t go to
school. It'll be hard times for Jacob," said Cohen, in a tone of
decision.

In the wide-open ears of Jacob his father's words sounded like a doom,
giving an awful finish to the dirge-like effect of the whole
announcement. His face had been gathering a wondering incredulous
sorrow at the notion of Mordecai's going away: he was unable to imagine
the change as anything lasting; but at the mention of "hard times for
Jacob" there was no further suspense of feeling, and he broke forth in
loud lamentation. Adelaide Rebekah always cried when her brother cried,
and now began to howl with astonishing suddenness, whereupon baby
awaking contributed angry screams, and required to be taken out of the
cradle. A great deal of hushing was necessary, and Mordecai feeling the
cries pierce him, put out his arms to Jacob, who in the midst of his
tears and sobs was turning his head right and left for general
observation. His father, who had been--saying, "Never mind, old man;
you shall go to the riders," now released him, and he went to Mordecai,
who clasped him, and laid his cheek on the little black head without
speaking. But Cohen, sensible that the master of the family must make
some apology for all this weakness, and that the occasion called for a
speech, addressed Deronda with some elevation of pitch, squaring his
elbows and resting a hand on each knee:--

"It's not as we're the people to grudge anybody's good luck, sir, or
the portion of their cup being made fuller, as I may say. I'm not an
envious man, and if anybody offered to set up Mordecai in a shop of my
sort two doors lower down, _I_ shouldn't make wry faces about it. I'm
not one of them that had need have a poor opinion of themselves, and be
frightened at anybody else getting a chance. If I'm offal, let a wise
man come and tell me, for I've never heard it yet. And in point of
business, I'm not a class of goods to be in danger. If anybody takes to
rolling me, I can pack myself up like a caterpillar, and find my feet
when I'm let alone. And though, as I may say, you're taking some of our
good works from us, which is property bearing interest, I'm not saying
but we can afford that, though my mother and my wife had the good will
to wish and do for Mordecai to the last; and a Jew must not be like a
servant who works for reward--though I see nothing against a reward if
I can get it. And as to the extra outlay in schooling, I'm neither poor
nor greedy--I wouldn't hang mysel