Suddenly he heard a footstep on the stairs. "Thank God!" he cried, as he
ran to the door.
"Xantippe!"
But he recoiled as if shot, for as the door opened Amos entered. The Jew
bowed politely to the Greek, but there was an unpleasant twinkle in his
eyes as he spoke.
"You cannot offer me a seat, my friend, so I will stand. We have met
already this evening."
Gregorio did not answer, but placed himself between the Jew and the
child.
"I dare say you did not see me," the old man continued, quietly, "for
you seemed excited. I suppose the child is yours. It was surely careless
to let him stray so far from home."
"The child is mine."
"Ah, well, it is a happy chance that you recovered him so easily. And
now to business."
"I am listening."
"I have already, as of course you know, been here to see you about the
money you owe me. I was sorry you did not see fit to pay me, because I
had to sell your furniture, and it was not worth much."
"I have no money to pay you, or I would have paid you long ago. I told
you when I went to your house that I could not pay you.
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