y sister more than is needful."

When they entered the parlor he said to the alert Jacob, "Ask your
father to come, and tell Sarah to mind the shop. My friend has
something to say," he continued, turning to the elder Mrs. Cohen. It
seemed part of Mordecai's eccentricity that he should call this
gentleman his friend; and the two women tried to show their better
manners by warm politeness in begging Deronda to seat himself in the
best place.

When Cohen entered with a pen behind his ear, he rubbed his hands and
said with loud satisfaction, "Well, sir! I'm glad you're doing us the
honor to join our family party again. We are pretty comfortable, I
think."

He looked round with shiny gladness. And when all were seated on the
hearth the scene was worth peeping in upon: on one side Baby under her
scarlet quilt in the corner being rocked by the young mother, and
Adelaide Rebekah seated on the grandmother's knee; on the other, Jacob
between his father's legs; while the two markedly different figures of
Deronda and Mordecai were in the middle--Mordecai a little backward in
the shade, anxious to conceal his agitated susceptibility to what was
going on around him. The chief light came from the fire, which brought
out the rich color on a depth of shadow, and seemed to turn into speech
the dark gems of eyes that looked at each other kindly.

"I have just been telling Mordecai of an event that makes a great
change in his life," Deronda began, "but I hope you will agree with me
that it is a joyful one. Since he thinks of you as his best friends, he
wishes me to tell you for him at once."

"Relations with money, sir?" burst in Cohen, feeling a power of
divination which it was a pity to nullify by waiting for the fact.

"No; not exactly," said Deronda, smiling. "But a very precious relation
wishes to be reunited to him--a very good and lovely young sister, who
will care for his comfort in every way."

"Married, sir?"

"No, not married."

"But with a maintenance?"

"With talents which will secure her a maintenance. A home is already
provided for Mordecai."

There was silence for a moment or two before the grandmother said in a
wailing tone--

"Well, well! and so you're going away from us, Mordecai."

"And where there's no children as there is here," said the mother,
catching the wail.

"No Jacob, and no Adelaide, and no Eugenie!" wailed the grandmother
again.

"Ay, ay, Jacob's learning 'ill all wear out of him. He mus