"Is that you, Betsy, how _are_ you? How _are_ you? I'm so glad to see you. Won't you come and treat me to a cup of chocolate at Bonn's, just to show you haven't forgot _Olov hasholom_ times?"
And then, having thus thrown the responsibility of stand-offishness on the poorer Betsy, the Montmorenci would launch into recollections of those good old "Peace be upon him" times till the grub forgot the splendors of the caterpillar in a joyous resurrection of ancient scandals. But few of the Montmorencis, whatever their species, left the Ghetto without pressing bits of gold into half-reluctant palms in shabby back-rooms where old friends or poor relatives mouldered.
Overhead, the stars burned silently, but no one looked up at them. Underfoot, lay the thick, black veil of mud, which the Lane never lifted, but none looked down on it. It was impossible to think of aught but humanity in the bustle and confusion, in the cram and crush, in the wedge and the jam, in the squeezing and shouting, in the hubbub and medley. Such a jolly, rampant, screaming, fighting, maddening, jostling, polyglot, quarrelling, laughing broth of a Vanity Fair! Mendicants, vendors, buyers, gossips, showmen, all swelled the roar.
"Here's your cakes! All _yontovdik_ (for the festival)! _Yontovdik_--"
"It's the Rav's orders, mum; all legs of mutton must be porged or my license--"
"The best trousers, gentlemen. Corst me as sure as I stand--"
"_Arbah Kanfus_ (four fringes)! _Arbah_--"
"Gord blesh you, mishter, a toisand year shall ye live."
"Eat the best _Motsos_. Only fourpence--"
"The bones must go with, marm. I've cut it as lean as possible."
"_Charoises_ (a sweet mixture). _Charoises! Moroire_ (bitter herb)! _Chraine_ (horseradish)! _Pesachdik_ (for Passover)."
"Come and have a glass of Old Tom, along o' me, sonny."
"Fine plaice! Here y'are! Hi! where's yer pluck! S'elp me--"
"Bob! _Yontovdik! Yontovdik_! Only a bob!"
"_Shaink_ (spare) _meer_ a 'apenny, missis _lieben_, missis _croin_ (dear)--"
"I give you my word, sir, the fish will be home before you."
"Painted in the best style, for a tanner--"
"I'll cut a slice of this melon for you for--"
"She's dead, poor thing, peace be upon him."
"_Yontovdik_! Three bob for one purse containing--"