"No one; a man hinted as much."
"But I haven't even been in her company."
"Yes—at the Purim Ball."
Daniel bit his lip.
"Damned gossips!" he cried. "I'll never speak to the girl again."
There was a tense silence for a few seconds, then old Hyams said:
"Why not? You love her."
Daniel stared at him, his heart palpitating painfully. The blood in his ears throbbed mad sweet music.
"You love her," Mendel repeated quietly. "Why do you not ask her to marry you? Do you fear she would refuse?"
Daniel burst into semi-hysterical laughter. Then seeing his father's half-reproachful, half-puzzled look he said shamefacedly: