"But you are not ashamed of being engaged to him — because he is a Jew?"
"No," said Nina, raising herself to her full height; "I am not ashamed of him. I am proud of him. To my thinking there is no man like him. Compare him and Ziska, and Ziska becomes hardly a man at all. I am very proud to think that he has chosen me."
"That is well spoken, and I shall tell him."
"No, you must not tell him, Ruth. Remember that I talk to you as a friend, and not as a child."
"But I will tell him, because then his brow will become smooth, and he will be happy. He likes to think that people know him to be clever; and he will be glad to be told that you understand him."
"I think him greater and better than all men; but, Ruth, you must not tell him what I say — not now, at least — for a reason."
"What reason, Nina?"
"Well; I will tell you, though I would not tell anyone else in the world. When we parted last I was angry with him — very angry with him."
"He had been scolding you, perhaps?"
"I should not mind that — not in the least. He has a right to scold me."