"Thank you," said the girl, quietly. "I am very proud of many Jewish
traits."

"Such as a high morality, loyalty, intelligence, filial respect, and
countless other things."

"Yes."

"Besides, it is wonderful how they hold the balance of power in the musical
and histrionic worlds. Still, to be candid, in comparison with these, they
do not seem to have made much headway in the other branches of art. Can
you explain it, Miss Levice?"

He waited deferentially for a reply.

"I was trying to think of a proper answer," she responded with earnest
simplicity; "and I think that their great musical and histrionic powers are
the results not so much of art as of passion inherited from times and
circumstances stern and sad since the race began. Painting and sculpture
require other things."

"Which the Jew cannot obtain?"

A soft glow overspread her face and mounted to her brow.

"Dr. Kemp," she answered, "we have begun. I should like to quote to you
the beautiful illustration with which one of our rabbis was inspired to
answer a clergyman asking the same question; but I should only spoil that
which in his mouth seemed eloquent."