Suddenly he heard a footstep on the stairs. “Thank God!” he cried, as he ran to the door.
“Xantippe!”
But he recoiled as if shot, for as the door opened Amos entered. The Jew bowed politely to the Greek, but there was an unpleasant twinkle in his eyes as he spoke.
“You cannot offer me a seat, my friend, so I will stand. We have met already this evening.”
Gregorio did not answer, but placed himself between the Jew and the child.
“I dare say you did not see me,” the old man continued, quietly, “for you seemed excited. I suppose the child is yours. It was surely careless to let him stray so far from home.”
“The child is mine.”
“Ah, well, it is a happy chance that you recovered him so easily. And now to business.”
“I am listening.”
“I have already, as of course you know, been here to see you about the money you owe me. I was sorry you did not see fit to pay me, because I had to sell your furniture, and it was not worth much.”