"She is only six and she is already more educated than her father,"
Nodelman said. "And Sidney he's studyin' French at high school.
Sidney, talk some French to Mr. Levinsky. He'll understand you.
Come on, show Mr. Levinsky you ain't going to be as ignorant as
your pa."
The scene was largely a stereotyped copy of the one I had witnessed upon my first call at the Margolises'
Sidney scowled
"Come on, Sidney, be a good boy," Nodelman urged, taking him by the sleeve
"Let me alone," Sidney snarled, breaking away and striking the air a fierce backward blow with his elbow
"What do you want of him?" Mrs. Nodelman said to her husband, frigidly
My friend desisted, sheepishly
"He does seem to be afraid of his American household," I said to myself
After the meal, when we were all in the parlor again, Nodelman said to his wife, winking at me: "Poor fellow, his patience has all given out. He wants to know about the girl you've got for him. He has no strength any longer. Can't you see it, Bella? Look at him! Look at him! Another minute and he'll faint."
"What girl? Oh, I see! Why, there is more than one!" Mrs. Nodelman returned, confusedly. "I didn't mean anybody in particular. There are plenty of young ladies."