Part 10 (2/2)

”Shall you come back?”

”Of course!”

We are both silent.

”It will only be for a few weeks,” he said.

I was silent, and he looked at me pleadingly.

”Shall you miss me?”

”Yes.” I scarcely heard my own reply.

Another silence.

”Let us say good-bye.”

My hand still lay in his.

”Go in health,” I said in a trembling voice.

He leaned over, kissed me, and vanished.

I stood there a long time like one tipsy.

”Leah!” It was mother's voice, but the old, gentle, almost singing voice of the days when father was well.

”Leah'she!”

I had not been called that for a long time. One more quiver, and I ran indoors with lips still burning from his kiss. I scarcely recognized the room. On the table stood two strange candle-sticks with lighted candles, and beside them, brandy and gingerbread. Father was sitting on a chair propped up with cus.h.i.+ons, joy smiling out of every wrinkle in his face.

And round the table were strange chairs with strange people--and mother caught me in her arms and kissed me.

”Good luck to you, daughter, my little daughter, Leah'she! good luck to you!”

I don't understand, but I am frightened, and my heart beats wildly. When my mother let me loose, my father called me. I had no strength to stand, and I dropped on my knees beside him, and laid my head in his lap. He stroked my head, curled my hair with his fingers.

”My child you will never suffer want and hunger again, you will never go barefoot--you will be a lady--you will be rich--you will pay for the teaching of your little brothers--so that they shall not be turned out of the Cheder--you will help _us_, too--I-shall get well.”

”And do you know who the suitor is?” asked mother, excitedly. ”Reb Zeinwill! fancy, Reb Zeinwill! He sent the match-maker himself.”

I don't know what happened to me, but I woke to find myself on my bed in broad daylight.

”G.o.d be praised!” cried my mother.

”Praised be His dear Name!” said my father.

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