"Please, Joshua, do let the poor child alone. I should really like to consider the matter seriously."
"Well, then, to be quite serious; the question of the arrangements for the table is settled, and with that everything, I believe. You attend to the dishes; they need not exactly be Limoges or old Vienna. The silver I shall see about, with an idea to future use. I have no doubt, good things will go into the dishes, and enough, too. At such family festivals there is always enough and to spare. The fish and fowl of the region are famous, and other things, too. The Matzoth will be baked especially for us, and Gregorovius, of Unter den Linden, shall provide the apples for the Charoseth. Everything will be excellently arranged, I mean it seriously. And I am looking forward to the festival with much pleasure. Whatever is intrusted to Fanny Benas, née Friedheim, of the family of Akiba Friedländer, can only be good and blessed."
The last words were spoken gravely, with deep feeling. He arose, took his wife's hand and kissed it.
"But you have not told us about one thing—about the chief reason for your going. What do the relatives think of Dr. Weilen's wish?"
The children awaited their mother's answer in breathless expectation. Hugo's eyes were fastened with sullen looks on his mother's lips; Rita looked shy and anxious. It seemed to her as though her heart had stopped beating, and a choking sensation caught her at the throat.
"I am decidedly curious to know what was your success."
"He may come!"
The face and attitude of the Geheimrat showed decided interest.
"Really? How interesting! I was very doubtful of the issue."
But Hugo clenched his fist, and said vehemently: "Impossible! How could they consent? He will spoil the holiness of the days. What does he want there? What does he wish of us? A stranger!"