88 THE KING OF SCHNORRERS.
"He is engaged," said the wife — a tiny thin creature who had been plump and pretty. " He is very busy talking with a gentleman."
" Oh, but I can vait."
" But the Rabbi will be having his dinner soon."
" I can vait till after dinner," said Yankele obligingly.
" Oh, but the Rabbi sits long at table."
" I don't mind," said Yankele with undiminished placidity, " de longer de better."
The poor woman looked perplexed. " I'll tell my hus- band," she said at last.
Yankele had an anxious moment in the passage.
"The Rabbi wishes to know what you want," she said when she returned.
" I vant to get married," said Yankele with an inspiration of veracity.
" But my husband doesn't marry people."
"Vy not?"
" He only brings consolation into households," she ex- plained ingenuously.
"Veil, I won't get married midout him," Yankele mur- mured lugubriously.
The little woman went back in bewilderment to her bosom's lord. Forthwith out came Rabbi Remorse Red-her ring, curiosity and cupidity in his eyes. He wore the skull- cap of sanctity, but looked the gourmand in spite of it.
" Good Sabbath, sir ! What is this about your getting married? "
" It's a long story," said Yankele, " and as your good vife told me your dinner is just ready, I mustn't keep you
now."
" No, there are still a few minutes before dinner. What is it?"
