"Sure," Polatkin whispered. "A fine-looking girl by the name Birdie Maslik, _mit_ five thousand dollars. Don't say nothing to Scheikowitz about it."
"But," Elkan said, "I ain't looking for no _Shidduch_."
"S-ssh!" Polatkin hissed. "Her father is B. Maslik, the 'Pants King.' To-morrow night you are going up to see her _mit_ Rashkind, the _Shadchen_."
"What the devil you are talking about?" Elkan asked.
"Not a word," Polatkin whispered out of one corner of his mouth. "Here comes Scheikowitz--and remember, don't say nothing to him about it. Y'understand?"
Elkan nodded reluctantly as Scheikowitz reappeared from the office.
"_Nu_, Elkan," Scheikowitz demanded, "are you coming?"
"Right away," Elkan said, and together they proceeded downstairs.
"Well, Elkan," Scheikowitz began when they reached the sidewalk, "you must think we was crazy to send for you just on account of this here Kapfer. Ain't it?"
"But, as a matter of fact," Scheikowitz continued, "Kapfer ain't got no more to do with it than Elia Hanové; and, even though Polatkin would be such a crank that I was afraid for my life to suggest a thing, it was my idee you should come home, Elkan, because in a case like this delays is dangerous."
"Mr. Scheikowitz," Elkan pleaded, "do me the favour and don't go beating bushes round. What are you trying to drive into?"
"I am trying to drive into this, Elkan," Scheikowitz replied: "I have got for you an elegant _Shidduch_."
"_Shidduch!_" Elkan exclaimed. "For me? Why, Mr. Scheikowitz, I don't want no _Shidduch_ yet a while; and anyhow, Mr. Scheikowitz, if I would get married I would be my own _Shadchen_."
"_Schmooes_, Elkan!" Scheikowitz exclaimed. "A feller which is his own _Shadchen_ remains single all his life long."
"That suits me all right," Elkan commented as they reached Wasserbauer's. "I would remain single _und fertig_."
"What d'ye mean, you would remain single?" Scheikowitz cried. "Is some one willing to pay you five thousand dollars you should remain single, Elkan? _Oser a Stück_, Elkan; and, furthermore, this here Miss Birdie Maslik is got such a face, Elkan, which, honest, if she wouldn't have a cent to her name, understand me, you would say she is beautiful anyhow."
"B. Maslik's a _Tochter_," Scheikowitz added; "and remember, Elkan, don't breathe a word of this to Polatkin, otherwise he would never get through talking about it. Moreover, you will go up to Maslik's house to-morrow night with Charles Fischko, the _Shadchen_."