dinner,
because the proposition ain't attractive."

* * * * *

"Yes, Mr. Redman," Elkan commented when he resumed his duties as
assistant cutter after the five and a half dill pickles had been
supplemented with a hasty meal of rolls and coffee, "for a _Schlemiel_
like him to call himself a salesman--honestly, it's a disgrace!"

He addressed his remarks to Joseph Redman, head cutter for Polatkin &
Scheikowitz, who plied his shears industriously at an adjoining table.
Joseph, like every other employee of Polatkin & Scheikowitz, was
thoroughly acquainted with the details of Flaxberg's hiring and its
denouement. Nevertheless, in his quality of head cutter, he professed a
becoming ignorance.

"Who is this which you are knocking now?" he asked.

"I am knocking some one which he's got a right to be knocked," Elkan
replied. "I am knocking this here feller Flaxberg, which he calls
himself a salesman. That feller couldn't sell a drink of water in the
Sahara Desert, Mr. Redman. All he cares about is gambling and going on
theaytres. Why, if I would be in his shoes, Mr. Redman, I wouldn't eat
or I wouldn't sleep till I got from Appenweier & Murray an order. Never
mind if my uncle would be fired and Mr. Lapin, the new buyer, is a
relation from Sammet Brothers, Mr. Redman, I would get that account,
understand me, or I would _verplatz_."

"_Yow_, you would do wonders!" Redman said. "The best thing you could
do, Lubliner, is to close up your face and get to work. You shouldn't
got so much to say for yourself. A big mouth is only for a salesman,
Lubliner. For a cutter it's nix, understand me; so you should give me a
rest with this here Appenweier & Murray's account and get busy on them
2060's. We are behind with 'em as it is."

Thus admonished, Elkan lapsed into silence; and for more than half an
hour he pursued his duties diligently.

"_Nu!_" Redman said at length. "What's the matter you are acting so
quiet this afternoon?"

"What d'ye mean I am acting quiet, Mr. Redman?" Elkan asked. "I am
thinking--that's all. Without a feller would think once in a while, Mr.
Redman, he remains a cutter all his life."

"There's worser things as cutters," Redman commented. "For
instance--assistant cutters."

"Sure, I know," Elkan agreed; "but salesmen is a whole lot better as
cutters _oder_ assistant cutters. A salesman sees life, Mr. Redman. He
meets oncet in a while people, Mr. Redman; while, with us, what is it?