"Who calls you down?" he demanded.
"Mr. and Mrs. Maslik," she answered; "and they says I ain't got no shame at all!"
She struggled bravely to retain her composure; but just one little half-strangled sob escaped her, and forthwith Elkan felt internally a peculiar sinking sensation.
"What do they mean you ain't got no shame?" he protested. "I got a right to talk to you and you got a right to talk to me—ain't it?"
She nodded and sobbed again, whereat Elkan winced and dug his nails into the palms of his hands.
"Listen!" he pleaded. "Don't worry yourself at all. After this I wouldn't got no use for them people. I didn't come here on my own account in the first place, but——"
Here he paused.
"But what?" the little maid asked.
"But I'm glad I came now," Elkan went on defiantly, "and I don't care who knows it. Wir sind alles Jehudim, anyhow, and one is just as good as the other."
"Better even," she said. "What was B. Maslik in the old country? He could oser sign his name when he came here, while I am anyhow from decent, respectable people, Mr. Lubliner."