'Ah, that explains it,' said Malka with satisfaction. 'They'd have told you, "Don't go and see the old woman; she's _meshuggah_, she ought to be in the asylum." I bring children into the world, and buy them husbands and businesses and bedclothes, and this is my profit. The other day my Milly--the impudent face! I would have boxed her ears if she hadn't been suckling Nathaniel! Let her tell me again that ink isn't good for the ringworm, and my five fingers shall leave a mark on her face worse than any of Gabriel's ringworms. But I have washed my hands of her--she can go her way, and I'll go mine. I've taken an oath I'll have nothing to do with her and her children--no, not if I live a thousand years. It's all through Milly's ignorance she has had such heavy losses.' 'What! Mr. Phillips's business been doing badly? I'm so sorry.' 'No, no! my family never does bad business. It's my Milly's children. She lost two. As for my Leah, God bless her! she's been more unfortunate still. I always said that old beggar-woman had the evil-eye! I sent her to Liverpool with her Sam.' 'I know,' murmured Esther. 'But she is a good daughter. I wish I had a thousand such! She writes to me every week, and my little Ezekiel writes back--English they learn them in that heathen school,' Malka interrupted herself sarcastically; 'and it was I who had to learn him to begin a letter properly, with--"I write you these few lines, hoping to find you in good health, as, thank God, it leaves me at present." He used to begin anyhow.' She came to a stop, having tangled the thread of her discourse, and bethought herself of offering Esther a peppermint. But Esther refused, and bethought herself of inquiring after Mr. Birnbaum. 'My Michael is quite well, thank God!' said Malka, 'though he is still pigheaded in business matters! He buys so badly, you know--gives a hundred pounds for what's not worth twenty.' 'But you said business was all right?'