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304 304 A ROSE OF THE GHETTO.

definitely broken the negotiations. His whole week was befogged by doubt, his work became uncertain, his chalk- marks lacked their usual decision, and he did not always cut his coat according to his cloth. His aberrations became so marked that pretty Rose Green, the sweater's eldest daughter, who managed a machine in the same room, divined, with all a woman's intuition, that he was in love.

"What is the matter?" she said in rallying Yiddish, when they were taking their lunch of bread and cheese and ginger-beer, amid the clatter of machines, whose serfs had not yet knocked off work.

"They are proposing me a match," he answered sullenly.

" A match ! ' ejaculated Rose. " Thou ! " She had worked by his side for years, and familiarity bred the second person singular. Leibel nodded his head, and put a mouthful of Dutch cheese into it.

" With whom? " asked Rose. Somehow he felt ashamed. He gurgled the answer into the stone ginger-beer bottle, which he put to his thirsty lips.

" With Leah Volcovitch ! "

" Leah Volcovitch ! " gasped Rose. " Leah, the boot and shoe manufacturer's daughter? "

Leibel hung his head — he scarce knew why. He did not dare meet her gaze. His droop said "Yes." There was a long pause.

" And why dost thou not have her? " said Rose. It was more than an enquiry. There was contempt in it, and perhaps even pique.

Leibel did not reply. The embarrassing silence reigned again, and reigned long. Rose broke it at last.

" Is it that thou likest me better? " she asked.

Leibel seemed to see a ball of lightning in the air; it burst, and he felt the electric current strike right through