Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/327

313 A ROSE OF THE GHETTO. 313

Sugarman saw the signs of weakening, and dashed in, full strength. " It's a question whether he will have her at all. I have not been to him about her yet. I awaited your approval of the idea." Leibel admired the verbal accuracy of these statements, which he just caught.

"But I didn't know he would be having money," mur- mured Eliphaz.

" Of course you didn't know. That's what the Shadchan is for — to point out the things that are under your nose."

" But where will he be getting this money from? "

" From you," said Sugarman frankly.

" From me?"

" From whom else ? Are you not his employer ? It has been put by for his marriage- day."

"He has saved it?"

" He has not spent it," said Sugarman, impatiently.

"But do you mean to say he has saved fifty pounds?"

" If he could manage to save fifty pounds out of your wages he would be indeed a treasure," said Sugarman. " Perhaps it might be thirty."

"But you said fifty."

" Well, you came down to thirty," retorted the Shadchan. " You cannot expect him to have more than your daughter brings."

" I never said thirty," Eliphaz reminded him. "Twenty- seven ten was my last bid."

" Very well ; that will do as a basis of negotiations," said Sugarman resignedly. " I will call upon him this evening. If I were to go over and speak to him now he would perceive you were anxious and raise his terms, and that will never do. Of course, you will not mind allowing me a pound more for finding you so economical a son-in- law?"