Part 45 (2/2)
Maikafer nodded as he pocketed his change.
”All right, Trinkmann,” he said. ”But you know what happens when a concern lets a salesman go. He easy finds a partner and starts to do business with his old firm's customers on his own account.”
Trinkmann laughed aloud.
”That _Schnorrer_ ain't got money enough to stock a pushcart, let alone a restaurant,” he jeered.
”That's all right,” Maikafer retorted. ”I know a feller which runs for years a place in East New York--Brownsville--Trinkmann, and when he hears Louis ain't working, not only he would be glad to give him a job as waiter, but he would stake him to an interest in the restaurant yet.”
Trinkmann flapped his right hand at Maikafer in a gesture of derision.
”_Schmooes!_” he cried.
”No _Schmooes_ at all,” Max said, as he pa.s.sed out of the door. ”He's the feller I am talking to you about by the name Ringentaub, and across the street is plenty vacant stores.”
Ten minutes after Max had departed Simon Feinsilver entered.
”Say, Trinkmann,” he asked, as he paused at the cas.h.i.+er's desk on his way to one of Louis' tables, ”did you seen it Max Maikafer this morning?”
Had Trinkmann scrutinized Simon's face with any degree of care he might have observed a mischievous gleam in Simon's eyes; but at the mere mention of Maikafer's name Trinkmann exploded.
”What d'ye mean, did I seen it Maikafer?” he demanded.
”Why I just asked you,” Simon said calmly, ”on account he was to meet me at my office and he ain't showed up at all.”
”Well, I ain't surprised to hear that, Mr. Feinsilver,” Trinkmann rejoined less viciously. ”Because even if Maikafer is such a good friend of yours, the feller is so busy with other people's business, what he ain't got no business to b.u.t.t in at all, that his own business he lets go to the devil. Am I right or wrong?”
Simon nodded and sat down at one of Louis' tables.
”Albert,” Trinkmann cried, ”wait on Mr. Feinsilver.”
”That's all right,” Feinsilver declared; ”I got plenty time.”
”Albert,” Trinkmann repeated, ”take Mr. Feinsilver's order.”
Albert left his station on the opposite side of the room and approached Feinsilver with a conciliatory smile.
”What would you like to-day, Mr. Feinsilver?” he said.
”I would like Louis,” Feinsilver replied; ”so go ahead, Albert, and tell Louis when he gets through serving those two fellers over there to wait on me.”
”What's the matter you ain't giving your order to Albert, Mr.
Feinsilver?” Trinkmann asked.
”Albert is all right,” Feinsilver replied, ”but Louis knows just how I want things, Trinkmann. You ain't got no objections to me waiting for Louis?”
”Why should I got objections, Mr. Feinsilver?” Trinkmann protested.
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