“Why, I thought every body had to study abroad—at Paris or Munich or Düsseldorf.”
“They don't exactly have to. You can get very good instruction here. Stainar is a capital master; and there are others. Of course, it's desirable to study abroad, too. But I couldn't very well. I have never been further than fifty or a hundred miles from this city in my life.”
“Why, how strange! I haven't either. But then, I'm a girl. You're a man. I should think you would have traveled.”
“It was on account of my mother. She was a great stay-at-home; and I never felt like leaving her. Since her death—two years ago—I haven't had any wish to travel. I haven't had the heart for it.”
After a little pause, Christine asked softly, “Have you any brothers or sisters?”
“No, none. And my father died when I was a baby. So, except for me, my mother was quite alone. To be sure, she had my uncle, the rabbi; but he's not much company.”
“Oh, have you an uncle who is a rabbi?”
“Yes—Dr. Gedaza, of the Congregation Gates of Pearl, in Seventeenth Street.”
“How interesting! Tell me, what is he like?”
“Why, I don't know. How do you mean?”