically
+off his tongue. Then, administering a savage thwack to his hoop, he set
+out in pursuit of it. "It's no good calling on mother," he yelled back,
+turning his head unexpectedly. "She ain't in."
+
+Esther walked into the Square, where the same big-headed babies were
+still rocking in swings suspended from the lintels, and where the same
+ruddy-faced septuagenarians sat smoking short pipes and playing nap on
+trays in the sun. From several doorways came the reek of fish frying.
+The houses looked ineffably petty and shabby. Esther wondered how she
+could ever have conceived this a region of opulence; still more how she
+could ever have located Malka and her family on the very outskirt of the
+semi-divine classes. But the semi-divine persons themselves had long
+since shrunk and dwindled.
+
+She found Malka brooding over the fire; on the side-table was the
+clothes-brush. The great events of a crowded decade of European history
+had left Malka's domestic interior untouched. The fall of dynasties,
+philosophies and religions had not shaken one china dog from its place;
+she had not turned a hair of her wig; the black silk bodice might have
+been the same; the gold chain at her bosom was. Time had written a few
+more lines on the tan-colored equine face, but his influence had been
+only skin deep. Everybody grows old: few people grow. Malka was of the
+majority.
+
+It was only with difficulty that she recollected Esther, and she was
+visibly impressed by the young lady's appearance.
+
+"It's very good of you to come and see an old woman," she said in her
+mixed dialect, which skipped irresponsibly from English to Yiddish and
+back again. "It's more than my own _Kinder_ do. I wonder they let you
+come across and see me."
+
+"I haven't been to see them yet," Esther interrupted.
+
+"Ah, that explains it," said Malka with satisfaction. "They'd have told
+you, 'Don't go and see the old woman, she's _meshuggah_, she ought to be
+in the asylum.' I bring children into the world and buy them husbands
+and businesses and bed-clothes, and this is my profit. The other day my
+Milly--the impudent-face! I would have boxed her ears if she hadn't been
+suckling Nathaniel. Let her tell me again that ink isn't good for the
+ring-worm, and my five fingers shall leave a mark on her face worse than
+any of Gabriel's ring-worms. But I have washed my hands of her; she can
+go her way and I'll go mine. I've taken an oath I'll have nothing to do
+with her and her children--no, not if I live a thousand years. It's all
+through Milly's ignorance she has had such heavy losses."
+
+"What! Mr. Phillips's business been doing badly? I'm so sorry."
+
+"No, no! my family never does bad business. It's my Milly's children.
+She lost two. As for my Leah, God bless her, she's been more unfortunate
+still; I always said that old beggar-woman had the Evil Eye! I sent her
+to Liverpool with her Sam."
+
+"I know," murmured Esther.
+
+"But she is a good daughter. I wish I had a thousand such. She writes to
+me every week and my little Ezekiel writes back; English they learn them
+in that heathen school," Malka interrupted herself sarcastically, "and
+it was I who had to learn him to begin a letter properly with 'I write
+you these few lines hoping to find you in good health as, thank God, it
+leaves me at present;' he used to begin anyhow--"
+
+She came to a stop, having tangled the thread of her discourse and
+bethought herself of offering Esther a peppermint. But Esther refused
+and bethought herself of inquiring after Mr. Birnbaum.
+
+"My Michael is quite well, thank God," said Malka, "though he is still
+pig-headed in business matters! He buys so badly, you know; gives a
+hundred pounds for what's not worth twenty."
+
+"But you said business was all right?"
+
+"Ah, that's different. Of course he sells at a good profit,--thank God.
+If I wanted to provoke Providence I could keep my carriage like any of
+your grand West-End ladies. But that doesn't make him a good buyer. And
+the worst of it is he always thinks he has got a bargain. He won't
+listen to reason, at all," said Malka, shaking her head dolefully. "He
+might be a child of mine, instead of my husband. If God didn't send him
+such luck and blessing, we might come to want bread, coal, and meat
+tickets ourselves, instead of giving them away. Do you know I found out
+that Mrs. Isaacs, across the square, only speculates her guinea in the
+drawings to give away the tickets she wins to her poor relations, so
+that she gets all the credit of charity and her name in the papers,
+while saving the money she'd have to give to her poor relations all the
+same! Nobody can say I give my tickets to my poor relations. You should
+just see how much my Michael vows away at _Shool_--he's been _Parnass_
+for the last twelve years straight off; all the members respect him so
+much; it isn't often you see a business man with such fear of Heaven.
+Wait! my Ezekiel will be _Barmitzvah_ in a few years; then you shall see
+what I will do for that _Shool_. You shall see what an example of
+_Yiddshkeit_ I will give to a _link_ generation. Mrs. Benjamin, of the
+Ruins, purified her knives and forks for Passover by sticking them
+between the boards of the floor. Would you believe she didn't make them
+red hot first? I gave her a bit of my mind. She said she forgot. But not
+she! She's no cat's head. She's a regular Christian, that's what she is.
+I shouldn't wonder if she becomes one like that blackguard, David
+Brandon; I always told my Milly he was not the sort of person to allow
+across the threshold. It was Sam Levine who brought him. You see what
+comes of having the son of a proselyte in the family! Some say Reb
+Shemuel's daughter narrowly escaped being engaged to him. But that story
+has a beard already. I suppose it's the sight of you brings up _Olov
+Hashotom_ times. Well, and how _are_ you?" she concluded abruptly,
+becoming suddenly conscious of imperfect courtesy.
+
+"Oh, I'm very well, thank you," said Esther.
+
+"Ah, that's right. You're looking very well, _imbeshreer_. Quite a grand
+lady. I always knew you'd be one some day. There was your poor mother,
+peace be upon him! She went and married your father, though I warned her
+he was a _Schnorrer_ and only wanted her because she had a rich family;
+he'd have sent you out with matches if I hadn't stopped it. I remember
+saying to him, 'That little Esther has Aristotle's head--let her learn
+all she can, as sure as I stand here she will grow up to be a lady; I
+shall have no need to be ashamed of owning her for a cousin.' He was not
+so pig-headed as your mother, and you see the result."
+
+She surveyed the result with an affectionate smile, feeling genuinely
+proud of her share in its production. "If my Ezekiel were only a few
+years older," she added musingly.
+
+"Oh, but I am not a great lady," said Esther, hastening to disclaim
+false pretensions to the hand of the hero of the hoop, "I've left the
+Goldsmiths and come back to live in the East End."
+
+"What!" said Malka. "Left the West End!" Her swarthy face grew darker;
+the skin about her black eyebrows was wrinkled with wrath.
+
+"Are you _Meshuggah_?" she asked after an awful silence. "Or have you,
+perhaps, saved up a tidy sum of money?"
+
+Esther flushed and shook her head.
+
+"There's no use coming to me. I'm not a rich woman, far from it; and I
+have been blessed with _Kinder_ who are helpless without me. It's as I
+always said to your father. 'Meshe,' I said, 'you're a _Schnorrer_ and
+your children'll grow up _Schnorrers_.'"
+
+Esther turned white, but the dwindling of Malka's semi-divinity had
+diminished the old woman's power of annoying her.
+
+"I want to earn my own living," she said, with a smile that was almost
+contemptuous. "Do you call that being a _Schnorrer_?"
+
+"Don't argue with me. You're just like your poor mother, peace be upon
+him!" cried the irate old woman. "You God's fool! You were provided for
+in life and you have no right to come upon the family."
+
+"But isn't it _Schnorring_ to be dependent on strangers?" inquired
+Esther with bitter amusement.
+
+"Don't stand there with your impudence-face!" cried Malka, her eyes
+blazing fire. "You know as well as I do that a _Schnorrer_ is a person
+you give sixpences to. When a rich family takes in a motherless girl
+like you and clothes her and feeds her, why it's mocking Heaven to run
+away and want to earn your own living. Earn your living. Pooh! What
+living can you earn, you with your gloves? You're all by yourself in the
+world now; your father can't help you any more. He did enough for you
+when you were little, keeping you at school when you ought to have been
+out selling matches. You'll starve and come to me, that's what you'll
+do."
+
+"I may starve, but I'll never come to you," said Esther, now really
+irritated by the truth in Malka's words. What living, indeed, could she
+earn! She turned her back haughtily on the old woman; not without a
+recollection of a similar scene in her childhood. History was repeating
+itself on a smaller scale than seemed consistent with its dignity. When
+she got outside she saw Milly in conversation with a young lady at the
+door of her little house, diagonally opposite. Milly had noticed the
+strange visitor to her mother, for the rival camps carried on a system
+of espionage from behind their respective gauze blinds, and she had come
+to the door to catch a better glimpse of her when she left. Esther was
+passing through Zachariah Square without any intention of recognizing
+Milly. The daughter's flaccid personality was not so attractive as the
+mother's; besides, a visit to her might be construed into a mean revenge
+on the old woman. But, as if in response to a remark of Milly's, the
+young lady turned her face to look at Esther, and then Esther saw that
+it was Hannah Jacobs. She felt hot and uncomfortable, and half reluctant
+to renew acquaintance with Levi's family, but with another impulse she
+crossed over to the group, and went through the inevitable formulae.
+Then, refusing Milly's warm-hearted invitation to have a cup of tea, she
+shook hands and walked away.
+
+"Wait a minute, Miss Ansell," said Hannah. "I'll come with you."
+
+Milly gave her a shilling, with a facetious grimace, and she rejoined
+Esther.
+
+"I'm collecting money for a poor family of _Greeners_ just landed," she
+said. "They had a few roubles, but they fell among the usual sharks at
+the docks, and the cabman took all the rest of their money to drive them
+to the Lane. I left them all crying and rocking themselves to and fro in
+the street while I ran round to collect a little to get them a lodging."
+
+"Poor things!" said Esther.
+
+"Ah, I can see you've been away from the Jews," said Hannah smiling. "In
+the olden days you would have said _Achi-nebbich_."
+
+"Should I?" said Esther, smiling in return and beginning to like Hannah.
+She had seen very little of her in those olden days, for Hannah had been
+an adult and well-to-do as long as Esther could remember; it seemed
+amusing now to walk side by side with her in perfect equality and
+apparently little younger. For Hannah's appearance had not aged
+perceptibly, which was perhaps why Esther recognized her at once. She
+had not become angular like her mother, nor coarse and stout like other
+mothers. She remained slim and graceful, with a virginal charm of
+expression. But the pretty face had gained in refinement; it looked
+earnest, almost spiritual, telling of suffering and patience, not
+unblent with peace.
+
+Esther silently extracted half-a-crown from her purse and handed it to
+Hannah.
+
+"I didn't mean to ask you, indeed I didn't," said Hannah.
+
+"Oh, I am glad you told me," said Esther tremulously.
+
+The idea of _her_ giving charity, after the account of herself she had
+just heard, seemed ironical enough. She wished the transfer of the coin
+had taken place within eyeshot of Malka; then dismissed the thought as
+unworthy.
+
+"You'll come in and have a cup of tea with us, won't you, after we've
+lodged the _Greeners_?" said Hannah. "Now don't say no. It'll brighten
+up my father to see 'Reb Moshe's little girl.'"
+
+Esther tacitly assented.
+
+"I heard of all of you recently," she said, when they had hurried on a
+little further. "I met your brother at the theatre."
+
+Hannah's face lit up.
+
+"How long was that ago?" she said anxiously.
+
+"I remember exactly. It was the night before the first _Seder_ night."
+
+"Was he well?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad."
+
+She told Esther of Levi's strange failure to appear at the annual family
+festival. "My father went out to look for him. Our anxiety was
+intolerable. He did not return until half-past one in the morning. He
+was in a terrible state. 'Well,' we asked, 'have you seen him?' 'I have
+seen him,' he answered. 'He is dead.'"
+
+Esther grew pallid. Was this the sequel to the strange episode in Mr.
+Henry Goldsmith's library?
+
+"Of course he wasn't really dead," pursued Hannah to Esther's relief.
+"My father would hardly speak a word more, but we gathered he had seen
+him doing something very dreadful, and that henceforth Levi would be
+dead to him. Since then we dare not speak his name. Please don't refer
+to him at tea. I went to his rooms on the sly a few days afterwards, but
+he had left them, and since then I haven't been able to hear anything of
+him. Sometimes I fancy he's gone off to the Cape."
+
+"More likely to the provinces with a band of strolling players. He told
+me he thought of throwing up the law for the boards, and I know you
+cannot make a beginning in London."
+
+"Do you think that's it?" said Hannah, looking relieved in her turn.
+
+"I feel sure that's the explanation, if he's not in London. But what in
+Heaven's name can your father have seen him doing?"
+
+"Nothing very dreadful, depend upon it," said Hannah, a slight shade of
+bitterness crossing her wistful features. "I know he's inclined to be
+wild, and he should never have been allowed to get the bit between his
+teeth, but I dare say it was only some ceremonial crime Levi was caught
+committing."
+
+"Certainly. That would be it," said Esther. "He confessed to me that he
+was very _link_. Judging by your tone, you seem rather inclined that way
+yourself," she said, smiling and a little surprised.
+
+"Do I? I don't know," said Hannah, simply. "Sometimes I think I'm very
+_froom_."
+
+"Surely you know what you are?" persisted Esther. Hannah shook her head.
+
+"Well, you know whether you believe in Judaism or not?"
+
+"I don't know what I believe. I do everything a Jewess ought to do, I
+suppose. And yet--oh, I don't know."
+
+Esther's smile faded; she looked at her companion with fresh interest.
+Hannah's face was full of brooding thought, and she had unconsciously
+come to a standstill. "I wonder whether anybody understands herself,"
+she said reflectively. "Do you?"
+
+Esther flushed at the abrupt question without knowing why. "I--I don't
+know," she stammered.
+
+"No, I don't think anybody does, quite," Hannah answered. "I feel sure I
+don't. And yet--yes, I do. I must be a good Jewess. I must believe my
+life."
+
+Somehow the tears came into her eyes; her face had the look of a saint.
+Esther's eyes met hers in a strange subtle glance. Then their souls were
+knit. They walked on rapidly.
+
+"Well, I do hope you'll hear from him soon," said Esther.
+
+"It's cruel of him not to write," replied Hannah, knowing she meant
+Levi; "he might easily send me a line in a disguised hand. But then, as
+Miriam Hyams always says, brothers are so selfish."
+
+"Oh, how is Miss Hyams? I used to be in her class."
+
+"I could guess that from your still calling her Miss," said Hannah with
+a gentle smile.
+
+"Why, is she married?"
+
+"No, no; I don't mean that. She still lives with her brother and his
+wife; he married Sugarman the _Shadchan's_ daughter, you know."
+
+"Bessie, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes; they are a devoted couple, and I suspect Miriam is a little
+jealous; but she seems to enjoy herself anyway. I don't think there is a
+piece at the theatres she can't tell you about, and she makes Daniel
+take her to all the dances going."
+
+"Is she still as pretty?" asked Esther. "I know all her girls used to
+rave over her and throw her in the faces of girls with ugly teachers.
+She certainly knew how to dress."
+
+"She dresses better than ever," said Hannah evasively.
+
+"That sounds ominous," observed Esther, laughingly.
+
+"Oh, she's good-looking enough! Her nose seems to have turned up more;
+but perhaps that's an optical illusion; she talks so sarcastically
+now-a-days that I seem to see it." Hannah smiled a little. "She doesn't
+think much of Jewish young men. By the way, are you engaged yet,
+Esther?"
+
+"What an idea!" murmured Esther, blushing beneath her spotted veil.
+
+"Well, you're very young," said Hannah, glancing down at the smaller
+figure with a sweet matronly smile.
+
+"I shall never marry," Esther said in low tones.
+
+"Don't be ridiculous, Esther! There's no happiness for a woman without
+it. You needn't talk like Miriam Hyams--at least not yet. Oh yes, I know
+what you're thinking--"
+
+"No, I'm not," faintly protested Esther
+
+"Yes, you are," said Hannah, smiling at the paradoxical denial. "But
+who'd have _me_? Ah, here are the _Greeners_!" and her smile softened to
+angelic tenderness.
+
+It was a frowzy, unsightly group that sat on the pavement, surrounded by
+a semi-sympathetic crowd--the father in a long grimy coat, the mother
+covered, as to her head, with a shawl, which also contained the baby.
+But the elders were naively childish and the children uncannily elderly;
+and something in Esther's breast seemed to stir with a strange sense of
+kinship. The race instinct awoke to consciousness of itself. Dulled by
+contact with cultured Jews, transformed almost to repulsion by the
+spectacle of the coarsely prosperous, it leaped into life at the appeal
+of squalor and misery. In the morning the Ghetto had simply chilled her;
+her heart had turned to it as to a haven, and the reality was dismal.
+Now that the first ugliness had worn off, she felt her heart warming.
+Her eyes moistened. She thrilled from head to foot with the sense of a
+mission--of a niche in the temple of human service which she had been
+predestined to fill. Who could comprehend as she these stunted souls,
+limited in all save suffering? Happiness was not for her; but service
+remained. Penetrated by the new emotion, she seemed to herself to have
+found the key to Hannah's holy calm.
