"_Rebecca!_" explained the old man, in a hollow voice. "Miss Nathan?" "Yes, that was the party vot done it." "Showing her affection for her future father-in-law rather early in the day?" ventured Jim. "_Father-in-law?_--not me! She’ll never marry that velp Isaac. She’s about finished vith ’_im_!" "That’s good news," said Jim. "Who’s the new young man?" "Vy," said the provision dealer, "I’m thinkin’ she’ll be after _you_ next, doctor!" "_Me!_" said Jim, looking so amazed that the old Jew was seized with a most unpleasant spasm of mirth. "Yes, ever since you chucked Isaac out that night," he explained, "she’s referred to you in an admirin’ vay vich turns Isaac simply yeller. Yes, I told you she’d marry a gentleman, and you’re ’er choice, my dear sir!" And again the old man’s throat gave out a croaking wheeze which, by a lurid effort of the imagination, might be described as laughter. "So you will understand," added Mr Harris, "that Isaac don’t love yer. In fact, I believe ’e set those ’Ooligans on yer in Pine Court." "You think that?" inquired Jim, sharply. "It’s a bad thing to say of one’s own flesh an’ blood," returned Mr Harris, "but I think ’e did. I want to _varn_ yer, doctor; keep yer eye open, for them ruffians ain’t done vith yer yet--nor ’as Isaac." "You imagine they’ll have another go at me?" said Jim. "I do," said the old man, "and next time they’ll make dead sure of yer. They’re not men--they’re wolves. They never forgive. That’s their natur’--and Isaac’s." Jim pulled at his pipe thoughtfully. He felt that the old Jew, despite Isaac’s unfilial conduct, would not have denounced his own son in this way if there had not been serious reasons for his so doing. "I’ll remember your warning, Mr Harris," he said at length; "and now," he added, "let me see what I can do for you. Stand here by the gas, will you?" The old man obeyed. "She went for you pretty hard," remarked Jim, proceeding to mix up some healing ointment for his patient; "how did it happen?" "Like this," said Mr Harris. "Last night Isaac and I vos invited to spend the evenin’ at the Nathans. On’y she and ’er brother vos there--the old ’uns vos out. ’Er brother is a big loud feller, and despises Isaac. Vell, ve set down to cards--’Uncle Sam’ vos the game----" "A tricky one, too," put in Jim.