Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/411

397 FL UTTER-D UCK. 397

In vain Flutter-Duck wished them "A Good Sealing." It seemed as if her own Festival would be black and bitter as the Feast of Ab.

But she continued to hold out her bloodless hand. Towards three o'clock a fine English lady, in a bonnet, passed by, carrying a leather bag.

" Grant me a halfpenny, lady, dear ! May you be written down for a good year ! "

The beautiful lady paused, startled. Then Flutter- Duck's heart gave a great leap of joy. The impossible had happened at last. Behind the veil shone the face of Rachel — a face of astonishment and horror.

" Rachel ! " she shrieked, tottering.

'•Mother!" cried Rachel, catching her by the arm. " What are you doing here? What has happened?"

" Do not touch me, sinful girl!" answered Flutter- Duck, shaking her off with a tragic passion that gave dignity to the grotesque figure. Now that Rachel was there in the flesh, the remembrance of her shame surged up, drowning everything. " You have disgraced the mother who bore you and the father who gave you life."

The fine English lady — her whole soul full of sudden remorse at the sight of her mother's incredible poverty, shrank before the blazing eyes. The passers-by imagined Rachel had refused the beggar-woman alms.

" What have I done?" she faltered.

" Where is Emanuel ? "

" Emanuel !" repeated Rachel, puzzled.

" Emanuel Lefkovitch that you ran away with."

" Mother, are you mad? I have never seen him. I am married."

" Married ! " gasped Flutter-Duck ecstatically. Then a new dread rose to her mind. " To a Christian ? "