Seiden refused the proffered palm and started for the door. Before he reached it, however, Fatkin grabbed him by the arm. 

 "At such a time like this, Mr. Seiden," he said, "you couldn't afford to be small." 

 Once more Sternsilver held out his hand and this time Seiden shook it limply. 

 "No bad feelings, Mr. Seiden," Sternsilver said, and Seiden shrugged impatiently. 

 "You, I don't blame at all, Sternsilver," he said. "I am making from my own self a sucker yet. A feller shouldn't never even begin with his wife's relations." 

 At the end of a year Hillel Fatkin left the employ of the Sanspareil Waist Company to embark in the garment business on his own account. Many reasons contributed to this move, chief of which was the arrival of a son in Fatkin's household. 

 "And we would call him Pesach," Hillel said to his mother-in-law shortly after the birth of his heir, "after your Uncle Pesach Gubin." 

 "My Uncle Pesach Gubin!" Mrs. Miriam Saphir protested. "What are you talking nonsense, Hillel? That lowlife is Mrs. Seiden's uncle, not my uncle." 

 "Your cousin, then," Hillel continued. "What's the difference if he's your cousin oder your uncle—we would call the boy after him, anyhow." 

 "Call the boy after that drinker—that bum! What for? The feller ain't no relation to me at all. Why should we call the precious lamb after Beckie Seiden's relations?" 

 "Do you mean to told me," he said, "that Pesach Gubin ain't no relation to Bessie at all?" 

 Mrs. Saphir nodded and blushed. 

 "The way families is mixed up nowadays, Hillel," she said, "it don't do no harm to claim relation with some people." 

 Her face commenced to resume its normal colour. 

 "Especially," she added, "if they got money." 

 

 CHAPTER FOUR 

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