"It may be a hundred and fifty pounds," said Manasseh pompously. Yankelé's eyes sparkled. "And it may be less," added Manasseh as an after-thought. "How much less?" enquired Yankelé anxiously. "A hundred and fifty pounds," repeated Manasseh pompously. "D'you mean to say I may get noting?" "Certainly, if she gets nothing. What I promised you was the money she gets from the Synagogue. Should she be fortunate enough in the sorteo—" "De sorteo! Vat is dat?" [102] [102] "The dowry I told you of. It is accorded by lot. My daughter has as good a chance as any other maiden. By winning her you stand to win a hundred and fifty pounds. It is a handsome amount. There are not many fathers who would do as much for their daughters," concluded Manasseh with conscious magnanimity. "But about de Jerusalem estate!" said Yankelé, shifting his standpoint. "I don't vant to go and live dere. De Messiah is not yet come." "No, you will hardly be able to live on it," admitted Manasseh. "You do not object to my selling it, den?" "Oh, no! If you are so sordid, if you have no true Jewish sentiment!" "Ven can I come into possession?" "On the wedding day if you like." "One may as vell get it over," said Yankelé, suppressing a desire to rub his hands in glee. "As de Talmud says, 'One peppercorn to-day is better dan a basketful of pumpkins to-morrow.'" "All right! I will bring it to the Synagogue."
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