and kicked him
firmly into the gutter. After this, Philip Sternsilver proceeded with
the unfolding of his plan.

"Yes, Hillel," he said, "I mean it. For a young feller like you even a
girl which she got rich relations like Seiden ain't too good."

"Seiden?" Hillel interrupted, with a supercilious shrug. "What is
Seiden? I know his people from old times in Grodno yet. So poor they
were, y'understand, his _Grossmutter_ would be glad supposing my
_Grossmutter_, _olav hasholam_, would send her round a couple pieces
clothing to wash. The whole family was beggars--one worser as the
other."

"Sure, I know," Philip said; "but look where he is to-day, Hillel. You
got to give him credit, Hillel. He certainly worked himself up
wonderful, and why? Because the feller saves his money, understand me,
and then he turns around and goes to work to pick out a wife, and
married right."

"What are you talking nonsense--got married right?" Hillel said. "Do
you mean to told me that Seiden is getting married right? An idee! What
for a family was all them Gubins, Sternsilver? The one Uncle Pesach was
a low-life bum--a _Shikerrer_ which he wouldn't stop at nothing, from
_Schnapps_ to varnish. Furthermore, his father, y'understand, got into
trouble once on account he _ganvers_ a couple chickens; and if it
wouldn't be for my _Grossvater_, which he was for years a _Rav_ in
Telshi--a very learned man, Sternsilver--no one knows what would have
become of them people at all."

For the remainder of the lunch-hour Hillel so volubly demonstrated
himself to be the Debrett, Burke, and Almanach de Gotha of Grodno,
Telshi, and vicinity that Sternsilver was obliged to return to the
factory with his scheme barely outlined.

Nevertheless, on his journey back to Greene Street he managed to
interrupt Hillel long enough to ask him if he was willing to get
married.

"I don't say I wouldn't," Hillel replied, "supposing I would get a nice
girl. _Aber_ one thing I wouldn't do, Sternsilver. I wouldn't take no
one which she ain't coming from decent, respectable people, y'understand;
and certainly, if a feller got a couple hundred dollars in savings bank,
Sternsilver, he's got a right to expect a little consideration. Ain't
it?"

This ultimatum brought them to the door of the factory, and when they
entered further conversation was summarily prevented by Mr. Seiden
himself.

"Sternsilver," Mr. Seiden bellowed at him, "where was you?"

"Couldn't I get oncet