“They’re side-kicks——“
“Side-kicks?”
“Partners.”
“My! what a lot I’m going to learn,” she murmured.
“That’s what brought Tessie and Susan together. Her man’s a police Leftenant. Tessie’s is Abraham Mangel——“
“And Clara, yours——“
“That’s a secret, Dear. You call him Mr. Mark.... O I can tell you. Tellin’ you a secret’s like burying it. Don’t you let on. He’s really a Judge, Dear. Right in New York! Think of that. He’s so good.... Shall I tell you his right name? Sure never to let on? Judge Mark Pfennig.”
“Judge ... Mark ... Pfennig,” she repeated slowly.
“He’s a Jew,” Clara said groping. She won courage from the soft distance in Fanny’s eyes, inquiring, pondering. “Like most of ’em. They’re the best, Fan. Really.”
“Why are they the best?”