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314 314 A ROSE OF THE GHETTO.

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Not a penny more."

" You need not fear," said Sugarman resentfully. " It is not likely I shall be able to persuade him to take so eco- nomical a father-in-law. So vou will be none the worse for promising."

" Be it so," said Eliphaz, with a gesture of weariness, and he started his machine again.

"Twenty-seven pounds ten, remember," said Sugarman, above the whirr.

Eliphaz nodded his head, whirring his wheelwork louder.

"And paid before the wedding, mind? "

The machine took no notice.

" Before the wedding, mind," repeated Sugarman. " Be- fore we go under the canopy."

" Go now, go now ! " grunted Eliphaz, with a gesture of impatience. " It shall be all well." And the white-haired head bowed immovably over its work.

In the evening Rose extracted from her father the motive of Sugarman's visit, and confessed that the idea was to her liking.

"But dost thou think he will have me, little father?" she asked, with cajoling eyes.

" Anyone would have my Rose."

" Ah, but Leibel is different. So many years he has sat at my side and said nothing."

"He had his work to think of; he is a good, saving youth."

" At this very moment Sugarman is trying to persuade him — not so? I suppose he will want much money."

" Be easy, my child." And he passed his discoloured hand over her hair.

Sugarman turned up the next day, and reported that Leibel was unobtainable under thirty pounds, and Eliphaz,