"I simply said I knew nothing at all about it, except that he was your
physician. Even if I had known, I wouldn't have said more."

"There is no more to be said. Dr. Kemp and Ruth have become friendly
through their mutual interest in several poor patients; and in the course
of conversation one morning he heard that Ruth was anxious to see this
play, and had no escort. So he asked her, and her father saw no objection
to her going. It is a pity she didn't think to hand round a written
explanation to her different Jewish friends in the theatre."

"There you go, Aunt Esther! Jewish friends! I am sure that no matter how
indifferent Uncle is to such things, you must remember that our Jewish
girls never go alone to the theatre with any one outside of the family, and
certainly not with a Christian."

"What has that to do with it, so long as he is a gentleman?"

"Nothing. Only I didn't think you cared to have Ruth's name coupled with
one."

"No, nor with any one. But as I cannot control people's tongues--"

"Then I would not give them cause for wagging. Aunt Esther, is there
anything between Ruth and Dr. Kemp?"

"Jennie, you surprise and anger me. Do you know what you insinuate?"

"I can't help it. Either you are crazy, or ignorant of what is going on,
and I consider it my duty to enlighten you," --a gossip's duties are all
away from home, --"unless, of course, you prefer to remain in blissful or