rent already."

Birsky grew suddenly calm.

"So, Golnik," he said, "you are coming here to see us about something
else again! Well, before you begin, Golnik, let me tell you you stand a
swell chance to gouge us for more money. We would positively stand on
our contract with you, Golnik; and even if it would be our busiest
season, Golnik, we----"

"What are you talking nonsense, Mr. Birsky?" Golnik broke in. "I ain't
coming here to ask money for myself, Mr. Birsky; and, furthermore, Mr.
Birsky, you must got to understand that nowadays is a difference matter
already from conditions in the cloak and suit trade ten years ago.
Nowadays an employer must got to take some little benevolence in the
interests of his employees, understand me, which when me and Joseph
Bogin and I. Kanef gets together with the operators and formed the
Mutual Aid Society Employees of Birsky & Zapp, understand me, we done
it as much out of consideration by you, Mr. Birsky, as by us."

Birsky exchanged disquieting glances with his partner.

"Sit down, Golnik," he said, "and tell me what is all this _Verruecktheit_."

"_Verruecktheit_!" Golnik cried indignantly. "What d'ye mean,
_Verruecktheit_, Mr. Birsky? This here is something which a big concern
like H. Dexter Adelstern is taking up, and you would see that other
people gets in it, too. These here mutual aid societies is something
which it not only benefits the employees but also the employers, Mr.
Birsky."

"You already said that before, Golnik," Birsky interrupted; "and if you
think we are paying you you should make speeches round here, Golnik,
let me tell you, Golnik, that Feigenbaum would be in our place any
minute now; and if we couldn't show him we are going ahead on them
1855's, understand me, the first thing you know he would go to work and
cancel the order on us."

"That may be, Mr. Birsky," Golnik went on, "_aber_ this here proposition
which I am putting up to you is a whole lot more important to you as
Feigenbaum's order."

Birsky opened his mouth to enunciate a vigorous protest, but Golnik
forestalled him by pounding a sample table with his fist in a gesture
he had observed only the night before at a lodge meeting of the
I.O.M.A. "Yes, Mr. Birsky," he shouted, "if you would want to do away
with strikes and loafing in your shop, understand me, now is your
chance, Mr. Birsky; because if an operator is got on deposit with his
employers ten dollars even, he ain't going to be in such