"A clever discovery," sneered Mr. Whimpole. "Are you going to put another of your false constructions on it?" "No, sir. I am about to tell you a plain and beautiful truth. When in olden times a name was given to this place, it was not Gosport: it was God's Port; and what Gods port is there throughout the civilised world in which Jew and Christian alike have not an equal right to live, despite prejudice, despite bigotry, and despite the unreasonable anger of large corn-chandlers and respected churchwardens? I wish you, sir, good-night." And having by this time reached the street door, Aaron Cohen opened it for Mr. Whimpole, and bowed him politely out. CHAPTER XII. THE COURSE OF THE SEASONS. Upon Aaron's return to the little parlour he saw that Rachel was greatly disturbed. "My life!" he said, and he folded her in his arms and tenderly embraced her. "Don't allow such a little thing as this to distress you; it will all come right in the end." "But how you kept your temper," she said; "that is what surprised me." "It gave me the advantage of him, Rachel. I was really amused." He pinched her cheeks to bring the colour back to them. "Some men must be managed one way, some another. And now for our game of bezique. Mr. Whimpole's visit"--he laughed at the recollection--"will make me enjoy it all the more." There was no resisting his light-heartedness, and he won a smile from her, despite her anxiety. Rachel was not clever enough to discover that it was only by the cunning of her husband that she won the rub of bezique. He was a keen judge of human nature, and he knew that this small victory would help to soothe her. The next day was Friday, and the three golden balls were put up, and the name of Aaron Cohen painted over the shop door. A great many people came to look, and departed to circulate the news. At one o'clock the painting was done, and then Aaron said to his wife, "I shall be out till the evening. Have you found any one to attend to the lights and the fire?" They were not rich enough to keep a regular servant, and neither of them ever touched fire on the Sabbath. "I have heard of a woman," said Rachel; "she is coming this afternoon to see me." "Good," said Aaron, and, kissing Rachel, went away with a light heart. In the afternoon the woman, Mrs. Hawkins, called, and Rachel explained the nature of the services she required. Mrs. Hawkins was to come to the house every Friday night to put coals on the fire and extinguish the lights, and four times on Saturday to perform the same duties. Rachel proposed eightpence a week, but Mrs. Hawkins stuck out for tenpence, and this being acceded to, she departed, leaving a strong flavour of gin behind her.