"In my little flat, with Etta married and gone," chimed in Mrs. Adler, "I'm better off without a girl. I got a woman to come in and clean three times a week, and me and Ike go out for our supper. I got it better without the worry of a girl." "I give you right. If I'd listen to Marcus I'd keep a servant, too--a servant when I got my troubles without one!" "Ain't that jus' like papa, Birdie? He always says: 'Salcha, you take it easy now; when one girl isn't enough keep two'--as if I didn't have enough troubles already!" "Good-by, Mrs. Katzenstein!" Mrs. Kronfeldt inserted a tissue-paper-wrapped package carefully within her muff. "You got good taste in prizes--salts and peppers always come in handy." "That's the way me and Birdie felt when we picked them out--you can't have too many of them." "And, Birdie, you come over with your mamma some afternoon when Ruby's home. That girl with her society and engagements--I never see her myself! This afternoon she saw vaudeville with Sol Littleberger. He's in off the road." "Birdie had an engagement this afternoon, too, with a traveling-man; but I always like to have her home when I entertain." "I had a lovely afternoon, Mrs. Katzenstein. You and Miss Birdie must come and see me--One Hundred and Forty-first Street ain't so far away that you can't get to us." "Me and Birdie can come almost any afternoon, Mrs. Gump, except Saturday we go to the matinee--we're great ones for Saturday matinee." "That's what I call too bad! On Saturday Marcus comes home early, and he could see you home." "Well," said Mrs. Katzenstein, plucking a thread off Mrs. Gump's coat-sleeve, "it's not like there weren't plenty more Saturdays in the year. I got enough vaudeville shows this year anyway." "After the third number I always say, 'Mamma, let's go!'--don't I, mamma?" said Birdie. "We can come next Saturday, all right, Mrs. Gump; but mind, don't you go to any trouble for us--Birdie's on a diet, and all I want is a cup of coffee. It makes my husband so mad when I come home and got no appetite." "Good-by, Mrs. Ginsburg. _Ach_, that's right--I forgot; Birdie, write down Maggie's address for Mrs. Ginsburg. You try her once. She brings home the clothes so white it's a pleasure to put them away. Tell her I recommended her. I wish you could see Birdie's shirt-waists come home from the wash--just like new!" "I'll try her next week," said Mrs. Ginsburg, buckling her fur neckpiece. "Give Adolph my love, Batta. Birdie, help Aunt Batta with her coat. Come over some evening soon. Good-by, ladies! Come again. Good-by! Be careful of that step there, Mrs. Gump. Good-by!" Mrs. Katzenstein clicked the door softly shut and turned to her daughter. There were high red spots on her cheeks. "Well," she sighed, "I'm glad that's over." "Me, too; and I'm sorry enough that Mrs. Gump didn't win those salt-cellars."