e had
already gone one block past her destination. Hence she walked leisurely
down the aisle; and after pausing on the platform to adjust her shawl
and bonnet she descended to the street with a parting scowl at the
conductor, who immediately broke the bell-rope in starting the car.

"_Nu!_" Seiden repeated. "Couldn't you open your mouth at all? What's
the matter?"

Mrs. Saphir commenced to rock tentatively, but Seiden stopped her with
a loud "_Koosh!_"

"What do you want from me?" he demanded.

"_Meine Tochter_ Bessie," she replied, "she don't get on at all."

"What d'ye mean, she don't get on at all?" Seiden interrupted. "Ain't I
doing all I could for her? I am learning her the business; and what is
more, Mrs. Saphir, I got a feller which he wants to marry her, too.
Ain't that right, Sternsilver?"

Philip nodded vigorously and Mrs. Saphir sat up in her chair.

"Him?" she asked.

"Sure; why not?" Seiden answered.

"But, Mr. Seiden----" Sternsilver cried.

"_Koosh_, Sternsilver," Seiden said. "Don't you mind that woman at all.
If Bessie was my own daughter even, I would give my consent."

"_Aber_, Mr. Seiden----" Sternsilver cried again in anguished tones,
but further protest was choked off by Mrs. Saphir, who rose from her
seat with surprising alacrity and seized Philip around the neck. For
several minutes she kissed him with loud smacking noises, and by the
time he had disengaged himself Seiden had brought in Miss Bessie
Saphir. As she blushingly laid her hand in Sternsilver's unresisting
clasp Seiden patted them both on the shoulder.

"For a business man, Sternsilver," he said, "long engagements is nix;
and to show you that I got a heart, Sternsilver, I myself would pay for
the wedding, which would be in two weeks at the latest."

He turned to Mrs. Miriam Saphir.

"I congradulate you," he said. "And now get out of here!"

* * * * *

For the next ten days Mr. and Mrs. Seiden and Miss Saphir were so busy
with preparations for the wedding that they had no leisure to observe
Sternsilver's behaviour. He proved to be no ardent swain; and, although
Bessie was withdrawn from the factory on the day following her
betrothal, Sternsilver called at her residence only twice during the
first week of their engagement.

"I didn't think the feller got so much sense," Seiden commented when
Bessie Saphir complained of Philip's coldness.

"He sees you got your hands full gett