Moses Ansell chuckled softly and beatifically when he emitted the remark that surprised all who knew him.

But then it was the Rejoicing of the Law and the Sons of the Covenant had treated him to rum and currant cake.

He often thought of his witticism afterwards, and it always lightened his unwashed face with a happy smile.

The recollection usually caught him when he was praying.
For four years after Mrs.Ansell's charity funeral the Ansells, though far from happy, had no history to speak of.
Benjamin accompanied Solomon to _Shool_ morning and evening to say _Kaddish_ for their mother till he passed into the Orphan Asylum and out of the lives of his relatives.

Solomon and Rachel and Esther went to the great school and Isaac to the infant school, while the tiny Sarah, whose birth had cost Mrs.Ansell's life, crawled and climbed about in the garret, the grandmother coming in negatively useful as a safeguard against fire on the days when the grate was not empty.