I can't account for it."
"The force of habit, perhaps," suggested Ruth.
"Probably. Jewish appetite is known to dote on the fat of the land."
That he said this with as little vituperation as if he had remarked on the
weather Ruth knew; and she felt no inclination to resent the remark,
although a vision of her cousin Jennie protesting did present itself. Some
Jewish people with diseased imaginations take every remark on the race as a
personal calumny.
"We always make the reservation that the fat be clean," she laughed.
Kemp flashed around at her.
"Miss Levice," he exclaimed contritely, "I completely forgot--I hope I was
not rude."
"Why, certainly not," she answered half merrily, half earnestly. "Why
should you be?"
"As you say, why should I be? Jewish individuals, of course, have their
faults like the rest of humanity. As a race, most of their characteristics
redound to their honor, in my estimation."
"Thank you," said the girl, quietly. "I am very proud of many Jewish
traits."
"Such as a high morality, loyalty, intelligence, filial respect, and
countless other things."
"Yes."
"Besides, it is wonderful how they hold the balance of power in the musical
and histrionic worlds. Still, to be candid, in comparison with these, they
do not seem to have made much headway in the other branches of art.
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