The belligerent attitude was reflected by the phalanx of female relatives, whose red roses waved in defiance now, as they had nodded in amity a few short weeks before. For an instant Teacher did not grasp the full meaning of Mr. Borrachsohn's greeting. Then suddenly she realized that this man, this trafficker in the blood and the honour of his people, had dared to swear at her, Constance Bailey. When her eyes met those of the Assemblyman he started slightly, and placed Isaac between him and this alarming young person who seemed not at all to realize that he could "break her" with a word.
"Is this your child?" she demanded. And he found himself answering meekly:
"Yes ma'an."
"Then take him away," she commanded. "He is not fit to be with decent children. I refuse to teach him."
"You can't refuse," said Mr. Borrachsohn. "It is the law—"
[Illustration: "YOU'LL WISH YOU MINDED YOUR OWN —— BUSINESS BEFORE
I GET THROUGH WITH YOU">[
[Illustration: Morris Mogilewsky]
"Law!" repeated Teacher. "What is the law to you?" She was an open-eyed young person; she had spent some months in Mr. Borrachsohn's district; she had a nasty energy of phrase; and the King of Hester Street has never translated the ensuing remarks to the wife of his bosom nor to the gentle-eyed old Rabbi who watched, greatly puzzled by his ideal of a Christian persecutor and this very different reality. Gradually the relatives saw that the accuser had become the accused, but they were hardly prepared to see him supplicating and even unsuccessfully.
"No, I won't take him. I tell you his language is awful. I can't let the other children hear him."
"But I shall see that he swears no more. We taught him for a joke.
I'll stop him."