"What are you talking about—all the good it would do us?" Morris almost whimpered.
"I actually got the feller dead to rights, Abe, and all I must do now is to work from the other end."
Abe burst into a mirthless laugh and handed Morris the paper.
"You should of worked the other end first, Mawruss," he declared, as he indicated an advertising item with his thumb. "That's what Leon Sammet did, Mawruss."
Morris seized the paper and his face grew purple as he read the following notice:
| ENGAGED: Asimof—Gladstein. Mrs. Sonia Gladstein, of Bridgetown, Pa., to Jacob Asimof, of Dotyville, Pa. At home, Sunday next 3 to 7 at the residence of Mrs. Leah Sammet, 86-3/4 West One Hundredth and Eighteenth Street. No cards. |
"Leon's mother makes the engagement party for 'em, Mawruss," Abe said dryly. "Costs a whole lot of money, too, and I bet yer Mrs. Gladstein wouldn't notice it at all in the next six months' statements Leon sends to her."
Morris stifled a groan as he laid down the paper and forced himself to smile confidently.
"What difference does an engagement make, Abe?" he asked. "An engagement ain't a wedding, Abe, and it ain't too late even now."
Again Abe indulged in a bitter laugh.