Part 12 (1/2)
”Why then do you not forbid her to do this thing?” demanded Madame Zamenoy. But the old man had recognised too well the comparative security of silence to be drawn into argument, and therefore merely hid himself more completely among the clothes. ”Am I to get no answer from you, Josef?” said Madame Zamenoy. No answer came, and therefore she was driven to turn again upon Nina.
”Why are you doing this thing, you poor deluded creature? Is it the man's money that tempts you?”
”It is not the man's money. If money could tempt me, I could have it elsewhere, as you know.”
”It cannot be love for such a man as that. Do you not know that he and his father between them have robbed your father of everything?”
”I know nothing of the kind.”
”They have; and he is now making a fool of you in order that he may get whatever remains.”
”Nothing remains. He will get nothing.”
”Nor will you. I do not believe that after all he will ever marry you.
He will not be such a fool.”
”Perhaps not, aunt; and in that case you will have your wish.”
”But no one can ever speak to you again after such a condition. Do you think that I or your uncle could have you at our house when all the world shall know that you have been jilted by a Jew?”
”I will not trouble you by going to your house.”
”And is that all the satisfaction I am to have?”
”What do you want me to say?”
”I want you to say that you will give this man up, and return to your duty as a Christian.”
”I will never give him up--never. I would sooner die.”
”Very well. Then I shall know how to act. You will not be a bit nearer marrying him; I can promise you that. You are mistaken if you think that in such a matter as this a girl like you can do just as she pleases.” Then she turned again upon the poor man in bed. ”Josef Balatka, I am ashamed of you. I am indeed--I am ashamed of you.”
”Aunt Sophie,” said Nina, ”now that you are here, you can say what you please to me; but you might as well spare father.”
”I will not spare him. I am ashamed of him--thoroughly ashamed of him.
What can I think of him when he will lie there and not say a word to save his daughter from the machinations of a filthy Jew?”
”Anton Trendellsohn is not a filthy Jew.”
”He is a robber. He has cheated your father out of everything.”
”He is no robber. He has cheated no one. I know who has cheated father, if you come to that.”
”Whom do you mean, hussey?”
”I shall not answer you; but you need not tell me any more about the Jews cheating us. Christians can cheat as well as Jews, and can rob from their own flesh and blood too. I do not care for your threats, aunt Sophie, nor for your frowns. I did care for them, but you have said that which makes it impossible that I should regard them any further.”
”And this is what I get for all my trouble--for all your uncle's generosity!” Again Nina smiled. ”But I suppose the Jew gives more than we have given, and therefore is preferred. You poor creature--poor wretched creature!”
During all this time Balatka remained silent; and at last, after very much more scolding, in which Madame Zamenoy urged again and again the terrible threat of eternal punishment, she prepared herself for going.
”Lotta Luxa,” she said, ”--where is Lotta Luxa?” She opened the door, and found Lotta Luxa seated demurely by the window. ”Lotta,” she said, ”I shall go now, and shall never come back to this unfortunate house.