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99 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS. 99

replied Manasseh gravely. " But after what we have just heard of the death-rate of Jews in Grodno, I should seri- ously advise you to go back there."

" No, they cannot forget that I was once a boy," replied the Rabbi with equal gravity. " I prefer the Spanish Jews. They are all well-to-do. They may not die so often as the Russians, but they die better, so to speak. You will give me introductions, you will speak of me to your illustrious friends, I understand."

"You understand!" repeated Manasseh in dignified as- tonishment. " You do not understand. I shall do no such thing." i

" But you yourself suggested it ! " cried the Rabbi ex- citedly.

"I? Nothing of the kind. I had heard of you and your ministrations to mourners, and meeting you in the street this afternoon for the first time, it struck me to enquire why you did not carry your consolations into the bosom of my community where so much more money is to be made. I said I wondered you had not done so from the first. And you — invited me to dinner. I still wonder. That is all, my good man." He rose to go.

The haughty rebuke silenced the Rabbi, though his heart was hot with a vague sense of injury.

" Do you come my way, Yankele?" said Manasseh care- lessly.

The Rabbi turned hastily to his second guest.

"When do you want me to marry you?" he asked.

"You have married me," replied Yankele.

" I? " gasped the Rabbi. It was the last straw.

" Yes," reiterated Yankele. " Hasn't he, Mr. da Costa ? "

His heart went pit-a-pat as he put the question.

" Certainly," said Manasseh without hesitation.