+
+With the money now in hand, the two girls sought a lodging for the poor
+waifs. Esther suddenly remembered the empty back garret in No. 1 Royal
+Street, and here, after due negotiations with the pickled-herring dealer
+next door, the family was installed. Esther's emotions at the sight of
+the old place were poignant; happily the bustle of installation, of
+laying down a couple of mattresses, of borrowing Dutch Debby's
+tea-things, and of getting ready a meal, allayed their intensity. That
+little figure with the masculine boots showed itself but by fits and
+flashes. But the strangeness of the episode formed the undercurrent of
+all her thoughts; it seemed to carry to a climax the irony of her
+initial gift to Hannah.
+
+Escaping from the blessings of the _Greeners_, she accompanied her new
+friend to Reb Shemuel's. She was shocked to see the change in the
+venerable old man; he looked quite broken up. But he was chivalrous as
+of yore: the vein of quiet humor was still there, though his voice was
+charged with gentle melancholy. The Rebbitzin's nose had grown sharper
+than ever; her soul seemed to have fed on vinegar. Even in the presence
+of a stranger the Rebbitzin could not quite conceal her dominant
+thought. It hardly needed a woman to divine how it fretted Mrs. Jacobs
+that Hannah was an old maid; it needed a woman like Esther to divine
+that Hannah's renunciation was voluntary, though even Esther could not
+divine her history nor understand that her mother's daily nagging was
+the greater because the pettier part of her martyrdom.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+They all jumbled themselves into grotesque combinations, the things of
+to-day and the things of endless yesterdays, as Esther slept in the
+narrow little bed next to Dutch Debby, who squeezed herself into the
+wall, pretending to revel in exuberant spaciousness. It was long before
+she could get to sleep. The excitement of the day had brought on her
+headache; she was depressed by restriking the courses of so many narrow
+lives; the glow of her new-found mission had already faded in the
+thought that she was herself a pauper, and she wished she had let the
+dead past lie in its halo, not peered into the crude face of reality.
+But at bottom she felt a subtle melancholy joy in understanding herself
+at last, despite Hannah's scepticism; in penetrating the secret of her
+pessimism, in knowing herself a Child of the Ghetto.
+
+And yet Pesach Weingott played the fiddle merrily enough when she went
+to Becky's engagement-party in her dreams, and galoped with Shosshi
+Shmendrik, disregarding the terrible eyes of the bride to be: when
+Hannah, wearing an aureole like a bridal veil, paired off with Meckisch,
+frothing at the mouth with soap, and Mrs. Belcovitch, whirling a
+medicine-bottle, went down the middle on a pair of huge stilts, one a
+thick one and one a thin one, while Malka spun round like a teetotum,
+throwing Ezekiel in long clothes through a hoop; what time Moses Ansell
+waltzed superbly with the dazzling Addie Leon, quite cutting out Levi
+and Miriam Hyams, and Raphael awkwardly twisted the Widow Finkelstein,
+to the evident delight of Sugarman the _Shadchan_, who had effected the
+introduction. It was wonderful how agile they all were, and how
+dexterously they avoided treading on her brother Benjamin, who lay
+unconcernedly in the centre of the floor, taking assiduous notes in a
+little copy-book for incorporation in a great novel, while Mrs. Henry
+Goldsmith stooped down to pat his brown hair patronizingly.
+
+Esther thought it very proper of the grateful _Greeners_ to go about
+offering the dancers rum from Dutch Debby's tea-kettle, and very selfish
+of Sidney to stand in a corner, refusing to join in the dance and making
+cynical remarks about the whole thing for the amusement of the earnest
+little figure she had met on the stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE DEAD MONKEY AGAIN.
+
+
+Esther woke early, little refreshed. The mattress was hard, and in her
+restricted allowance of space she had to deny herself the luxury of
+tossing and turning lest she should arouse Debby. To open one's eyes on
+a new day is not pleasant when situations have to be faced. Esther felt
+this disagreeable duty could no longer be shirked. Malka's words rang in
+her ears. How, indeed, could she earn a living? Literature had failed
+her; with journalism she had no point of contact save _The Flag of
+Judah_, and that journal was out of the question. Teaching--the last
+resort of the hopeless--alone remained. Maybe even in the Ghetto there
+were parents who wanted their children to learn the piano, and who would
+find Esther's mediocre digital ability good enough. She might teach as
+of old in an elementary school. But she would not go back to her
+own--all the human nature in her revolted at the thought of exposing
+herself to the sympathy of her former colleagues. Nothing was to be
+gained by lying sleepless in bed, gazing at the discolored wallpaper and
+the forlorn furniture. She slipped out gently and dressed herself, the
+absence of any apparatus for a bath making her heart heavier with
+reminders of the realities of poverty. It was not easy to avert her
+thoughts from her dainty bedroom of yesterday. But she succeeded; the
+cheerlessness of the little chamber turned her thoughts backwards to the
+years of girlhood, and when she had finished dressing she almost
+mechanically lit the fire and put the kettle to boil. Her childish
+dexterity returned, unimpaired by disuse. When Debby awoke, she awoke to
+a cup of tea ready for her to drink in bed--an unprecedented luxury,
+which she received with infinite consternation and pleasure.
+
+"Why, it's like the duchesses who have lady's-maids," she said, "and
+read French novels before getting up." To complete the picture, her
+hand dived underneath the bed and extracted a _London Journal_, at the
+risk of upsetting the tea. "But it's you who ought to be in bed, not
+me."
+
+"I've been a sluggard too often," laughed Esther, catching the contagion
+of good spirits from Debby's radiant delight. Perhaps the capacity for
+simple pleasures would come back to her, too.
+
+At breakfast they discussed the situation.
+
+"I'm afraid the bed's too small," said Esther, when Debby kindly
+suggested a continuance of hospitality.
+
+"Perhaps I took up too much room," said the hostess.
+
+"No, dear; you took up too little. We should have to have a wider bed
+and, as it is, the bed is almost as big as the room."
+
+"There's the back garret overhead! It's bigger, and it looks on the back
+yard just as well. I wouldn't mind moving there," said Debby, "though I
+wouldn't let old Guggenheim know that I value the view of the back yard,
+or else he'd raise the rent."
+
+"You forget the _Greeners_ who moved in yesterday."
+
+"Oh, so I do!" answered Debby with a sigh.
+
+"Strange," said Esther, musingly, "that I should have shut myself out of
+my old home."
+
+The postman's knuckles rapping at the door interrupted her reflections.
+In Royal Street the poor postmen had to mount to each room separately;
+fortunately, the tenants got few letters. Debby was intensely surprised
+to get one.
+
+"It isn't for me at all," she cried, at last, after a protracted
+examination of the envelope; "it's for you, care of me."
+
+"But that's stranger still." said Esther. "Nobody in the world knows my
+address."
+
+The mystery was not lessened by the contents. There was simply a blank
+sheet of paper, and when this was unfolded a half-sovereign rolled out.
+The postmark was Houndsditch. After puzzling herself in vain, and
+examining at length the beautiful copy-book penmanship of the address,
+Esther gave up the enigma. But it reminded her that it would be
+advisable to apprise her publishers of her departure from the old
+address, and to ask them to keep any chance letter till she called. She
+betook herself to their offices, walking. The day was bright, but
+Esther walked in gloom, scarcely daring to think of her position. She
+entered the office, apathetically hopeless. The junior partner welcomed
+her heartily.
+
+"I suppose you've come about your account," he said. "I have been
+intending to send it you for some months, but we are so busy bringing
+out new things before the dead summer season comes on." He consulted his
+books. "Perhaps you would rather not be bothered," he said, "with a
+formal statement. I have it all clearly here--the book's doing fairly
+well--let me write you a cheque at once!"
+
+She murmured assent, her cheeks blanching, her heart throbbing with
+excitement and surprise.
+
+"There you are--sixty-two pounds ten," he said. "Our profits are just
+one hundred and twenty-five. If you'll endorse it, I'll send a clerk to
+the bank round the corner and get it cashed for you at once."
+
+The pen scrawled an agitated autograph that would not have been accepted
+at the foot of a cheque, if Esther had had a banking account of her own.
+
+"But I thought you said the book was a failure," she said.
+
+"So it was," he answered cheerfully, "so it was at first. But gradually,
+as its nature leaked out, the demand increased. I understand from
+Mudie's that it was greatly asked for by their Jewish clients. You see,
+when there's a run on a three-volume book, the profits are pretty fair.
+I believed in it myself, or I should never have given you such good
+terms nor printed seven hundred and fifty copies. I shouldn't be
+surprised if we find ourselves able to bring it out in one-volume form
+in the autumn. We shall always be happy to consider any further work of
+yours; something on the same lines, I should recommend."
+
+The recommendation did not convey any definite meaning to her at the
+moment. Still in a pleasant haze, she stuffed the twelve five-pound
+notes and the three gold-pieces into her purse, scribbled a receipt, and
+departed. Afterwards the recommendation rang mockingly in her ears. She
+felt herself sterile, written out already. As for writing again on the
+same lines, she wondered what Raphael would think if he knew of the
+profits she had reaped by bespattering his people. But there! Raphael
+was a prig like the rest. It was no use worrying about _his_ opinions.
+Affluence had come to her--that was the one important and exhilarating
+fact. Besides, had not the hypocrites really enjoyed her book? A new
+wave of emotion swept over her--again she felt strong enough to defy the
+whole world.
+
+When she got "home," Debby said, "Hannah Jacobs called to see you."
+
+"Oh, indeed, what did she want?"
+
+"I don't know, but from something she said I believe I can guess who
+sent the half-sovereign."
+
+"Not Reb Shemuel?" said Esther, astonished.
+
+"No, _your_ cousin Malka. It seems that she saw Hannah leaving Zachariah
+Square with you, and so went to her house last night to get your
+address."
+
+Esther did not know whether to laugh or be angry; she compromised by
+crying. People were not so bad, after all, nor the fates so hard to her.
+It was only a little April shower of tears, and soon she was smiling and
+running upstairs to give the half-sovereign to the _Greeners_. It would
+have been ungracious to return it to Malka, and she purchased all the
+luxury of doing good, including the effusive benedictions of the whole
+family, on terms usually obtainable only by professional almoners.
+
+Then she told Debby of her luck with the publishers. Profound was
+Debby's awe at the revelation that Esther was able to write stories
+equal to those in the _London Journal_. After that, Debby gave up the
+idea of Esther living or sleeping with her; she would as soon have
+thought of offering a share of her bed to the authoresses of the tales
+under it. Debby suffered scarce any pang when her one-night companion
+transferred herself to Reb Shemuel's.
+
+For it was to suggest this that Hannah had called. The idea was her
+father's; it came to him when she told him of Esther's strange position.
+But Esther said she was going to America forthwith, and she only
+consented on condition of being allowed to pay for her keep during her
+stay. The haggling was hard, but Esther won. Hannah gave up her room to
+Esther, and removed her own belongings to Levi's bedroom, which except
+at Festival seasons had been unused for years, though the bed was always
+kept ready for him. Latterly the women had had to make the bed from time
+to time, and air the room, when Reb Shemuel was at synagogue. Esther
+sent her new address to her brothers and sisters, and made inquiries as
+to the prospects of educated girls in the States. In reply she learned
+that Rachel was engaged to be married. Her correspondents were too taken
+up with this gigantic fact to pay satisfactory attention to her
+inquiries. The old sense of protecting motherhood came back to Esther
+when she learned the news. Rachel was only eighteen, but at once Esther
+felt middle-aged. It seemed of the fitness of things that she should go
+to America and resume her interrupted maternal duties. Isaac and Sarah
+were still little more than children, perhaps they had not yet ceased
+bickering about their birthdays. She knew her little ones would jump for
+joy, and Isaac still volunteer sleeping accommodation in his new bed,
+even though the necessity for it had ceased. She cried when she received
+the cutting from the American Jewish paper; under other circumstances
+she would have laughed. It was one of a batch headed "Personals," and
+ran: "Sam Wiseberg, the handsome young drummer, of Cincinnati, has
+become engaged to Rachel Ansell, the fair eighteen-year-old type-writer
+and daughter of Moses Ansell, a well-known Chicago Hebrew. Life's
+sweetest blessings on the pair! The marriage will take place in the
+Fall." Esther dried her eyes and determined to be present at the
+ceremony. It is so grateful to the hesitant soul to be presented with a
+landmark. There was nothing to be gained now by arriving before the
+marriage; nay, her arrival just in time for it would clench the
+festivities. Meantime she attached herself to Hannah's charitable
+leading-strings, alternately attracted to the Children of the Ghetto by
+their misery, and repulsed by their failings. She seemed to see them now
+in their true perspective, correcting the vivid impressions of childhood
+by the insight born of wider knowledge of life. The accretion of pagan
+superstition was greater than she had recollected. Mothers averted
+fever by a murmured charm and an expectoration, children in new raiment
+carried bits of coal or salt in their pockets to ward off the evil-eve.
+On the other hand, there was more resourcefulness, more pride of
+independence. Her knowledge of Moses Ansell had misled her into too
+sweeping a generalization. And she was surprised to realize afresh how
+much illogical happiness flourished amid penury, ugliness and pain.
+After school-hours the muggy air vibrated with the joyous laughter of
+little children, tossing their shuttlecocks, spinning their tops,
+turning their skipping-ropes, dancing to barrel-organs or circling
+hand-in-hand in rings to the sound of the merry traditional chants of
+childhood. Esther often purchased a pennyworth of exquisite pleasure by
+enriching some sad-eyed urchin. Hannah (whose own scanty surplus was
+fortunately augmented by an anonymous West-End Reform Jew, who
+employed her as his agent) had no prepossessions to correct, no
+pendulum-oscillations to distract her, no sentimental illusions to
+sustain her. She knew the Ghetto as it was; neither expected gratitude
+from the poor, nor feared she might "pauperize them," knowing that the
+poor Jew never exchanges his self-respect for respect for his
+benefactor, but takes by way of rightful supplement to his income. She
+did not drive families into trickery, like ladies of the West, by being
+horrified to find them eating meat. If she presided at a stall at a
+charitable sale of clothing, she was not disheartened if articles were
+snatched from under her hand, nor did she refuse loans because borrowers
+sometimes merely used them to evade the tallyman by getting their
+jewelry at cash prices. She not only gave alms to the poor, but made
+them givers, organizing their own farthings into a powerful auxiliary of
+the institutions which helped them. Hannah's sweet patience soothed
+Esther, who had no natural aptitude for personal philanthropy; the
+primitive, ordered pieties of the Reb's household helping to give her
+calm. Though she accepted the inevitable, and had laughed in melancholy
+mockery at the exaggerated importance given to love by the novelists
+(including her cruder self), she dreaded meeting Raphael Leon. It was
+very unlikely her whereabouts would penetrate to the West; and she
+rarely went outside of the Ghetto by day, or even walked within it in
+the evening. In the twilight, unless prostrated by headache, she played
+on Hannah's disused old-fashioned grand piano. It had one cracked note
+which nearly always spoiled the melody; she would not have the note
+repaired, taking a morbid pleasure in a fantastic analogy between the
+instrument and herself. On Friday nights after the Sabbath-hymns she
+read _The Flag of Judah_. She was not surprised to find Reb Shemuel
+beginning to look askance at his favorite paper. She noted a growing
+tendency in it to insist mainly on the ethical side of Judaism,
+salvation by works being contrasted with the salvation by spasm of
+popular Christianity. Once Kingsley's line, "Do noble things, not dream
+them all day long," was put forth as "Judaism _versus_ Christianity in a
+nut-shell;" and the writer added, "for so thy dreams shall become noble,
+too." Sometimes she fancied phrases and lines of argument were aimed at
+her. Was it the editor's way of keeping in touch with her, using his
+leaders as a medium of communication--a subtly sweet secret known only
+to him and her? Was it fair to his readers? Then she would remember his
+joke about the paper being started merely to convert her, and she would
+laugh. Sometimes he repeated what he already said to her privately, so
+that she seemed to hear him talking.
+
+Then she would shake her head, and say, "I love you for your blindness,
+but I have the terrible gift of vision."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SIDNEY SETTLES DOWN.
+
+
+Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's newest seaside resort had the artistic charm
+which characterized everything she selected. It was a straggling, hilly,
+leafy village, full of archaic relics--human as well as
+architectural--sloping down to a gracefully curved bay, where the blue
+waves broke in whispers, for on summer days a halcyon calm overhung this
+magic spot, and the great sea stretched away, unwrinkled, ever young.
+There were no neutral tones in the colors of this divine picture--the
+sea was sapphire, the sky amethyst. There were dark-red houses nestling
+amid foliage, and green-haired monsters of gray stone squatted about on
+the yellow sand, which was strewn with quaint shells and mimic
+earth-worms, cunningly wrought by the waves. Half a mile to the east a
+blue river rippled into the bay. The white bathing tents which Mrs.
+Goldsmith had pitched stood out picturesquely, in harmonious contrast
+with the rich boscage that began to climb the hills in the background.
+
+Mrs. Goldsmith's party lived in the Manse; it was pretty numerous, and
+gradually overflowed into the bedrooms of the neighboring cottages. Mr.
