"Make your mind easy, sir; you would not pass muster in a synagogue without exciting remark. Yes, we are both thrifty and liberal, wasting nothing, and in the free spending of our money seeing that we get good value for it. That is not a reproach, nor is it a reproach that we thoroughly enjoy an agreeable thing when we get it for nothing. There are so many things in life to vex us that the opportunity of a good laugh should never be neglected. Proceed, my dear sir, proceed; you were saying that you believed you were not mistaken in taking me for a Jew." "Is it your intention," asked Mr. Whimpole, coming now straight to the point, "to reside in Gosport?" "If I am permitted," replied Aaron, meekly. "We have not always been allowed to select our place of residence. I am thankful that we live in an enlightened age and in a free country." "I hear, Mr. Cohen, that you have purchased the lease of this house." "It is true, sir. The purchase money has been paid, and the lease is mine." "It has twenty-seven years to run." "Twenty-seven years and three months. Who can tell where we shall be, and how we shall be situated, at the end of that time?" Mr. Whimpole waved the contemplation aside. "You gave a hundred pounds for the lease." "The precise sum; your information is correct." "I had some intention, Mr. Cohen, of buying it myself." "Indeed! Why did you not do so?" "There were reasons. Not pecuniary, I beg to say. I delayed too long, and you stepped in before me." "A case of the early bird catching the worm," Aaron observed, with a smile. "If it gratifies you to put it that way. I have, therefore, no option but to purchase the lease of you." "Mr. Whimpole," said Aaron, after a slight pause, "I am agreeable to sell you the lease." "I thought as much." And Mr. Whimpole disposed himself comfortably in his chair. Rachel's eyes dilated in surprise. Their settlement in Gosport had not been made in haste, and all arrangements for commencing the business were made. She could not understand her husband's willingness to give up the house. "I do not expect you to take what you gave for it," said Mr. Whimpole. "I am prepared to give you a profit; and," he added, jocosely, "you will not be backward in accepting it." "Not at all backward. You speak like a man of sense." "How much do you ask for your bargain? How much, Mr. Cohen? Don't open your mouth too wide." "If you will permit me," said Aaron, and he proceeded to pencil down a calculation. "It is not an undesirable house, Mr. Whimpole." "No, no; I don't say it is." "It is compact and convenient." "Fairly so, fairly so." "I will accept," said Aaron, having finished his calculation, "five hundred pounds." "You cannot be in earnest!" gasped Mr. Whimpole, his breath fairly taken away. "I am quite in earnest. Are you aware what it is you would buy of me?" "Of course I am aware; the lease of this house."