Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/79

65 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS. 65

devoted to you — my von thought to be vordy of such a man."

" You are not the first I have been compelled to refuse," said Manasseh, with emotion.

" Vat helps me dat dere be other Schlemihls (unlucky persons) ?" quoted Yankele, with a sob. " How can I live midout you for a fader-in-law? "

" I am sorry for you — more sorry than I have ever been."

" Den you do care for me ! I vill not give up hope. I vill not take no for no answer. Vat is dis blood dat it should divide Jew from Jew, dat it should prevent me becoming de son-in-law of de only man I have ever loved ? Say not so. Let me ask you again — in a month or a year

— even twelve months vould I vait, ven you vould only promise not to pledge yourself to anoder man."

"But if I became your father-in-law — mind, I only say if

— not only would I not keep you, but you would have to keep my Deborah."

"And supposing? "

" But you are not able to keep a wife ! "

"Not able? Who told you dat?" cried Yankele" indig- nantly.

" You yourself ! Why, when I first befriended you, you told me you were blood-poor."

"Dat I told you as a Schnoi-rer. But now I speak to you as a suitor."

" True," admitted Manasseh, instantly appreciating the distinction.

" And as a suitor I tell you I can schnorr enough to keep two vives."

" But do you tell this to da Costa the father or da Costa the marriage-broker?"