Mrs. Ginsburg placed her two fists against her son's blue shirt-front, threw back her head, and looked into his eyes; her heavy waist-line swayed backward against his firm embrace; immediate tears sprang into her eyes. "Abie! Abie!" "Mamma, look how happy you should be! Ain't you always wanted a daughter, mamma? For joy she cries, Ruby." "Abie, my boy! _Ach_, Miss Cohn, you must excuse me." "Aw, now, mamma, don't cry so. Look! You make my shoulder all wet--shame on you! You should laugh like never in your life! Ruby, you and mamma kiss right away--you should get to know each other now." "_Ach_, Miss Cohn, you must excuse me. I always told him I mustn't stand in his way; but what that boy is to me, Miss Cohn--what--what--" "Ruby--mamma, call her Ruby. Ain't she your little Ruby as much as mine--now, ain't she?" "Yes; come here, Ruby, and let me kiss you. Since poor papa's gone you can never know what that boy has been to me, Ruby--such a son; not out of the house would he go without me! It's like I was giving away my heart to give him up--like I was tearing it right out from inside of me! _Ach_, but how glad I am for him!" "Aw, mamma--like you was giving me up!" Mr. Ginsburg swallowed with such difficulty that the tears sprang into his eyes. "I ain't taking him away from you, Mrs. Ginsburg--he's your son as much as ever--and more." "Call her mamma, Ruby--just like I do." "Mamma! Just don't you worry, mamma; it's going to be grand for you and me and all of us." "Hear her, mamma, how she talks! Ain't she a girl for you?" "You--you children mustn't mind me--I'm an old woman. You go in the front room, and I'll be all right in a minute--so happy I am for my boy. You bad boy, you--not to tell your mamma the other night!" "Mamma, so help me, I didn't know it myself till I seen her come back to-day so pretty, and all--I just felt it inside of me all of a sudden." "Aw, Abe--ain't he the silly talker, Mrs. Ginsburg?--mamma! You mustn't cry, mamma; we'll make it grand for you." "Ain't I the silly one myself to cry when I'm so happy for you? I'll be all right in a minute--so happy I am!" "Ruby, you tell mamma how grand it'll be." Miss Cohn placed her arms about Mrs. Ginsburg's neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed her on the tear-wet lips. "You always got a home with us, mamma. Me and Abie wouldn't be engaged this minute if it wasn't that you would always have a home with us." With one swoop Mr. Ginsburg gathered the two women in a mutual embrace that strained his arms from their sockets; his voice was taut, like one who talks through a throat that aches. "My little mamma and my little Ruby--ain't it?" Mrs. Ginsburg dried her eyes on a corner of her apron and smiled at them with fresh tears forming instantly. "He's been a good boy, Ruby. I only want that he should make just so good a husband. I always said the girl that gets him does well enough for herself. I don't want to brag on my own child, but--if--" "Aw, mamma!"