"Wilt thou have another cup of coffee, Shemuel?"
"Yes, my life. Wait but a little and thou shalt see our Hannah under the Chuppah."
"Hast thou any one in thine eye?"
The Reb nodded his head mysteriously and winked the eye, as if nudging the person in it.
"Who is it, father?" said Levi. "I do hope it's a real swell who talks
English properly."
"And mind you make yourself agreeable to him, Hannah," said the Rebbitzin. "You spoil all the matches I've tried to make for you by your stupid, stiff manner."
"Look here, mother!" cried Hannah, pushing aside her cup violently. "Am I going to have my breakfast in peace? I don't want to be married at all. I don't want any of your Jewish men coming round to examine me as if! were a horse, and wanting to know how much money you'll give them as a set-off. Let me be! Let me be single! It's my business, not yours."
The Rebbitzin bent eyes of angry reproach on the Reb.
"What did I tell thee, Shemuel? She's meshugga—quite mad! Healthy and fresh and mad!"
"Yes, you'll drive me mad," said Hannah savagely. "Let me be! I'm too old now to get a Chosan, so let me be as I am. I can always earn my own living."