+Goldsmith only came down on Saturday, returning on Monday. One Friday
+Mr. Percy Saville, who had been staying for the week, left suddenly for
+London, and next day the beautiful hostess poured into her husband's
+projecting ears a tale that made him gnash his projecting teeth, and cut
+the handsome stockbroker off his visiting-list for ever. It was only an
+indiscreet word that the susceptible stockbroker had spoken--under the
+poetic influences of the scene. His bedroom came in handy, for Sidney
+unexpectedly dropped down from Norway, _via_ London, on the very Friday.
+The poetic influences of the scene soon infected the newcomer, too. On
+the Saturday he was lost for hours, and came up smiling, with Addie on
+his arm. On the Sunday afternoon the party went boating up the river--a
+picturesque medley of flannels and parasols. Once landed, Sidney and
+Addie did not return for tea, prior to re-embarking. While Mr. Montagu
+Samuels was gallantly handing round the sugar, they were sitting
+somewhere along the bank, half covered with leaves, like babes in the
+wood. The sunset burned behind the willows--a fiery rhapsody of crimson
+and orange. The gay laughter of the picnic-party just reached their
+ears; otherwise, an almost solemn calm prevailed--not a bird twittered,
+not a leaf stirred.
+
+"It'll be all over London to-morrow," said Sidney in a despondent tone.
+
+"I'm afraid so," said Addie, with a delicious laugh.
+
+The sweet English meadows over which her humid eyes wandered were
+studded with simple wild-flowers. Addie vaguely felt the angels had
+planted such in Eden. Sidney could not take his eyes off his terrestrial
+angel clad in appropriate white. Confessed love had given the last touch
+to her intoxicating beauty. She gratified his artistic sense almost
+completely. But she seemed to satisfy deeper instincts, too. As he
+looked into her limpid, trustful eyes, he felt he had been a weak fool.
+An irresistible yearning to tell her all his past and crave forgiveness
+swept over him.
+
+"Addie," he said, "isn't it funny I should be marrying a Jewish girl,
+after all?"
+
+He wanted to work round to it like that, to tell her of his engagement
+to Miss Hannibal at least, and how, on discovering with whom he was
+really in love, he had got out of it simply by writing to the Wesleyan
+M.P. that he was a Jew--a fact sufficient to disgust the disciple of
+Dissent and the claimant champion of religious liberty. But Addie only
+smiled at the question.
+
+"You smile," he said: "I see you do think it funny."
+
+"That's not why I am smiling."
+
+"Then why are you smiling?" The lovely face piqued him; he kissed the
+lips quickly with a bird-like peck.
+
+"Oh--I--no, you wouldn't understand."
+
+"That means _you_ don't understand. But there! I suppose when a girl is
+in love, she's not accountable for her expression. All the same, it is
+strange. You know, Addie dear, I have come to the conclusion that
+Judaism exercises a strange centrifugal and centripetal effect on its
+sons--sometimes it repulses them, sometimes it draws them; only it never
+leaves them neutral. Now, here had I deliberately made up my mind not to
+marry a Jewess."
+
+"Oh! Why not?" said Addie, pouting.
+
+"Merely because she would be a Jewess. It's a fact."
+
+"And why have you broken your resolution?" she said, looking up naively
+into his face, so that the scent of her hair thrilled him.
+
+"I don't know." he said frankly, scarcely giving the answer to be
+expected. "_C'est plus fort que moi_. I've struggled hard, but I'm
+beaten. Isn't there something of the kind in Esther--in Miss Ansell's
+book? I know I've read it somewhere--and anything that's beastly subtle
+I always connect with her."
+
+"Poor Esther!" murmured Addie.
+
+Sidney patted her soft warm hand, and smoothed the finely-curved arm,
+and did not seem disposed to let the shadow of Esther mar the moment,
+though he would ever remain grateful to her for the hint which had
+simultaneously opened his eyes to Addie's affection for him, and to his
+own answering affection so imperceptibly grown up. The river glided on
+softly, glorified by the sunset.
+
+"It makes one believe in a dogged destiny," he grumbled, "shaping the
+ends of the race, and keeping it together, despite all human volition.
+To think that I should be doomed to fall in love, not only with a Jewess
+but with a pious Jewess! But clever men always fall in love with
+conventional women. I wonder what makes you so conventional, Addie."
+
+Addie, still smiling, pressed his hand in silence, and gazed at him in
+fond admiration.
+
+"Ah, well, since you are so conventional, you may as well kiss me."
+
+Addie's blush deepened, her eyes sparkled ere she lowered them, and
+subtly fascinating waves of expression passed across the lovely face.
+
+"They'll be wondering what on earth has become of us," she said.
+
+"It shall be nothing on earth--something in heaven," he answered. "Kiss
+me, or I shall call you unconventional."
+
+She touched his cheek hurriedly with her soft lips.
+
+"A very crude and amateur kiss," he said critically. "However, after
+all, I have an excuse for marrying you--which all clever Jews who marry
+conventional Jewesses haven't got--you're a fine model. That is another
+of the many advantages of my profession. I suppose you'll be a model
+wife, in the ordinary sense, too. Do you know, my darling, I begin to
+understand that I could not love you so much if you were not so
+religious, if you were not so curiously like a Festival Prayer-Book,
+with gilt edges and a beautiful binding."
+
+"Ah, I am so glad, dear, to hear you say that," said Addie, with the
+faintest suspicion of implied past disapproval.
+
+"Yes," he said musingly. "It adds the last artistic touch to your
+relation to me."
+
+"But you will reform!" said Addie, with girlish confidence.
+
+"Do you think so? I might commence by becoming a vegetarian--that would
+prevent me eating forbidden flesh. Have I ever told you my idea that
+vegetarianism is the first step in a great secret conspiracy for
+gradually converting the world to Judaism? But I'm afraid I can't be
+caught as easily as the Gentiles, Addie dear. You see, a Jewish sceptic
+beats all others. _Corruptio optimi pessima_, probably. Perhaps you
+would like me to marry in a synagogue?"
+
+"Why, of course! Where else?"
+
+"Heavens!" said Sidney, in comic despair. "I feared it would come to
+that. I shall become a pillar of the synagogue when I am married, I
+suppose."
+
+"Well, you'll have to take a seat," said Addie seriously, "because
+otherwise you can't get buried."
+
+"Gracious, what ghoulish thoughts for an embryo bride! Personally, I
+have no objection to haunting the Council of the United Synagogue till
+they give me a decently comfortable grave. But I see what it will be! I
+shall be whitewashed by the Jewish press, eulogized by platform orators
+as a shining light in Israel, the brilliant impressionist painter, and
+all that. I shall pay my synagogue bill and never go. In short, I shall
+be converted to Philistinism, and die in the odor of respectability. And
+Judaism will continue to flourish. Oh, Addie, Addie, if I had thought of
+all that, I should never have asked you to be my wife."
+
+"I am glad you didn't think of it," laughed Addie, ingenuously.
+
+"There! You never will take me seriously!" he grumbled. "Nobody ever
+takes me seriously--I suppose because I speak the truth. The only time
+you ever took me seriously in my life was a few minutes ago. So you
+actually think I'm going to submit to the benedictions of a Rabbi."
+
+"You must," said Addie.
+
+"I'll be blest If I do," he said.
+
+"Of course you will," said Addie, laughing merrily.
+
+"Thanks--I'm glad you appreciate my joke. You perhaps fancy it's yours.
+However, I'm in earnest. I won't be a respectable high-hatted member of
+the community--not even for your sake, dear. Why, I might as well go
+back to my ugly real name, Samuel Abrahams, at once."
+
+"So you might, dear," said Addie boldly, and smiled into his eyes to
+temper her audacity.
+
+"Ah, well, I think it'll be quite enough if _you_ change your name," he
+said, smiling back.
+
+"It's just as easy for me to change it to Abrahams as to Graham," she
+said with charming obstinacy.
+
+He contemplated her for some moments in silence, with a whimsical look
+on his face. Then he looked up at the sky--the brilliant color harmonies
+were deepening into a more sober magnificence.
+
+"I'll tell you what I will do. Ill join the Asmoneans. There! that's a
+great concession to your absurd prejudices. But you must make a
+concession to mine. You know how I hate the Jewish canvassing of
+engagements. Let us keep ours entirely _entre nous_ a fortnight--so that
+the gossips shall at least get their material stale, and we shall be
+hardened. I wonder why you're so conventional," he said again, when she
+had consented without enthusiasm. "You had the advantage of Esther--of
+Miss Ansell's society."
+
+"Call her Esther if you like; I don't mind," said Addie.
+
+"I wonder Esther didn't convert you," he went on musingly. "But I
+suppose you had Raphael on your right hand, as some prayer or other
+says. And so you really don't know what's become of her?"
+
+"Nothing beyond what I wrote to you. Mrs. Goldsmith discovered she had
+written the nasty book, and sent her packing. I have never liked to
+broach the subject myself to Mrs. Goldsmith, knowing how unpleasant it
+must be to her. Raphael's version is that Esther went away of her own
+accord; but I can't see what grounds he has for judging."
+
+"I would rather trust Raphael's version," said Sidney, with an
+adumbration of a wink in his left eyelid. "But didn't you look for her?"
+
+"Where? If she's in London, she's swallowed up. If she's gone to another
+place, it's still more difficult to find her."
+
+"There's the Agony Column!"
+
+"If Esther wanted us to know her address, what can prevent her sending
+it?" asked Addie, with dignity.
+
+"I'd find her soon enough, if I wanted to," murmured Sidney.
+
+"Yes; but I'm not sure we want to. After all, she cannot be so nice as I
+thought. She certainly behaved very ungratefully to Mrs. Goldsmith. You
+see what becomes of wild opinions."
+
+"Addie! Addie!" said Sidney reproachfully, "how _can_ you be so
+conventional?"
+
+"I'm _not_ conventional!" protested Addie, provoked at last. "I always
+liked Esther very much. Even now, nothing would give me greater pleasure
+than to have her for a bridesmaid. But I can't help feeling she deceived
+us all."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" said Sidney warmly. "An author has a right to be
+anonymous. Don't you think I'd paint anonymously if I dared? Only, if I
+didn't put my name to my things no one would buy them. That's another of
+the advantages of my profession. Once make your name as an artist, and
+you can get a colossal income by giving up art."
+
+"It was a vulgar book!" persisted Addie, sticking to the point.
+
+"Fiddlesticks! It was an artistic book--bungled."
+
+"Oh, well!" said Addie, as the tears welled from her eyes, "if you're so
+fond of unconventional girls, you'd better marry them."
+
+"I would," said Sidney, "but for the absurd restriction against
+polygamy."
+
+Addie got up with an indignant jerk. "You think I'm a child to be played
+with!"
+
+She turned her back upon him. His face changed instantly; he stood
+still a moment, admiring the magnificent pose. Then he recaptured her
+reluctant hand.
+
+"Don't be jealous already, Addie," he said. "It's a healthy sign of
+affection, is a storm-cloud, but don't you think it's just a wee, tiny,
+weeny bit too previous?"
+
+A pressure of the hand accompanied each of the little adjectives. Addie
+sat down again, feeling deliriously happy. She seemed to be lapped in a
+great drowsy ecstasy of bliss.
+
+The sunset was fading into sombre grays before Sidney broke the silence;
+then his train of thought revealed itself.
+
+"If you're so down on Esther, I wonder how you can put up with me! How
+is it?"
+
+Addie did not hear the question.
+
+"You think I'm a very wicked, blasphemous boy," he insisted. "Isn't that
+the thought deep down in your heart of hearts?"
+
+"I'm sure tea must be over long ago," said Addie anxiously.
+
+"Answer me," said Sidney inexorably.
+
+"Don't bother. Aren't they cooeying for us?"
+
+"Answer me."
+
+"I do believe that was a water-rat. Look! the water is still eddying."
+
+"I'm a very wicked, blasphemous boy. Isn't that the thought deep down in
+your heart of hearts?"
+
+"You are there, too," she breathed at last, and then Sidney forgot her
+beauty for an instant, and lost himself in unaccustomed humility. It
+seemed passing wonderful to him--that he should be the deity of such a
+spotless shrine. Could any man deserve the trust of this celestial soul?
+
+Suddenly the thought that he had not told her about Miss Hannibal after
+all, gave him a chilling shock. But he rallied quickly. Was it really
+worth while to trouble the clear depths of her spirit with his turbid
+past? No; wiser to inhale the odor of the rose at her bosom, sweeter to
+surrender himself to the intoxicating perfume of her personality, to the
+magic of a moment that must fade like the sunset, already grown gray.
+
+So Addie never knew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FROM SOUL TO SOUL.
+
+
+On the Friday that Percy Saville returned to town, Raphael, in a state
+of mental prostration modified by tobacco, was sitting in the editorial
+chair. He was engaged in his pleasing weekly occupation of discovering,
+from a comparison with the great rival organ, the deficiencies of _The
+Flag of Judah_ in the matter of news, his organization for the
+collection of which partook of the happy-go-lucky character of little
+Sampson. Fortunately, to-day there were no flagrant omissions, no
+palpable shortcomings such as had once and again thrown the office of
+the _Flag_ into mourning when communal pillars were found dead in the
+opposition paper.
+
+The arrival of a visitor put an end to the invidious comparison.
+
+"Ah, Strelitski!" cried Raphael, jumping up in glad surprise. "What an
+age it is since I've seen you!" He shook the black-gloved hand of the
+fashionable minister heartily; then his face grew rueful with a sudden
+recollection. "I suppose you have come to scold me for not answering the
+invitation to speak at the distribution of prizes to your religion
+class?" he said; "but I _have_ been so busy. My conscience has kept up a
+dull pricking on the subject, though, for ever so many weeks. You're
+such an epitome of all the virtues that you can't understand the
+sensation, and even I can't understand why one submits to this
+undercurrent of reproach rather than take the simple step it exhorts one
+to. But I suppose it's human nature." He puffed at his pipe in humorous
+sadness.
+
+"I suppose it is," said Strelitski wearily.
+
+"But of course I'll come. You know that, my dear fellow. When my
+conscience was noisy, the _advocatus diaboli_ used to silence it by
+saying, 'Oh, Strelitski'll take it for granted.' You can never catch the
+_advocatus diaboli_ asleep," concluded Raphael, laughing.
+
+"No," assented Strelitski. But he did not laugh.
+
+"Oh!" said Raphael, his laugh ceasing suddenly and his face growing
+long. "Perhaps the prize-distribution is over?"
+
+Strelitski's expression seemed so stern that for a second it really
+occurred to Raphael that he might have missed the great event. But
+before the words were well out of his mouth he remembered that it was an
+event that made "copy," and little Sampson would have arranged with him
+as to the reporting thereof.
+
+"No; it's Sunday week. But I didn't come to talk about my religion class
+at all," he said pettishly, while a shudder traversed his form. "I came
+to ask if you know anything about Miss Ansell."
+
+Raphael's heart stood still, then began to beat furiously. The sound of
+her name always affected him incomprehensibly. He began to stammer, then
+took his pipe out of his mouth and said more calmly;
+
+"How should I know anything about Miss Ansell?"
+
+"I thought you would," said Strelitski, without much disappointment in
+his tone.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Wasn't she your art-critic?"
+
+"Who told you that?"
+
+"Mrs. Henry Goldsmith."
+
+"Oh!" said Raphael.
+
+"I thought she might possibly be writing for you still, and so, as I was
+passing, I thought I'd drop in and inquire. Hasn't anything been heard
+of her? Where is she? Perhaps one could help her."
+
+"I'm sorry, I really know nothing, nothing at all," said Raphael
+gravely. "I wish I did. Is there any particular reason why you want to
+know?"
+
+As he spoke, a strange suspicion that was half an apprehension came into
+his head. He had been looking the whole time at Strelitski's face with
+his usual unobservant gaze, just seeing it was gloomy. Now, as in a
+sudden flash, he saw it sallow and careworn to the last degree. The eyes
+were almost feverish, the black curl on the brow was unkempt, and there
+was a streak or two of gray easily visible against the intense sable.
+What change had come over him? Why this new-born interest in Esther?
+Raphael felt a vague unreasoning resentment rising in him, mingled with
+distress at Strelitski's discomposure.
+
+"No; I don't know that there is any _particular_ reason why I want to
+know," answered his friend slowly. "She was a member of my congregation.
+I always had a certain interest in her, which has naturally not been
+diminished by her sudden departure from our midst, and by the knowledge
+that she was the author of that sensational novel. I think it was cruel
+of Mrs. Henry Goldsmith to turn her adrift; one must allow for the
+effervescence of genius."
+
+"Who told you Mrs. Henry Goldsmith turned her adrift?" asked Raphael
+hotly.
+
+"Mrs. Henry Goldsmith," said Strelitski with a slight accent of wonder.
+
+"Then it's a lie!" Raphael exclaimed, thrusting out his arms in intense
+agitation. "A mean, cowardly lie! I shall never go to see that woman
+again, unless it is to let her know what I think of her."
+
+"Ah, then you do know something about Miss Ansell?" said Strelitski,
+with growing surprise. Raphael in a rage was a new experience. There
+were those who asserted that anger was not among his gifts.
+
+"Nothing about her life since she left Mrs. Goldsmith; but I saw her
+before, and she told me it was her intention to cut herself adrift.
+Nobody knew about her authorship of the book; nobody would have known to
+this day if she had not chosen to reveal it."
+
+The minister was trembling.
+
+"She cut herself adrift?" he repeated interrogatively. "But why?"
+
+"I will tell you," said Raphael in low tones. "I don't think it will be
+betraying her confidence to say that she found her position of
+dependence extremely irksome; it seemed to cripple her soul. Now I see
+what Mrs. Goldsmith is. I can understand better what life in her society
+meant for a girl like that."
+
+"And what has become of her?" asked the Russian. His face was agitated,
+the lips were almost white.
+
+"I do not know," said Raphael, almost in a whisper, his voice failing in
+a sudden upwelling of tumultuous feeling. The ever-whirling wheel of
+journalism--that modern realization of the labor of Sisyphus--had
+carried him round without giving him even time to remember that time was
+flying. Day had slipped into week and week into month, without his
+moving an inch from his groove in search of the girl whose unhappiness
+was yet always at the back of his thoughts. Now he was shaken with
+astonished self-reproach at his having allowed her to drift perhaps
+irretrievably beyond his ken.
+
+"She is quite alone in the world, poor thing!" he said after a pause.
+"She must be earning her own living, somehow. By journalism, perhaps.
+But she prefers to live her own life. I am afraid it will be a hard
+one." His voice trembled again. The minister's breast, too, was laboring
+with emotion that checked his speech, but after a moment utterance came
+to him--a strange choked utterance, almost blasphemous from those
+clerical lips.
+
+"By God!" he gasped. "That little girl!"
+
+He turned his back upon his friend and covered his face with his hands,
+and Raphael saw his shoulders quivering. Then his own vision grew dim.
+Conjecture, resentment, wonder, self-reproach, were lost in a new and
+absorbing sense of the pathos of the poor girl's position.
+
+Presently the minister turned round, showing a face that made no
+pretence of calm.
+
+"That was bravely done," he said brokenly. "To cut herself adrift! She
+will not sink; strength will be given her even as she gives others
+strength. If I could only see her and tell her! But she never liked me;
+she always distrusted me. I was a hollow windbag in her eyes--a thing of
+shams and cant--she shuddered to look at me. Was it not so? You are a
+friend of hers, you know what she felt."
+
+"I don't think it was you she disliked," said Raphael in wondering pity.
+"Only your office."
+
+"Then, by God, she was right!" cried the Russian hoarsely. "It was
+this--this that made me the target of her scorn." He tore off his white
+tie madly as he spoke, threw it on the ground, and trampled upon it.
+"She and I were kindred in suffering; I read it in her eyes, averted as
+they were at the sight of this accursed thing! You stare at me--you
+think I have gone mad. Leon, you are not as other men. Can you not guess
+that this damnable white tie has been choking the life and manhood out
+of me? But it is over now. Take your pen, Leon, as you are my friend,
+and write what I shall dictate."
+
+Silenced by the stress of a great soul, half dazed by the strange,
+unexpected revelation, Raphael seated himself, took his pen, and wrote:
+
+"We understand that the Rev. Joseph Strelitski has resigned his position
+in the Kensington Synagogue."
+
+Not till he had written it did the full force of the paragraph overwhelm
+his soul.
+
+"But you will not do this?" he said, looking up almost incredulously at
+the popular minister.
+
+"I will; the position has become impossible. Leon, do you not
+understand? I am not what I was when I took it. I have lived, and life
+is change. Stagnation is death. Surely you can understand, for you, too,
+have changed. Cannot I read between the lines of your leaders?"
+
+"Cannot you read in them?" said Raphael with a wan smile. "I have
+modified some opinions, it is true, and developed others; but I have
+disguised none."
+
+"Not consciously, perhaps, but you do not speak all your thought."
+
+"Perhaps I do not listen to it," said Raphael, half to himself. "But
+you--whatever your change--you have not lost faith in primaries?"
+
+"No; not in what I consider such."
+
+"Then why give up your platform, your housetop, whence you may do so
+much good? You are loved, venerated."
+
+Strelitski placed his palms over his ears.
+
+"Don't! don't!" he cried. "Don't you be the _advocatus diaboli_! Do you
+think I have not told myself all these things a thousand times? Do you
+think I have not tried every kind of opiate? No, no, be silent if you
+can say nothing to strengthen me in my resolution: am I not weak enough
+already? Promise me, give me your hand, swear to me that you will put
+that paragraph in the paper. Saturday. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
+Wednesday, Thursday--in six days I shall change a hundred times. Swear
+to me, so that I may leave this room at peace, the long conflict ended.
+Promise me you will insert it, though I myself should ask you to cancel
+it."
+
+"But--" began Raphael.
+
+Strelitski turned away impatiently and groaned.
+
+"My God!" he cried hoarsely. "Leon, listen to me," he said, turning
+round suddenly. "Do you realize what sort of a position you are asking
+me to keep? Do you realize how it makes me the fief of a Rabbinate that
+is an anachronism, the bondman of outworn forms, the slave of the
+_Shulcan Aruch_ (a book the Rabbinate would not dare publish in
+English), the professional panegyrist of the rich? Ours is a generation
+of whited sepulchres." He had no difficulty about utterance now; the
+words flowed in a torrent. "How can Judaism--and it alone--escape going
+through the fire of modern scepticism, from which, if religion emerge at
+all, it will emerge without its dross? Are not we Jews always the first
+prey of new ideas, with our alert intellect, our swift receptiveness,
+our keen critical sense? And if we are not hypocrites, we are
+indifferent--which is almost worse. Indifference is the only infidelity
+I recognize, and it is unfortunately as conservative as zeal.
+Indifference and hypocrisy between them keep orthodoxy alive--while they
+kill Judaism."
+
+"Oh, I can't quite admit that," said Raphael. "I admit that scepticism
+is better than stagnation, but I cannot see why orthodoxy is the
+antithesis to Judaism Purified--and your own sermons are doing something
+to purify it--orthodoxy--"
+
+"Orthodoxy cannot be purified unless by juggling with words,"
+interrupted Strelitski vehemently. "Orthodoxy is inextricably entangled
+with ritual observance; and ceremonial religion is of the ancient world,
+not the modern."
+
+"But our ceremonialism is pregnant with sublime symbolism, and its
+discipline is most salutary. Ceremony is the casket of religion."
+
+"More often its coffin," said Strelitski drily. "Ceremonial religion is
+so apt to stiffen in a _rigor mortis_. It is too dangerous an element;
+it creates hypocrites and Pharisees. All cast-iron laws and dogmas do.
+Not that I share the Christian sneer at Jewish legalism. Add the Statute
+Book to the New Testament, and think of the network of laws hampering
+the feet of the Christian. No; much of our so-called ceremonialism is
+merely the primitive mix-up of everything with religion in a theocracy.
+The Mosaic code has been largely embodied in civil law, and superseded
+by it."
+
+"That is just the flaw of the modern world, to keep life and religion
+apart," protested Raphael; "to have one set of principles for week-days
+and another for Sundays; to grind the inexorable mechanism of supply and
+demand on pagan principles, and make it up out of the poor-box."
+
+Strelitski shook his head.
+
+"We must make broad our platform, not our phylacteries. It is because I
+am with you in admiring the Rabbis that I would undo much of their work.
+Theirs was a wonderful statesmanship, and they built wiser than they
+knew; just as the patient labors of the superstitious zealots who
+counted every letter of the Law preserved the text unimpaired for the
+benefit of modern scholarship. The Rabbis constructed a casket, if you
+will, which kept the jewel safe, though at the cost of concealing its
+lustre. But the hour has come now to wear the jewel on our breasts
+before all the world. The Rabbis worked for their time--we must work
+for ours. Judaism was before the Rabbis. Scientific criticism shows its
+thoughts widening with the process of the suns--even as its God, Yahweh,
+broadened from a local patriotic Deity to the ineffable Name. For
+Judaism was worked out from within--Abraham asked, 'Shall not the Judge
+of all the earth do right?'--the thunders of Sinai were but the
+righteous indignation of the developed moral consciousness. In every age
+our great men have modified and developed Judaism. Why should it not be
+trimmed into concordance with the culture of the time? Especially when
+the alternative is death. Yes, death! We babble about petty minutiae of
+ritual while Judaism is dying! We are like the crew of a sinking ship,
+holy-stoning the deck instead of being at the pumps. No, I must speak
+out; I cannot go on salving my conscience by unsigned letters to the
+press. Away with all this anonymous apostleship!"
+
+He moved about restlessly with animated gestures as he delivered his
+harangue at tornado speed, speech bursting from him like some dynamic
+energy which had been accumulating for years, and could no longer be
+kept in. It was an upheaval of the whole man under the stress of pent
+forces. Raphael was deeply moved. He scarcely knew how to act in this
+unique crisis. Dimly he foresaw the stir and pother there would be in
+the community. Conservative by instinct, apt to see the elements of good
+in attacked institutions--perhaps, too, a little timid when it came to
+take action in the tremendous realm of realities--he was loth to help
+Strelitski to so decisive a step, though his whole heart went out to him
+in brotherly sympathy.
+
+"Do not act so hastily," he pleaded. "Things are not so black as you see
+them--you are almost as bad as Miss Ansell. Don't think that I see them
+rosy: I might have done that three months ago. But don't you--don't all
+idealists--overlook the quieter phenomena? Is orthodoxy either so
+inefficacious or so moribund as you fancy? Is there not a steady,
+perhaps semi-conscious, stream of healthy life, thousands of cheerful,
+well-ordered households, of people neither perfect nor cultured, but
+more good than bad? You cannot expect saints and heroes to grow like
+blackberries."
+
+"Yes; but look what Jews set up to be--God's witnesses!" interrupted
+Strelitski. "This mediocrity may pass in the rest of the world."
+
+"And does lack of modern lights constitute ignorance?" went on Raphael,
+disregarding the interruption. He began walking up and down, and
+thrashing the air with his arms. Hitherto he had remained comparatively
+quiet, dominated by Strelitski's superior restlessness. "I cannot help
+thinking there is a profound lesson in the Bible story of the oxen who,
+unguided, bore safely the Ark of the Covenant. Intellect obscures more
+than it illumines."
+
+"Oh, Leon, Leon, you'll turn Catholic, soon!" said Strelitski
+reprovingly.
+
+"Not with a capital C," said Raphael, laughing a little. "But I am so
+sick of hearing about culture, I say more than I mean. Judaism is so
+human--that's why I like it. No abstract metaphysics, but a lovable way
+of living the common life, sanctified by the centuries. Culture is all
+very well--doesn't the Talmud say the world stands on the breath of the
+school-children?--but it has become a cant. Too often it saps the moral
+fibre."
+
+"You have all the old Jewish narrowness," said Strelitski.
+
+"I'd rather have that than the new Parisian narrowness--the cant of
+decadence. Look at my cousin Sidney. He talks as if the Jew only
+introduced moral-headache into the world--in face of the corruptions of
+paganism which are still flagrant all over Asia and Africa and
+Polynesia--the idol worship, the abominations, the disregard of human
+life, of truth, of justice."
+
+"But is the civilized world any better? Think of the dishonesty of
+business, the self-seeking of public life, the infamies and hypocrisies
+of society, the prostitutions of soul and body! No, the Jew has yet to
+play a part in history. Supplement his Hebraism by what Hellenic ideals
+you will, but the Jew's ideals must ever remain the indispensable ones,"
+said Strelitski, becoming exalted again. "Without righteousness a
+kingdom cannot stand. The world is longing for a broad simple faith that
+shall look on science as its friend and reason as its inspirer. People
+are turning in their despair even to table-rappings and Mahatmas. Now,
+for the first time in history, is the hour of Judaism. Only it must
+enlarge itself; its platform must be all-inclusive. Judaism is but a
+specialized form of Hebraism; even if Jews stick to their own special
+historical and ritual ceremonies, it is only Hebraism--the pure
+spiritual kernel--that they can offer the world."
+
+"But that is quite the orthodox Jewish idea on the subject," said
+Raphael.
+
+"Yes, but orthodox ideas have a way of remaining ideas," retorted
+Strelitski. "Where I am heterodox is in thinking the time has come to
+work them out. Also in thinking that the monotheism is not the element
+that needs the most accentuation. The formula of the religion of the
+future will be a Jewish formula--Character, not Creed. The provincial
+period of Judaism is over though even its Dark Ages are still lingering
+on in England. It must become cosmic, universal. Judaism is too timid,
+too apologetic, too deferential. Doubtless this is the result of
+persecution, but it does not tend to diminish persecution. We may as
+well try the other attitude. It is the world the Jewish preacher should
+address, not a Kensington congregation. Perhaps, when the Kensington
+congregation sees the world is listening, it will listen, too," he said,
+with a touch of bitterness.
+
+"But it listens to you now," said Raphael.
+
+"A pleasing illusion which has kept me too long in my false position.
+With all its love and reverence, do you think it forgets I am its
+hireling? I may perhaps have a little more prestige than the bulk of my
+fellows--though even that is partly due to my congregants being rich and
+fashionable--but at bottom everybody knows I am taken like a house--on a
+three years' agreement. And I dare not speak, I cannot, while I wear the
+badge of office; it would be disloyal; my own congregation would take
+alarm. The position of a minister is like that of a judicious
+editor--which, by the way, you are not; he is led, rather than leads. He
+has to feel his way, to let in light wherever he sees a chink, a cranny.
+But let them get another man to preach to them the echo of their own
+voices; there will be no lack of candidates for the salary. For my part,
+I am sick of this petty jesuitry; in vain I tell myself it is spiritual
+statesmanship like that of so many Christian clergymen who are silently
+bringing Christianity back to Judaism."
+
+"But it _is_ spiritual statesmanship," asserted Raphael.
+
+"Perhaps. You are wiser, deeper, calmer than I. You are an Englishman, I
+am a Russian. I am all for action, action, action! In Russia I should
+have been a Nihilist, not a philosopher. I can only go by my feelings,
+and I feel choking. When I first came to England, before the horror of
+Russia wore off, I used to go about breathing in deep breaths of air,
+exulting in the sense of freedom. Now I am stifling again. Do you not
+understand? Have you never guessed it? And yet I have often said things
+to you that should have opened your eyes. I must escape from the house
+of bondage--must be master of myself, of my word and thought. Oh, the
+world is so wide, so wide--and we are so narrow! Only gradually did the
+web mesh itself about me. At first my fetters were flowery bands, for I
+believed all I taught and could teach all I believed. Insensibly the
+flowers changed to iron chains, because I was changing as I probed
+deeper into life and thought, and saw my dreams of influencing English
+Judaism fading in the harsh daylight of fact. And yet at moments the
+iron links would soften to flowers again. Do you think there is no
+sweetness in adulation, in prosperity--no subtle cajolery that soothes
+the conscience and coaxes the soul to take its pleasure in a world of
+make-believe? Spiritual statesmanship, forsooth!" He made a gesture of
+resolution. "No, the Judaism of you English weighs upon my spirits. It
+is so parochial. Everything turns on finance; the United Synagogue keeps
+your community orthodox because it has the funds and owns the
+burying-grounds. Truly a dismal allegory--a creed whose strength lies in
+its cemeteries. Money is the sole avenue to distinction and to
+authority; it has its coarse thumb over education, worship, society. In
+my country--even in your own Ghetto--the Jews do not despise money, but
+at least piety and learning are the titles to position and honor. Here
+the scholar is classed with the _Schnorrer_; if an artist or an author
+is admired, it is for his success. You are right; it is oxen that carry
+your Ark of the Covenant--fat oxen. You admire them, Leon; you are an
+Englishman, and cannot stand outside it all. But I am stifling under
+this weight of moneyed mediocrity, this _regime_ of dull respectability.
+I want the atmosphere of ideas and ideals."
+
+He tore at his high clerical collar as though suffocating literally.
+
+Raphael was too moved to defend English Judaism. Besides, he was used
+to these jeremiads now--had he not often heard them from Sidney? Had he
+not read them in Esther's book? Nor was it the first time he had
+listened to the Russian's tirades, though he had lacked the key to the
+internal conflict that embittered them.
+
+"But how will you live?" he asked, tacitly accepting the situation. "You
+will not, I suppose, go over to the Reform Synagogue?"
+
+"That fossil, so proud of its petty reforms half a century ago that it
+has stood still ever since to admire them! It is a synagogue for
+snobs--who never go there."
+
+Raphael smiled faintly. It was obvious that Strelitski on the war-path
+did not pause to weigh his utterances.
+
+"I am glad you are not going over, anyhow. Your congregation would--"
+
+"Crucify me between two money-lenders?"
+
+"Never mind. But how will you live?"'
