XI
Asriel found his daughter playing.
"Stop that or I'll smash your Gentile piano to pieces!" he commanded her, feeling as though the instrument had all along been in the conspiracy and were now bidding him defiance.
"Why, what's the matter?" she questioned, getting up from her stool in stupefaction.
"Matter? Bluff a dead rooster, not me—my head is still on my shoulders. Here it is, you see?" he added, taking himself by the head. "It's all up, Flora."
"What do you mean?" she made out to inquire.
"I mean that if Shayke[12] ever enters this house I'll murder both of you. You thought your papa was a fool, didn't you? Well, you are a poor hand at figuring, Flora. I knew everything, but I wanted some particulars. I have got them all now here, in my pocket, and a minute ago I took the pleasure of bidding him 'bless the sitter' in a Gentile restaurant—may he be choked with his treife gorge!"
"You've got no business to curse him like that!" she flamed out, coloring violently.
"I have no business? And who is to stop me, pray?"