'Why not? She is still in love.'
'With stuffed monkeys,' said Elias cynically.
'With you, too.'
Elias blushed quite easily. 'How do you know?'
'I offered her another man, and she slammed the door in my face!'
'You—you offered——' Elias stuttered angrily.
'Only to test her,' said Sugarman soothingly. He continued: 'Now, when she has eaten the cake and drunk a cup of chocolate, too (for one must play high with such a ring at stake), you must walk on by her side, and when you come to a dark corner, take her hand and say "My treasure" or "My angel," or whatever nonsense you modern young men babble to your maidens—with the results you see!—and while she is drinking it all in like more chocolate, her fingers in yours, give a sudden tug, and off comes the ring!'
Elias gazed at him in admiration. 'You are as crafty as Jacob, our father.'
'Heaven has not denied everybody brains,' replied Sugarman modestly. 'Be careful to seize the left hand.'
The admiring Elias followed the scheme to the letter.