+
+"How does Miss Ansell live? I can always travel with cigars--I know the
+line thoroughly." He smiled mournfully. "But probably I shall go to
+America--the idea has been floating in my mind for months. There Judaism
+is grander, larger, nobler. There is room for all parties. The dead
+bones are not worshipped as relics. Free thought has its vent-holes--it
+is not repressed into hypocrisy as among us. There is care for
+literature, for national ideals. And one deals with millions, not petty
+thousands. This English community, with its squabbles about rituals, its
+four Chief Rabbis all in love with one another, its stupid Sephardim,
+its narrow-minded Reformers, its fatuous self-importance, its invincible
+ignorance, is but an ant-hill, a negligible quantity in the future of
+the faith. Westward the course of Judaism as of empire takes its
+way--from the Euphrates and Tigris it emigrated to Cordova and Toledo,
+and the year that saw its expulsion from Spain was the year of the
+Discovery of America. _Ex Oriente lux_. Perhaps it will return to you
+here by way of the Occident. Russia and America are the two strongholds
+of the race, and Russia is pouring her streams into America, where they
+will be made free men and free thinkers. It is in America, then, that
+the last great battle of Judaism will be fought out; amid the temples of
+the New World it will make its last struggle to survive. It is there
+that the men who have faith in its necessity must be, so that the
+psychical force conserved at such a cost may not radiate uselessly away.
+Though Israel has sunk low, like a tree once green and living, and has
+become petrified and blackened, there is stored-up sunlight in him. Our
+racial isolation is a mere superstition unless turned to great purposes.
+We have done nothing _as Jews_ for centuries, though our Old Testament
+has always been an arsenal of texts for the European champions of civil
+and religious liberty. We have been unconsciously pioneers of modern
+commerce, diffusers of folk-lore and what not. Cannot we be a conscious
+force, making for nobler ends? Could we not, for instance, be the link
+of federation among the nations, acting everywhere in favor of Peace?
+Could we not be the centre of new sociologic movements in each country,
+as a few American Jews have been the centre of the Ethical Culture
+movement?"
+
+"You forget," said Raphael, "that, wherever the old Judaism has not been
+overlaid by the veneer of Philistine civilization, we are already
+sociological object-lessons in good fellowship, unpretentious charity,
+domestic poetry, respect for learning, disrespect for respectability.
+Our social system is a bequest from the ancient world by which the
+modern may yet benefit. The demerits you censure in English Judaism are
+all departures from the old way of living. Why should we not revive or
+strengthen that, rather than waste ourselves on impracticable novelties?
+And in your prognostications of the future of the Jews have you not
+forgotten the all-important factor of Palestine?"
+
+"No; I simply leave it out of count. You know how I have persuaded the
+Holy Land League to co-operate with the movements for directing the
+streams of the persecuted towards America. I have alleged with truth
+that Palestine is impracticable for the moment. I have not said what I
+have gradually come to think--that the salvation of Judaism is not in
+the national idea at all. That is the dream of visionaries--and young
+men," he added with a melancholy smile. "May we not dream nobler dreams
+than political independence? For, after all, political independence is
+only a means to an end, not an end in itself, as it might easily become,
+and as it appears to other nations. To be merely one among the
+nations--that is not, despite George Eliot, so satisfactory an ideal.
+The restoration to Palestine, or the acquisition of a national centre,
+may be a political solution, but it is not a spiritual idea. We must
+abandon it--it cannot be held consistently with our professed attachment
+to the countries in which our lot is cast--and we have abandoned it. We
+have fought and slain one another in the Franco-German war, and in the
+war of the North and the South. Your whole difficulty with your pauper
+immigrants arises from your effort to keep two contradictory ideals
+going at once. As Englishmen, you may have a right to shelter the exile;
+but not as Jews. Certainly, if the nations cast us out, we could, draw
+together and form a nation as of yore. But persecution, expulsion, is
+never simultaneous; our dispersal has saved Judaism, and it may yet save
+the world. For I prefer the dream that we are divinely dispersed to
+bless it, wind-sown seeds to fertilize its waste places. To be a nation
+without a fatherland, yet with a mother-tongue, Hebrew--there is the
+spiritual originality, the miracle of history. Such has been the real
+kingdom of Israel in the past--we have been 'sons of the Law' as other
+men have been sons of France, of Italy, of Germany. Such may our
+fatherland continue, with 'the higher life' substituted for 'the law'--a
+kingdom not of space, not measured by the vulgar meteyard of an
+Alexander, but a great spiritual Republic, as devoid of material form as
+Israel's God, and congruous with his conception of the Divine. And the
+conquest of this kingdom needs no violent movement--if Jews only
+practised what they preach, it would be achieved to-morrow; for all
+expressions of Judaism, even to the lowest, have common sublimities. And
+this kingdom--as it has no space, so it has no limits; it must grow till
+all mankind, are its subjects. The brotherhood of Israel will be the
+nucleus of the brotherhood of man."
+
+"It is magnificent," said Raphael; "but it is not Judaism. If the Jews
+have the future you dream of, the future will have no Jews. America is
+already decimating them with Sunday-Sabbaths and English Prayer-Books.
+Your Judaism is as eviscerated as the Christianity I found in vogue when
+I was at Oxford, which might be summed up: There is no God, but Jesus
+Christ is His Son. George Eliot was right. Men are men, not pure spirit.
+A fatherland focusses a people. Without it we are but the gypsies of
+religion. All over the world, at every prayer, every Jew turns towards
+Jerusalem. We must not give up the dream. The countries we live in can
+never be more than 'step-fatherlands' to us. Why, if your visions were
+realized, the prophecy of Genesis, already practically fulfilled, 'Thou
+shalt spread abroad to the west and to the east, and to the north and to
+the south; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the
+earth be blessed,' would be so remarkably consummated that we might
+reasonably hope to come to our own again according to the promises."
+
+"Well, well," said Strelitski, good-humoredly, "so long as you admit it
+is not within the range of practical politics now."
+
+"It is your own dream that is premature," retorted Raphael; "at any
+rate, the cosmic part of it. You are thinking of throwing open the
+citizenship of your Republic to the world. But to-day's task is to make
+its citizens by blood worthier of their privilege."
+
+"You will never do it with the old generation," said Strelitski. "My
+hope is in the new. Moses led the Jews forty years through the
+wilderness merely to eliminate the old. Give me young men, and I will
+move the world."
+
+"You will do nothing by attempting too much," said Raphael; "you will
+only dissipate your strength. For my part, I shall be content to raise
+Judaea an inch."
+
+"Go on, then," said Strelitski. "That will give me a barley-corn. But
+I've wasted too much' of your time, I fear. Good-bye. Remember your
+promise."
+
+He held out his hand. He had grown quite calm, now his decision was
+taken.
+
+"Good-bye," said Raphael, shaking it warmly. "I think I shall cable to
+America, 'Behold, Joseph the dreamer cometh.'"
+
+"Dreams are our life," replied Strelitski. "Lessing was
+right--aspiration is everything."
+
+"And yet you would rob the orthodox Jew of his dream of Jerusalem! Well,
+if you must go, don't go without your tie," said Raphael, picking it up,
+and feeling a stolid, practical Englishman in presence of this
+enthusiast. "It is dreadfully dirty, but you must wear it a little
+longer."
+
+"Only till the New Year, which is bearing down upon us," said
+Strelitski, thrusting it into his pocket. "Cost what it may, I shall no
+longer countenance the ritual and ceremonial of the season of
+Repentance. Good-bye again. If you should be writing to Miss Ansell, I
+should like her to know how much I owe her."
+
+"But I tell you I don't know her address," said Raphael, his uneasiness
+reawakening.
+
+"Surely you can write to her publishers?"
+
+And the door closed upon the Russian dreamer, leaving the practical
+Englishman dumbfounded at his never having thought of this simple
+expedient. But before he could adopt it the door was thrown open again
+by Pinchas, who had got out of the habit of knocking through Raphael
+being too polite to reprimand him. The poet, tottered in, dropped
+wearily into a chair, and buried his face in his hands, letting an
+extinct cigar-stump slip through his fingers on to the literature that
+carpeted the floor.
+
+"What is the matter?" inquired Raphael in alarm.
+
+"I am miserable--vairy miserable."
+
+"Has anything happened?"
+
+"Nothing. But I have been thinking vat have I come to after all these
+years, all these vanderings. Nothing! Vat vill be my end? Oh. I am so
+unhappy."
+
+"But you are better off than you ever were in your life. You no longer
+live amid the squalor of the Ghetto; you are clean and well dressed: you
+yourself admit that you can afford to give charity now. That looks as if
+you'd come to something--not nothing."
+
+"Yes," said the poet, looking up eagerly, "and I am famous through the
+vorld. _Metatoron's Flames_ vill shine eternally." His head drooped
+again. "I have all I vant, and you are the best man in the vorld. But I
+am the most miserable."
+
+"Nonsense! cheer up," said Raphael.
+
+"I can never cheer up any more. I vill shoot myself. I have realized the
+emptiness of life. Fame, money, love--all is Dead Sea fruit."
+
+His shoulders heaved convulsively; he was sobbing. Raphael stood by
+helpless, his respect for Pinchas as a poet and for himself as a
+practical Englishman returning. He pondered over the strange fate that
+had thrown him among three geniuses--a male idealist, a female
+pessimist, and a poet who seemed to belong to both sexes and categories.
+And yet there was not one of the three to whom he seemed able to be of
+real service. A letter brought in by the office-boy rudely snapped the
+thread of reflection. It contained three enclosures. The first was an
+epistle; the hand was the hand of Mr. Goldsmith, but the voice was the
+voice of his beautiful spouse.
+
+     "DEAR MR. LEON:
+
+     "I have perceived many symptoms lately of your growing divergency
+     from the ideas with which _The Flag of Judah_ was started. It is
+     obvious that you find yourself unable to emphasize the olden
+     features of our faith--the questions of _kosher_ meat, etc.--as
+     forcibly as our readers desire. You no doubt cherish ideals which
+     are neither practical nor within the grasp of the masses to whom we
+     appeal. I fully appreciate the delicacy that makes you
+     reluctant--in the dearth of genius and Hebrew learning--to saddle
+     me with the task of finding a substitute, but I feel it is time for
+     me to restore your peace of mind even at the expense of my own. I
+     have been thinking that, with your kind occasional supervision, it
+     might be possible for Mr. Pinchas, of whom you have always spoken
+     so highly, to undertake the duties of editorship, Mr. Sampson
+     remaining sub-editor as before. Of course I count on you to
+     continue your purely scholarly articles, and to impress upon the
+     two gentlemen who will now have direct relations with me my wish to
+     remain in the background.
+
+     "Yours sincerely,
+
+     "HENRY GOLDSMITH.
+
+     "P.S.--On second thoughts I beg to enclose a cheque for four
+     guineas, which will serve instead of a formal month's notice, and
+     will enable you to accept at once my wife's invitation, likewise
+     enclosed herewith. Your sister seconds Mrs. Goldsmith in the hope
+     that you will do so. Our tenancy of the Manse only lasts a few
+     weeks longer, for of course we return for the New Year holidays."
+
+This was the last straw. It was not so much the dismissal that staggered
+him, but to be called a genius and an idealist himself--to have his own
+orthodoxy impugned--just at this moment, was a rough shock.
+
+"Pinchas!" he said, recovering himself. Pinchas would not look up. His
+face was still hidden in his hands. "Pinchas, listen! You are appointed
+editor of the paper, instead of me. You are to edit the next number."
+
+Pinchas's head shot up like a catapult. He bounded to his feet, then
+bent down again to Raphael's coat-tail and kissed it passionately.
+
+"Ah, my benefactor, my benefactor!" he cried, in a joyous frenzy. "Now
+vill I give it to English Judaism. She is in my power. Oh, my
+benefactor!"
+
+"No, no," said Raphael, disengaging himself. "I have nothing to do with
+it."
+
+"But de paper--she is yours!" said the poet, forgetting his English in
+his excitement.
+
+"No, I am only the editor. I have been dismissed, and you are appointed
+instead of me."
+
+Pinchas dropped back into his chair like a lump of lead. He hung his
+head again and folded his arms.
+
+"Then they get not me for editor," he said moodily.
+
+"Nonsense, why not?" said Raphael, flushing.
+
+"Vat you think me?" Pinchas asked indignantly. "Do you think I have a
+stone for a heart like Gideon M.P. or your English stockbrokers and
+Rabbis? No, you shall go on being editor. They think you are not able
+enough, not orthodox enough--they vant me--but do not fear. I shall not
+accept."
+
+"But then what will become of the next number?" remonstrated Raphael,
+touched. "I must not edit it."
+
+"Vat you care? Let her die!" cried Pinchas, in gloomy complacency. "You
+have made her; vy should she survive you? It is not right another should
+valk in your shoes--least of all, _I_."
+
+"But I don't mind--I don't mind a bit," Raphael assured him. Pinchas
+shook his head obstinately. "If the paper dies, Sampson will have
+nothing to live upon," Raphael reminded him.
+
+"True, vairy true," said the poet, patently beginning to yield. "That
+alters things. Ve cannot let Sampson starve."
+
+"No, you see!" said Raphael. "So you must keep it alive."
+
+"Yes, but," said Pinchas, getting up thoughtfully, "Sampson is going off
+soon on tour vith his comic opera. He vill not need the _Flag_."
+
+"Oh, well, edit it till then."
+
+"Be it so," said the poet resignedly. "Till Sampson's comic-opera tour."
+
+"Till Sampson's comic-opera tour," repeated Raphael contentedly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+LOVE'S TEMPTATION.
+
+
+Raphael walked out of the office, a free man. Mountains of
+responsibility seemed to roll off his shoulders. His Messianic emotions
+were conscious of no laceration at the failure of this episode of his
+life; they were merged in greater. What a fool he had been to waste so
+much time, to make no effort to find the lonely girl! Surely, Esther
+must have expected him, if only as a friend, to give some sign that he
+did not share in the popular execration. Perchance she had already left
+London or the country, only to be found again by protracted knightly
+quest! He felt grateful to Providence for setting him free for her
+salvation. He made at once for the publishers' and asked for her
+address. The junior partner knew of no such person. In vain Raphael
+reminded him that they had published _Mordecai Josephs_. That was by Mr.
+Edward Armitage. Raphael accepted the convention, and demanded this
+gentleman's address instead. That, too, was refused, but all letters
+would be forwarded. Was Mr. Armitage in England? All letters would be
+forwarded. Upon that the junior partner stood, inexpugnable.
+
+Raphael went out, not uncomforted. He would write to her at once. He got
+letter-paper at the nearest restaurant and wrote, "Dear Miss Ansell."
+The rest was a blank. He had not the least idea how to renew the
+relationship after what seemed an eternity of silence. He stared
+helplessly round the mirrored walls, seeing mainly his own helpless
+stare. The placard "Smoking not permitted till 8 P.M.," gave him a
+sudden shock. He felt for his pipe, and ultimately found it stuck, half
+full of charred bird's eye, in his breast-pocket. He had apparently not
+been smoking for some hours. That completed his perturbation. He felt he
+had undergone too much that day to be in a fit state to write a
+judicious letter. He would go home and rest a bit, and write the
+letter--very diplomatically--in the evening. When he got home, he found
+to his astonishment it was Friday evening, when letter-writing is of the
+devil. Habit carried him to synagogue, where he sang the Sabbath hymn,
+"Come, my beloved, to meet the bride," with strange sweet tears and a
+complete indifference to its sacred allegorical signification. Next
+afternoon he haunted the publishers' doorstep with the brilliant idea
+that Mr. Armitage sometimes crossed it. In this hope, he did _not_ write
+the letter; his phrases, he felt, would be better for the inspiration of
+that gentleman's presence. Meanwhile he had ample time to mature them,
+to review the situation in every possible light, to figure Esther under
+the most poetical images, to see his future alternately radiant and
+sombre. Four long summer days of espionage only left him with a
+heartache, and a specialist knowledge of the sort of persons who visit
+publishers. A temptation to bribe the office-boy he resisted as
+unworthy.
+
+Not only had he not written that letter, but Mr. Henry Goldsmith's
+edict and Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's invitation were still unacknowledged.
+On Thursday morning a letter from Addie indirectly reminded him both of
+his remissness to her hostess, and of the existence of _The Flag of
+Judah_. He remembered it was the day of going to press; a vision of the
+difficulties of the day flashed vividly upon his consciousness; he
+wondered if his ex-lieutenants were finding new ones. The smell of the
+machine-room was in his nostrils; it co-operated with the appeal of his
+good-nature to draw him to his successor's help. Virtue proved its own
+reward. Arriving at eleven o'clock, he found little Sampson in great
+excitement, with the fountain of melody dried up on his lips.--
+
+"Thank God!" he cried. "I thought you'd come when you heard the news."
+
+"What news?"
+
+"Gideon the member for Whitechapel's dead. Died suddenly, early this
+morning."
+
+"How shocking!" said Raphael, growing white.
+
+"Yes, isn't it?" said little Sampson. "If he had died yesterday, I
+shouldn't have minded it so much, while to-morrow would have given us a
+clear week. He hasn't even been ill," he grumbled. "I've had to send
+Pinchas to the Museum in a deuce of a hurry, to find out about his early
+life. I'm awfully upset about it, and what makes it worse is a telegram
+from Goldsmith, ordering a page obituary at least with black rules,
+besides a leader. It's simply sickening. The proofs are awful enough as
+it is--my blessed editor has been writing four columns of his
+autobiography in his most original English, and he wants to leave out
+all the news part to make room for 'em. In one way Gideon's death is a
+boon; even Pinchas'll see his stuff must be crowded out. It's frightful
+having to edit your editor. Why wasn't he made sub?"
