ing-out porch over Batta!
Already I talked to Tillie that she should go to her."

Mrs. Katzenstein sniffled and wiped each eye with the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Katzenstein."

"That don't get you nowhere, Mr. Gump. If you had only known this last
night! Now what will people say?"

"Mamma!"

"Nowadays in New York it ain't like it used to be, Mr. Gump; people
can't start in on so little--half of what you make costs Birdie's
clothes. _Ach_, when I think what that girl is used to! Every comfort
she has--you can't give her like she's used to, Mr. Gump."

"I told all that to Birdie, Mrs. Katzenstein--I can't give her what
she's got at home, and she should take her time to decide."

"That's easy enough to say now after it's in everybody's mouth."

"That Loeb Brothers should play you such a trick," said Mr.
Katzenstein--"a boy that's built up a trade like you!"

"_Ach_, my baby!" sobbed Mrs. Katzenstein. "And now the whole town
already knows it! If only he had known this last night, before it was
too late!"

"Salcha, how you talk!"

"My own husband turns against me!"

"That they should start little, mamma, is just so good as they should
start big. My boy, you got a good head; and with a good head and a good
heart you got just so good a start as you need. Go 'way, you foolisher
children! You make me sick with your crying and _gedinks_!"

"Such a father I got, Marcus! What did I tell you, how he would
act--what did I tell you?"

She kissed her father lightly on the cheek.

"Go 'way, you children!" he repeated. "You got it too good as it
is--ain't it, mamma?"

"I guess you're right, Rudolph; but how I had plans for that girl, papa
can tell you, Marcus! You're a good boy, Marcus, and she's got her heart
set on you; but I--I hate it how everybody can talk now--something to
talk about for them all!"

"They should talk!" said Mr. Katzenstein, lighting a cigar. "And talk
and talk!"

"What I ordered embroidered linens enough for five rooms now I don't
know, Birdie! If you want him I say you should have him--but how I had
plans for that girl!"

"I'll work for her, all right, Mrs. Katzenstein. It will be five rooms
before you know it--this don't mean, Mrs. Katzenstein--maw!--that I
won't ever get up."

"Kiss me, Marcus," said Mrs. Katzenstein. "That she should be happy is
all I care."

"Now, Marcus, we'll go up and see Mamma Gump."

"Get ready, little Birdie," he said.

"Good night, Marcus! You'r