Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/33

19 The bewildered financier felt his grievance disappearing as by sleight of hand.

Manasseh added winningly : " I know you are a gentle- man, capable of behaving as finely as any Sephardi."

This handsome compliment completed the Schnorrer's victory, which was sealed by his saying, " And so I should not like you to have it on your soul that you had done a poor man out of a few shillings."

Grobstock could onlv remark meeklv : " You will find more than seventeen shillings in the bag."

"Ah, why were you born a Tedesco !" cried Manasseh ecstatically. " Do you know what I have a mind to do ? To come and be your Sabbath-guest ! Yes, I will take supper with you next Friday, and we will welcome the Bride

— the holy Sabbath — together ! Never before have I sat at the table of a Tedesco — but vou — vou are a man after my own heart. Your soul is a son of Spain. Next Friday at six — do not forget."

"But — but I do not have Sabbath-guests," faltered Grob- stock.

" Not have Sabbath-guests ! No, no, I will not believe you are of the sons of Belial, whose table is spread only for the rich, who do not proclaim your equality with the poor even once a week. It is your fine nature that would hide its benefactions. Do not I, Manasseh Bueno Barzillai Aze- vedo da Costa, have at my Sabbath-table every week Yan- kele ben Yitzchok — a Pole? And if I have a Tedesco at my table, why should I draw the line there? Why should I not permit you, a Tedesco, to return the hospitality to me, a Sephardi? At six, then ! I know your house well

— it is an elegant building that does credit to your taste

— do not be uneasy — I shall not fail to be punctual. A Dios / "