+
+"That would have been just as trying for you," said Raphael with a
+melancholy smile. He took up a galley-proof and began to correct it. To
+his surprise he came upon his own paragraph about Strelitski's
+resignation: it caused him fresh emotion. This great spiritual crisis
+had quite slipped his memory, so egoistic are the best of us at times.
+"Please be careful that Pinchas's autobiography does not crowd that
+out," he said.
+
+Pinchas arrived late, when little Sampson was almost in despair. "It is
+all right." he shouted, waving a roll of manuscript. "I have him from
+the cradle--the stupid stockbroker, the Man-of-the-Earth, who sent me
+back my poesie, and vould not let me teach his boy Judaism. And vhile I
+had the inspiration I wrote the leader also in the Museum--it is
+here--oh, vairy beautiful! Listen to the first sentence. 'The Angel of
+Death has passed again over Judaea; he has flown off vith our visest and
+our best, but the black shadow of his ving vill long rest upon the House
+of Israel.' And the end is vordy of the beginning. He is dead: but he
+lives for ever enshrined in the noble tribute to his genius in
+_Metatoron's Flames_."
+
+Little Sampson seized the "copy" and darted with it to the
+composing-room, where Raphael was busy giving directions. By his joyful
+face Raphael saw the crisis was over. Little Sampson handed the
+manuscript to the foreman, then drawing a deep breath of relief, he
+began to hum a sprightly march.
+
+"I say, you're a nice chap!" he grumbled, cutting himself short with a
+staccato that was not in the music.
+
+"What have I done?" asked Raphael.
+
+"Done? You've got me into a nice mess. The guvnor--the new guvnor, the
+old guvnor, it seems--called the other day to fix things with me and
+Pinchas. He asked me if I was satisfied to go on at the same screw. I
+said he might make it two pound ten. 'What, more than double?' says he.
+'No, only nine shillings extra,' says I, 'and for that I'll throw in
+some foreign telegrams the late editor never cared for.' And then it
+came out that he only knew of a sovereign, and fancied I was trying it
+on."
+
+"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Raphael, in deep scarlet distress.
+
+"You must have been paying a guinea out of your own pocket!" said little
+Sampson sharply.
+
+Raphael's confusion increased. "I--I--didn't want it myself," he
+faltered. "You see, it was paid me just for form, and you really did the
+work. Which reminds me I have a cheque of yours now," he ended boldly.
+"That'll make it right for the coming month, anyhow."
+
+He hunted out Goldsmith's final cheque, and tendered it sheepishly.
+
+"Oh no, I can't take it now," said little Sampson. He folded his arms,
+and drew his cloak around him like a toga. No August sun ever divested
+little Sampson of his cloak.
+
+"Has Goldsmith agreed to your terms, then?" inquired Raphael timidly.
+
+"Oh no, not he. But--"
+
+"Then I must go on paying the difference," said Raphael decisively. "I
+am responsible to you that you get the salary you're used to; it's my
+fault that things are changed, and I must pay the penalty," He crammed
+the cheque forcibly into the pocket of the toga.
+
+"Well, if you put it in that way," said little Sampson, "I won't say I
+couldn't do with it. But only as a loan, mind."
+
+"All right," murmured Raphael.
+
+"And you'll take it back when my comic opera goes on tour. You won't
+back out?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Give us your hand on it," said little Sampson huskily. Raphael gave him
+his hand, and little Sampson swung it up and down like a baton.
+
+"Hang it all! and that man calls himself a Jew!" he thought. Aloud he
+said: "When my comic opera goes on tour."
+
+They returned to the editorial den, where they found Pinchas raging, a
+telegram in his hand.
+
+"Ah, the Man-of-the-Earth!" he cried. "All my beautiful peroration he
+spoils." He crumpled up the telegram and threw it pettishly at little
+Sampson, then greeted Raphael with effusive joy and hilarity. Little
+Sampson read the telegram. It ran as follows:
+
+"Last sentence of Gideon leader. 'It is too early yet in this moment of
+grief to speculate as to his successor in the constituency. But,
+difficult as it will be to replace him, we may find some solace in the
+thought that it will not be impossible. The spirit of the illustrious
+dead would itself rejoice to acknowledge the special qualifications of
+one whose name will at once rise to every lip as that of a brother Jew
+whose sincere piety and genuine public spirit mark him out as the one
+worthy substitute in the representation of a district embracing so many
+of our poor Jewish brethren. Is it too much to hope that he will be
+induced to stand?' Goldsmith."
+
+"That's a cut above Henry," murmured little Sampson, who knew nearly
+everything, save the facts he had to supply to the public. "He wired to
+the wife, and it's hers. Well, it saves him from writing his own puffs,
+anyhow. I suppose Goldsmith's only the signature, not intended to be the
+last word on the subject. Wants touching up, though; can't have 'spirit'
+twice within four lines. How lucky for him Leon is just off the box
+seat! That queer beggar would never have submitted to any dictation any
+more than the boss would have dared show his hand so openly."
+
+While the sub-editor mused thus, a remark dropped from the editor's
+lips, which turned Raphael whiter than the news of the death of Gideon
+had done.
+
+"Yes, and in the middle of writing I look up and see the maiden--oh,
+vairy beautiful! How she gives it to English Judaism sharp in that
+book--the stupid heads,--the Men-of-the-Earth! I could kiss her for it,
+only I have never been introduced. Gideon, he is there! Ho! ho!" he
+sniggered, with purely intellectual appreciation of the pungency.
+
+"What maiden? What are you talking about?" asked Raphael, his breath
+coming painfully.
+
+"Your maiden," said Pinchas, surveying him with affectionate
+roguishness. "The maiden that came to see you here. She was reading; I
+walk by and see it is about America."
+
+"At the British Museum?" gasped Raphael. A thousand hammers beat "Fool!"
+upon his brain. Why had he not thought of so likely a place for a
+_litterateur_?
+
+He rushed out of the office and into a hansom. He put his pipe out in
+anticipation. In seven minutes he was at the gates, just in time--heaven
+be thanked!--to meet her abstractedly descending the steps. His heart
+gave a great leap of joy. He studied the pensive little countenance for
+an instant before it became aware of him; its sadness shot a pang of
+reproach through him. Then a great light, as of wonder and joy, came
+into the dark eyes, and glorified the pale, passionate face. But it was
+only a flash that faded, leaving the cheeks more pallid than before, the
+lips quivering.
+
+"Mr. Leon!" she muttered.
+
+He raised his hat, then held out a trembling hand that closed upon hers
+with a grip that hurt her.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you again!" he said, with unconcealed enthusiasm. "I
+have been meaning to write to you for days--care of your publishers. I
+wonder if you will ever forgive me!"
+
+"You had nothing to write to me," she said, striving to speak coldly.
+
+"Oh yes, I had!" he protested.
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"Our journalistic relations are over--there were no others."
+
+"Oh!" he said reproachfully, feeling his heart grow chill. "Surely we
+were friends?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"I wanted to write and tell you how much," he began desperately, then
+stammered, and ended--"how much I liked _Mordecai Josephs_."
+
+This time the reproachful "Oh!" came from her lips. "I thought better of
+you," she said. "You didn't say that in _The Flag of Judah_; writing it
+privately to me wouldn't do me any good in any case."
+
+He felt miserable; from the crude standpoint of facts, there was no
+answer to give. He gave none.
+
+"I suppose it is all about now?" she went on, seeing him silent.
+
+"Pretty well," he answered, understanding the question. Then, with an
+indignant accent, he said, "Mrs. Goldsmith tells everybody she found it
+out; and sent you away."
+
+"I am glad she says that," she remarked enigmatically. "And, naturally,
+everybody detests me?"
+
+"Not everybody," he began threateningly.
+
+"Don't let us stand on the steps," she interrupted. "People will be
+looking at us." They moved slowly downwards, and into the hot, bustling
+streets. "Why are you not at the _Flag_? I thought this was your busy
+day." She did not add, "And so I ventured to the Museum, knowing there
+was no chance of your turning up;" but such was the fact.
+
+"I am not the editor any longer, he replied.
+
+"Not?" She almost came to a stop. "So much for my critical faculty; I
+could have sworn to your hand in every number."
+
+"Your critical faculty equals your creative," he began.
+
+"Journalism has taught you sarcasm."
+
+"No, no! please do not be so unkind. I spoke in earnestness. I have only
+just been dismissed."
+
+"Dismissed!" she echoed incredulously. "I thought the _Flag_ was your
+own?"
+
+He grew troubled. "I bought it--but for another. We--he--has dispensed
+with my services."
+
+"Oh, how shameful!"
+
+The latent sympathy of her indignation cheered him again.
+
+"I am not sorry," he said. "I'm afraid I really was outgrowing its
+original platform."
+
+"What?" she asked, with a note of mockery in her voice. "You have left
+off being orthodox?"
+
+"I don't say that, it seems to me, rather, that I have come to
+understand I never was orthodox in the sense that the orthodox
+understand the word. I had never come into contact with them before. I
+never realized how unfair orthodox writers are to Judaism. But I do not
+abate one word of what I have ever said or written, except, of course,
+on questions of scholarship, which are always open to revision."
+
+"But what is to become of me--of my conversion?" she said, with mock
+piteousness.
+
+"You need no conversion!" he answered passionately, abandoning without a
+twinge all those criteria of Judaism for which he had fought with
+Strelitski. "You are a Jewess not only in blood, but in spirit. Deny it
+as you may, you have all the Jewish ideals,--they are implied in your
+attack on our society."
+
+She shook her head obstinately.
+
+"You read all that into me, as you read your modern thought into the old
+naive books."
+
+"I read what is in you. Your soul is in the right, whatever your brain
+says." He went on, almost to echo Strelitski's words, "Selfishness is
+the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real
+religion. In the language of our Hillel, this is the text of the Law;
+the rest is commentary. You and I are at one in believing that, despite
+all and after all, the world turns on righteousness, on justice"--his
+voice became a whisper--"on love."
+
+The old thrill went through her, as when first they met. Once again the
+universe seemed bathed in holy joy. But she shook off the spell almost
+angrily. Her face was definitely set towards the life of the New World.
+Why should he disturb her anew?
+
+"Ah, well, I'm glad you allow me a little goodness," she said
+sarcastically. "It is quite evident how you have drifted from orthodoxy.
+Strange result of _The Flag of Judah_! Started to convert me, it has
+ended by alienating you--its editor--from the true faith. Oh, the irony
+of circumstance! But don't look so glum. It has fulfilled its mission
+all the same; it _has_ converted me--I will confess it to you." Her face
+grew grave, her tones earnest "So I haven't an atom of sympathy with
+your broader attitude. I am full of longing for the old impossible
+Judaism."
+
+His face took on a look of anxious solicitude. He was uncertain whether
+she spoke ironically or seriously. Only one thing was certain--that she
+was slipping from him again. She seemed so complex, paradoxical,
+elusive--and yet growing every moment more dear and desirable.
+
+"Where are you living?" he asked abruptly. "It doesn't matter where,"
+she answered. "I sail for America in three weeks."
+
+The world seemed suddenly empty. It was hopeless, then--she was almost
+in his grasp, yet he could not hold her. Some greater force was
+sweeping her into strange alien solitudes. A storm of protest raged in
+his heart--all he had meant to say to her rose to his lips, but he only
+said, "Must you go?"
+
+"I must. My little sister marries. I have timed my visit so as to arrive
+just for the wedding--like a fairy godmother." She smiled wistfully.
+
+"Then you will live with your people, I suppose?"
+
+"I suppose so. I dare say I shall become quite good again. Ah, your new
+Judaisms will never appeal like the old, with all its imperfections.
+They will never keep the race together through shine and shade as that
+did. They do but stave off the inevitable dissolution. It is
+beautiful--that old childlike faith in the pillar of cloud by day and
+the pillar of fire by night, that patient waiting through the centuries
+for the Messiah who even to you, I dare say, is a mere symbol." Again
+the wistful look lit up her eyes. "That's what you rich people will
+never understand--it doesn't seem to go with dinners in seven courses,
+somehow."
+
+"Oh, but I do understand," he protested. "It's what I told Strelitski,
+who is all for intellect in religion. He is going to America, too," he
+said, with a sudden pang of jealous apprehension.
+
+"On a holiday?"
+
+"No; he is going to resign his ministry here."
+
+"What! Has he got a better offer from America?"
+
+"Still so cruel to him," he said reprovingly. "He is resigning for
+conscience' sake."
+
+"After all these years?" she queried sarcastically.
+
+"Miss Ansell, you wrong him! He was not happy in his position. You were
+right so far. But he cannot endure his shackles any longer. And it is
+you who have inspired him to break them."
+
+"I?" she exclaimed, startled.
+
+"Yes, I told him why you had left Mrs. Henry Goldsmith's--it seemed to
+act like an electrical stimulus. Then and there he made me write a
+paragraph announcing his resignation. It will appear to-morrow."
+
+Esther's eyes filled with soft light. She walked on in silence; then,
+noticing she had automatically walked too much in the direction of her
+place of concealment, she came to an abrupt stop.
+
+"We must part here," she said. "If I ever come across my old shepherd in
+America, I will be nicer to him. It is really quite heroic of him--you
+must have exaggerated my own petty sacrifice alarmingly if it really
+supplied him with inspiration. What is he going to do in America?"
+
+"To preach a universal Judaism. He is a born idealist; his ideas have
+always such a magnificent sweep. Years ago he wanted all the Jews to
+return to Palestine."
+
+Esther smiled faintly, not at Strelitski, but at Raphael's calling
+another man an idealist. She had never yet done justice to the strain of
+common-sense that saved him from being a great man; he and the new
+Strelitski were of one breed to her.
+
+"He will make Jews no happier and Christians no wiser," she said
+sceptically. "The great populations will sweep on, as little affected by
+the Jews as this crowd by you and me. The world will not go back on
+itself--rather will Christianity transform itself and take the credit.
+We are such a handful of outsiders. Judaism--old or new--is a forlorn
+hope."
+
+"The forlorn hope will yet save the world," he answered quietly, "but it
+has first to be saved to the world."
+
+"Be happy in your hope," she said gently. "Good-bye." She held out her
+little hand. He had no option but to take it.
+
+"But we are not going to part like this," he said desperately. "I shall
+see you again before you go to America?"
+
+"No, why should you?"
+
+"Because I love you," rose to his lips. But the avowal seemed too plump.
+He prevaricated by retorting, "Why should I not?"
+
+"Because I fear you," was in her heart, but nothing rose to her lips. He
+looked into her eyes to read an answer there, but she dropped them. He
+saw his opportunity.
+
+"Why should I not?" he repeated.
+
+"Your time is valuable," she said faintly.
+
+"I could not spend it better than with you," he answered boldly.
+
+"Please don't insist," she said in distress.
+
+"But I shall; I am your friend. So far as I know, you are lonely. If you
+are bent upon going away, why deny me the pleasure of the society I am
+about to lose for ever?"
+
+"Oh, how can you call it a pleasure--such poor melancholy company as I
+am!"
+
+"Such poor melancholy company that I came expressly to seek it, for some
+one told me you were at the Museum. Such poor melancholy company that if
+I am robbed of it life will be a blank."
+
+He had not let go her hand; his tones were low and passionate; the
+heedless traffic of the sultry London street was all about them.
+
+Esther trembled from head to foot; she could not look at him. There was
+no mistaking his meaning now; her breast was a whirl of delicious pain.
+
+But in proportion as the happiness at her beck and call dazzled her, so
+she recoiled from it. Bent on self-effacement, attuned to the peace of
+despair, she almost resented the solicitation to be happy; she had
+suffered so much that she had grown to think suffering her natural
+element, out of which she could not breathe; she was almost in love with
+misery. And in so sad a world was there not something ignoble about
+happiness, a selfish aloofness from the life of humanity? And,
+illogically blent with this questioning, and strengthening her recoil,
+was an obstinate conviction that there could never be happiness for her,
+a being of ignominious birth, without roots in life, futile, shadowy,
+out of relation to the tangible solidities of ordinary existence. To
+offer her a warm fireside seemed to be to tempt her to be false to
+something--she knew not what. Perhaps it was because the warm fireside
+was in the circle she had quitted, and her heart was yet bitter against
+it, finding no palliative even in the thought of a triumphant return.
+She did not belong to it; she was not of Raphael's world. But she felt
+grateful to the point of tears for his incomprehensible love for a
+plain, penniless, low-born girl. Surely, it was only his chivalry. Other
+men had not found her attractive. Sidney had not; Levi only fancied
+himself in love. And yet beneath all her humility was a sense of being
+loved for the best in her, for the hidden qualities Raphael alone had
+the insight to divine. She could never think so meanly of herself or of
+humanity again. He had helped and strengthened her for her lonely
+future; the remembrance of him would always be an inspiration, and a
+reminder of the nobler side of human nature.
+
+All this contradictory medley of thought and feeling occupied but a few
+seconds of consciousness. She answered him without any perceptible
+pause, lightly enough.
+
+"Really, Mr. Leon, I don't expect _you_ to say such things. Why should
+we be so conventional, you and I? How can your life be a blank, with
+Judaism yet to be saved?"
+
+"Who am I to save Judaism? I want to save you," he said passionately.
