He must have been calculating on this moment and this separation to which Baboushka had no doubt contributed.

She now loomed into view.

Repulsed by the Jew in his detestation of beggars--for while the Christian accepts poverty as a misfortune to which resignation is one remedy, he regards it as an affliction to be violently removed--she hesitated to continue her annoyance.

The bridge was so narrow that he had no difficulty, thanks to the length of his arms, in placing a hand on each rail, so that, as he bent his broad, smiling face forward between them, he effectively barred the way.

With a tone which he intended to be winning and tender, but which nature had not allowed him to modulate very sweetly, he said: "Divine songstress of Freyer Brothers' Brewery Harmonista Cellars!" She stopped quickly and faced half round, so as to be in a better position for retreat if he made an advance toward her.