"Thank you, Jennie; I shall speak to Father about it." The young girl's
tone was quite unagitated; but two pink spots on her usually colorless
cheeks betrayed her emotion.

"That is right, dear. I hope you will forgive me if I seem meddlesome, but
Jo and I have noticed it for some time; and your father, by allowing this
continual gayety, seems to have overlooked what we find so sadly apparent.
Of course you have an engagement for to-night?"

"Yes; we are going to a reception at the Merrills'."

"Merrill? Christians?" was the sharp reply.

"The name speaks for itself."

"What does possess your parents to mix so much with Christians?"

"Fellow-feeling, I suppose. We all dance and talk alike; and as we do not
hold services at receptions, wherein lies the difference?"

"There is a difference; and the Christians know it as well as we Jewish
people. Not only do they know it, but they show it in countless ways; and
the difference, they think, is all to their credit. For my part, I always
feel as if they looked down on us, and I should like to prove to them how
we differ on that point. I have enough courage to let them know I consider
myself as good as the best of them."

"Is that why you wear diamonds and silk on the street, Jennie?" asked Ruth,
her serious tones implying no impudence, but carrying a refined reproach.