CHAPTER XLV.
Moses had become a very old man, but his health was still quite good, only that he was rather lame, and sleep would not come at his call; so he used to sit up late into the night, in his arm-chair, with a cushion under his head, hours after his Blümchen was asleep, and think over his old business affairs; with new ones he would have nothing to do. David lay on the sofa, and talked, or slept, as he felt inclined; but I must do David the justice to say he was not an exception to the general rule of his fellow-believers, he took good care of his old father, and this Jewish fashion is one which many Christians would do well to follow.
This evening they were chatting together.
"David," said the old man, "what did I tell you? You should not entangle yourself with Pomuffelskopp."
"Well? If I have entangled myself, I am well paid for it."
"You have strewed dust on your head, you have eaten filth."
"Are louis-d'ors filth?"
"Pomuffelskopp's are."
"Father, if you were willing, we could do a great business; Pomuffelskopp is going to sell Gurlitz."
"Why?"