"All right; tell him it shall be done at cost price," he said, with the foreign accent that made him somehow seem more lovable to his daughter when he spoke English. "He shall only be charged for the scribe."
"He'll take that for granted," Hannah replied. "Fathers are expected to do these little things for their own children. But how much nicer it would be if you could give me the Gett yourself."
"I would marry you with pleasure," said Reb Shemuel, "but divorce is another matter. The Din has too much regard for a father's feelings to allow that."
"And you really think I am Sam Levine's wife?"
"How many times shall I tell you? Some authorities do take the intention into account, but the letter of the law is clearly against you. It is far safer to be formally divorced."
"Then if he were to die—"
"Save us and grant us peace," interrupted the Reb in horror.
"I should be his widow."
"Yes, I suppose you would. But what Narrischkeit! Why should he die? It isn't as if you were really married to him," said the Reb, his eye twinkling.
"But isn't it all absurd, father?"