"I'll say 'ta' so nicely." "No," he said, "you've been naughty; I'm going to give it to the little girl who has sat quiet all the time.

Miss Hannah Jacobs, rise to receive your prize." Hannah, who was sitting two places to the left of him, smiled quietly, but went on carving her fish.

Sam, growing quite boisterous under the appreciation of a visibly amused audience, leaned towards her, captured her right hand, and forcibly adjusted the ring on the second finger, exclaiming in Hebrew, with mock solemnity, "Behold, thou art consecrated unto me by this ring according to the Law of Moses and Israel." It was the formal marriage speech he had learnt up for his approaching marriage.

The company roared with laughter, and pleasure and enjoyment of the fun made Leah's lovely, smiling cheeks flush to a livelier crimson.

Badinage flew about from one end of the table to the other: burlesque congratulations were showered on the couple, flowing over even unto Mrs.Jacobs, who appeared to enjoy the episode as much as if her daughter were really off her hands.