‘And do not people often address you in a very free manner?’
‘Frequently, brother; and I give them tolerably free answers.’
‘Do people ever offer to make you presents? I mean presents of value, such as—’
‘Silk handkerchiefs, shawls, and trinkets; very frequently, brother.’
‘And what do you do, Ursula?’
‘I take what people offers me, brother, and stows it away as soon as I can.’
‘Well, but don’t people expect something for their presents? I don’t mean dukkerin, dancing, and the like; but such a moderate and innocent thing as a choomer, [68a] Ursula?’
‘Innocent thing, do you call it, brother?’
‘The world calls it so, Ursula. Well, do the people who give you the fine things never expect a choomer in return?’
‘Very frequently, brother.’