“Alas, Yankel, you don’t know our business! I couldn’t possibly approach him.”
“And why, may I ask, would you have to take the time to approach him? I know for myself that you snatched me away before I could even yell.”
The devil laughed so merrily that he actually frightened a night-bird out of the reeds, and said:
“That’s a fact! You were easy to catch. And do you know why?”
“Why-y?”
“Because you’re a good lusty catcher yourself. I assure you there’s no other race on earth as sinful as you Jews.”
“Oi, vei, that is most surprising! And what are our sins?”
“Listen and I shall tell you.”
The devil turned to the Jew and began counting on his fingers.
“Number one. You are usurers.”