“Ho-ly smokes!” Abe broke in.  “What d’ye think of that?”

“What do I think of what?” Morris asked.

“Immerglick & Frank,” Abe read aloud.  “A petition in bankruptcy was this day filed against Immerglick & Frank, doing business as the ’Vienna Store.’  This firm has been a heavy purchaser throughout the trade during the past two months, but when the receiver took possession there remained only a small stock of goods.  The receiver has retained counsel and will examine Louis Frank under Section 21 A of the Bankruptcy Act.  It is understood that Mendel Immerglick, the senior partner, sailed for Hamburg last week on the Kaiserin Luisa Victoria and intends to remain in Germany for an indefinite time.”

Abe laid down the paper with a sigh of relief.

“If that don’t make us solid with Philip Hahn, Mawruss,” he said, “nothing will.”

Miss Kreitmann left at the end of the week, and Abe and Morris wasted no time in vain regrets over her departure, but proceeded at once to assort and make up a new line of samples for Philip Hahn’s inspection.  For three days they jumped every time a customer entered the store, and Abe wore a genial smile of such fixity that his face fairly ached.

At length, on the Thursday following Miss Kreitmann’s resignation, while Abe was flicking an imaginary grain of dust from the spotless array of samples, the store door burst open and a short, stout person entered.  Abe looked up and, emitting an exclamation, rushed forward with both arms extended in hearty greeting.

“Mister Hahn,” he cried, “how do you do?”

The newcomer drew himself up haughtily, and his small mustache seemed to shed sparks of indignation.

Abe stopped short in hurt astonishment.

“Is th-there a-anything the matter?” he faltered.

“Is there anything the matter!” Mr. Hahn roared.  “Is there anything the matter!  That’s a fine question for you to ask.”

“W-w-why?” Abe stuttered.  “Ain’t everything all right?”

Mr. Hahn, with an effort that bulged every vein in his bald forehead, subsided into comparative calm.

“Mr. Potash,” he said, “I bought from you six bills of goods in the last few months.  Ain’t it?”

Abe nodded.

“And I never claimed no shortages and never made no kicks nor nothing, but always paid up prompt on the day like a gentleman.  Ain’t it?”

Abe nodded again.

“And this is what I get for it,” Mr. Hahn went on bitterly.  “My own niece on my wife’s side, I put her in your care.  I ask you to take it an interest in her.  You promise me you will do your best.  You tell me and Max Fried you will look after her”—­he hesitated, almost overcome by emotion—­“like a father.  You said that when I bought the second bill.  And what happens?  The only chance she gets to make a decent match, you write me the feller ain’t no good.  Naturally, I think you got some sense, and so I busts the affair up.”