+
+"What a descent! For heaven's sake, stick to your earlier ambition!"
+
+"No, the two are one to me. Somehow you seem to stand for Judaism, too.
+I cannot disentwine my hopes; I have come to conceive your life as an
+allegory of Judaism, the offspring of a great and tragic past with the
+germs of a rich blossoming, yet wasting with an inward canker, I have
+grown to think of its future as somehow bound up with yours. I want to
+see your eyes laughing, the shadows lifted from your brow; I want to see
+you face life courageously, not in passionate revolt nor in passionless
+despair, but in faith and hope and the joy that springs from them. I
+want you to seek peace, not in a despairing surrender of the intellect
+to the faith of childhood, but in that faith intellectually justified.
+And while I want to help you, and to fill your life with the sunshine it
+needs, I want you to help me, to inspire me when I falter, to complete
+my life, to make me happier than I had ever dreamed. Be my wife, Esther.
+Let me save you from yourself."
+
+"Let me save you from yourself, Raphael. Is it wise to wed with the gray
+spirit of the Ghetto that doubts itself?"
+
+And like a spirit she glided from his grasp and disappeared in the
+crowd.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE PRODIGAL SON.
+
+
+The New Year dawned upon the Ghetto, heralded by a month of special
+matins and the long-sustained note of the ram's horn. It was in the
+midst of the Ten Days of Repentance which find their awful climax in the
+Day of Atonement that a strange letter for Hannah came to startle the
+breakfast-table at Reb Shemuel's. Hannah read it with growing pallor and
+perturbation.
+
+"What is the matter, my dear?" asked the Reb, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, father," she cried, "read this! Bad news of Levi."
+
+A spasm of pain contorted the old man's furrowed countenance.
+
+"Mention not his name!" he said harshly "He is dead."
+
+"He may be by now!" Hannah exclaimed agitatedly. "You were right,
+Esther. He did join a strolling company, and now he is laid up with
+typhoid in the hospital in Stockbridge. One of his friends writes to
+tell us. He must have caught it in one of those insanitary
+dressing-rooms we were reading about."
+
+Esther trembled all over. The scene in the garret when the fatal
+telegram came announcing Benjamin's illness had never faded from her
+mind. She had an instant conviction that it was all over with poor Levi.
+
+"My poor lamb!" cried the Rebbitzin, the coffee-cup dropping from her
+nerveless hand.
+
+"Simcha," said Reb Shemuel sternly, "calm thyself; we have no son to
+lose. The Holy One--blessed be He!--hath taken him from us. The Lord
+giveth, and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
+
+Hannah rose. Her face was white and resolute. She moved towards the
+door.
+
+"Whither goest thou?" inquired her father in German.
+
+"I am going to my room, to put on my hat and jacket," replied Hannah
+quietly.
+
+"Whither goest thou?" repeated Reb Shemuel.
+
+"To Stockbridge. Mother, you and I must go at once."
+
+The Reb sprang to his feet. His brow was dark; his eyes gleamed with
+anger and pain.
+
+"Sit down and finish thy breakfast," he said.
+
+"How can I eat? Levi is dying," said Hannah, in low, firm tones. "Will
+you come, mother, or must I go alone?"
+
+The Rebbitzin began to wring her hands and weep. Esther stole gently to
+Hannah's side and pressed the poor girl's hand. "You and I will go," her
+clasp said.
+
+"Hannah!" said Reb Shemuel. "What madness is this? Dost thou think thy
+mother will obey thee rather than her husband?"
+
+"Levi is dying. It is our duty to go to him." Hannah's gentle face was
+rigid. But there was exaltation rather than defiance in the eyes.
+
+"It is not the duty of women," said Reb Shemuel harshly. "I will go to
+Stockbridge. If he dies (God have mercy upon his soul!) I will see that
+he is buried among his own people. Thou knowest women go not to
+funerals." He reseated himself at the table, pushing aside his scarcely
+touched meal, and began saying the grace. Dominated by his will and by
+old habit, the three trembling women remained in reverential silence.
+
+"The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His
+people with Peace," concluded the old man in unfaltering accents. He
+rose from the table and strode to the door, stern and erect "Thou wilt
+remain here, Hannah, and thou, Simcha," he said. In the passage his
+shoulders relaxed their stiffness, so that the long snow-white beard
+drooped upon his breast. The three women looked at one another.
+
+"Mother," said Hannah, passionately breaking the silence, "are you going
+to stay here while Levi is dying in a strange town?"
+
+"My husband wills it," said the Rebbitzin, sobbing. "Levi is a sinner in
+Israel. Thy father will not see him; he will not go to him till he is
+dead."
+
+"Oh yes, surely he will," said Esther. "But be comforted. Levi is young
+and strong. Let us hope he will pull through."
+
+"No, no!" moaned the Rebbitzin. "He will die, and my husband will but
+read the psalms at his death-bed. He will not forgive him; he will not
+speak to him of his mother and sister."
+
+"Let _me_ go. I will give him your messages," said Esther.
+
+"No, no," interrupted Hannah. "What are you to him? Why should you risk
+infection for our sakes?"
+
+"Go, Hannah, but secretly," said the Rebbitzin in a wailing whisper.
+"Let not thy father see thee till thou arrive; then he will not send
+thee back. Tell Levi that I--oh, my poor child, my poor lamb!" Sobs
+overpowered her speech.
+
+"No, mother," said Hannah quietly, "thou and I shall go. I will tell
+father we are accompanying him."
+
+She left the room, while the Rebbitzin fell weeping and terrified into a
+chair, and Esther vainly endeavored to soothe her. The Reb was changing
+his coat when Hannah knocked at the door and called "Father."
+
+"Speak not to me, Hannah," answered the Reb, roughly. "It is useless."
+Then, as if repentant of his tone, he threw open the door, and passed
+his great trembling hand lovingly over her hair. "Thou art a good
+daughter," he said tenderly. "Forget that thou hast had a brother."
+
+"But how can I forget?" she answered him in his own idiom. "Why should I
+forget? What hath he done?"
+
+He ceased to smooth her hair--his voice grew sad and stern.
+
+"He hath profaned the Name. He hath lived like a heathen; he dieth like
+a heathen now. His blasphemy was a by-word in the congregation. I alone
+knew it not till last Passover. He hath brought down my gray hairs in
+sorrow to the grave."
+
+"Yes, father, I know," said Hannah, more gently. "But he is not all to
+blame!"
+
+"Thou meanest that I am not guiltless; that I should have kept him at my
+side?" said the Reb, his voice faltering a little.
+
+"No, father, not that! Levi could not always be a baby. He had to walk
+alone some day."
+
+"Yes, and did I not teach him to walk alone?" asked the Reb eagerly. "My
+God, thou canst not say I did not teach him Thy Law, day and night." He
+uplifted his eyes in anguished appeal.
+
+"Yes, but he is not all to blame," she repeated. "Thy teaching did not
+reach his soul; he is of another generation, the air is different, his
+life was cast amid conditions for which the Law doth not allow."
+
+"Hannah!" Reb Shemuel's accents became harsh and chiding again. "What
+sayest thou? The Law of Moses is eternal; it will never be changed. Levi
+knew God's commandments, but he followed the desire of his own heart and
+his own eyes. If God's Word were obeyed, he should have been stoned with
+stones. But Heaven itself hath punished him; he will die, for it is
+ordained that whosoever is stubborn and disobedient, that soul shall
+surely be cut off from among his people. 'Keep My commandments, that thy
+days may be long in the land,' God Himself hath said it. Is it not
+written: 'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer
+thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart and
+in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things the
+Lord will bring thee into judgment'? But thou, my Hannah," he started
+caressing her hair again, "art a good Jewish maiden. Between Levi and
+thee there is naught in common. His touch would profane thee. Sadden not
+thy innocent eyes with the sight of his end. Think of him as one who
+died in boyhood. My God! why didst thou not take him then?" He turned
+away, stifling a sob.
+
+"Father," she put her hand on his shoulder, "we will go with thee to
+Stockbridge--I and the mother."
+
+He faced her again, stern and rigid.
+
+"Cease thy entreaties. I will go alone."
+
+"No, we will all go."
+
+"Hannah," he said, his voice tremulous with pain and astonishment, "dost
+thou, too, set light by thy father?"
+
+"Yes," she cried, and there was no answering tremor in her voice. "Now
+thou knowest! I am not a good Jewish maiden. Levi and I are brother and
+sister. His touch profane me, forsooth!" She laughed bitterly.
+
+"Thou wilt take this journey though I forbid thee?" he cried in acrid
+accents, still mingled with surprise.
+
+"Yes; would I had taken the journey thou wouldst have forbidden ten
+years ago!"
+
+"What journey? thou talkest madness."
+
+"I talk truth. Thou hast forgotten David Brandon; I have not. Ten years
+last Passover I arranged to fly with him, to marry him, in defiance of
+the Law and thee."
+
+A new pallor overspread the Reb's countenance, already ashen. He
+trembled and almost fell backwards.
+
+"But thou didst not?" he whispered hoarsely.
+
+"I did not, I know not why," she said sullenly; "else thou wouldst never
+have seen me again. It may be I respected thy religion, although thou
+didst not dream what was in my mind. But thy religion shall not keep me
+from this journey."
+
+The Reb had hidden his face in his hands. His lips were moving; was it
+in grateful prayer, in self-reproach, or merely in nervous trembling?
+Hannah never knew. Presently the Reb's arms dropped, great tears rolled
+down towards the white beard. When he spoke, his tones were hushed as
+with awe.
+
+"This man--tell me, my daughter, thou lovest him still?"
+
+She shrugged her shoulders with a gesture of reckless despair.
+
+"What does it matter? My life is but a shadow."
+
+The Reb took her to his breast, though she remained stony to his touch,
+and laid his wet face against her burning cheeks.
+
+"My child, my poor Hannah; I thought God had sent thee peace ten years
+ago; that He had rewarded thee for thy obedience to His Law."
+
+She drew her face away from his.
+
+"It was not His Law; it was a miserable juggling with texts. Thou alone
+interpretedst God's law thus. No one knew of the matter."
+
+He could not argue; the breast against which he held her was shaken by a
+tempest of grief, which swept away all save human remorse, human love.
+
+"My daughter," he sobbed, "I have ruined thy life!" After an agonized
+pause, he said: "Tell me, Hannah, is there nothing I can do to make
+atonement to thee?"
+
+"Only one thing, father," she articulated chokingly; "forgive Levi."
+
+There was a moment of solemn silence. Then the Reb spake.
+
+"Tell thy mother to put on her things and take what she needs for the
+journey. Perchance we may be away for days."
+
+They mingled their tears in sweet reconciliation. Presently, the Reb
+said:
+
+"Go now to thy mother, and see also that the boy's room be made ready as
+of old. Perchance God will hear my prayer, and he will yet be restored
+to us."
+
+A new peace fell upon Hannah's soul. "My sacrifice was not in vain after
+all," she thought, with a throb of happiness that was almost exultation.
+
+But Levi never came back. The news of his death arrived on the eve of
+_Yom Kippur_, the Day of Atonement, in a letter to Esther who had been
+left in charge of the house.
+
+"He died quietly at the end," Hannah wrote, "happy in the consciousness
+of father's forgiveness, and leaning trustfully upon his interposition
+with Heaven; but he had delirious moments, during which he raved
+painfully. The poor boy was in great fear of death, moaning prayers that
+he might be spared till after _Yom Kippur_, when he would be cleansed of
+sin, and babbling about serpents that would twine themselves round his
+arm and brow, like the phylacteries he had not worn. He made father
+repeat his 'Verse' to him over and over again, so that he might remember
+his name when the angel of the grave asked it; and borrowed father's
+phylacteries, the headpiece of which was much too large for him with his
+shaven crown. When he had them on, and the _Talith_ round him, he grew
+easier, and began murmuring the death-bed prayers with father. One of
+them runs: 'O may my death be an atonement for all the sins, iniquities
+and transgressions of which I have been guilty against Thee!' I trust it
+may be so indeed. It seems so hard for a young man full of life and high
+spirits to be cut down, while the wretched are left alive. Your name was
+often on his lips. I was glad to learn he thought so much of you. 'Be
+sure to give Esther my love,' he said almost with his last breath, 'and
+ask her to forgive me.' I know not if you have anything to forgive, or
+whether this was delirium. He looks quite calm now--but oh! so worn.
+They have closed the eyes. The beard he shocked father so by shaving
+off, has sprouted scrubbily during his illness. On the dead face it
+seems a mockery, like the _Talith_ and phylacteries that have not been
+removed."
+
+A phrase of Leonard James vibrated in Esther's ears: "If the chappies
+could see me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+HOPES AND DREAMS.
+
+
+The morning of the Great White Fast broke bleak and gray. Esther, alone
+in the house save for the servant, wandered from room to room in dull
+misery. The day before had been almost a feast-day in the
+Ghetto--everybody providing for the morrow. Esther had scarcely eaten
+anything. Nevertheless she was fasting, and would fast for over
+twenty-four hours, till the night fell. She knew not why. Her record was
+unbroken, and instinct resented a breach now. She had always
+fasted--even the Henry Goldsmiths fasted, and greater than the Henry
+Goldsmiths! Q.C.'s fasted, and peers, and prize-fighters and actors. And
+yet Esther, like many far more pious persons, did not think of her sins
+for a moment. She thought of everything but them--of the bereaved family
+in that strange provincial town; of her own family in that strange
+distant land. Well, she would soon be with them now. Her passage was
+booked--a steerage passage it was, not because she could not afford
+cabin fare, but from her morbid impulse to identify herself with
+poverty. The same impulse led her to choose a vessel in which a party of
+Jewish pauper immigrants was being shipped farther West. She thought
+also of Dutch Debby, with whom she had spent the previous evening; and
+of Raphael Leon, who had sent her, _via_ the publishers, a letter which
+she could not trust herself to answer cruelly, and which she deemed it
+most prudent to leave unanswered. Uncertain of her powers of resistance,
+she scarcely ventured outside the house for fear of his stumbling across
+her. Happily, every day diminished the chance of her whereabouts
+leaking out through some unsuspected channel.
+
+About noon, her restlessness carried her into the streets. There was a
+festal solemnity about the air. Women and children, not at synagogue,
+showed themselves at the doors, pranked in their best. Indifferently
+pious young men sought relief from the ennui of the day-long service in
+lounging about for a breath of fresh air; some even strolled towards the
+Strand, and turned into the National Gallery, satisfied to reappear for
+the twilight service. On all sides came the fervent roar of prayer which
+indicated a synagogue or a _Chevrah_, the number of places of worship
+having been indefinitely increased to accommodate those who made their
+appearance for this occasion only.
+
+Everywhere friends and neighbors were asking one another how they were
+bearing the fast, exhibiting their white tongues and generally comparing
+symptoms, the physical aspects of the Day of Atonement more or less
+completely diverting attention from the spiritual. Smelling-salts passed
+from hand to hand, and men explained to one another that, but for the
+deprivation of their cigars, they could endure _Yom Kippur_ with
+complacency.
+
+Esther passed the Ghetto school, within which free services were going
+on even in the playground, poor Russians and Poles, fanatically
+observant, fore-gathering with lax fishmongers and welshers; and without
+which hulking young men hovered uneasily, feeling too out of tune with
+religion to go in, too conscious of the terrors of the day to stay
+entirely away. From the interior came from sunrise to nightfall a
+throbbing thunder of supplication, now pealing in passionate outcry, now
+subsiding to a low rumble. The sounds of prayer that pervaded the
+Ghetto, and burst upon her at every turn, wrought upon Esther strangely;
+all her soul went out in sympathy with these yearning outbursts; she
+stopped every now and then to listen, as in those far-off days when the
+Sons of the Covenant drew her with their melancholy cadences.
+
+At last, moved by an irresistible instinct, she crossed the threshold of
+a large _Chevrah_ she had known in her girlhood, mounted the stairs and
+entered the female compartment without hostile challenge. The reek of
+many breaths and candles nearly drove her back, but she pressed forwards
+towards a remembered window, through a crowd of be-wigged women, shaking
+their bodies fervently to and fro.
+
+This room had no connection with the men's; it was simply the room above
+part of theirs, and the declamations of the unseen cantor came but
+faintly through the flooring, though the clamor of the general masculine
+chorus kept the pious _au courant_ with their husbands. When weather or
+the whims of the more important ladies permitted, the window at the end
+was opened; it gave upon a little balcony, below which the men's chamber
+projected considerably, having been built out into the back yard. When
+this window was opened simultaneously with the skylight in the men's
+synagogue, the fervid roulades of the cantor were as audible to the
+women as to their masters.
+
+Esther had always affected the balcony: there the air was comparatively
+fresh, and on fine days there was a glimpse of blue sky, and a
+perspective of sunny red tiles, where brown birds fluttered and cats
+lounged and little episodes arose to temper the tedium of endless
+invocation: and farther off there was a back view of a nunnery, with
+visions of placid black-hooded faces at windows; and from the distance
+came a pleasant drone of monosyllabic spelling from fresh young voices,
+to relieve the ear from the monotony of long stretches of meaningless
+mumbling.
