"Herr Zamenoy," began the Jew, "you are, I think, aware that my father has purchased from your friend and brother-in-law, Josef Balatka, certain houses in the Kleinseite, in one of which the old man still lives."
"Upon my word, I know nothing about it," said Zamenoy — "nothing, that is to say, in the way of business;" and the man of business laughed. "Mind I do not at all deny that you did so — you or your father, or the two together. Your people are getting into their hands lots of houses all over the town; but how they do it nobody knows. They are not bought in fair open market."
"This purchase was made by contract, and the price was paid in full before the houses were put into our hands."
"They are not in your hands now, as far as I know."
"Not the one, certainly, in which Balatka lives. Motives of friendship — "
"Friendship!" said Madame Zamenoy, with a sneer.
"And now motives of love," continued Anton, "have induced us to leave the use of that house with Josef Balatka."
"Love!" said Madame Zamenoy, springing from her chair; love indeed! "Do not talk to me of love for a Jew."
"My dear, my dear!" said her husband, expostulating.
"How dares he come here to talk of his love? It is filthy — it is worse than filthy — it is profane."