+
+Here, lost in a sweet melancholy, Esther dreamed away the long gray day,
+only vaguely conscious of the stages of the service--morning dovetailing
+into afternoon service, and afternoon into evening; of the heavy-jowled
+woman behind her reciting a jargon-version of the Atonement liturgy to a
+devout coterie; of the prostrations full-length on the floor, and the
+series of impassioned sermons; of the interminably rhyming poems, and
+the acrostics with their recurring burdens shouted in devotional frenzy,
+voice rising above voice as in emulation, with special staccato phrases
+flung heavenwards; of the wailing confessions of communal sin, with
+their accompaniment of sobs and tears and howls and grimaces and
+clenchings of palms and beatings of the breast. She was lapped in a
+great ocean of sound that broke upon her consciousness like the waves
+upon a beach, now with a cooing murmur, now with a majestic crash,
+followed by a long receding moan. She lost herself in the roar, in its
+barren sensuousness, while the leaden sky grew duskier and the twilight
+crept on, and the awful hour drew nigh when God would seal what He had
+written, and the annual scrolls of destiny would be closed, immutable.
+She saw them looming mystically through the skylight, the swaying forms
+below, in their white grave-clothes, oscillating weirdly backwards and
+forwards, bowed as by a mighty wind.
+
+Suddenly there fell a vast silence; even from without no sound came to
+break the awful stillness. It was as if all creation paused to hear a
+pregnant word.
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!" sang the cantor
+frenziedly.
+
+And all the ghostly congregation answered with a great cry, closing
+their eyes and rocking frantically to and fro:
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!"
+
+They seemed like a great army of the sheeted dead risen to testify to
+the Unity. The magnetic tremor that ran through the synagogue thrilled
+the lonely girl to the core; once again her dead self woke, her dead
+ancestors that would not be shaken off lived and moved in her. She was
+sucked up into the great wave of passionate faith, and from her lips
+came, in rapturous surrender to an overmastering impulse, the
+half-hysterical protestation:
+
+"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!"
+
+And then in the brief instant while the congregation, with
+ever-ascending rhapsody, blessed God till the climax came with the
+sevenfold declaration, "the Lord, He is God," the whole history of her
+strange, unhappy race flashed through her mind in a whirl of resistless
+emotion. She was overwhelmed by the thought of its sons in every corner
+of the earth proclaiming to the sombre twilight sky the belief for which
+its generations had lived and died--the Jews of Russia sobbing it forth
+in their pale of enclosure, the Jews of Morocco in their _mellah_, and
+of South Africa in their tents by the diamond mines: the Jews of the
+New World in great free cities, in Canadian backwoods, in South American
+savannahs: the Australian Jews on the sheep-farms and the gold-fields
+and in the mushroom cities; the Jews of Asia in their reeking quarters
+begirt by barbarian populations. The shadow of a large mysterious
+destiny seemed to hang over these poor superstitious zealots, whose
+lives she knew so well in all their everyday prose, and to invest the
+unconscious shunning sons of the Ghetto with something of tragic
+grandeur. The gray dusk palpitated with floating shapes of prophets and
+martyrs, scholars and sages and poets, full of a yearning love and pity,
+lifting hands of benediction. By what great high-roads and queer by-ways
+of history had they travelled hither, these wandering Jews, "sated with
+contempt," these shrewd eager fanatics, these sensual ascetics, these
+human paradoxes, adaptive to every environment, energizing in every
+field of activity, omnipresent like sonic great natural force,
+indestructible and almost inconvertible, surviving--with the incurable
+optimism that overlay all their poetic sadness--Babylon and Carthage,
+Greece and Rome; involuntarily financing the Crusades, outliving the
+Inquisition, illusive of all baits, unshaken by all persecutions--at
+once the greatest and meanest of races? Had the Jew come so far only to
+break down at last, sinking in morasses of modern doubt, and
+irresistibly dragging down with him the Christian and the Moslem; or was
+he yet fated to outlast them both, in continuous testimony to a hand
+moulding incomprehensibly the life of humanity? Would Israel develop
+into the sacred phalanx, the nobler brotherhood that Raphael Leon had
+dreamed of, or would the race that had first proclaimed--through Moses
+for the ancient world, through Spinoza for the modern--
+
+    "One God, one Law, one Element,"
+
+become, in the larger, wilder dream of the Russian _idealist_, the main
+factor in
+
+            "One far-off divine event
+    To which the whole Creation moves"?
+
+The roar dwindled to a solemn silence, as though in answer to her
+questionings. Then the ram's horn shrilled--a stern long-drawn-out note,
+that rose at last into a mighty peal of sacred jubilation. The Atonement
+was complete.
+
+The crowd bore Esther downstairs and into the blank indifferent street.
+But the long exhausting fast, the fetid atmosphere, the strain upon her
+emotions, had overtaxed her beyond endurance. Up to now the frenzy of
+the service had sustained her, but as she stepped across the threshold
+on to the pavement she staggered and fell. One of the men pouring out
+from the lower synagogue caught her in his arms. It was Strelitski.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A group of three stood on the saloon deck of an outward-bound steamer.
+Raphael Leon was bidding farewell to the man he reverenced without
+discipleship, and the woman he loved without blindness.
+
+"Look!" he said, pointing compassionately to the wretched throng of
+Jewish emigrants huddling on the lower deck and scattered about the
+gangway amid jostling sailors and stevedores and bales and coils of
+rope; the men in peaked or fur caps, the women with shawls and babies,
+some gazing upwards with lacklustre eyes, the majority brooding,
+despondent, apathetic. "How could either of you have borne the sights
+and smells of the steerage? You are a pair of visionaries. You could not
+have breathed a day in that society. Look!"
+
+Strelitski looked at Esther instead; perhaps he was thinking he could
+have breathed anywhere in her society--nay, breathed even more freely in
+the steerage than in the cabin if he had sailed away without telling
+Raphael that he had found her.
+
+"You forget a common impulse took us into such society on the Day of
+Atonement," he answered after a moment. "You forget we are both Children
+of the Ghetto."
+
+"I can never forget that," said Raphael fervently, "else Esther would at
+this moment be lost amid the human flotsam and jetsam below, sailing
+away without you to protect her, without me to look forward to her
+return, without Addie's bouquet to assure her of a sister's love."
+
+He took Esther's little hand once more It lingered confidingly in his
+own. There was no ring of betrothal upon it, nor would be, till Rachel
+Ansell in America, and Addie Leon in England, should have passed under
+the wedding canopy, and Raphael, whose breast pocket was bulging with a
+new meerschaum too sacred to smoke, should startle the West End with his
+eccentric choice, and confirm its impression of his insanity. The trio
+had said and resaid all they had to tell one another, all the reminders
+and the recommendations. They stood without speaking now, wrapped in
+that loving silence which is sweeter than speech.
+
+The sun, which, had been shining intermittently, flooded the serried
+shipping with a burst of golden light, that coaxed the turbid waves to
+brightness, and cheered the wan emigrants, and made little children leap
+joyously in their mothers' arms. The knell of parting sounded insistent.
+
+"Your allegory seems turning in your favor, Raphael," said Esther, with
+a sudden memory.
+
+The pensive smile that made her face beautiful lit up the dark eyes.
+
+"What allegory is that of Raphael's?" said Strelitski, reflecting her
+smile on his graver visage. "The long one in his prize poem?"
+
+"No," said Raphael, catching the contagious smile. "It is our little
+secret."
+
+Strelitski turned suddenly to look at the emigrants. The smile faded
+from his quivering mouth.
+
+The last moment had come. Raphael stooped down towards the gentle
+softly-flushing face, which was raised unhesitatingly to meet his, and
+their lips met in a first kiss, diviner than it is given most mortals to
+know--a kiss, sad and sweet, troth and parting in one: _Ave et
+vale_--hail and farewell."
+
+"Good-bye, Strelitski," said Raphael huskily. "Success to your dreams."
+
+The idealist turned round with a start. His face was bright and
+resolute; the black curl streamed buoyantly on the breeze.
+
+"Good-bye," he responded, with a giant's grip of the hand. "Success to
+your hopes."
+
+Raphael darted away with his long stride. The sun was still bright, but
+for a moment everything seemed chill and dim to Esther Ansell's vision.
+With a sudden fit of nervous foreboding she stretched out her arms
+towards the vanishing figure of her lover. But she saw him once again in
+the tender, waving his handkerchief towards the throbbing vessel that
+glided with its freight of hopes and dreams across the great waters
+towards the New World.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+
+_H._  = Hebrew.
+_G._  = German.
+_Gk._ = Greek.
+_R._  = Russian.
+_S._  = Spanish.
+_c._  = corrupt.
+
+
+
+Achi-nebbich (_etymology obscure_),
+  Alas, poor thing(s).
+
+Afikuman (_Hebraicized Gk_.),
+  portion of a Passover cake taken at the end of Sedermeal (_q.v._).
+
+Agadah (_H._),
+  narrative portion of the Talmud; Passover-eve ritual.
+
+Amidah (_H._),
+  series of Benedictions said standing.
+
+Arbah Kanfus (_H._) lit.,
+  four corners; a garment consisting of two shoulder straps supporting
+  a front and back piece with fringes at each corner (Numbers xv.
+  37-41).
+
+Ashkenazim (_H._)
+  German; hence, also, Russian and Polish Jews.
+
+
+
+Badchan (_H._),
+  professional jester.
+
+Bensh (?),
+  say grace.
+
+Beth Din (_H._),
+  court of judgment.
+
+Beth Medrash (_H._),
+  college.
+
+Bube (_G._),
+  grandmother.
+
+
+
+Cabbalah (_H._), Cabbulah (_c._), lit.,
+  tradition; mystic lore.
+
+Calloh (_H._),
+  bride; _fiancee_.
+
+Chazan (_H._),
+  cantor.
+
+Chevra (_H._),
+  small congregation; a society.
+
+Chine (_H._),
+  playful humor; humorous anecdote.
+
+Chocham (_H._),
+  wise man.
+
+Chomutz (_H._),
+  leaven.
+
+Chosan (_H._),
+  bridegroom; _fiance_.
+
+Chuppah (_H._),
+  wedding canopy.
+
+Cohen (_H._),
+  priest.
+
+
+
+Dayan (_H._),
+  rabbi who renders decisions.
+
+Din (_H._),
+  law, decision.
+
+Droshes (_H._),
+  sermons.
+
+
+
+Epikouros (_H. from Gk_.),
+  heretic, scoffer; Epicurean.
+
+
+
+Froom (_c. G._),
+  pious.
+
+
+
+Gelt (_c.G._),
+  money.
+
+Gematriyah (_Hebraicised Gk._),
+  mystic, numerical interpretation of Scripture.
+
+Gomorah (_H._),
+  part of the Talmud.
+
+Gonof (_H._),
+  thief.
+
+Goyah (_H._),
+  non-Jewess.
+
+
+
+Halacha (_H._),
+  legal portion of the Talmud.
+
+Havdolah (_H._),
+  ceremony separating conclusion of Sabbath or Festival from the
+  subsequent days of toil.
+
+
+
+Imbeshreer (_c.G. ohne beschreien_),
+  without bewitching; unbeshrewn.
+
+
+
+Kaddish (_H._),
+  prayer in praise of God; specially recited by male mourners.
+
+Kehillah (_H._),
+  congregation.
+
+Kind, Kinder (_G._),
+  child, children.
+
+Kosher (_H._),
+  ritually clean.
+
+Kotzon (_H._),
+  rich man.
+
+Link (_G._), lit.,
+  left, _i.e._ not right; hence, lax, not pious.
+
+Longe verachum (_G. and c.H._), lit.,
+  The long "and He being merciful." A long, extra prayer, said on
+  Mondays and Thursdays.
+
+Lulov (_H._),
+  palm branch dressed with myrtle and willow, and used at the Feast
+  of Tabernacles.
+
+
+
+Maaseh (_H._),
+  story, tale.
+
+Machzor (_H._),
+  Festival prayer-book.
+
+Maggid (_H._),
+  preacher.
+
+Mazzoltov (_H._),
+  good luck, congratulations.
+
+Megillah (_H._), lit.,
+  scroll. The Book of Esther.
+
+Meshuggah, Meshuggene (_H._),
+  mad.
+
+Meshumad (_H._),
+  apostate.
+
+Metsiah (_H._), lit.,
+  finding; cp. Fr., _trouvaille_; bargain.
+
+Mezuzah (_H._),
+  case containing a scroll, with Hebrew verses (Deuteronomy vi. 4-9,
+  13-21) affixed to every door-post.
+
+Midrash (_H._),
+  Biblical exposition.
+
+Mincha (_H._),
+  afternoon prayer.
+
+Minyan (_H._),
+  quorum of ten males, over thirteen, necessary for public worship.
+
+Mishpochah (_H._),
+  family.
+
+Mishna, Mishnayis (_H._),
+  collection of the Oral Law.
+
+Misheberach (_H._),
+  synagogal benediction.
+
+Mitzvah (_H._),
+  a commandment, _i.e._ a good deed.
+
+Mizrach (_H._),
+  East; a sacred picture hung on the east wall in the direction of
+  Jerusalem, to which the face is turned in praying.
+
+
+
+Narrischkeit (_c.G._),
+  foolishness.
+
+Nasch (_c.G._),
+  pilfer (dainties).
+
+Nevirah (_H._),
+  sin.
+
+Niddali (_H._),
+  Talmudical tractate on the purification of women.
+
+
+
+Nu (_R._),
+  well.
+
+
+
+Olov hasholom (_H._),
+   Peace be upon him! (loosely applied to deceased females also).
+
+Omer (_H._),
+  the seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost.
+
+
+
+Parnass (_H._),
+  president of the congregation.
+
+Pesachdik (_H._),
+  proper for Passover.
+
+Pidyun haben (_H._),
+  redemption of the first-born son.
+
+Piyut (_Hebraicized Gk_.),
+  liturgical poem.
+
+Pollack (_c.G._),
+  Polish Jew.
+
+Potch (_c.G._),
+  slap.
+
+
+
+Rashi (_H._),
+  Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, whose commentary is often printed under the
+  Hebrew text of the Bible.
+
+
+
+Schlemihl (_H._),
+  unlucky, awkward person.
+
+Schmuck (_c.G._),
+  lubberly person.
+
+Schmull (_c.G. schmollen_),
+  pout, sulk.
+
+Schnecks (? _G. Schnake_, gay nonsense),
+  affectations.
+
+Schnorrer (_c.G._),
+  beggar.
+
+Seder (_H._),
+  Passover-eve ceremony.
+
+Selaim (_H._),
+  old Jewish coins.
+
+Sephardim (_H._),
+  Spanish and Portuguese Jews.
+
+Shaaloth u tshuvoth (_H._),
+  questions and answers; casuistical treatise.
+
+Shabbos (_H._),
+  Sabbath.
+
+Shadchan (_H._),
+  professional match-maker.
+
+Shaitel (_c.G._),
+  wig worn by married women.
+
+Shammos (_c.H._),
+  beadle.
+
+Shass (_H. abbreviation_),
+  the six sections of the Talmud.
+
+Shechitah (_H._),
+  slaughter.
+
+Shemah beni (_H._),
+  Hear, my son! = Dear me!
+
+Shemang (_H._),
+  confession of the Unity of God.
+
+Shidduch (_H._),
+  match.
+
+Shiksah (_H._),
+  non-Jewish girl.
+
+Shnodar (_H._),
+  offer money to the synagogue. (An extraordinary instance of Jewish
+  jargon,--a compound Hebrew word meaning "who vows,"--being turned
+  into an English verb, and conjugated accordingly, in _ed_ and _ing_.)
+
+Shochet (_H_),
+  official slaughterer.
+
+Shofar (_H._),
+  trumpet of ram's horn, blown during the penitential season.
+
+Shool (_c. G_.),
+  synagogue.
+
+Shulchan aruch (_H._),
+  a sixteenth-century compilation, codifying Jewish law.
+
+Simchath Torah (_H._),
+  festival of the rejoicing of the Law.
+
+Snoga (_S._),
+  Sephardic synagogue.
+
+Spiel (_G._),
+  play.
+
+
+
+Takif (_H._),
+  rich man, swell.
+
+Talith (_H._),
+  a shawl with fringes, worn by men during prayer.
+
+Tanaim (_H._),
+  betrothal contract or ceremony.
+
+Terah, Torah (_H._),
+  Law of Moses.
+
+Tephillin (_H._),
+  phylacteries.
+
+Tripha (_H._),
+  ritually unclean.
+
+
+
+Wurst (_G._),
+  sausage.
+
+
+
+Yiddish, Yiddishkeit (_c.G._),
+  Jewish, Judaism.
+
+Yigdal (_H._),
+  hymn summarizing the thirteen creeds drawn up by Maimonides.
+
+Yom Kippur (_H._),
+  Day of Atonement.
+
+Yom tof (_H._), lit.,
+  good day; Festival.
+
+Yontovdik (_hybrid H_.),
+  pertaining to the Festival.
+
+Yosher-Kowach (_c.H._),
+  May your strength increase! = Thank you; a formula to express
+  gratitude--especially at the end of a reading.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 12680.txt or 12680.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/6/8/12680
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/old/12680.zip b/old/12680.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..715a93a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/12680.zip